Beginner Fishkeeping Archives

Understanding Schooling Fish – Part II

In the previous article on understanding schooling fish, we discuss the common behaviors of schooling fish. In this following article we shall discuss on feeding and breeding tropical schooling fish. Schooling fish are mostly omnivorous, and share the same breeding characteristics. Most schooling fish are egg scatterers. This means that, in ...

Understanding Schooling Fish – Part I

Do you know why some fish are smarter than others? That's because the former are always in schools! :) Jokes aside. In underwater documentaries, you may have observed thousands of schooling fish swimming around reefs, turning, rising, and diving in magical unison, seemingly responding to an internal and natural rhythm known ...

Can Rainwater Be Used for My Aquarium?

Q: Can I use rainwater as a substitute for tap water for my aquarium? Rainwater, unlike tap water, does not contain chlorine or chloramines, which are detrimental to the fish’s health. However, it may be contaminated. In a polluted city, rainwater can dissolve sulphur dioxide to form sulphuric acid. This is ...

Can Guppies and Neon Tetra Cohabit?

Q: I have been keeping eight guppies for a while now, and just recently my father bought me three neon tetras. I know for a fact that guppies and neon tetras are schooling fish but wonder if they do get along well together? Yes. Both guppies and neon tetras are peace ...

Novice’s Guide To Housing Goldfish

If you’re thinking of keeping goldfish in a bowl because the cost of setup looks quaint and it takes up little space...knock that silly idea out of your head! Confining goldfish to a small bowl or container is cruel, as these fish have a propensity to grow very large. It not ...

Fish Compatibility: Are You Getting The Right Mix?

Are you often tempted to cave in to a mad buying spree every time you make a trip to the fish store? Hold back your reins! For any aquarium to thrive, planning is crucial. As with humans, you can’t please everybody. But for fish, sheer unhappiness can be a matter of ...

Keeping Tropical Fish In Pond

Q: I have a pond at home, and I want to keep fish other than koi. What other species can I keep? You can try fish that you would normally keep in a tank. Just make sure you don’t overstock your pond, and that the different species of fish can live ...

How Do I Separate The Eggs From The Fish?

Q: How do I separate the eggs from the fish, prevent them form being eaten, and ensure they hatch? You did not specify the type of fish you’re breeding. Some fish care for their eggs and young while others devour their eggs with relish. If you have the latter type of ...

Adding New Fish to Aquarium

Travel is very stressful for fish. Fish never eat when they are being transported, and moving them from place to place makes them much more susceptible to disease and death. The ones you see at the aquarium shop may have already gone through several journeys—from the importer to breeder, for example. So ...

What To Look For When Buying Aquarium Fish Tanks

Whether you are shopping for saltwater or freshwater fish tank, the best option is not go for the “package deals” that let you buy everything at one go. Though more convenient, these can turn out to be more expensive in the long run. The equipment may not be of the ...