We have all been there. You are at the Local Fish Shop (LFS). You walk past the Guppies and Tetras. Then, you see the blue glow. You see the coral. You see “Nemo.” You look at the price tag on the Clownfish: RM25. You think: “Hey, that’s cheap! I can afford that. Maybe I should […]
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Aquarium: The Honest Cost in Malaysia Read More »
If you show a non-hobbyist a tank with brown water, they will say: “Eeew, your tank is dirty. Go change the water.” But if you show that same tank to a master breeder in Penang, they will nod and say: “Beautiful. The fish must be very happy.” This is the concept of Blackwater. It is
Why Your Tank Water Should Look Like “Teh O Kosong” (The Blackwater Guide) Read More »
Cooking Nasi Lemak requires a balance. You need the rice, the sambal, the egg, and the ikan bilis. If you just have a plate full of sambal, it’s not a meal; it’s a disaster. An aquarium is the same. You cannot just throw random fish together. You need a balance of Top, Middle, and Bottom
The Perfect 2-Foot Aquarium: A “Recipe” for a Peaceful Community Tank Read More »
You see a baby catfish in the shop. It has a cute, flat head, long white whiskers, and a bright red tail. It looks clumsy and friendly. It’s smiling at you. The shopkeeper says, “This one good. Eat leftover food. Good friend for your Arowana.” Do not be fooled by that smile. The Red Tail
The Red Tail Catfish: The Cute Monster That Will Eat Your Other Fish Read More »
You are at the fish shop. You see a tank full of active, silver fish zooming back and forth. They look like mini sharks. They have the high dorsal fin, the sleek body, and the cool “shark” swim. You ask the uncle, “How much?” He says, “Murah saja. RM2 seekor. Ikan Patri.” You think you
The “Patri Shark” Trap: Why You Must Never Buy This RM2 Fish Read More »
You see them in every aquarium shop. They are bright orange, they have three distinct black stripes, and they wiggle excitedly at the glass like puppies. They are often labeled “Clown Loach – RM8.” They look perfect. They look like “Nemo” for freshwater. You think, “I’ll take three for my 2-foot tank.” Stop. The Clown
The Clown Loach Warning: Why You Should Probably NOT Buy This Fish Read More »
Walk into any fish shop in Malaysia, and you will see a tank full of cute, whiskered fish wiggling on the bottom. The shopkeeper might tell you: “This is a cleaner fish. Buy one. It will eat the poop.” Please, do not listen to that advice. The Corydoras Catfish (“Cory”) is not a vacuum cleaner.
Corydoras are NOT Janitors: Why You Need 6 of Them (And Why Sand is Mandatory) Read More »
In most parts of the world, a “pet fish” costs RM5. In Malaysia, we have a fish that can cost as much as a used Perodua Myvi. Meet the Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus). Specifically, the Malaysian Golden Arowana (Crossback Golden). Known as the “Dragon Fish,” it is the crown jewel of the aquarium world. In
The Golden Arowana: Why This Fish Costs as Much as a Myvi (And How to Buy One Safely) Read More »
It is the worst feeling in the hobby. You bought a pair of beautiful Guppies on Saturday. By Tuesday, one is floating at the top. The other one is sitting at the bottom, fins clamped tight, looking miserable. You ask: “What did I do wrong? I fed them, I have a filter, the water is
Why Is My Guppy Dying? The “Emergency Room” Guide (Worms, Ich, and Stress) Read More »
Introduction Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata), also called rainbow fish or millionfish, are small, vibrant live‑bearing freshwater fish native to the streams and pools of northern South America and the Caribbean. They have been bred since the late 19th century and now exist in hundreds of strains with almost every color and fin shape imaginable. Guppies
Guppy Comprehensive Guide Read More »
