Mbuna Cichlids: Top 8 Facts You May Not Know
Mbuna are cichlids that reside amid rock heaps and along Lake Malawi's rocky coasts, unlike other Haplochromide cichlids that live in open water, on sandy coastlines, or on soft substrates. In the Tonga language of Malawi, the term mbuna means...
Can Goldfish Live in a Bowl? Myths Debunked
How to REALLY keep your goldfish happy! All too often, we see this little sight on the cover of a package for a “bowl kit” at a pet store or in the bedroom of a child: a small goldfish, or...
10 Pike Cichlids’ Fin-Tastic Facts You May Not Know
If you've been a passionate aquarist for a long, you might be seeking something new to do. This generally entails looking after larger, more violent animals. Crenicichla lenticulata, the pike cichlids, fill the bill quite well. It is one of...
What is Betta Fin Rot? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
If you notice your Betta’s fins are withering away and disintegrating (and there aren’t any obvious causes like aquarium mates attacking your little guy), your bettas most likely have a case of Betta Fin Rot. It is a common disease found...
A Brief History of Betta Siamese Fighting Fish
Siamese Fighting Fish The betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, is one of the best-known aquarium fishes in the world. It is a lovely fish for the small aquarium. But don't let the flowing fins fool you- he'll...
The Ultimate Guide to Breed Betta Fish
Breed Betta Fish Breeding Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, is a rewarding but demanding hobby that requires careful preparation and a good understanding of the species. Here's a simplified guide to help you through the process. Preparation...
All You Need To Know About Betta Anatomy
Betta Anatomy Senses Vision A Betta has monocular vision, which means that it can see in two directions at the same time. Overall, the Betta's eyesight is somewhat poor. To detect vibrations and get an overall feel for its surrounding,...
Types of Betta Fish – A Guide on Colors, Tails & More
Finding information on uncommon or unique betta fish breeds can be a time-consuming task, not because there is a paucity of data, but it's the exact opposite problem. There are so many different types of betta fish that it's daunting...
Betta Friends – The Aquatic Snail
The start of a long series of articles to help you determine other aquatic life that makes great tank mates for bettas. Aquatic Snails make good tank companions as long as they aren't too small and you are sure to...
Winter is Here…Check Your Aquarium Heater!
Winter is Here…Check Your Aquarium Heater! That’s right, the change of the season is a beneficial time to make sure your aquarium heater is still functioning properly and keeping the tank at the appropriate temperature for your fish. I know...
Dip-A-Way: Proper Usage and Advice
Dip-A-Way by Aquatronics Contains merbromin and sodium chloride. Lets's learn the proper usage of Dip-a-way. Information from the label…“External tank treatment for Bacterial, Fungal, and Parasitic disease on fish.” “All fish safe disinfecting dip” “For freshwater and marine fish” General...
Building a Betta Friendly Community Tank
What is the process of Building a Betta Friendly Community Tank? As I have researched through the internet, I find that there are slim-to-none, when it comes to websites that state the kinds of fish that are compatible community partners...
Community Tank HeadCount
Many times I have added fish to my large community tank and “lost track” of the numbers. During a chat session, another user was discussing their betta was very sickly and there was no real reason why. Other betta lovers,...
Top 15 Best Betta Tank Mates & Companions
You should be very selective while choosing betta tank mates and should be very careful in this process if the required steps are not taken properly then you may end up losing the life of the other fishes that are...
Betta Care: Water Type & Parameters
Types of Water Bottled Spring Water This is a good source of water for your betta’s tank if you can afford to purchase it. Bottled Spring Water is usually filtered to remove chlorine from the water before you purchase it....
Betta Care: Water Conditioners & Additives
Betta fish require well-filtered water, or regular water changes if you don't have a fish tank with filters, which is where betta water conditioners come in. There is a lot of misinformation regarding betta fish out there. While many websites...
Betta Care: How to Perform Water Changes
Regular water changes are the best and easiest way to keep your fish healthy and active. Try to establish an appropriate water change schedule and stick with it. A reminder on a calendar if you have multiple tanks doesn’t hurt!...
Betta Care: Tank Temperature
Tank Temperature Bettas require a stable, warm tank temperature between 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. This tank temperature should not vary more than a degree or two from night to day. It is important to keep your betta warm enough, otherwise, you...
Heating Options for Small Betta Fish Tanks
A stable, warm water temperature is important to keep your betta happy and healthy. Keeping a thermometer in your betta’s tank to monitor the temperature on a daily basis is a good idea. The ideal temperature for a betta is...
Betta Care: Common Activity
Bettas are feisty fish and love to be active. New owners are often surprised to find that their fish has such a unique and fun personality. Male bettas love to flare and act tough to those outside of their tank,...
Lily Vase: Not a Home for Bettas
Pretty little glass ecosystems with a gorgeous fish swimming about the roots - you know you love your fish, but are you doing what’s best for him? Most of these little items of the topic are bought because you saw...
The Ideal Size To Set Up A Betta Tank Or Bowl
Betta tank size is a controversial issue. On a purely physical level, Bettas have an efficient digestive system that doesn’t produce much waste, plus they breathe air, so they don’t absolutely need a larger space. In the wild, they basically...
Betta Not Beta — And 4 Other Facts On Betta Fish
Top 5 Facts On Betta Fish you may not know about our favorite tropical fish: Key Facts On Betta Fish : It’s a Betta Fish, not a Beta Fish Beta is the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet. Betta is...
15 Best Plants for Betta Fish Tanks: A Curated List
Do betta fish like plants in their tank? Actually, bettas LOVE plants and decorations in their tanks! They will sleep on the plants, hide in castles, swim through holes, play in the bubbles from an airstone, and occupy themselves in...
Recycle Your Dirty Fish Tank Water
Recycle your dirty fish tank water? You heard right! You’ve got a bowl or bucket of dirty water from cleaning your fish tank. What will you do with it? Well, that’s a silly question for most, as it’ll likely be...
Keeping Live Plants (Java Moss & Ferns) in Your Betta’s Tank
I used to always have tons of silk plants in my bettas’ tanks and just loved going to pick them out at the store. I was lucky to have an abundant source at one of my local pet stores. I...
Betta Care: Food Basics
What is Food Basics for betta care? 'Plenty of food...plenty of clean water.' That was what a noted breeder once said to me in answer to the question, 'How do you raise such stunning bettas?', and it was perfect in...
Betta Food: What to Feed Your Fish
What to feed your betta fish? What does it mean by Betta Food? Bettas are carnivores and need easily digestible foods high in protein. They never require vegetables, however, there are times when they can be beneficial. There are several...
Feeding Gel (or frozen/live) Food to Bettas
Feeding Gel (or frozen/live) Food to Bettas - rather than pellets or flakes Maybe you’ve tossed the idea around in your head a few times, or even had a package of frozen food in your hand, but figured my betta...
Hikari Micro Wafers: Fish Food for Bettas & Small Tropical Fish
Looking to add a new food to your betta or tropical fish’s diet? Hikari Micro Wafers are a nice option. They are smaller than the usual pellet and fish such as Tetras can even eat them. I feed my Harlequin...
Symptoms & Treatment of Betta Fish Fungus
Fungus is a very serious illness and if spotted on your betta it is important that you begin treatment right away. Fungus, if left untreated, can very quickly take over your betta with the end result being death. The sooner...
Symptoms & Treatment of Betta Fish Internal Parasites
Causes Internal parasites are quite sneaky as there is no real sign of illness. If you feed live foods, it is possible for your betta to get internal parasites. Always buy food from a reputable source and follow proper storage...
Care & Treatment of Betta Fish Swim Bladder Disorder
What is Swim Bladder Disorder (SBD) in Bettas? If your betta fish is swimming awkwardly and you suspect swim bladder illness, you've come to the perfect place for information on how to treat it. Swim bladder illness is rather prevalent...
Symptoms & Treatment of Velvet in Betta Fish
Velvet is one of the most common diseases affecting pet fish and is brought on by one of the several species of the external parasite Oodinium. The disease can impact every Betta in the tank before the unsuspecting owner realizes...
General Steps for Betta Illness Prevention
General Steps for Illness Prevention If you have a betta die - scald the old bowl Many fungal and bacterial growths, as well as parasites, can live in adverse conditions. When your betta passes on, it is possible the reason...
The Betta Medicine Cabinet
We all know the complications that can happen when you take a betta into your home. Betta Medicine Cabinet can be a solution to this. Most betta pet owners do not keep their bettas in large tanks and many times,...
Aquarium & Fish Medication Dosing Made Easy
Healthy Betta Medications Made Easy… We all know the complications that can happen when you take a betta into your home. Most betta pet owners do not keep their bettas in large tanks and many times, the medications only give...
All About Betta Fish Illness & Cure Information
Healthy Betta Fish Illness and Cure Information The most important part of raising a betta is making sure that he/she has the proper care and should they get sick, you have the ability to get them back on the “fins.”...
Tips for Choosing a Healthy Betta Fish to Purchase
Important Criteria to consider when choosing a Healthy Betta Fish It is important to know what you should look for when choosing a healthy betta fish from the pet store. The fish should be a healthy specimen from the outset,...
Buying Bettas From A Breeder, Pet Store, Or Online
There are basically three ways of buying bettas. Buying them from a pet store, buying them from a breeder, or buying them online. I'll run through some important things to consider in each of those options. Buying Bettas From Pet...
Female Betta Fish Popularity Has Grown
Female Betta Fish are Everywhere! Whenever I walk into an aquarium shop or pet store in my area I find many fancy finned male bettas that have always greeted me from the shelves and tanks. But a rather new trend...
Fish Tank Filters & How They Work For Your Fish
You will need a fish tank filter for your lovely fish because it is going to remove excess food, decaying organic matter, particulates, dangerous chemicals, and fish waste products from the water! Your fish is excreting waste as he swims...