Jun 27
Saltwater aquarium fish offer an enchanting glimpse into an underwater universe filled with vibrant colors and diverse species. For those interested in marine life, setting up a saltwater aquarium can be a rewarding and educational experience. Unlike freshwater aquariums, saltwater tanks boast a much broader variety of fish, invertebrates, and corals. The aesthetic appeal of …
Feb 20
White spots on a betta fish are a warning sign worth investigating, but they do not automatically mean ich. Several parasitic, bacterial, viral, and water-mold problems can create pale spots or growths on a betta’s skin and fins, and the correct treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause. If the spots resemble tiny grains of …
Feb 14
Walk into a pet store and you may see a beautiful betta fish for less than $10. That can make bettas seem like incredibly inexpensive pets. The fish itself often is inexpensive. The aquarium it needs is another story. A responsible betta setup requires a properly sized tank, heater, filtration, water conditioner, water-testing supplies, food, …
Feb 01
Tiny white spots appearing on your betta’s fins or body can be an alarming sight—and one possibility is ich, one of the best-known parasitic diseases of freshwater aquarium fish. Freshwater ich is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a microscopic ciliated parasite that attacks the skin, fins, and gills of fish. The characteristic white dots may look …
Jan 23
Betta fish are colorful, intelligent, and surprisingly interactive aquarium fish, but their reputation for being able to survive in tiny bowls has led to many misconceptions about their care. A betta may be hardy enough to tolerate difficult conditions temporarily, but surviving and thriving are two very different things. The domestic betta, Betta splendens, is …
Sep 06
Tiny, peaceful, and glowing with warm orange color, the Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is one of the most appealing small freshwater fish for planted aquariums. A group moving through green plants can look like sparks drifting through the water—which explains the Ember Tetra’s memorable name. Their small size makes them especially popular in nano aquariums, …
Jul 01
The Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) may not have the neon-yellow brilliance of a Yellow Tang or the electric blue of a Blue Tang, but look closely and this understated surgeonfish reveals an intricate beauty all its own. Its brown-to-olive body is covered in delicate blue-green lines and dots, while its tall, disk-shaped profile gives it …
Jul 01
Colorful, active, and usually far more peaceful than many of their damselfish relatives, Chromis are among the most familiar small fish on coral reefs and in saltwater aquariums. The best-known aquarium species is the Blue-Green Chromis (Chromis viridis), whose shimmering turquoise-green body can seem to change color as it moves through reef lighting. Other Chromis …
Jul 01
With enormous sail-like fins, intricate stripes, orange spotting, and a commanding presence, the Red Sea Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii) is one of the most spectacular surgeonfish available to marine aquarists. Also known as the Desjardini Sailfin Tang, Desjardin’s Sailfin Tang, or Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, this species can grow surprisingly large. When its tall dorsal …
Jul 01
With its pearly white body, delicate black crosshatching, orange-yellow tail, and unmistakable butterflyfish profile, the Pearlscale Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus) is one of the most elegant marine fish available to saltwater aquarists. Also known as the Yellow-Tailed Butterflyfish, Crosshatch Butterflyfish, or Philippine Chevron Butterflyfish, this species comes from coral-rich waters of the western Pacific. Its graceful …
