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 »
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 »
Most fish look like fish. The Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus) looks like a cartoon character. It has huge, soulful eyes. It has a mouth that is permanently stuck in a goofy smile. And when it sees you, it wiggles its pectoral fins frantically, begging for food like a hungry Golden Retriever. It is the ultimate
The Porcupine Puffer: The “Smiling Water Puppy” That Inflates 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 »
If you look at a Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), it doesn’t look real. It looks like a child drew a fish with crayons. It has blue lines over its eyes, a yellow mouth, and a geometric body shape. It is a masterpiece. But don’t let the “artistic” look fool you. This fish is a thug.
The Picasso Triggerfish: The “Artistic Thug” of the Saltwater Aquarium 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 »
You love the aggression of the Snakehead (Channa). You love the personality of the Oscar. But you want something that looks like it came from another planet. Enter the Lionfish (Pterois volitans). With their long, flowing fins and tiger-like stripes, they are arguably the most recognizable fish in the ocean. They float in the water
The Lionfish: The “Venomous Dragon” of the Saltwater Tank Read More »
