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 …
Jun 14
Live plants can completely transform a freshwater aquarium. They add natural color and texture, provide shelter for fish and fry, create grazing surfaces for shrimp and algae-eating fish, and absorb nutrients such as nitrogen compounds from the water. They can also make fish feel more secure by providing the cover and structure found in natural …
Apr 08
A thriving saltwater aquarium can contain some of the most colorful, unusual, and charismatic fish on Earth. From tiny gobies that perch among the rocks to brilliant angelfish, active tangs, peaceful cardinalfish, and formidable triggerfish, there is a marine fish for almost every appropriately sized aquarium. But choosing saltwater fish should involve more than picking …
Apr 08
Freshwater aquariums offer an extraordinary range of possibilities. A tank can become a peaceful planted world filled with tiny schooling tetras, a colorful livebearer community, a dramatic cichlid display, or even a home for unusual fish such as bichirs and upside-down catfish. The challenge is choosing fish that actually fit together. Adult size, temperament, water …
Feb 12
Choosing a name for a betta fish is almost as much fun as choosing the fish itself. With their flowing fins, bold personalities, unusual colors, and habit of staring right back at you from across the aquarium, bettas often seem to demand something more memorable than “Fishy.” Whether your betta is a dramatic Halfmoon, fiery …
Feb 08
Betta fish may eagerly beg for almost anything you drop into their aquarium, but that doesn’t mean every food is good for them. Betta splendens is a carnivorous fish. In the wild, bettas feed on small animal prey such as zooplankton, mosquito larvae, and other insect larvae. Their digestive system and nutritional needs are therefore …
Jan 20
Live aquarium plants can completely transform a freshwater tank. A bare aquarium may provide water and swimming space, but plants add an entirely different layer of life. They create shelter for fish, grazing surfaces for shrimp, places for fry to hide, shaded retreats for shy species, and an underwater landscape that changes as leaves grow, …
Jan 19
Setting up your first aquarium should be exciting—not an exercise in trying to decode conflicting advice about filters, cycling, water chemistry, and how many fish you can safely keep. The good news is that a healthy freshwater aquarium doesn’t need to be complicated. At its core, your first tank needs to provide fish with: The …
