Beginner’s Guide

Sometimes, the things we do with the best intentions backfire in the most...

In 99% of cases, the black mold that grows in our tank is the dreaded black beard algae. And interestingly, this fuzzy black mold comes from the family of red algae that mushrooms in high-phosphate environments. Scrubbing it away can help momentarily, but the stuff keeps coming back unless you seek a permanent solution. 

The first thing you should do if your cichlid is showing grave signs of sickness is checking the water parameters. I know we tend to overstate it a lot. Still, wrong water parameters are the number one reason behind diseases and untimely death in cichlids. 

Blue lights are my go-to choice for a fish tank. I have always loved how they...

The most expensive freshwater fish is platinum arowanas. Natives of South-Eastern Asia, the highest price ever paid for a platinum arowana was a whopping $400,000. This unbelievable price tag is credited to the fish’s endangered status and the illegal mafia trade that surrounds it. 

The German-engineered Tunze USA 9004.000 Doc Skimmer is my top pick for the best nano skimmer in 2022. If you don’t want to take my word for it, check out the raving reviews on Amazon itself.

I painstakingly compared dozens of options available in the market to come up with the list. Thus, they’re all great in their own right. However, there’s one that I think ticks all the right boxes—Aqua-Tech Power Aquarium Filter.

If you think your fish is dying, there are certain things you can do to help it recover from the illness or make the death experience as comfortable as possible. For that, make sure the correct water parameters are met and quarantine the fish for treatment if necessary. If the symptoms persist, you should consult a vet immediately. 

If you see your fish acting unusual after a water change, you immediately need to intervene. If the fish is gasping for the air at the surface, it could be due to a sudden temperature change – so, make sure to gradually tweak the temperature to the correct settings. If the fins are clamped, and the fish is sitting at the bottom, it can be because of high ammonia levels. 

Most often, a fish lying on the bottom of a tank shouldn’t be alarming. It’s pretty normal behavior – even more so if your fish is a bottom-dweller like a catfish. Fish also sleep and rest at the base. However, if your fish spends most of the time at the bottom, this is a red flag. Your fish may be diseased and stressed. 

A fish swimming up and down the sides of the tank is known as glass surfing or pacing. The most likely reason behind it is stress, induced by the wrong diet, foul environment, and ill health. Other times, it could simply mean your fish is bored and is entertaining itself by chasing its reflection. 

My pick for the best HOB protein skimmer is Coralife Super Protein Skimmer. The inclusion of features like high-performing foam fractionator, needle wheel impeller, proprietary century, and dual injection inlets show that the manufacturers haven’t cut any corners with this one.

When it comes to hobby fish keeping, there are two schools of thought. The first one favors glass tanks, and the latter swears by acrylic ones. Before we get into the ultimate smackdown, let’s go down a short trip down memory lane. 

Algae outbreaks in aquariums are common occurrences and the reasons can be many. Stocking certain species of algae-eating fish and shrimps like Yellow Tangs and Amano Shrimps can help you get rid of algae to an extent.