But that doesn’t mean that 10-gallon aquariums are only for novices, as many experienced hobbyists use these tanks to create stunning aquascapes with carefully cultivated plants and schools of colorful fish.

Listed below are some of the best fish you can choose for a 10-gallon aquarium. Some have stunning colorations, while others exhibit interesting behavior. But just remember that most fish need to be kept in groups to be happy, so you’ll likely only be able to keep a single species in an aquarium of this size.

Neon Tetra

Even though neon tetras are one of the oldest fish in the hobby, there are still few fish than can rival their impressive colors. And when kept in a planted tank with muted lighting, these fish truly shine.

If you want to keep neon tetras, it’s important to understand that they’re a schooling fish. They need to be kept in groups of at least six, and if they’re not, they may become stressed and ill over time. And while it’s important to avoid putting stress on any fish, it’s especially dangerous with neon tetras. They tend to be more fragile than other fish—mainly due to inbreeding—and once they become stressed, they are very susceptible to disease.

But if you keep your neon tetras happy and healthy, there are few fish as rewarding as these. Any tank with a school of tetras will become the centerpiece of any room it’s located in.

Learn more about Neon Tetras.

Guppy

No list of fish for a 10-gallon aquarium would be complete without guppies. Not only are these fish one of the most attractive in the hobby, but they’re also incredibly easy to keep and breed.

In fact, their speedy reproduction almost disqualifies them from the list. While most fish are egg-layers, guppies are live-bearers, which means their babies are born fully formed and swimming. That results in a much higher survival rate for their fry, and their babies can overrun a small aquarium in a matter of months.

Another problem that relates to breeding is that guppy males will constantly try to mate with the females. That means you need to keep at least 2-3 females for every male, otherwise the females will become stressed from all the mating attempts. You can avoid this problem by keeping only males—something that many people prefer since the males are the ones with attractive tails, while the females have smaller tails with more muted colors.

However, once you’ve dealt with these minor problems, guppies are incredibly easy to keep in a 10-gallon aquarium and probably the best option on this list for a beginner.

Learn more about Guppies

Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras catfish are an incredibly underrated fish and a perfect addition to any 10-gallon aquarium. While numerous species of corydoras catfish are available, the best ones for anyone new to the hobby are bronze corydoras, corydoras julii, and peppered corydoras.

Like neon tetras, corydoras catfish are a schooling fish and need to be kept in groups of at least six to prevent them from becoming stressed or spending most of their time in hiding. Also, as they primarily dwell on the bottom of the aquarium, they should be fed a sinking food.

Learn more about Bronze Corydoras Catfish

Learn more about Corydoras Julli

Learn more about Peppered Corydoras

Zebra Danio

Another favorite among beginners, zebra danios are an excellent choice for a 10-gallon aquarium. Not only is their hardiness legendary—people used to use them to cycle new aquariums—but they’re also an interesting fish with a complex social hierarchy you can view.

Zebra danios are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. If they are kept in smaller numbers, they will often become aggressive towards other fish and are known to nip fins.

Another benefit to keeping zebra danios is that they’re probably rank among the least picky eaters in the aquarium hobby. They’ll accept any frozen or prepared foods you offer them, which is nice when many other fish tend to difficult to feed.

Learn more about Zebra Danios

Platy

Platies are another popular choice for small aquariums, and they’re an attractive fish that comes in a wide array of colors. Like guppies, they’re livebearers, which means they’re easy to breed—a trait that many new aquarists seek out. And their fry tend to have a lower survival rate than guppies, so they don’t overrun an aquarium as quickly, which is another positive.

But because they’re livebearers, it’s important to keep at least two females for every male, as the males will constantly harass the females. If there aren’t enough females to spread out the attention, they will quickly become stressed and may become ill over time.

Learn more about Platies

Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin Rasboras are a tiny and hardy fish that are perfect for small aquariums. It’s really hard to screw up with harlequins and they can adapt to a wide variety of water types and temperatures (though they’re still a tropical fish and need a heater).

They are a shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six, which not only keeps them healthy but also is also an impressive sight when the active fish are moving in sync together.

And feeding harlequin rasboras is no problem, as they’ll happily accept any food you offer them. Along with guppies, these might be the best choice for anyone new to the hobby, as you have to try really hard to fail with harlequin rasboras.

Learn more about Harlequin Rasboras

Dwarf Pufferfish

While dwarf pufferfish (also known as pea puffers) are probably the most interesting fish on this list, they’re also the most difficult by a wide margin. Not only are they incredibly aggressive to other fish—they’ll take chunks out of fins with their beaks—but they’re also incredibly picky eaters.

Still, if you’re willing to feed them a steady diet of small snails, frozen food, and live food, you’ll be rewarded with a truly unique and fascinating fish. And unlike most of the other fish on this list, they must be kept in a species only aquarium. Any other fish kept with dwarf puffer fish will be attacked.

Learn more about Dwarf Pufferfish

Betta

A betta might sound like a strange choice for a 10-gallon fish, as most people are used to seeing them in tiny cups at the pet stores. But in the wild they actually live in relatively large bodies of water, and a betta will be incredibly happy in a larger aquarium. But this comes with the caveat that they can be the only fish in their tank.

A betta—male or female—won’t tolerate any other of their species in the same tank. Though some people have had success setting up ‘betta harem tanks’, where a minimum of five female bettas are kept together, this only works in larger aquariums, so don’t try it in a 10-gallon fish tank. And other species of fish are also unlikely to work with them. Bettas will attack any fish with even a passing resemblance to themselves like guppies. And other fish will likely nip at the bettas long flowing fins and cause infections over time.

But even a single betta makes a great center piece for an aquarium, and just because you can’t have any other fish in their tank, doesn’t mean you can’t have any other aquarium inhabitants. You can keep snails, shrimp, and other invertebrates with the betta, and when combined with live plants, you can create an amazing aquascape.

Learn more about Bettas

What You Need to Set Up a 10-Gallon Aquarium

Now that you’ve chosen the fish for your aquarium, don’t forget that you still need to cycle the tank. If you’ve never cycled a fish tank before, you can read an in-depth summary here.

And you’re also going to need accessories for your aquarium. Below are some of the items you’ll need to get started.

Heaters

Unless you’re choosing a cold-water fish like white cloud mountain minnows or goldfish, then you’re going to need a heater for your aquarium. All the fish on this list are tropical and need to have a heater to keep them healthy. If you don’t include a heater in their aquarium, they’ll become sluggish and their immune systems will be lowered.

Filters

It’s very important that you include a filter in your 10-gallon aquarium. While there are a few advanced setups that don’t require filters, you generally need a filter to prevent the water from becoming toxic for the fish.

The two types of recommended filters for a 10-gallon aquarium are hang-on-back filters and sponge filters. Though unless you’re breeding fish, it’s usually best to go with hang-on-back filters, as they offer mechanical and biological filtration, which helps to keep the water crystal clear.

Final Word

Now that you know what type of fish to choose for a 10-gallon aquarium, and what accessories you need, you’re ready to get started. But just remember to cycle your aquarium before you add any fish to it. And most importantly, have fun with your new hobby.

The post The Best Fish for a 10-Gallon Aquarium appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

So, what fish should a beginner get for their aquarium?

The good news is that there are plenty of fish that are easy to take care of—even if you make a few mistakes along the way. All the fish on this list are perfect if you’re new to the hobby, and as a bonus, they’re all inexpensive to purchase.

1. Bettas

While most people wouldn’t consider a betta for their aquarium (instead keeping them in betta bowls), they are one of the best beginner fish out there. And when kept in the proper conditions, they become colorful and active, which makes them an excellent centerpiece for any small tank.

Also, since they live in less than ideal conditions in the wild, bettas will survive just about anything a new aquarium owner can throw at them. Poor water conditions, low oxygen, and other screw ups will barely phase these fish. Of course, with that being said, they do thrive in a properly maintained aquarium, so don’t take that as an invitation to slack off on their tank maintenance.

And on the subject of tanks, don’t listen to anything anyone tells you about ‘bettas not needing an aquarium’. While they are kept in small cups in the store, they are a tropical fish and need a proper tank with both a heater and a filter.

Learn More About Bettas

2. Guppies

No beginner fish list would be complete without the iconic guppy fish. Guppies have graced home aquariums for decades and are incredibly easy to keep. And they’re easy to breed, so if you keep them happy, you’ll almost certainly see some fish babies (better known as fry).

But guppy fish do have some very specific requirements. If you want to keep some of them in your aquarium, you need to have at least three females to every male for it to work. The males will constantly attempt to mate and if there aren’t enough of the females to spread the attention around, they’ll get stressed out and sick.

An alternative is to keep only males in the tank—something that is quite popular as the males are the ones with the colorful tails. There are occasionally aggression issues in this type of tank, but it tends to be pretty rare.

Learn More About Guppies

3. Goldfish

Including goldfish on this list will probably be controversial, but they still rank among the best beginner fish. Not only are they incredibly hardy and long lived, but they’re also a cold-water fish and don’t need a heater for their aquarium. And they’ll eat just about anything you offer to them—a nice perk when so many other fish are picky eaters.

But they absolutely cannot be placed in a goldfish bowl. Goldfish are incredibly messy fish, and they’ll foul a tiny fishbowl in a matter of hours. They need a large aquarium with a powerful filter, and even then, you’ll need to keep on top of water changes.

If you can handle all that, goldfish make an incredible beginner fish. Not only do most become friendly enough to eat out of your hand, but it’s not unusual for them to live for over ten years. If you take care of your goldfish, you can end up with a long-term pet that amazes everyone with their size.

Learn More About Goldfish

4. Zebra Danios

Another popular fish in the aquarium hobby, zebra danios are a great choice for beginners. They’re hardy, active, and interesting to watch. They’re so tough in fact that many people use them to cycle an aquarium (something I don’t personally recommend) as they can handle the poor water quality better than most other fish.

But to succeed with zebra danios, you need to keep them in a group of at least six. Any less and they become aggressive and may nip their tank mate’s fins. When they’re kept in a larger group, they do well in most community tanks and rarely cause problems outside of their little hierarchy.

Learn More About Zebra Danios

5. White Cloud Mountain Minnows

Another cold-water fish, white cloud mountain minnows are great for beginners. They were once referred to as ‘the poor man’s neons’, back when neon tetras were prohibitively expensive. And it’s easy to see how they earned this name, with their stunning colors. Any tank is brightened by the addition of white cloud mountain minnows, especially when they’re well cared for.

Like the zebra danios, white cloud mountain minnows are a schooling fish and do best when kept in groups of at least six. But because they thrive in temperatures lower than most tropical fish, it’s best if they’re not kept in a community tank.

Learn More About White Cloud Mountain Minnows

Final Word.

The five fish on this list all make great choices for anyone new to the aquarium hobby. All of them are hardy, interesting, and attractive. And if you treat them well, they’ll be with you for years to come.

The post 5 of the Best Beginner Fish for Your Aquarium appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

The Kenyi Cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi) is a popular fish in the aquarium trade, where it’s often found under a variety of names, including kenyi mbuna, kennyi mbuna, and lombardoi mbuna. It’s also sometimes classified under the genus Metriaclima, due to an ongoing dispute over the naming.

This species is highly sexually dimorphic, and the mature males take on a bright yellow color, while the females are a light blue and have dark vertical bands. When mouthbrooding its young, a female will take on the yellow coloration of the dominant male in the aquarium.

These fish are not recommended for a beginner and are known for their nastiness in the aquarium hobby. However, if someone is an experienced aquarist, they are a rewarding and interesting fish to keep.

Habitat

Kenyi cichlids are endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. They were historically restricted to only two locations – the rocky shores of Mbenji Island and the Nkhomo reef. However, in recent years, it has been introduced to Namalenje Island, where it has established a stable population.

These fish are usually found at depth of around 32 feet (10 meters), and dwell where the rocky bottom of the lake meets the sand surrounding the islands. The males excavate nests underneath rocks in the sandy area and will aggressively defend their territory from other males.

Aquarium

Kenyi cichlids are notoriously aggressive, and they need a large aquarium to allow them to establish a territory. Numerous caves and overhangs should be provided in their tank, along with flat areas to allow them to graze for algae.  

The minimum aquarium size for kenyi cichlids should be viewed as 55 gallons, though a 75-gallon aquarium is recommended for keeping these fish. A larger aquarium allows the male to claim a territory, while still providing enough space for the females and any juveniles to swim freely.

Filter

Kenyi cichlids are large fish and require a powerful filter to keep their aquarium healthy. It’s usually best to over filter their tank slightly, and a hang-on-back filter provides the perfect mix of quality and affordability.

I, personally, recommend the AquaClear Power Filter, which is incredibly rugged and reliable. These filters have been running on my aquariums for years without any problems and do an excellent job of keeping them clean.

Compare Aquaclear Power Filter Prices on Amazon

Feeding

Kenyi cichlids mainly feed on algae and plankton in the wild, and their diet in a home aquarium should mimic this as closely as possible. While they will accept most prepared foods, it’s best to only feed them food designed for herbivores. I recommend Hikari Algae Wafers, as it provides a good mix of vegetables and protein.

Vegetables should also be offered regularly, and blanched zucchini medallions are especially appreciated. Some other good vegetables to feed them are shelled peas, cucumber medallions, and leafy greens like spinach. (Learn more about how to feed vegetables to fish here.) However, it’s best to avoid high protein foods like beef heart with these fish, as it may lead to digestive problems.

Breeding

Somewhat surprisingly for a cichlid, kenyi cichlids usually take their time to spawn in a home aquarium. To best promote spawning, place one male and several females in a species only tank. The aquarium should have a sand substrate and include rocky areas with flat surfaces for the females to deposit their eggs on.

Once the fish have been placed in the aquarium, they should be conditioned with a high-quality diet of live and frozen foods, but care should be taken to ensure they have enough vegetable matter in their diet as well.

The male will then claim a territory where he will excavate a pit and defend it. The male will usually choose an area under a rock overhang or one with a flat surface. He will then do his best to entice females to mate with him. There will be significant aggression during this time, which is why it’s important to keep several females in the breeding tank, as it helps to spread the aggression around.

Eventually, one of the females will deposit her eggs in the pit the male has dug and wait for him to fertilize the eggs before she takes them into her mouth. The female will brood the eggs in her mouth for several weeks before free-swimming fry emerge. It’s important to not disturb the female while she’s mouthbrooding, as it may cause her to devour the fry or spit them out to fend for themselves.

Once the fry emerge from the female’s mouth, they should be fed with microworms or baby brine shrimp, though commercial fry foods are also acceptable.

Tank Mates

Kenyi cichlids have a well-deserved reputation as one of the most aggressive commonly available fish in the hobby. No peaceful fish should ever be kept with Kenyi cichlids, though some aquarists have reported success keeping them with other mbuna fish not belonging to the same family and with dissimilar colors. Also, any community tank must be overcrowded to prevent territories from being formed, and the fish must be introduced at the same time.

The post The Complete Kenyi Cichlid Care Guide (Maylandia lombardo) appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

When my daughter brought home two goldfish from a local fair a few years ago, I had absolutely no idea what to do with our new pets. I had never kept fish before, and I didn’t know much about goldfish other than they seemed to love living in bowls.

So off to the local pet store I went, where on the advice of an employee, I purchased a 0.5-gallon (1.8 liter) plastic aquarium, a bottle of goldfish food, and a cute little net.

Needless to say, things didn’t go too well. One of the goldfish died before the end of the week, leaving my young daughter devastated. Even worse, the other goldfish didn’t look too healthy and I resolved to not let anything happen to Gorby (my husband named the white goldfish after a certain Soviet leader for the red spot on its head).

Determined to keep the other goldfish alive, I devoured every article I could find online and quickly realized I was doing nearly everything wrong. Looking back, it was a miracle Gorby had lasted as long as he did in my inexperienced hands.

But armed with my new knowledge, I felt ready to take care of my daughter’s goldfish. And now I can share everything I learned to help other people avoid making the same mistakes I did.

Please, Please Don’t Buy a Goldfish Bowl

The first thing I did wrong was to listen to the employee at the local pet store. No matter what someone tells you, goldfish don’t like fishbowls. Which I find a bit weird, since the bowls are literally named after them, but I can’t stress this enough: do not buy a fishbowl for your goldfish.

Goldfish can grow incredibly large if you take care of them properly. Some can grow to a massive 18 inches long – yes, you heard me right. 18 inches! And most goldfish will live for more than 10 years, with one record-holding goldfish surviving an amazing 43 years.

But if you can’t use a goldfish bowl, what should you keep goldfish in? The answer is you need to keep goldfish in an aquarium. And not a small aquarium either. Goldfish produce a lot of waste (they go to the washroom almost non-stop in their aquariums) and things will get unpleasant quickly if they don’t have enough room.

If the fish are really young, you could probably keep one or two goldfish in a 10-gallon aquarium, but things are going to be tight in there. I suggest most people start with a 29-gallon aquarium, especially if you buy one of the fancy goldfish that stay a bit smaller. If you buy a comet or common goldfish, be prepared to purchase at least a 55-gallon aquarium. Comets and common goldfish grow absolutely massive.

Setting up Your Aquarium

Now that you’ve ignored the goldfish bowls at the pet store and bought a proper aquarium for your goldfish, you need to set it up. The good news is the setup is pretty easy.

There are a lot of fish out there who are very picky about temperature, water hardness, and tank setup, but goldfish are so hardy and adaptable they don’t really care about any of those things. They’re pretty happy being plopped down in almost any water conditions.

Still, you’re going to need the basics. First, you need to buy a substrate for the bottom of the tank. The two best options are aquarium safe gravel and play sand. A lot of people prefer sand since goldfish love digging around in it, but if you don’t want the extra hassle of sand, gravel is still a great choice.

Next, you’re going to need to pick up a filter for your aquarium. Remember when I said goldfish go to the washroom almost non-stop in their aquariums? You need a strong filter to deal with that. The filter helps to clean out the goldfish waste and keep the water in good condition. If you don’t keep the water clean with a filter, it can quickly turn toxic and hurt your goldfish. And no one wants that.

If you’re going to buy a filter, the writers at Aquarium Tidings agree the AquaClear Power Filter is one of the best filters you can own. It’s really easy to use and usually lasts for years without any problems. I bought one for my first tank and it’s still going strong.

And finally, after you have the filter and the substrate, you need to decorate the tank. While you don’t have to add ornaments to a goldfish aquarium, it’s still a good idea to help them feel more at home. Adding a few ornaments, fake plants, and some driftwood will help to make the fish feel at home and keep them stress-free.

Oh, and make sure the plants are fake. Goldfish love to eat plants. They’ll strip your aquarium bare in a single night if you add live plants to it. This was a lesson I learned after buying all kinds of exotic plants for my new aquarium. Let’s just say I didn’t receive the best advice on my first few outings to the pet store

And while most fish require a heater, goldfish are a cold-water fish and are perfectly happy in room temperature water. If the water is too warm, you might actually be shortening your little friend’s lifespan. As long as you don’t keep them in a room that falls below freezing, your goldfish won’t need a heater.  

Change Your Aquarium’s Water Regularly

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I started out was not changing the water. I thought as long as I kept the water topped up, the fish would be fine. But to keep your fish healthy, you need to change the water at least once a week.

But don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to change the water in an aquarium. All you need is a gravel vacuum and a bucket. When you change the water in your aquarium, take out about 10-15% of the water, using the vacuum to suck up all the gunk from the bottom of the tank. Then replace the water you removed with treated tap water. You can buy the conditioner here at Amazon.

See? Pretty easy.

Feed Your Fish Regularly (But Don’t Overfeed Them)

And now the fun part: feeding your fish. Everyone loves feeding their fish, probably because it’s one of the few times you get to interact with your aquatic friend. But unlike most other fish, goldfish are little piggies. They will eat and eat until they’re ready to explode.

And eating that much in an enclosed environment causes a few problems. Mainly lots and lots of poop, and fish waste is terrible for water quality

Even if your fish is at the surface begging for food, you should only feed your fish twice a day, and only as much as they can eat in five minutes. No matter how much they beg, I can promise you they’re not starving.

Also, make sure when you feed your goldfish that you’re using goldfish food. Other foods aren’t specifically made for goldfish and may have too much fat and protein. And too much of either of these can cause all kinds of problems for goldfish (mainly constipation, which leads to swim bladder problems). A great goldfish food to help avoid this Hikari Goldfish Food. And since they float, they’re easy to see how much your goldfish are eating.

Taking Care of Your Goldfish

If you follow all my advice, your goldfish should live a long and healthy life. It’s been six years now since my daughter won Gorby at the local fair, and he’s happily living in a palatial 55-gallon aquarium and now measures a healthy 12 inches! And if I can learn to take care of a goldfish, anyone can.

Good luck with your goldfish!

The post The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Goldfish appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

The glass catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus), also known as the ghost catfish, or the phantom catfish, is a unique species of small catfish native to Asia. As the name implies, these catfish have a body that is transparent, with their skeletons and internal organs clearly visible. The only time their body will become translucent – turning a milky white color – is during serious illness or when near to death.

The Kryptopterus vitreolus available in the aquarium trade were long thought to be Kryptopterus bicirrhis, but were then later classified as Kryptopterus minor, before finally being identified as Kryptopterus vitreolous in 2013.  Both other catfish are only rarely seen in the aquarium trade, with K. minor being especially rare.

Habitat

The glass catfish inhabits a narrow area of coastal drainages in Thailand, living primarily in streams and rivers. It can be found in slow-moving and standing water, with many being found in brown water, or acidic black water areas. However, it can also be found in free-flowing, non-blackwater habitats.

Aquarium

A mature aquarium is recommended for glass catfish, as they are often very sensitive to even minor changes in water conditions. They should only be added to a fully cycled and heavily planted aquarium, otherwise, the fish may become ill.

Read The Complete Guide to Cycling an Aquarium here.

Glass catfish are known to form tight schools and should always be kept in groups of six or more. While glass catfish are generally peaceful, they have been known to prey on fish fry and eggs.

While many people recommend glass catfish for community tanks, it can prove difficult to find tank mates who won’t bully them. Even the most peaceful fish will often overwhelm glass catfish with their behavior, sending them into near-permanent hiding.

Tank Setup

Glass catfish should be kept in a dimly lit aquarium, with plenty of tall and floating plants to help filter the light. Tall plants also help these fish to feel more comfortable, and they will spend more time out in the open when provided with sufficient plant shelter. It’s not unusual to see an entire school of glass catfish hiding under a leafy plant together.

The aquarium substrate should be a muted color, and a layer of dried leaves along the bottom can be provided to help mimic their natural environment. The tannins that leach from dried leaves have been shown to be beneficial to fish from blackwater environments. However, some leaves can be dangerous for fish, so always identify the leaves before adding any to an aquarium.

Filter

A strong filter is a requirement for a glass catfish aquarium, and it’s recommended to strongly over-filter their water. As they require such strong filtration, it’s usually best to use a canister filter. We strongly recommend the Fluval Canister filter, which is a reliable and excellent filter and helps to keep the aquarium water sparkling clean.

Feeding

Glass catfish are believed to feed on small invertebrates and larvae in their natural environment. However, they haven’t been adequately studied to state that with certainty at this moment.

However, these fish’s mystery diet isn’t a problem, as most will accept dried fish food in the aquarium. One of the best foods you can offer them is Hikari Micro Pellets. This food provides essential nutrients and is ideal for smaller aquarium fish like the glass catfish.

If a glass catfish won’t accept dried fish food, they should be offered live and frozen food instead. Frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, and cyclops will all be greedily accepted. Some good live food options to offer them are live mosquito larvae (illegal to culture in some areas), daphnia, blackworms, and gutted loaded brine shrimp.

Over time, any fish who won’t accept dried fish food can be transitioned from the live and frozen foods to store-bought foods. A good strategy is to mix the dried food in with the frozen food and then slowly reduce the amount of frozen food over time. Eventually, the fish should be eating dried foods without any difficulties.

Breeding

The information regarding glass catfish breeding is inconsistent at best. While a report from 2013 stated that no glass catfish were being bred in captivity and all the fish available in the aquarium trade were wild-caught, a more recent report from 2019 claimed the majority of the fish for sale were being bred in Asian fish farms.

However, while it may be true that they are being bred on fish farms, there is no reliable information or recorded instances of these fish being bred in captivity.

Tank Mates for Glass Catfish

While several species of fish can be kept with glass catfish – especially fish who inhabit similar water habitats– it’s usually best to keep glass catfish in a species only tank.

But if someone is determined to keep these fish in a community tank, there are a few fish that should make good tank mates. These include neon tetras, cardinal tetras, and harlequin rasboras. Larger fish should be avoided as they tend to out-compete and threaten glass catfish.

The post The Complete Glass Catfish Care Guide (Kryptopterus vitreolus) appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

Luckily, the aquarium trade has no shortage of strange freshwater fish, with many looking almost like they’ve been plucked from an alien world or the deepest depths of the ocean. There are fish with no eyes, fish with transparent bodies, and catfish that spend their lives swimming upside down.

Listed below are five oddball fish you can add to your aquarium.

Blind Cave Tetra

The blind cave tetra is a true oddball, having no eyes and an almost albino coloration. Found living in lightless caves in Mexico, these fish lost their eyes over thousands of years as they existed in complete darkness.

But don’t think having no eyes would limit these fish in any way. They are perfectly capable of navigating an aquarium using their lateral lines, which can detect movement, pressure, and vibrations. It’s always fascinating to watch blind cave tetras swim around an aquarium, avoiding obstacles and hunting for food.

Read more about Blind Cave Tetras here.

Upside-Down Catfish

The first time someone sees an upside-down catfish, they often stop and ask, ‘is that fish alright’? And while it can be jarring to see a fish swimming upside down – especially since most other fish will only do this when critically ill – upside-down catfish spend most of their time swimming upside down.

It’s thought their strange swimming behavior developed to help them better hunt insects at the surface of the water. But regardless of why they swim upside down, these fish are a great oddball fish to add to any peaceful aquarium.

Read more about Upside-down Catfish here.

Ghost Catfish

Ghost catfish are one of the strangest fish on this list, having a completely transparent body. Some fishkeepers have described them as little swimming skeletons attached to a fish head. Only during illness or near to death do their bodies take on any coloration, turning a milky white during these times.

Unfortunately, ghost catfish tend to be somewhat shy in aquariums, and without plenty of elevated hiding places, ghost catfish will spend much of their time in hiding. However, with the addition of plenty of plants to filter the light, they can be enticed to come out more often to display their strange appearance.

Black Ghost Knifefish

A truly strange-looking fish, the black ghost knifefish appears at first glance to have no fins. But it does have an anal fin, which stretches from the belly to the tail. This elongated fin gives it a unique swimming style, where it almost seems to glide around an aquarium.

And if that wasn’t enough to set them apart from other aquarium fish, they are also a weakly electrical fish, producing electrical impulses. However, they discharge less than a volt, making them no danger to a fishkeeper.

Black ghost knifefish are nocturnal and until they get settled in an aquarium, they will spend most of their time hiding. To solve this problem, some aquarists add a ‘black ghost knifefish tube’, which is a clear tube for the fish to hide in, but where they can still be viewed during the day.

Amazon Leaf Fish

Does the idea of having a leaf swimming around an aquarium sound interesting to you? Then the Amazon leaf fish might be the perfect addition to your tank. Their incredible camouflage helps them to closely resemble a dead leaf in their natural habitat, which enables them to hide from predators and sneak up on small prey.

Amazon leaf fish are voracious predators and will eat smaller fish in an aquarium, though juveniles primarily prey upon invertebrates. And with jaws that can extend up to an astonishing 60% of their head length, very few small fish are safe around them.

The post 5 Oddball Fish to Add to an Aquarium appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

The rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a small freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. But despite its name, it’s not actually a shark and belongs to the Actinopterygii family (ray-finned fishes). While these fish are popular in the aquarium hobby, they are not suited for a beginner and should only be kept by an experienced fishkeeper.

While these fish are often advertised as ‘algae eaters’, the amount of algae they consume is far less than plecos or other commonly available algae eaters (Read The 3 Best Algae Eaters for Your Aquarium here). Most fishkeepers who purchase these fish as algae eaters are often disappointed.

Habitat

Rainbow sharks are native to Asia and are found in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, with some sources claiming a small population exists in Vietnam. These fish were first described in 1937 (Fowler, Labeo erythrurus).

Rainbow sharks are bottom and midwater dwellers and are primarily found over sandy substrate in their natural habitat. During the rainy season, rainbow sharks migrate to floodplains and flooded forests, and then return to the rivers as the waters recede.

While these fish are currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, the population has been declining in the wild. There are several reasons for this decline, including the damming of rivers, wetland drainage, and logging. While the aquarium trade is listed as one of the reasons for declining populations, this seems unlikely, as most rainbow sharks currently available are commercially bred.

Aquarium

Rainbow sharks grow to a fairly large size (6 inches/15 cm) in the home aquarium and become more active as they age. Because of this, an individual shouldn’t be housed in anything smaller than a 30-gallon (110 liters) aquarium.

If two of these fish are going to be kept together, an aquarium of at least 55 gallons (110 liters) should be provided, with a minimum width of 3 feet (approximately 1.0 meters). This should allow each fish to establish a territory, but aggression may still become a problem.

While some people attempt to keep these fish in a community tank, it’s not uncommon for an adult rainbow shark to terrorize an aquarium. This is especially true if a rainbow shark is kept with other bottom-dwelling fish or any other similarly ‘finned’ species, including red-tailed sharks or other rainbow sharks.

Decorations & Lighting

Rainbow sharks should be kept in an aquarium designed to mimic their natural river environment. They should be provided with a soft, sandy substrate, along with smooth river rocks. Small aquatic plants should be placed in the background of their tank, making sure to leave an open swimming area for the fish.

Bogwood, driftwood, and caves should also be added to a rainbow shark aquarium to provide them with numerous hiding places.

Strong lighting is recommended for rainbow shark tanks, as bright light contributes to the growth of algae. While these fish aren’t solely algae eaters, they will continually graze on algae throughout the day.

Filter

Like most riverine species, rainbow sharks are very intolerant of any build-up of waste in their tank. Their aquarium water must be kept as clean as possible, and a strong filter is key in keeping these fish healthy.

One of the best filters to use on a rainbow shark tank is a hang-on-back filter. Not only do these filters provide much-needed current, but if properly maintained, it will keep an aquarium’s water crystal clear.

I personally recommend using an AquaClear Power Filter. I’ve been using Aquaclear Power Filters for years in my aquariums and it does an incredible job at keeping the tanks clean. And the filters rugged design means it should last for years without issue. I’ve had some Aquaclear Power Filters running on aquariums for over ten years and they’re still going strong.

Feeding

Rainbow sharks primarily feed on algae and periphyton (tiny organisms that live on rooted aquatic plants), and small invertebrates in the wild.

Aside from ensuring there is some algae for rainbow sharks to browse on in their aquariums, they should also be offered a diverse diet. Rainbow sharks should be fed frozen food (bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp), along with prepared fish food and regular offerings of lightly blanched vegetables (lettuce, zucchini, and shelled peas). Learn How to Feed Vegetables to Aquarium Fish here.

I recommend using a herbivore food for these fish, and one of the best foods you can feed them is Hikari Algae Wafers. This food contains high levels of vegetable matter for algae eaters, and contains spirulina, an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients. And the wafers sink to the bottom, making it a perfect food for rainbow sharks.

Breeding

It’s almost impossible to sex juvenile rainbow sharks, but they can be sexed with some difficultly once they reach adulthood. The females will have a noticeably rounder body than the males, while the males will exhibit a dark edge to their anal fin.

Contrary to what many sources claim, fishkeepers have been breeding rainbow sharks as far back as 1970 (first described by Armstrong in the German aquarium publication, DATZ).

However, while there have been sporadic successes breeding rainbow sharks, the details on how they were bred vary from report to report. There doesn’t seem to be a reliable method to breed rainbow sharks outside of fish farms at this time.

Tank Mates

It’s important to choose the right tank mates for rainbow sharks, as these fish will often display aggression towards certain species of fish. Any similarly finned species should be avoided (i.e. red-tailed sharks) as they will often harass each other until one fish is dead.

While juvenile rainbow sharks can often be housed in the same aquarium, it becomes difficult to keep any of these fish together as they mature. Only the very largest aquariums (55 gallons+) offer any hope of successfully keeping more than a pair of rainbow sharks together, and that’s assuming it contains numerous caves and hiding spots.

Most bottom-dwelling fish should also be avoided in a rainbow shark tank, though there are some reports these fish may co-exist somewhat peacefully with loaches. But this might be more to do with individual fish’s temperament, rather than loaches and rainbow sharks making good tank mates.

The best fish to keep with rainbow sharks are midlevel and top dwelling schooling fish. Some good choices are pearl gouramis, zebra danios, tiger barbs, cherry barbs, harlequin rasboras, and rainbowfish.

The post The Complete Rainbow Shark Care Guide (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

There are few things more frustrating to a fishkeeper than dealing with algae. Even if you follow all the rules – no natural light, don’t overfeed your fish, and don’t overstock your aquarium – you’ll still often find yourself fighting algae blooms. And no one enjoys spending hours laboriously scraping algae off of aquarium glass and decorations.

But the good news is that you don’t have to handle the algae by yourself. There are several fish and invertebrates that you can enlist as a cleaning squad to keep your aquarium clean and free of algae.

Bristlenose Pleco

If you want the best algae eater for your aquarium, look no further than bristlenose plecos. These fish consume large amounts of algae throughout their lifecycle (many so-called algae eaters only consume algae when they’re young), and they can be kept with nearly any species of peaceful or semi-aggressive fish. However, some juvenile bristlenose plecos may experience problems with larger cichlids, so place them with convicts and other semi-aggressive fish with caution.

And unlike their larger cousins, the common pleco, bristlenose plecos stay relatively small. If you provide them with a large enough aquarium, several of these catfish can be kept together, though it’s a good idea to keep more females than males. If too many males are kept together, they will battle with each other over caves and will try to consume any eggs their rivals have fertilized.  

Learn more about Bristlenose Plecos

Amano Shrimp

An often-overlooked algae eater, Amano shrimps are one of the best algae eaters you can add to an aquarium. These invertebrates constantly browse and will consume most types of algae – something most other algae eaters won’t do. If you keep a handful of Amano shrimp in an aquarium – especially if you add another algae eater like a bristlenose pleco – they will do virtually all the work of keeping an aquarium clear of algae.

The only downside to these shrimp is that they’re often viewed as prey by larger fish. That means they should only be kept in an aquarium with small, non-aggressive fish. Most fish suitable for a community tank should be fine with Amano shrimp.

Learn more about Amazon Shrimp

Otocinclus Catfish

The otocinclus catfish, also known as the oto cat, would probably be ranked as best algae eater on this list, if not for their one downside: The majority of the otocinclus for sale in the hobby are wild-caught. This makes them fragile and prone to disease. It’s not uncommon for otocinclus catfish to die shortly after being added to an aquarium, which turns off most fishkeepers from owning them.

But if you can find some healthy otocinclus catfish, they make an excellent addition to almost any aquarium. They continually consume algae and will make a surprising impact on a mature fish tank in a matter of days. But if you purchase these fish, it’s important to remember they need to be kept in groups of at least six.

Bonus: The Worst Algae Eater

Of all the fish being sold as algae eaters, the Chinese algae eater is by far the worst. In fact, there are some who argue they shouldn’t even be called algae eaters. While the young do consume some algae, it’s rarely in large enough quantities to make a noticeable difference in an aquarium.

And worse, as a Chinese algae eater ages, not only does it consume less algae, but it becomes large and aggressive. This makes them unsuitable for most community aquariums, and more than a few inexperienced fishkeepers have ended up with Chinese algae eaters terrorizing their fish tanks.

It’s best to stay away from these fish and instead choose Siamese algae eaters, which look similar, but are far more peaceful and better at controlling algae.

Learn more about Chinese Algae Eaters

Final Word

While all the invertebrates and fish on this list consume algae, it’s important to realize there isn’t enough algae in most aquariums to support them on algae alone. They should always be offered supplemental food, and herbivore fish foods are usually the best choice. I recommend choosing Hikari Algae Wafers, as it contains a good mix of vegetable matter and protein. Also, it’s a sinking food, which means it will reach the algae eaters dwelling on the bottom.

The post The Top 3 Algae Eaters for Your Aquarium appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

Convict cichlids occupy a strange niche between peaceful and aggressive fish. If a convict cichlid is placed with any species of non-aggressive fish, they will bully them relentlessly and may even kill them. But if a convict cichlid is placed with an aggressive fish, the convict will likely be harassed and may spend all its time in hiding.

This leaves fishkeepers with a problem – what fish can they keep with convict cichlids?

Thankfully, there are several fish that should work in a convict cichlid tank, though it’s important to understand these tankmates will only work with non-breedingconvicts. If a paired male and female convict are kept together in an aquarium, all bets are off.

A pair of breeding convicts will do their best to drive away or kill any fish they share a tank with, regardless of the size of the fish. And while larger tanks may alleviate this problem somewhat, it’s still not recommended to keep mating convicts with any other fish.

It’s also important to realize that every fish is different. While some convicts have a calm temperament – especially those raised from a young age with other fish – some convicts are naturally so aggressive they can’t share a tank with anything else. So, while the fish on this list will work with most convicts, there may be instances where a convict won’t accept any tank mates.

Oscar fish

Many people are often surprised to hear that oscar fish – often referred to as a football with fins – are one of the best convict cichlid tank mates. Like convicts, oscar fish are difficult to keep in a community tank, as they are too aggressive for peaceful fish, but too docile for aggressive fish. But this semi-aggressive behavior makes them the perfect candidate for a convict tank.

If possible, it’s best to purchase both fish as juveniles and raise them together. This often helps to reduce any aggression the fish will have towards each other and should result in a somewhat quiet aquarium.

It’s also important to include decorations in their fish tank, such as driftwood, rocks, and plants to create separate ‘areas’ for the fish. These areas will allow the fish to escape any aggression, as fish often break off pursuit when they lose sight of the other fish.

Learn more about Oscar Fish

Pictus Catfish

The pictus catfish is a non-aggressive catfish that at first glance might seem like a strange choice to keep with convict cichlids. But the key to their success at being kept with convict cichlids is their behavior.

Pictus catfish primarily inhabit the bottom of an aquarium, spending much of their time hiding in caves and under plants. And like most catfish, they are nocturnal feeders. Because of these habits, they will rarely cross paths with a convict cichlid, and shouldn’t experience any aggression from a convict tank mate.

Learn more about Pictus Catfish

Firemouth Cichlid

These attractive and fascinating fish are a strong contender for the best tank mate to keep with convict cichlids. Firemouth cichlids and convicts share similar temperaments, meaning both are more than capable of standing up to each other, but usually without the aggression getting out of hand. And both species hail from rivers in Central America, which means their aquarium requirements are incredibly similar – a major plus when keeping fish together.

Some fishkeepers have even reported success at keeping firemouth cichlids with a breeding pair of convicts, as long as both fish have separate territories in a large aquarium. With that being said, it’s best to avoid trying this unless someone is very experience at fishkeeping.

Learn more about Firemouth Cichlids

Jewel Cichlid

While it’s rare to see anyone recommending African cichlids for community tanks, jewel cichlids actually make a good tank mate for a convict cichlid. Unlike the other fish on this list, the odds of convicts and jewel cichlids being kept together is highly dependent on several factors.

First, the aquarium must be set up to provide several ‘territories’, which the fish can claim as their own. This can be done by placing live plants and rocks to create breaks in the line of sight.

Secondly, the individual fish themselves must be relatively peaceful. There are many instances where jewel cichlids simply can’t be kept with convicts, as the individuals are too aggressive.

And finally, it’s recommended to raise the convict and jewel cichlid together, as if adults are placed together in the same aquarium, they’re less likely to tolerate the other fish.

Common Pleco

The common pleco, a notable tank buster, is not a fish that the average person can keep. The minimum tank size for a common pleco is 100 gallons – yes, that’s the minimum size. But if you have a tank large enough for a common pleco, then these fish make great tank mates for convict cichlids.

Common plecos grow more aggressive as they age, and while they can more than handle a convict cichlid, their behavior means these fish will rarely interact with each other. These catfish spend much of their time hiding during the day and are most active at night. If common plecos are provided with ample caves and hiding places, there should be very little aggression between these fish and convict cichlids.

Learn more about Common Plecos

Bristlenose Pleco

The bristlenose plecos are another excellent tank mate for convict cichlids, and unlike common plecos, they grow to a more manageable size. And since they are nocturnal (though some become more active during the day as they get used to an aquarium), there are rarely any aggression issues between bristlenose plecos and convict cichlids.

But since bristlenose plecos are more docile than convicts, they should be provided with small caves and hiding places throughout the aquarium. These are especially important when they are small, as convicts are known to do permanent damage to juvenile pleco’s bristles if they can’t escape.

Learn more about Bristlenose Plecos

Tiger Barbs

Tiger barbs are another fish that are difficult to keep outside of a species only aquarium. They are too aggressive for most other barbs and minnows but are too meek around most large cichlids. And that semi-aggressive behavior is what makes them an excellent tank mate for convict cichlids.

But if tiger barbs are going to be kept with a convict cichlid, they must be kept in a large school. The schooling behavior will help to protect them from an aggressive convict and will lessen the likelihood of the tiger barbs nipping at a convict’s fins. When adding these fish, make sure they are adults as the juveniles may have a difficult time around a large convict.

Learn more about Tiger Barbs

Final Word

Convict cichlids can be a difficult fish to find tank mates for, but if you follow the advice in this article, you should be able to set up an attractive convict community tank. However, always remember that every fish has a different personality and it may take some trial or error before you find what works for your fish.

The post The 7 Best Convict Cichlid Tank Mates appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.

If you’ve ever seen a picture online of an immaculate aquarium, you’ve probably wondered how someone can possibly keep their fish tank so spotless. But there is no secret to keeping an aquarium sparkling clean, and if you follow the steps in this article, your aquarium should start to improve almost immediately.

And don’t feel discouraged if your aquarium is already overflowing with grime and algae. I’ll admit when I started out, my first tank was a disaster. The glass was constantly smudged, hard water was crusted around the filter, and instead of live plants, I had fields of lush algae coating every surface. But with the help of some knowledgeable fishkeepers and a bit of online research, I was able to create the pristine aquariums I keep today.

Change the Water Weekly

One of the simplest things you can do to keep your aquarium clean is to change the water weekly. Nitrates constantly build up in the water and high nitrate levels contribute to algae growth. By removing nitrates with small, regular water changes, it will reduce the nitrate levels and keep the aquarium healthy. No more than 25% of the water should be changed at one time and larger water changes risk destabilizing the aquarium water. Also, make sure any new water is always treated to remove any chlorine or chloramine.

Test Your Water

An aquarium is a tiny ecosystem and if something goes out of balance, it can quickly spiral out of control. It’s important to test the aquarium water regularly to ensure there are no problems, and if any problems are found, you’ll be able to correct it quickly. The water test will check for ammonia, nitrites (both which are dangerous for your fish at any levels), and nitrates (these will always be present in some small amount).

Compare Prices for Aquarium Test Kits at Amazon

Use a Gravel Vacuum

When you’re doing a weekly water change, it’s important to thoroughly clean the aquarium. Many new fishkeepers are content with just replacing the water, but when doing a water change, it’s important to use a gravel vacuum. The gravel vacuum will suck up uneaten food and fish waste from the bottom of the fish tank and will help to keep the aquarium clean. If you have a gravel substrate, the vacuum should be pushed down into the gravel to remove any built-up waste between the stones.

After purchasing my first large tank, I quickly grew tired of siphoning the water into buckets and carrying it through the house. That’s when I discovered the Python Water Changer. The Python Water Changer drains the water from the tank and then refills it with the flip of a switch. It’s made weekly water changes take less than half the time – with the added benefit of not having to carry endless buckets of water through my house.

Scrub the Glass and Ornaments

It’s not enough to simply remove the water during weekly water changes, it’s also important to remove as much algae as possible. The more algae you have in your aquarium, the faster it will spread. During the aquarium cleaning, you should scrape the glass (with an aquarium safe scraper), making sure to avoid damaging the sealant at the corners of the aquarium. Then you should remove the ornaments and wipe them down to clean them as much as possible.

Compare Prices for Aquarium Scrapers at Amazon

Clean the Filter

Nothing is more important to the health of an aquarium than a well-maintained filter. And filters also play an important role in keeping an aquarium clean. The bacteria living on the filter remove dangerous chemicals from the water and most filters will also filter out any free-floating debris. But filters only work if they’re properly maintained. It’s good to get into the habit of cleaning your filter during weekly water changes. The filter media should be removed and cleaned with non-chlorinated water, and then the filter housing should be given a deep scrub, to remove any waste or built-up hard water residue.

Use Live Plants

While it can be a difficult job to keep the water just right in an aquarium – never mind keeping algae at bay – the addition of live plants will make your life much easier. Live plants compete with algae for nutrients and will slow the spread of algae. And not only do live plants make algae easier to control, but they also help keep the aquarium clean for your fish. Live plants remove nitrates from the water and may help to reduce dangerous ammonia and nitrites.

Don’t Overfeed the Fish

One simple way to make your aquarium cleaner is to reduce how much you’re feeding your fish. Most aquarists – both experienced and new – overfeed their fish. That excess food then rots and fouls the water, causing algae blooms or worse. By making sure you feed your fish just enough, you will help to keep your aquarium clean. A good rule of thumb to use is to only feed your fish as much as they can eat in five minutes. If there is any leftover food after five minutes, you’re probably feeding your fish too much.

Limit the Amount of Artificial Light

Another way to keep an aquarium clean is to limit the amount of light it receives. The more light in a fish tank, the more algae problems you’ll have. Generally speaking, an aquarium should receive between 8-12 hours of light a day. If you find you’re experiencing problems with algae growth, reduce the number of hours of light an aquarium is getting, but try to never go below eight hours.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

While too much artificial light makes it more difficult to keep an aquarium clean, direct sunlight throughout the day will most likely turn your aquarium into a green soup. While some sunlight is usually fine – especially in a densely planted aquarium – too much may cause a huge algae bloom. An aquarium should always be positioned where it’s away from windows and should only receive indirect sunlight.

Use Algae Eaters

There’s nothing wrong with enlisting a little help to keep your aquarium clean. Most of my aquariums have an algae cleanup crew along with smaller creatures to consume any uneaten food. Adding a few snails and an algae eater will go a long way towards keeping your aquarium spotless. The following algae eaters are suitable for most tanks: otocinclus catfish, bristlenose pleco, Amano shrimp, Malaysian trumpet snails, and nerite snails. While common plecos are often recommended as algae eaters, they only consume significant amounts of algae while they are young and grow far too big for anything but the largest fish tanks.

Final Word

If you follow the recommendations in this article, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your aquarium starts to improve. After a few weeks of regular water changes and careful maintenance, your aquarium should be nearly pristine and ready to show off.

The post How to Keep Your Aquarium Crystal Clear appeared first on Aquarium Tidings.