You have a planted tank. Everything is going well. Then, you see it. Tiny tufts of black, fuzzy hair growing on your driftwood and Anubias leaves. Black Beard Algae (BBA). You try to scrape it off. It won’t move. You try to poison it. It comes back. You go to the shop and ask for […]
True SAE vs. Flying Fox: How to Spot the Real “Algae Killer” Read More »
They are striped like tigers. They act like tigers. The Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is one of the most famous fish to come out of Southeast Asia (Borneo/Sumatra/Malaysia). They are energetic, hardy, and extremely fun to watch. But they have a dark side. If you put a Tiger Barb in a tank with an Angelfish
The Tiger Barb: Why This “Local Gangster” Needs a Strict School Read More »
When you think of a Betta, you imagine long, flowing fins like a dress. But if you ask a serious breeder or a “Shop Guy” what they keep at home, the answer is usually The Plakat. “Plakat” comes from the Thai word Plakad, meaning “Biting Fish.” This is the original. The warrior. The bulletproof fish.
The Plakat Betta: Why the “Short Fin” is the Best Beginner Fish Read More »
If there is one way to kill a Betta faster than dirty water, it is kindness. Every day, customers walk into my shop asking why their fish is floating sideways or looks like a balloon. The answer is almost always the same: You are feeding him too much. In this comprehensive guide, we are going
The Betta Fish Feeding Guide: Pellets, Bloodworms, and Why Your Fish is Fat Read More »
We humans are terrified of the dark. We assume our pets are too. When you turn off the last light in the house and the room goes pitch black, many owners wonder: “Is my Betta scared? Is he bumping into the glass? Is he lost?” It’s 11:00 PM. You turn off your aquarium light, then
Can Your Betta See At Night? (The Truth About Fish Vision) Read More »
You buy a Guppy from the shop. It looks okay. It has a nice yellow tail. Two weeks later, you visit your friend’s house. He has the exact same breed of Guppy, but his looks different. His fish is glowing. The yellow is deep gold. The body is thick and energetic. You ask him: “Where
The “Glow Up” Diet: How to Feed Your Guppies for Maximum Color Read More »
You walk into your room at night, look at your tank, and see your Betta going crazy. His gills are puffed out like a cobra, his fins are fully spread, and he is furiously attacking the glass wall. Again and again. You ask: “Boss, is my fish insane?” The answer is: No. He just thinks
Is Your Betta Fighting a Ghost? The Truth About Flaring & Reflection Read More »
We all know why we buy Guppies. We want the colors. We want the neon blues, the sunset oranges, and the leopard spots. But here is the biological truth: Only the Males are colorful. Female Guppies are usually larger, grey/brown, and have smaller tails. So, beginners often ask: “Can I just buy 10 males? Or
Can You Keep Only Male Guppies? The Secret to a “High Color, No Babies” Tank Read More »
You are at the fish shop. You see a tank full of energetic, bright red fish with black stripes. They are schooling together, begging for food, and they cost only RM 15. You think: “Wow, a beautiful, cheap schooling fish! I’ll take five for my 2-foot tank.” Stop. Put the bag down. You are about
Don’t Buy the Red One: Why the Cute “Red Snakehead” is a Trap Read More »
One of the most common questions I get is: “Boss, my Betta keeps going to the surface. Is he choking?” Usually, the answer is No. He is just being a Betta. But sometimes, the answer is Yes, and your water is killing him. Here is how to tell the difference between a happy fish and
How Many Times Should a Betta Breathe? (The “Gasp” Test) Read More »
