It’s funny really, but when we start keeping tropical fish we tend to finish up with certain favorites that we like to keep and breed, and for me one of those favourites is the Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus sp.), which I have been breeding for quite some time now. We often give our fish names, but I just call my main pair "Mum ‘n’ Dad", and they first spawned for me around … [Read more...] about Breeding Bristlenose catfish
Breeding Bettas
My Experience in Breeding
Always being a fish person, when I went to purchase a betta and a small home for him, I didn't think it would change my life. My first guy lost his fins to fin rot one week after I brought him to my office. This prompted me to look on the internet for more information regarding this disease. I found a host of information on the disease as well as bettas in general, but the … [Read more...] about My Experience in Breeding
Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus)
Ok guys and gals, I have another great saltwater fish for you! Ever since I got into the saltwater side of fish-keeping, I always wanted three things in my aquarium. First, I wanted the tube coral, Tubastrea faulkneri aka the Orange Sun Coral, that I wrote about in the coral journal. Secondly, I wanted a triggerfish but that's another story. Finally, the charming and active … [Read more...] about Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus)
Puffer Fish
I greatly enjoy keeping puffers because of their cartoon-like movements and appearance, permanent smile, social interaction with their outside world, and most of all, their uniqueness! I appreciate fish that are unusual in the hobby, that present a challenge in the aquarium for the more experienced aquarist and the puffer fish fits the bill. It is one of the most satisfying … [Read more...] about Puffer Fish
Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
For the first of the fish series, I have decided to write about the most talked about fish in my aquarium... the Cryptocentrus cinctus, otherwise known as the Yellow Watchman Goby. The Cryptocenntrus cinctus also goes by the common names of Yellow Shrimp/Prawn Goby, Midas Goby, Watchman Gold and Yellow Spotted Blenny. Gobies are the largest family of fish found in the ocean, … [Read more...] about Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
The Betta Salt Bath
Salt Baths are also known to be very helpful as an additional treatment for any type of fungus or with parasites. The following instructions were provided by a member of Healthy Betta and have warrented many positive results. Salt Bath Instructions: Use a one gallon container full of aged pretreated water. Add one Tablespoon of Aquarium Salt. Heat on the stove or microwave … [Read more...] about The Betta Salt Bath
Understanding Dominant and Recessive Genes in Betta Fish
What Are Dominant and Recessive Genes? Betta breeders are most interested in understanding and manipulating genes for either color or tail type. Understanding the various genes and traits and how they are manipulated can be complicated. One of the first things you need to understand is the difference between dominant and recessive traits and how they affect what you will get … [Read more...] about Understanding Dominant and Recessive Genes in Betta Fish
Buying Bettas from a Breeder
Betta breeders are always developing beautiful new breeds of betta fish that simply aren’t available in the big box pet stores. These fish are almost exclusively shipped to buyers by mail. There are some minor variations when buying a betta from a breeder, but it basically goes like this: Buying Bettas Direct from a Breeder Your breeder takes great care in conditioning … [Read more...] about Buying Bettas from a Breeder
Betta Fish For Sale | Where to Buy Bettas
So you need to know where to buy Betta Fish. Fortunately, bettas are easy to come by if you’re not too picky about the color or fin type you are looking for. Just about every fish store and general pet store has rows of colorful bettas for sale. Big Box Store Bettas Years ago the only betta fish available at most fish stores were male, veil-tail bettas. Around 2004 female … [Read more...] about Betta Fish For Sale | Where to Buy Bettas
Betta Fish Life Span
Betta fish life span is based on a few simple factors. Environment, diet, genetics and a little luck all play a role in how long your betta fish will live. Domesticated bettas, when cared for properly, have an estimated life span of about 3 years. It is not unusual for a betta to live longer than 3 years, but most bettas succumb to disease early due to factors like poor water … [Read more...] about Betta Fish Life Span