Pet Fish

Canister filters are often the best choice for larger aquariums when you don't want to have a lot of ugly equipment inside the tank. They are also a good choice for large planted aquariums with...

Low carbonate hardness (low KH) can be detrimental to aquarium plants. It's not clear why the letters KH are used to abbreviate carbonate hardness, given that C stands for carbon. It is clear,...

A pregnant fish may not be as easy to spot as you may think. While most livebearing fish show the telltale bulging belly, in some fish it may not be as obvious. In addition, you will need to watch...

Determining if your fish is pregnant depends on the type of fish you have. If you recently purchased the fish, and it came with an extended belly just below the gills, you should check with the...

Saltwater fish tanks can captivate even in the age of fish screen-savers and always-on Internet connections. Marine fish are very beautiful and have personalities not found in freshwater fish....

Several different species of Bacopa are grown in the aquarium and in garden ponds including B. caroliniana and B. australis; the most popular is B. monnieri. These species all require the same...

Aquarium eye disease isn't just one specific type of fish disease, but a general term for several diseases that can affect aquarium fish. Also called fish eye disease, this is a collection of...

Any aquarium hobbyist will tell you that pH is one of the most vital aspects of healthy aquarium water. Water's pH is essentially a measure of either its alkalinity or acidity on a zero to 14...

A planted aquarium is one of the most beautiful things a person can create. It is an entire world submerged in crystal clear water. Shoals of colorful fish and gorgeous green plants dance in the...

Whether your existing snails lay many eggs unexpectedly, or are these pesky fish tank animals hitchhike in on new plants or ornaments, aquarium keepers are often kept with the task of getting rid...

GloFish are fluorescent, genetically modified zebrafish that absorb and reflect light. Black light (a type of light with a purple-blue bulb shaped as a bar) used at night in a dark room can make...

Cleaning a large aquarium can seem like a daunting task---many believe it involves removing all of the water, washing all parts and then replacing the water in the tank. In actuality, cleaning and...

Removing algae is a hassle. This artile will tell you how to prevent it from ever becoming a problem. The most important thing to understand is that plants are more highly developed and, under...

Fish are highly susceptible to developing infections in their eyes, which can be confusing and frustrating for their owners. Eye infections in fish are caused as a result of fungus or bacteria,...

Breeding saltwater fish in captivity can be very difficult, if not impossible, for most species. The saltwater fish's spawning nature is not well known since many species cannot reproduce in...

Aquarium light bulbs are different than normal light bulbs. Average household light bulbs promote algae blooms in water, and so should be avoided for aquarium usage. Common aquarium light bulbs...

Rising ammonia levels in an aquarium can be scary for any fish owner. Left untreated, high ammonia levels can lead to ammonia stress or even ammonia poisoning, which can quickly kill fish. Some...

Aquariums benefit from the introduction of plants. Plants serve as natural hiding places for the fish. They can also hide unsightly equipment. Silk aquarium plants are always an excellent choice...

If you plan to set up a successful freshwater or saltwater aquarium you need to make sure you have the right filtration. A powerful filter is an absolute must for any aquarium, and for years Tetra...

Water conditioner reduces potential damage to your fish by removing harmful chemicals from tap water. Using this solution carefully and correctly is vital to aquarium health. Add water conditioner...

Fluorescent lighting is effective for lighting home or office aquariums. Fluorescent lights are standard white lights that provide evenly distributed lighting throughout the fish tank. They also...

Mouth fungus in freshwater fish is not actually a fungal infection, but is instead a bacterial infection caused by the flexibacter bacteria (see reference 1). Fish afflicted with this bacterial...

The swim bladder in fish is a sac located in the abdomen and is how the fish controls and maintains buoyancy in the water. A fish with a swim bladder problem will have trouble swimming or staying...

Silk aquarium plants have several advantages over real aquarium plants. To begin with, silk plants do not decay or die and they don't carry bacteria, which could be harmful to your tank. They look...

There are many different ways to introduce a new fish into your aquarium. Two of the most successful methods include the float method and the drip method. For most freshwater fish you can...

Understanding pH levels doesn't have to be hard if you remember a few things. When the pH is neutral--commonly known as 7.0--hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are equal. Increase the hydrogen and...

Kissing gourami (Helostoma temminckii) are freshwater fish that can grow up to 12 inches in length, but they usually grow to only five or six inches in an aquarium. Kissing gourami are either...

After introducing a new plant or feeding your fish live food, you might discover aquarium snails in your aquarium. Snail eggs can hitch a ride on these products and later hatch in your aquarium,...

Properly set-up and maintained aquariums are beautiful man-made environments meant to add a sense of peace and offer an excuse to slow down a hectic life. Those foul, algae-ridden death pots...

Unlike fish in the wild, fish in tanks can't swim away to healthier water when their immediate surroundings are unhealthy. People who keep aquarium fish know how important it is to do regular...

A fish is a great first pet for a young child and it's easy to set up. The average cost is around $30.00, not including fish, which are priced from 99 cents to hundreds of dollars. Letting your...

If you are an experienced fish keeper, you might be looking for a way to turn your favorite hobby into a lucrative sideline, or even a full-time career. There are many individuals and businesses...

There are many different ways to introduce a new fish into your aquarium. Two of the most successful methods include the float method and the drip method. For most freshwater fish you can...

There is more to choosing a fish tank than taking room measurements and deciding on a budget. If your goal is happy, healthy fish and a beautiful accent for any room of the house, tips for...

If the main reason you have an aquarium is that you like to share your living space with fish, it's likely that the second reason you have an aquarium is because you like to ponder and arrange the...

Fungus on a betta fish appears as white, fluffy, cotton-like growth on the body or the fins. Sometimes the fungus appears to be long strands of white hair. Betta fungus disease is common. Prompt...

Setting up an aquarium involves running lights, pumps or other electrical equipment, so it's important to ensure that you follow proper electrical safety protocols to avoid harming yourself or...

There are many reasons why a person would set up a filterless fish tank. An internal, mechanical power filter can easily suck-up and kill many aquatic creatures including small fish fry, daphnia,...

Daphnia Magna are easy to culture at home where they can continue to provide you with a healthy form of live fishfood.

This article is a great project for beginners that can be enjoyed by the whole family for many years to come.

Tropical fish such as guppies and angelfish can live outdoors throughout the warmer months of summer. This won't work in Alaska or Seattle but in warmer climates, such as Las Vegas, California,...

Many aquarists keep cichlids because of their beauty and become interested in breeding the fish. Cichlid breeding can be difficult, while sometimes it may happen without the intent of the aquarium...

Everyone loves to look at a nice aquarium, but if you want yours to be a true hobby rather than just an expensive decoration, consider designing and building your own aquarium stand. Anyone can do...

Water pH is a scale that measures the proportion of hydrogen and hydroxyl in the water. Water can test between 0 and 14, with 7 considered a neutral number. Most tropical fish can thrive in water...

In order for a rock to be "live," it needs to be able to support bacteria, algae and other living organisms that would normally grow in an aquarium. Any fake rock can work in a similar manner to a...

Air pumps are an important part of any complete tropical fish habitat. Air pumps can power air stones, bubble walls, CO2 diffusers for aquatic plants, moving decorations and undergravel filters....

Maintaining good water quality is important when keeping fish as pets. You can use water quality test strips to monitor your water quality. These are easy-to-use water quality testing kits that...

Fish do not care how much time you spent in decorating their tank. Small fish will constantly move gravel or small stones in their tanks while larger fish can move surprisingly large rocks.

Removing paint from an aquarium is a relatively straightforward process, but it does take some time and effort. Generally, aquariums are painted on the back side to provide a backdrop for the...

A gravel vacuum is a plastic tube about two inches in diameter and six to 12 inches long with a half inch diameter plastic tubing attached to the closed end. The tube is used as a siphon to...