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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
You are at the fish shop. You see a tank full of active, silver fish zooming back and forth. They look like mini sharks. They have the high dorsal fin, the sleek body, and the cool “shark” swim. You ask the uncle, “How much?” He says, “Murah saja. RM2 seekor. Ikan Patri.” You think you
The “Patri Shark” Trap: Why You Must Never Buy This RM2 Fish Read More »
We all love “Monster Fish.” There is something cool about owning a predator that looks dangerous.But in Malaysia, owning certain fish isn’t just dangerous for your fingers—it is dangerous for your wallet. Under the Fisheries Regulations (Prohibition of Import, etc., of Fish), there are specific species that are strictly banned from entering the country. If
Illegal Fish in Malaysia: The “Forbidden” List (And Why You Shouldn’t Keep Them) Read More »
In most parts of the world, a “pet fish” costs RM5. In Malaysia, we have a fish that can cost as much as a used Perodua Myvi. Meet the Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus). Specifically, the Malaysian Golden Arowana (Crossback Golden). Known as the “Dragon Fish,” it is the crown jewel of the aquarium world. In
The Golden Arowana: Why This Fish Costs as Much as a Myvi (And How to Buy One Safely) Read More »
Most fish swim away from danger. Channa don’t. They launch. If you’ve kept Channa long enough, you’ve probably heard at least one horror story— a sudden thud in the night, a lid slightly open, and a powerful fish lying on the floor the next morning. This isn’t bad luck. This is instinct. Channa jumping is
The Flying Fish: Why Channa Jump Read More »
