Freshwater Fish

Japanese Rice Fish

Japanese Rice Fish (Oryzias latipes): Care Guide

Freshwater Fish / By

The Japanese Rice Fish (Oryzias Latipes) has been an aquarium fish for aquarists because of its small size, hardiness, and colorful appearance. Japanese Rice Fish are also known as Medaka, Ricefish, and Japanese Killifish.

Japanese Rice Fish is a very special fish since they are the first vertebrate to mate in orbit. In 1994, in space flight mission STS-65 IML-2, Japanese Rice Fish (Oryzias Latipes) were able to successfully mate and fertilize in space.

Fahaka Puffer

Fahaka Puffer: Care, Tank Size, Tank Mates, Food & Size

Freshwater Fish / By

The Fahaka Puffer fish (Tetraodon lineatus) has a light tannish to brownish body that fades into a light yellowish white underbelly. Fahaka Puffer fish also have horizontal stripes on their bodies that run from the start of their pectoral fin to their tail. Fahaka Puffer fish, like all species of puffer fish, have the ability to puff themselves up with air or water when they feel threatened. When the Fahaka Puffer has puffed itself up, it reveals that it has tiny spikes all over its skin. These spikes are a form of self-defense that makes them a lot less appealing to predators.

Water Cow Goby

Water Cow Goby: Care, Tank Size, Max Size & Tank Mates

Freshwater Fish / By

Water Cow Gobies are one of the larger fish to keep in the fishkeeping hobby. They require a large tank, but they are an interesting fish to keep. They aren’t particularly colorful, but they have a mix of browns and tans on their bodies. These colors are beneficial in the wild so that they can hunt smaller fish. This camouflage in addition to its slow moving nature helps it to be an efficient hunter. Water Cow Gobies have been known to have a greyish color to their bodies as well. Water Cow Gobies’ coloration will change from lighter to darker, seemingly with their mood, but this is more likely just for camouflage purposes so that they can be effective hunters. With several types of Gobies for sale online, it can be difficult to find a seller who is selling a true Water Cow Goby, and not another species of Goby just mislabelled.

Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)

Tiger Barb Care: Tank Setup, Tank Mates, Breeding & Disease

Freshwater Fish / By

Tiger Barbs are active fish, and they require a minimum of a 20 gallon tank for a small school of 5 fish. If you are wanting more Tiger Barbs in your school, then you will want to add an additional 3 gallons per fish after that. You should maintain tropical water temperatures between 75 and 82°F, with a pH between 6.0-8.0 in your Tiger Barb Tank. The substrate of the tank should be a sandy gravel, and they will need plenty of aquarium plants and decor to finish out their tank to make it closely mimic their natural habitat in the wild.

Orange Hatchet Danio: Care, Lifespan, Breeding & More

Freshwater Fish / By

Orange Hatchet Danios are similar in size and shape to most other Danios, but they can be identified by the orange hues they have on their body. The Orange Hatchet Danio was first found in India. They can be identified by the orange highlights, which is a rare color in Danios. The males are usually darker, especially when they are ready to spawn. The females are more plump in shape when compared to the males. Both male and female Orange Hatchet Danio have a more arrow-like shape to their bodies which helps aid the fish in jumping. It is important to keep a lid on your tank. If startled, the Orange Hatchet Danio is an excellent jumper, and they will jump out of your tank.

Checker Barb Care: Diet, Lifespan, Tank Size & Tank Mates

Freshwater Fish / By

Checker Barb fish are a tropical, freshwater fish named for their distinctive black and silver checkered markings and colorations that resemble a checkerboard. This pattern is so distinct that even their nicknames refer to their checkerboard patterning. They are described as having a torpedo-esque shape to their bodies, and a round middle. The males are slimmer and smaller than the females. The juvenile Checker Barb fish may have little fin color, while the mature males have red fins with a black outline. The females have a more yellowish color to their fins. The color of both male and female fish will get darker as they become ready to spawn, and when they are fed a good diet of a wide variety. A well set up aquarium will help this nano schooling fish thrive, and will also help aid in deepening its coloration.

Celestial Pearl Danio: Care, Tank Size, Breeding & More

Freshwater Fish / By

Celestial Pearl Danios (Danio Margaritatus) are a newly discovered species of freshwater fish, and there is much to learn about this fish. They are admired by aquarium hobbyists all over the world for their vibrant color, and active nature. They are often referred to as Galaxy Rasboras, or Firework Rasboras. However, these little fish are more closely related to Danios than they are to Rasboras.

Nile Perch Care: Tank Setup, Food, Behavior & More

Freshwater Fish / By

Nile Perch are hearty freshwater fish, but keep in mind when purchasing a tank for larger species of fish, you’re buying for long-term care, and so should plan for the largest community you want. A 90-gallon tank is recommended for keeping a perch, as they are large, active, and can grow to fit their surroundings. A larger starter tank will allow you to keep more fish, as well as keep your maintenance time down. The tank will need a heater to maintain temperatures between 75-77 degrees Fahrenheit. They are native to Africa and prefer warm waters.

Badis Badis Care: The Dwarf Chameleon Fish

Freshwater Fish / By

Badis Badis is a small predatory fish that feeds on a variety of tiny invertebrates such as worms and insect larvae. The coloration of these fish can intend entirely on the mood of the fish – when comfortable, it can be extremely rich and vibrantly colored. They hold a lot of value for some people as not only are they strong aquatic pets to have, but they make brilliant breeding partners due to their immense colorization abilities.