Freshwater Aquarium Articles
THE MOST POPULAR CATFISH FOR FRESHWATER TANKS
Updated
Catfish are an extremely diverse group of fishes and many of them fare well in the home aquarium. Keep reading to learn about the most popular catfish for freshwater tanks.
When you think of catfish, you probably picture the big river fish you fry up and serve with a side of cornbread. When it comes to aquarium catfish, however, there are many different species. In fact, catfish can be found in almost every ecological niche around the world (except Antarctica). Some catfish live in oceans but, of the more than 2,400 varieties, most of them are freshwater fish.
If you’re looking for a bottom-dwelling species to add to your tank, catfish might be a good option. Keep in mind that because there are so many species, they come in different sizes and have different preferences for tank parameters.
Keep reading to learn about the most popular species of freshwater catfish and how to care for them.
What Makes Catfish Such a Popular Choice?
There are many reasons to love catfish in the freshwater aquarium. For one thing, they are an extremely diverse group of fishes with many unique colors and patterns. Catfish also tend to be very hardy and, for the most part, easy to keep in the home aquarium. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, but most of the popular species are peaceful fish that get along well in community tanks.
Catfish belong to the order Siluriformes which is a varied group of ray-finned fish. Most catfish have barbels on their faces which look similar to a cat’s whiskers. Because catfish have very small eyes, they rely on these barbels to navigate and to find food – they also...
TIPS FOR ROOTING, PRUNING, AND PROPAGATING LIVE AQUARIUM PLANTS
Updated
Live plants can completely transform the look of your aquarium. Keep reading to learn some simple tricks for rooting and anchoring live plants as well as some tips for pruning and propagation.
Live plants can completely transform the look of your aquarium. As realistic as some artificial plants may look, nothing compares to the real thing. Plus, live plants come with the added bonus of producing valuable oxygen for your fish.
A lushly planted tank is a sight to behold, but it does take a fair amount of work to get there. In addition to choosing the right kind of substrate for your planted tank, you also need to decide where you want to put your plants and how to keep them there. Some fish have a penchant for uprooting live plants and other factors such as strong current can make it a challenge to keep your plants where you want them.
Keep reading to learn some simple tricks for rooting and anchoring live plants as well as some tips for pruning and propagation.
Understanding the Different Types of Aquarium Plants
When you first start shopping around for live aquarium plants, you’ll find that they are sold in several different ways. Popular options like Amazon sword, crypts, crinums, and hair grass are typically sold in small pots. Rhizomatous plants like anubias and java fern are typically sold by the rhizome, also known as the rootstalk or subterranean stem from which roots and leaf nodes grow. Other plants like mosses and stem plants may be sold by the stem or in bunches.
Each of the different kinds of live aquarium plant needs to be treated differently when it comes to placing them in your tank. While floating...
SHOW TANK-WORTHY TANKMATES FOR FANCY GUPPIES
Updated
Everyone knows that guppies are some of the most colorful freshwater fish while also being some of the easiest to care for. But what other colorful fish can you keep in a show tank with guppies? Keep reading to find out.
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.
Ten Colorful Tank Mates for 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...
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