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The Pets Blog Week in Review for Sep 24-30

Happy first day of October! Does that make you think the same thing I’m thinking? “When the heck did that happen? Where’s the year going? It’ll be Christmas before I know it!” Well, I don’t know where the year is going, and, yes, Christmas will be here before we know it. However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s pause. Catch our breath. Slow down. There, that’s better. Now, in case time was moving so fast that you missed anything Aimee or myself happened to write about last week in the Pets Blog, here’s your chance to catch … Continue reading →

Zebra Danios

When you’re looking for a hardy, easy to raise fish for your tropical aquarium, take a good look at the zebra danio. Also known as zebra fish or striped danio, these fish are great for the first time aquarium hobbyist. What makes this fish a good choice for the beginning aquarium owner? Zebra danios are hardy! Zebra danios live well in groups of six or more so you’ll have lots of fish to watch. Zebra danios are pretty. Zebra danios tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and chemical balances. In other words, if you’re just starting out, you’ll have … Continue reading →

Raising Your Own Fish Food

You don’t have to run to the pet store if you want to feed your fish live food — you can raise your own at home! Some fish are predators that mainly eat other fish. So what can you feed them? Goldfish are a traditional feeder fish, but they are bony and have tough scales. Only very large predators can actually eat them! Guppies are smaller and softer, so more predators can enjoy the feast. However, guppies only have an average of thirty babies per month, so your predators may not get enough to eat or your bearing females may … Continue reading →

Tips For Choosing Fish

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a look at some easy “beginner” fish if you’re new to the aquarium hobby. Some popular starter fish include zebra danios, platy, gold and cherry barbs, and tetra. But as the old saying goes, there are many fish in the sea. And out of the sea! With such a wide variety of fish available at your local aquarium shop, pet store, or online retailer, how do you choose the best fish for your tank? Doing your research can make a big difference. If you know as much as possible about a particular species … Continue reading →

White Cloud Minnows

Also known as the meteor minnow, the white cloud mountain minnow, or the Chinese danio, white cloud minnows are very hardy. They can tolerate far colder temperatures than other tropical aquarium fish, and usually get along peacefully with other tank dwellers. White cloud minnows can live in an aquarium without a heater — as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). They don’t do well in overly warm water, either, but can live quite happily in a relatively small desktop aquarium. These omnivores will happily eat fish flakes, frozen foods, freeze dried foods, and … Continue reading →

Platy

Another great tropical fish for the beginner is the platy. This brightly colored fish originates in Central America and is known by many different names. Names are usually based on color patterns: red wagtail platy, red tuxedo, topsail rainbow platy, golden platy, calico platy, salt and pepper platy, coral red platy, blue platy, black platy, and more. Some have more unique names like the moon fish and the Mickey Mouse platy. Platies are very easy to care for and have a lifespan between two and three years. They tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and hardness levels. With the … Continue reading →

The Nitrogen Cycle: Basics

There are many names for the nitrogen cycle: the biological cycle, the nitrification process, the start up cycle, or new tank syndrome. In essence, the nitrogen cycle is the process of converting ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrates and the establishment of good bacteria in the aquarium and filter. Both of these processes are essential to a healthy tank environment. It can take two months or more to complete the nitrogen cycle! The process doesn’t always take that long, and there are some tricks you can use to speed things up, but it can be a very long and … Continue reading →

Cherry Barb

One more easy beginner fish for your tropical aquarium is the cherry barb. These fish can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. They are active and peaceful, and get along well with other fish — cherry barbs will mostly stay out of the way of bigger fish. Also known as the crimson carplet, the cherry barb is a smaller fish — between one and a half and two inches long (up to five centimeters) when fully grown. Because they are on the smaller size, they can live a long and happy life in a smaller tank of five gallons … Continue reading →

Bloodfin Tetra

The bloodfin tetra is a popular fish for aquarium owners of all skill and experience levels. What makes them a great beginner fish is their ability to tolerate a wide range of water parameters — so if you don’t get your tank conditions perfect right away, your bloodfin tetra will probably survive. Also known as the true bloodfin, the glass bloodfin, and the red finned tetra, bloodfin tetra are on the small side — the average size of a fully grown bloodfin tetra is around two inches (5 centimeters). This breed is relatively peaceful, and can be in danger from … Continue reading →

Dwarf Gourami

Looking for a beautiful fish for your tropical aquarium? Dwarf gourami are colorful and hardy — which makes them a fantastic choice if you are a beginning hobbyist. You may see these fish called blue dwarf gourami, sunset gourami, powder blue gourami, or neon dwarf gourami. As you might guess, the names generally indicate color. It is the male gourami that has the amazing colors — females are often gray in appearance. Males come in a wide range of colors, from bright blues to warm oranges and fiery reds. You’ll often find your dwarf gourami swimming in the middle and … Continue reading →