You look at a Halfmoon Betta and think: “Nature is amazing.” Wrong. Nature didn’t make that. We did. If you went back in time to 1850 and showed a Thai farmer a modern Blue Halfmoon, he would laugh at you. “That fish is useless,” he would say. “It swims too slow. It would die in […]
From Swamp Fighter to Supercar: The 170-Year History of Your Betta Read More »
You see a Betta for RM 5. You see another one for RM 500. They are the same color. So what is the difference? The Tail. Breeders have spent 100 years engineering these shapes. Here are the names you need to know so you don’t get scammed. 1. The “Classics” (Common in Every Shop) A.
The Betta Tail Dictionary: From “Kampung” to “Grand Champion” 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 »
You walk into the fish shop. You see a tank of small, dark fish with orange patterns wagging their tails at the front glass. They are begging for food. They follow your finger.You look at the price: RM15. You think: “Wow, a smart fish for cheap!” Meet the Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus).They are intelligent, they
The Oscar Fish: Why This “Drama Queen” is the Best Wet Pet You Can Own Read More »
This is the most dangerous question a beginner can ask. Customer: “He looks lonely. Can I buy him a friend?” The Shop Guy: “He isn’t lonely. He is a serial killer. But… maybe.” Here is the honest guide to Betta Tank Mates. Most online lists are wrong because they don’t tell you the risks. Let’s
The “Loneliness” Myth: Can Your Betta Have Friends? Read More »
Every beginner sends me the same photo eventually. A corner of the tank is covered in white foam. “Boss, look! He built a house! He must love the new tank.” I hate to break your heart, but that foam isn’t a sign of gratitude. It’s a sign of instinct. While a nest usually appears in
The Bubble Nest Truth: Why Your Betta Is Spitting at the Surface Read More »
