“Don’t cry. It was just a fish. We can go to the shop and buy another one for RM10.” If you have ever lost a Betta, you have probably heard this from a well-meaning friend or parent. They mean well. To them, a fish is just a decoration that moves. But to us, it feels […]
“It’s Just a Fish”: Why Losing a Betta Hurts More Than You Expect Read More »
In the modern aquarium hobby, we are often obsessed with clarity. We buy expensive filters, carbon media, and polishing pads to make the water look like invisible air. But if you look at a natural river or a rice paddy, the water isn’t crystal clear. It is tinted. It is golden. It looks like tea.
The Quiet Power of Indian Almond Leaves (Ketapang): Why “Teh O” Water is Magic Read More »
We all love the look of a “Super Red Halfmoon” or a “Dragon Scale Plakat.” They are stunning. They look like swimming paintings. But have you ever noticed what happens when they get old? By the time a fancy Betta is 1.5 or 2 years old, he often spends most of his time resting on
The Aging Game: Why Wild Bettas Live Longer Than “Fancy” Ones Read More »
In our last post, we warned you that Penang’s soft water gives Guppies “The Shimmies.” But for Channa (Snakehead) keepers, that same water is a blessing. If you are keeping Channa pulchra, Channa limbata, or Channa andrao in Penang, you are playing the game on “Easy Mode.” While hobbyists in KL and Ipoh are fighting
Why Penang is Paradise for Channa (The Soft Water Advantage) Read More »
You are at the fish shop. Tank A has “Fancy Guppies”—big flowing tails, solid colors, moving slowly. Tank B has “Endlers”—tiny, neon-colored torpedoes zipping around like they drank too much coffee. They look similar. They are actually cousins (Poecilia reticulata vs. Poecilia wingei). But if you are asking “Which one is easier to keep alive?”,
Endlers vs. Guppies: Which is Hardier? (The Unbreakable Fish) Read More »
If you live in George Town, Bayan Lepas, or Butterworth, you are lucky. We have some of the cleanest, best-tasting tap water in Malaysia. It makes great coffee and Teh Tarik. But if you are a Guppy, Penang water is a nightmare. You might have experienced this: You buy a healthy, active guppy. You put
Why Penang Tap Water Can Be “Silent Death” for Guppies (The Soft Water Trap) Read More »
If you walk into a fish shop and ask, “What should I feed my baby guppies?”, the standard answer is usually: “Just crush the adult flakes into powder.” This is why most home-bred guppies end up small, slow, and dull-colored. While crushed flakes will keep them alive, it won’t make them thrive. If you want
The Secret to Huge Fry: Best Food for Guppy Fry Growth (Stop Using Flakes) Read More »
(Why Your Tank Isn’t as Stable as You Think) There’s a pattern I see in the Malaysian fishkeeping community again and again. Month One: The tank looks great. The fish are active. Everyone is eating. You feel a sense of pride. You think, “I’ve finally mastered this.” Month Two: The plants grow in. Fry start
Why Your Guppy Tank Crashes After 3 Months Read More »
“Boss, my Guppy looks like a walking dead fish. His tail is shredded, he looks ugly, but when I feed him, he eats like a horse! Is he a zombie?” I hear this every week. You are confused because usually, sick fish don’t eat. If your Guppy is acting like a “Zombie”—falling apart on the
Guppy Tail Rotting but Still Eating? (The “Zombie Fish” Mystery) 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 »
