If you’re new to the fishkeeping hobby, your best starting place is most likely a community tank. Community aquariums feature several different fish species that live harmoniously together, creating a vibrant display that’s both beautiful and relaxing to look at. Building a community aquarium is rather an art form that demands careful selection of compatible fish species. To do that, you must focus on the social dynamics within the tank, not just the aesthetics. With that in mind, here are twelve friendly fish species that are known for their social behavior, making them perfect inhabitants fo ..read more

As with any other hobby, the aquarium scene is full of myths and misconceptions that mislead people into making unfortunate mistakes or missing out on many opportunities. Here, we’ll debunk 7 common aquarium myths so that you won’t have to learn the hard way. Let’s quash the fallacies and reveal the facts! Live Plants Are Hard To Keep Our first myth is unsurprisingly one we’d love to debunk the most! One of the saddest things about the aquarium hobby is how many people start out imagining or hearing that live plants are difficult to keep, only to miss out on one of the most fulfilling elemen ..read more

Although caring for marine fish can be challenging, they are undoubtedly among the most colorful aquatic creatures you can keep as pets, turning your marine or reef tank into a vibrant underwater paradise. Here are six stunning, reef-safe species guaranteed to make your tank pop! Key Takeaways Caring for marine fish like the Mandarinfish and Royal Gramma involves providing an environment with plenty of live rock and hiding spots and a diet suited to their carnivorous needs; they also display unique behaviors such as changing colors and complex mating dances. Flame Angelfish and Moorish Idols ..read more

When it comes to stocking your aquarium, fish often steal the spotlight, and there are certainly some beautiful species to choose from. However, a whole world of fascinating invertebrates is also waiting to be discovered, so you don’t have to limit your aquatic pet choices to fish! From quirky shrimp to amazing, mesmerizing cephalopods, these creatures can add an exciting and unique element to your tank. And these amazing animals aren’t limited to marine and reef tanks; there are freshwater species, too. Here are seven unusual invertebrates you might like to consider for both freshwater and sa ..read more

When it comes to cichlid tanks, most people prefer to create a natural-looking tank that resembles their natural environment. A few hobbyists and professionals, however, are choosing bare-bottom tanks instead of substrate. So what are the pros and cons of bare-bottom tanks? Should you be trying them out? That depends on your priorities, so let’s take a closer look. The Advantages of Bare-Bottom Tanks Easier To Clean The primary reason that some aquarists opt for bare-bottom tanks over substrate is that they believe they’re easier to clean. With no sand or gravel in the way, the fish keeper c ..read more

Aquatic plants are an extremely important addition to any freshwater fish tank. In return for a little simple maintenance, plants bring color and beauty to the underwater environment. They also add value by helping to oxygenate the water, taking up harmful nitrates, and providing plenty of hiding spots for shy fish and vulnerable fry. Beginners are often put off keeping living plants, assuming they’re difficult to care for. Although some species are indeed more challenging to keep than others, we’ve found ten ideal beginner plants. These species stand out for their resilience and simplicity of ..read more

Performing partial water changes every week or so is an essential part of your aquarium maintenance routine. But even though keeping your aquarium water in good condition and free from toxins is crucial for good fish health, your fishy friends can get pretty stressed out during the process. This guide explains how you can make those regular water changes much less stressful for your fish. I’ve also included some helpful tips on how to spot the signs of stress in your fish and what you can do to prevent this potentially serious condition from affecting your pets. Key Takeaways Importance of Ge ..read more

Owning an aquarium is a fun hobby that’s popular worldwide. Picture the scene; you’ve spent many hours and a lot of cash on designing the perfect aquascape and providing the perfect habitat for your pets. But what’s that horrendous smell coming from your fish tank? That can’t be happening! You maintain your tank correctly, and it’s full of fresh plants that are supposed to help purify the water. So, why does it stink so bad? If your aquarium smells bad, that means there’s a serious problem somewhere that needs your immediate attention. Keep reading to find out why your fish tank is still malod ..read more

These days, fake plants have become extremely popular as aquarium decoration pieces, largely because of their low maintenance and aesthetic appeal. Indeed, when I got into the fishkeeping hobby over 40 years ago, I had lots of silk plants adorning my first aquarium. However, there are quite a few hidden downsides to using artificial plants in natural aquariums, particularly concerning the environment, the tank’s ecosystem, and your aquatic pets’ well-being. In this guide, I expose the problems with using artificial plants versus living ones. Keep reading to find out why using faux foliage in y ..read more

Knowing how to achieve the right water pH for a particular community of fish is a skill that separates fishkeeping pros from the rest. But what if your water pH is inconsistent and keeps fluctuating? Because unstable water pH can be dangerous to fish health and tank ecology, it’s important to know how to correct it. Here we’ll identify the chief causes and suggest some effective solutions to this awkward problem. Key Takeaways Water pH most often becomes unstable due to poor water quality in small aquariums that are overstocked with too many fish. Other causes for a fluctuating pH include the ..read more