If you walk into a high-end marine shop like Macallum Ocean, the first fish that catches your eye is usually a Marine Angelfish. They look like they were painted by an artist. They swim with a royal confidence. They are the “Centerpiece” that every hobbyist dreams of owning. But before you drop RM200 (or RM1,000) […]
Marine Angelfish Guide: Dwarf vs. Giant (Which One Fits Your Tank?) Read More »
You wake up in the morning. You look at your tank. Your Eel is gone.You check the rocks. You check the filter. Nothing.Then you look down. There, dried up like a piece of Keropok Lekor on the floor, is your beautiful Eel. This is the most common ending for the Snowflake Moray Eel (Echidna nebulosa).They
The Snowflake Eel: Keeping the “Houdini” of the Saltwater Tank Read More »
You have Green Hair Algae taking over your rocks. You have Bubble Algae popping up in the corners.You look at the price of a Yellow Tang (the classic algae eater), and it is RM200 – RM400 because of the Hawaii export ban. You need a worker that is cheaper, hardier, and hungrier.Meet the Foxface
The Foxface Rabbitfish: The Venomous “Cow” That Cleans Your Tank Read More »
When you start a freshwater tank, you buy a Guppy. It’s cheap, colorful, and impossible to kill. When you start a saltwater tank, you buy a Damselfish. Walk into any marine shop in Malaysia, and you will see a tank full of electric blue or black-and-white striped fish selling for RM12 to RM20. Compared to
We all know the story. You buy a Clownfish (“Nemo”). Now your kids, your spouse, or your own heart is telling you: “We need Dory!” The Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), also known as the Palette Surgeonfish, is iconic. That deep royal blue body and bright yellow tail is stunning. But here is the hard truth
The “Dory” Problem: Why Blue Tangs Are NOT for Beginners Read More »
Is it a snake? Is it an eel? Is it a worm? No, it’s a fish. Meet the Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii). In the hobby, we affectionately call them “Noodles” or “Water Spaghetti.” If you are bored of standard fish that just swim left and right, the Kuhli Loach is the weirdo you need. They
The Kuhli Loach: Keeping the “Noodle Fish” in Your Aquarium Read More »
If you lived in Malaysia in the early 2000s, you remember the craze. You couldn’t walk into a coffee shop or a mechanic’s workshop without seeing a bare glass tank with a strange, bumpy-headed fish staring at you. They were sold for thousands of Ringgit. People believed they brought luck, wealth, and 4D lottery numbers.
The Flowerhorn (“Lohan”): From Feng Shui Icon to the Ultimate “Wet Pet” Read More »
We often spend hundreds of Ringgit importing fish from the Amazon (Tetras) or Africa (Cichlids). But did you know that one of the most famous, beautiful, and aquascaped fish in the world is a local? Meet the Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha). If you go to a high-end aquascaping competition in Japan or Europe, you will
The Harlequin Rasbora: Why Malaysia’s “Local Hero” Deserves a Blackwater Tank Read More »
You are standing at the fish shop. In Tank A, you see Neon Tetras selling for RM2.00. In Tank B, you see Cardinal Tetras selling for RM5.00. They look almost identical. They both have blue and red stripes. They both school together. Your wallet tells you: “Buy the Neons. You can get 20 Neons for
Neon Tetra vs. Cardinal Tetra: Why the “Expensive” One is Actually Cheaper Read More »
In the world of Feng Shui aquariums, there is a legendary pairing: The Dragon and The Tiger.The Dragon is the Arowana. The Tiger is the Datnoid (Datnioides microlepis). Even if you don’t care about luck, the Datnoid is a spectacular fish. With its broad, flat body and striking yellow-and-black stripes, it looks like a predator
The Indo Datnoid: The “Tiger” Every Arowana Owner Needs Read More »
