Written by Katherine Barrington Updated September 12, 2017

The fancy guppy is a popular beginner fish because they are small, hardy, and easy to care for. More than that, however, they exhibit bright colors, long fins, and unique patterns. Not only are fancy guppies a beautiful species to cultivate, but they are different from most brightly colored species in that they are very peaceful – they make great additions to the community tank.

When cultivating a guppy tank, you should think carefully when selecting your tankmates. Not only should you think about compatibility in terms of temperament, but you also want to choose species that will enhance rather than detract from the beautiful colors seen in your guppies. Keep reading to learn about the top tankmates for a show tank of fancy guppies.

Most small to medium-sized community fish would make a compatible tankmate for guppies, but if you want to create a show-stopping tank you need to choose your fish carefully. For a colorful show tank, consider the following ten tankmates for your guppies:

Rummynose Tetra – These fish are named for their bright red noses. Rummynose tetras grow up to 2 inches in length and their silver coloration will help your guppies to stand out. These fish are generally very peaceful and they do well in community tanks, particularly when kept with six or more of their own species.

Female Betta – Though male betta fish should not be kept with other fish, females are much less aggressive. Don’t...

Written by Katherine Barrington Updated September 12, 2017

Aquarium fish come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. While many fish set themselves apart from the rest of the pack by their appearance, the archerfish is unique in a different way. These brackish water fish can actually shoot water from their mouths to knock insects off overhanging leaves or branches into the water. Keep reading to learn more about these fascinating fish!

Also known as spinner fish, archerfish are a small family of seven species belonging to the genus Toxotes. There are several things which set this group of fish apart from other aquarium fish. First, they are a brackish species – they typically inhabit estuaries and mangrove swamps. They can, however, be found in the open ocean or far upstream in fresh water. These fish are native to various parts of India as well as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Polynesia, and the Philippines.

The second thing that sets archerfish apart is their ability to shoot water droplets from their mouths to knock insects of low-hanging leaves and branches above the water. According to an article published in National Geographic, archerfish exhibit this behvaior with stunning accuracy and the strength of the jet is so powerful that, if it were to hit you, you’d feel like you’d been stung by an insect. In order to shoot water with the force and accuracy needed, archerfish actually change the shape of their mouths, adjusting it to hone in on their target as they spray,...

Written by Katherine Barrington Updated August 01, 2017

Also known as Siamese fighting fish, betta fish are a great choice for beginning aquarium hobbyists. Not only are these fish hardy and relatively easy to care for, but they are some of the most vibrantly colored freshwater fish out there. Like any species of aquarium fish, however, bettas require a certain degree of care and they are prone to certain diseases. Keep reading to learn what they are, how to treat them, and how to keep your betta from getting sick.

The Betta splendens is the most common species of betta kept in the home aquarium. These fish are known for their vibrant colors and, in males of the species, their beautiful fins. Bettas are selectively bred for many colors and patterns as well as different tail types. Though their fins can be very large, most betta only grow to about 2 ½ inches long in the body. With proper care, these fish can live about 3 years in captivity. Bettas are native to Asia so they require warm water in the 72°F to 82°F temperature range. They are also found in rice paddies and other areas of still water so they don’t require a lot of water movement, but they still need high water quality like any fish.

Although bettas are often sold in small bowls, they need adequate swimming space as much as any other species. Bettas should be kept in a tank no smaller than 2 gallons...