We all think we know the Betta fish. It’s the angry, colorful fish that builds a bubble nest and fights anything that moves. But recently, I started reading about the wider Betta genus, and I realized that the fish we keep (Betta splendens) is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s like knowing only the […]
Beyond the Jar: My Notes on the Wild & Weird World of Bettas Read More »
I think almost everyone in Malaysia who keeps fish started with a Betta. I remember as a kid, seeing them in small glass jars at the local pet shop, or sometimes even sold in plastic bags at the pasar malam (night market). They seemed like such simple pets—no filter, no air pump needed. Just put
The Betta Fish: Small Warrior, Big Personality Read More »
Here in Malaysia, when we say “Arowana,” we almost always mean the majestic Golden or Red Asian Arowana. It’s the pride of our local rivers. But as I dug deeper into the hobby, I realized that the Arowana family is actually much bigger than just our local species. There are cousins swimming in the Amazon
Beyond the Golden Dragon: My Notes on Arowana Species Around the World Read More »
I remember the first time I stood in front of a large tank containing an Arowana. It didn’t swim frantically like the other fish. It just hovered there, staring back at me with those large, intelligent eyes. To me, the Arowana (or Ikan Kelisa as we call it here in Malaysia) feels less like a
My Notes on the Arowana: The Dragon of the Aquarium Read More »
Let’s be honest. The worst part about having an aquarium is cleaning it. It’s Saturday morning. You’d rather be sleeping in or at a mamak, but instead, you are carrying heavy buckets of water back and forth across your living room, spilling water on the floor. Many beginners think, “My filter is running, so the
The Lazy Man’s Guide to Aquarium Water Changes (Cara Tukar Air Paling Senang) Read More »
You spent RM200 on a tank, filter, and beautiful fish. But then you feed them the cheapest RM2 bag of bright red pellets from the pasar malam. Think about it: Would you feed your cat nothing but cream crackers every day? No. So why do we do it to our fish? Feeding your fish high-quality
Best Fish Food in Malaysia: Are You Feeding Your Fish “Junk Food”? (Pellets vs. Flakes) Read More »
It’s a sad story every Malaysian parent knows. You buy a goldfish for your child on Saturday. By Sunday morning, it’s floating upside down. Why does this happen? Is the fish shop selling sick fish? Usually, no. The killer is coming from inside your house: Your Tap Water. Malaysian tap water is safe for humans
5 “Unkillable” Fish Perfect for Malaysian Tap Water (Beginner Guide) Read More »
If you read aquarium guides from the UK or USA, they spend paragraphs talking about “Heaters.”In Malaysia, we laugh at that. Our tap water comes out at 28°C. By 2:00 PM, your tank water can easily hit 31°C or 32°C.While your Discus might think this is a spa day, your expensive Crystal Red Shrimps and
How to Keep Your Aquarium Cool in Malaysia (Fan vs. Chiller Guide) Read More »
It’s 11:30 PM. You are scrolling through Shopee and you see a canister filter for RM150. The exact same model costs RM220 at your local fish shop (LFS). Do you click “Buy Now” to save RM70? Or do you drive to the shop tomorrow to support the Uncle and get it instantly? This is the
If you ask any Penangite where to buy fish, they will automatically say “Chew Thean Yeang” (CTY). But CTY isn’t the only player in town. In fact, for certain hobbies like Saltwater tanks or specialized Aquascaping, other shops might actually be better (and cheaper). Whether you are an Island boy or living in Butterworth, here
5 Best Aquarium Shops in Penang (That Aren’t Chew Thean Yeang) Read More »
