Tropical Fish Species
Fish For Your 5 Gallon Fish Tank
Nano tanks are quite popular, but it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what fish you should put in them. Many aquarium fish grow too big, especially if you’re thinking of keeping schooling fish. Then there’s the question of which fish is are compatible with each other. Here are some suggestions for groups of [...]
Small Corydoras for Small Tanks
Corydoras catfish are wonderful fish, but the most common species, such as the Bronze Corydoras and the Peppered Corydoras, grow too large for tanks of much under ten gallons if you’re to keep them in a group. Since Corydoras are schooling species and prefer to be in groups, it is good that there are smaller [...]
Crayfish In Your Aquarium
Crayfish are crustaceans that look much like small lobsters or large shrimp and come from freshwater streams and rivers around the world. They can make very good inhabitants for the aquarium, but they do have special requirements that must be met. In particular, they require aerated water, space, are often aggressive, and will eat small [...]
Conservation of the Asian Arawana
The Asian Arawana, Scleropages formosus, is endangered, mainly due to habitat destruction. It is listed under CITES Appendix 1, which means that trading this species across national boundaries is illegal unless the individual fish are captive bred. The Asian Arawana is captive bred in Kalimantan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Unfortunately, it is also illegally wild [...]
A Better Deal for Bettas
Bettas are probably the fish most commonly kept in small unheated and unfiltered bowls or tanks. At first sight, they seem the ideal fish for this situation. Bettas stay small, growing to approximately 3 inches in length. The waters from which they come are naturally slow-moving or still, and shallow. Bettas have the ability to [...]
The Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus): Pet, Food Fish, and Invasive Pest
The Walking Catfish, Clarias batrachus, is a very large catfish sometimes seen in the aquarium trade. It is also used as a food fish. It is native to Southeastern Asia, but it has been introduced to numerous other places where it has become an invasive and predatory pest. Once in an area, it is hard [...]
Now for Something Different: Songs of the Aquarium
The Corydoras Catfish Catfish leaps upward Hovering in mid-water Hoping for some food. The Betta The betta dances Before the glass’s mirror Rival dances back. The Neon Tetra Swimming together To confuse bigger fishes They sparkle with light. The Guppy Tail streaming behind The small fish wiggles onward Looking for a mate. The Goldfish Slow [...]
How Big is That Tropical Fish Part 2: Fish 10-16 Inches in Length
Many of the tropical fish seen in pet stores are not fully grown. The final size of the fish varies dramatically between species. This is a list of the sizes that individual species are likely to grow to. Only some species are listed here, and adult fish of the same species vary somewhat in size. This is [...]
Corydoras in the Aquarium
Corydoras are among the best tropical fish for the home aquarium. They are small, they aren’t aggressive toward smaller fish, they are hard for bigger fishes to eat, and they help keep the tank clean by scavenging food off the bottom. Despite rumors to the contrary, they do not eat fish poop and they do [...]
How Big is That Tropical Fish Part 1: Fish Over 16 Inches
Many of the tropical fish seen in pet stores are not fully grown. The final size of the fish varies dramatically between species. This is a list of the sizes that individual species are likely to grow to. Only some species are listed here, and adult fish of the same species vary somewhat in size. This is [...]