If your test kit shows any ammonia in your fish tank, treat it as urgent. Do a 50% water change with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water right away, stop feeding for a day, and retest. Repeat water changes until ammonia reads 0 ppm, then find out why it spiked, because ammonia is almost always caused by too
High Ammonia in Fish Tank: Causes, Fast Fixes and When It’s an Emergency Read More »
Nerite snails are among the best algae-eating invertebrates in the hobby. They clean glass, rocks and decor, they do not overbreed in fresh water, and they come in striking patterns like zebra, tiger and horned. But they have specific needs, and many are lost in the first weeks because they starve, escape, or are dropped
Nerite Snail Care: Tank Size, Diet, Eggs, Lifespan and Why They Die Read More »
The green spotted puffer (Dichotomyctere nigroviridis, formerly Tetraodon nigroviridis) is a bold, intelligent and endlessly entertaining fish. It is also one of the most commonly mis-sold fish in the hobby. Stores often label it “freshwater”, but it only does well short term in fresh water and needs brackish and eventually near-marine conditions as an adult.
Why is my fish lying on the bottom of the tank? Most of the time it is one of three things: poor water quality (ammonia, nitrite or a pH swing), water that is too cold for the species, or a swim bladder or illness problem. A few fish also simply rest on the bottom as
Fish Lying on Bottom of Tank: Causes, Fixes and When to Really Worry Read More »
The blood red fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius) is one of the most striking invertebrates in the saltwater hobby: deep crimson with bright white spots and long white antennae. They are shy, reef-safe in most cases and fascinating to watch, but they are less forgiving than they look. This fire shrimp care guide covers everything from
Fire Shrimp Care: Blood Red Shrimp Tank Setup, Diet, Tank Mates and Lifespan Read More »
Freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are among the most recognizable aquarium fish in the world. Tall, graceful and surprisingly intelligent, they are also cichlids, which means they have a predatory streak and strong opinions. Good angelfish care comes down to a tall tank, stable warm water, sensible tank mates and a varied diet. This guide covers
Angelfish Care: Tank Size, Tank Mates, Diet, Breeding and Lifespan Read More »
If your shrimp died after a water change, the cause is almost always a sudden change in the water they live in: temperature, TDS (total dissolved solids), pH, or an unneutralized chemical such as chlorine or chloramine. Shrimp are far more sensitive than fish, so a change that fish shrug off can be fatal to
Shrimp Dying After Water Change: Why It Happens and How to Stop It Read More »
Emerald crabs (Mithraculus sculptus) are small, green, hairy-bodied reef crabs best known for eating nuisance algae, including bubble algae and hair algae, but they are not guaranteed reef safe. Most are peaceful scavengers that do a great job cleaning rock, yet some individuals, especially larger ones, will nip at corals, snails or even small fish
Emerald Crab Care: Reef Safety, Diet, Tank Size and Tank Mates Read More »
Cherry shrimp are one of the most popular freshwater invertebrates, and for good reason. They are tiny, bright red, constantly busy, and they clean up algae and leftover food. They also breed readily in a stable tank, so a handful can become a thriving colony. They are often sold as a “beginner” animal, but they
Cherry Shrimp Care: Tank Size, Diet, Tank Mates and Breeding Read More »
The powder blue tang is one of the most striking fish in the saltwater hobby. It has a bright blue body, a yellow dorsal fin, and a black face with a white chin. It is also one of the most challenging tangs to keep alive. Many are lost to ich, stress and starvation within the
Powder Blue Tang Care: Tank Size, Diet, Tank Mates and Difficulty Read More »