Bumblebee gobies (Brachygobius species) are tiny, black-and-yellow striped fish that perch on rocks and driftwood like miniature bumblebees. They are charming, hardy once settled, and perfect for small tanks, but they have two quirks that catch beginners out: they need brackish water to thrive, and many only eat live or frozen foods. Here is how
Bumblebee Goby Care: Brackish Setup, Diet, Tank Mates and Lifespan Read More »
If your fish is hiding all the time, the most likely causes are stress from a new environment, poor water quality, a bully in the tank, or a tank that offers too little cover and too much light. Test your water first, then look at tank mates, hiding spots and lighting. A fish that suddenly
Fish Hiding All the Time? Why It Happens and What to Do Read More »
Mystery snails (Pomacea bridgesii) are big, colorful, peaceful freshwater snails that keep the tank clean and are fun to watch as they glide along glass, plants and substrate. They are also one of the most searched-for invertebrates in the hobby, and for good reason: they are charming, but they have specific needs that many keepers
Mystery Snail Care: Tank Size, Diet, Eggs and Why Yours Might Be Dying Read More »
The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is one of the most recognizable and best-loved marine aquarium fish. Its silver body, bold black bars, long trailing fins and white-spotted tail make it unforgettable, and it is a calm, slow-moving fish that suits peaceful reef tanks. It is also one of the few marine fish regularly bred in
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If your fish tank has green, brown or black hair-like strands growing on plants, rocks or decor, that is hair algae, and it almost always means nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) and light are out of balance. To get rid of it, remove as much as you can by hand, cut back excess light and feeding,
Hair Algae in Your Aquarium: Causes, How to Get Rid of It and Keep It Gone Read More »
The kole tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus), also called the yellow-eyed kole tang or goldring bristletooth, is a favorite of reef keepers. It combines a handsome look with an excellent work ethic: it grazes film algae and detritus all day, and is among the few tangs that are generally safe with corals. It is not a beginner
Kole Tang Care: Tank Size, Diet, Tank Mates and Why They Are Great Algae Grazers Read More »
The pearl gourami (Trichopodus leerii) is one of the most elegant freshwater fish you can keep. Its body is covered in tiny pearl-like dots, a dark lateral stripe runs along its side, and males develop a glowing orange to red throat and chest in breeding condition. Add long thread-like pelvic fins and a calm personality,
Pearl Gourami Care: Tank Size, Diet, Tank Mates, Breeding and Lifespan Read More »
If your fish has white stringy poop, the most likely explanation is that it hasn’t been eating much, so the waste is mostly mucus from its gut lining. If the fish is otherwise active, eating and looks normal, it is often a minor issue that clears up with better feeding and clean water. If the
White Stringy Poop in Fish: Causes, Fixes and When to Worry Read More »
The bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is one of the most charming fish on the reef, and one of the hardest to keep alive in an aquarium. In the wild it eats parasites and mucus picked off dozens of client fish a day. Most captive specimens slowly starve, and the hobby’s honest advice is that
Cleaner Wrasse Care: Why Most Die in Captivity and Whether You Should Try Read More »
Goldfish are sold as easy starter pets, but proper goldfish care is more demanding than most people expect. They grow large, produce a lot of waste, and can live 10 to 20 years, so a bowl or small tank is a slow death sentence. Give them a big, well-filtered tank (or a pond), a simple
Goldfish Care: Tank Size, Diet, Tank Mates and Lifespan Read More »