Sometimes you end up with a fish before you have a cycled tank. It might be an impulse purchase, a rescue, a tank crash, or an unexpected gift. In an ideal world, every aquarium would be fully cycled before fish are added. That will always be the most stable, ethical, and low-risk approach. But when that is not possible, there is a safer way to add fish to a brand-new, uncycled aquarium the same day  without exposing them to raw ammonia and nitrite. This approach is called th

Feeding mistakes are by far the most common and most damaging errors beginner betta fish keepers make . Many people assume there is a simple rule like “feed a few pellets per day,” but betta nutrition is far more nuanced than that. Between portion sizing, bloating, picky eaters, conflicting online advice, and persistent myths, it is incredibly easy to get feeding wrong. Unfortunately, poor feeding habits can lead to buoyancy issues, chronic health problems, and even a shorten

Ask 20 different fish keepers what you can stock in a 5-gallon aquarium and you will probably get 20 different answers. Some may even judge you with a multi-paragraph Reddit post explaining why anything under a 10-gallon tank should not even be considered. The reality is that stocking a 5-gallon tank is one of the most debated topics in the aquarium hobby. This is largely because 5-gallon tanks are often the entry point for new fish keepers who want to do more research than s

Disclaimer: This article is based on my own personal research and experience. I am not a licensed veterinarian, and this is not professional advice. This article will go through all the questions and topics below that a fish keeper may have about swim bladder disease: What is a swim bladder? What is swim bladder disease? What fish are prone to swim bladder disease? What causes swim bladder disease in fish? Signs of swim bladder disease Is swim bladder disease contagious? Is s

All-in-one tanks can make for great aquarium setups for beginners. They usually come with their own filtration, light, and other components. These kits make tanks convenient and easy to set up. If you're in the market for an all-in-one kit for your betta or some other nano fish, the Fluval Spec V might be for you. For this kit, we’ll be going through: What’s in the box Pros and cons of each component I'll be as objective as possible. But some opinions will be sprinkled out he

Just as a bird builds a nest before laying an egg, you must prepare a betta fish’s home before buying one. So many people eye a betta fish for its fancy fins. Sadly, new fish keepers often end up with unhealthy, unhappy, or dead betta fish due to poor tank setup. To name a few, betta fish fall victim to: Wrong tank sizes Poor water parameters Suboptimal water temperature Luckily, you can prevent poor outcomes by knowing what you'll need for your betta fish tank setup. In this

How much do you feed a betta fish daily? Do you have to feed a betta fish every day? How many flakes should I feed my betta fish?

Originally, this list was built for college fish keepers, but anyone can take these suggestions and run with them! So you're moving onto campus to start your next semester in college and you want to bring a fishy friend to keep you company for those inevitable all-nighters, but don't know what fish to choose? Well stay tuned, I have 10 suggestions down below! Assumptions/Disclaimers As I built this list, I kept a few assumptions/disclaimers in mind since my target audience i

Black Diamond Blasting Sand (BDBS) is a great budget black sand for aquariums. It comes with many benefits , as shown in " The Best Budget Black Aquarium Substrate: Black Diamond Blasting Sand . " Unfortunately, there are a few downsides to using BDBS. But, with the cons that I list down below, I will outline a workaround if possible. 1. Diligent rinsing of BDBS is essential Despite being an inert substrate, there is a lot of dust and oil residue characteristic of this su

If you are like me, you know that there is no cleaner look better accomplished than by black substrates . It visually hides whatever wastes or by-products that collect at the bottom of your tank and provides great contrast to the real focal points of a tank, the livestock and the plants. Moreover, sands give off a smoother, softer and more natural look compared to gravel. The problem is, aquarium-specific black sands found in big chain pet stores, are expensive . And at tho

What Is Diamond Eye? Also known as moon eye , diamond eye is a genetic trait that results in overgrowth of scales over the eyes of a fish, leading to blindness . An important distinction is that the scales grow over the eyes and do not anatomically impact the retina. Diamond eye can impact one or both eyes and can partially or fully cover the eyes The condition usually happens slowly over time, taking months to years Are All Betta Fish At Risk Of Diamond Eye? Diamond eye c

The Good, The Bad And The Quirky The MarineLand Portrait and Contour 5 gallon nano tanks bring lots to the table for aquarium hobbyists at a competitive price, whether it is its sleek, rimless aesthetic or what is included in the kit. What Is Included? The Tank One 5 gallon, 14" x 9.5" x 9.5" glass tank (personally, I think this glasswork alone makes this entire kit worth it) Rounded corners, providing a sleek and rimless look Glass cover to combat water evaporation (

What this all-in-one aquarium is missing for betta fish keepers The MarineLand Portrait and Contour nano tanks are near-perfect starter kits for aquarium hobbyists, whether it is due to the components already included at a competitive price or the sleek, yet affordable rimless aesthetic. However, here are 10 things to take this fish tank to the next level! 1. Install command strip on the lid for easy convenience Taking the lid on and off can be cumbersome due to its min