Fish Blog

If you’re looking to swim with the big fish… or the small fish… or anything in between, our in-depth Fish Blog section covers everything an avid aquarist needs to know.

Covering all types of aquarium tanks, to cool and interesting ideas for your next fishy endeavor, PetGuide.com’s Fish Blog is the perfect spot for experienced and beginner fish enthusiasts alike. We cover the various aspects of fish keeping as a hobby – from simple planted tanks to complex marine environments, as well as aquarium fish and their compatibility with other species. Dive right into the fascinating world of aquariums!

If you are in need for some tips and ideas on decorating your fish tank with beautiful plants, make sure to hop on over to our Aquatic Plants section. In case you have a saltwater tank and want to create a unique environment for its inhabitants, Coral Reefing is definitely an option worth looking into. Reef tanks are not only great for the fish but a magnificent centerpiece for your home as well! Depending on the type of water in your tank, you will also find invaluable advice and how-to guides in our Freshwater and Saltwater blog chapters, or useful reviews of aquarium equipment in our Fish Products section of the blog.

Wondering about adding a new creature into your aquarium? Read up on our aquarium fish species recommendations, or head on over to our Invertebrates blog, to find out how to chose, introduce and care for various marine critters, including species such as crabs, clams, starfish, and much more.

Create a stunning miniature ecosystem in your aquarium. Petguide.com’s Fish blog has all the resources you’ll need to create, decorate and maintain a gorgeous fish tank, as well as guides on choosing and caring for aquarium fish and other aquatic creatures that will inhabit it!

Which is the Best Choice: Canister Vs Hang-On Filters?

One of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need for your aquarium is a filter. The canister or hang-on filter - which one is best for your needs?

Fish RX: Hikari PraziPro Fights Parasite Infestations

What do you do when your fish get sick? Before or after parasites invade your aquarium, medicate your fish with Hikari PraziPro.

How to Anchor Live Plants to Driftwood for a Natural Décor Scheme

Driftwood adds a distinct look to an aquarium. To make sure you pull off this style, follow our tips for properly using driftwood as a live plant anchor.

Paludariums Have Room For More Than Just Fish

Who says an aquarium is just for fish? A paludarium can house a host of animals and plants that takes on the feel of your very own exotic wetland!

Product Review: AquaMaxx HOB Protein Skimmer

Let us clarify how important a quality protein skimmer is to your tank. We give the AquaMaxx HOB Protein Skimmer a spin in our aquarium.

Pet-Sitter Loses Fight for $1M in Damages After Bad Yelp Review

Great news for honest reviews. A Texas pet-sitting company's $1 million lawsuit against clients who gave it a 1-star Yelp review has been thrown out.

Fishy Secrets Revealed: The Pros’ Most Embarrassing Stories

We all have those forehead-slapping moments when we make a stupid mistake. Hey, not to worry - even the most seasoned of fish pros have made a few missteps.

Best Cannister Filters for Large Aquariums

To ensure your fish are happy and healthy, water quality needs to be optimal. The best way to do that is with a high-quality canister filter.

How to Handle Stress in Aquarium Fish

It may seem like they're care-free, but aquarium fish can suffer from stress. Here's what you need to look for and what to do if it happens to your fish.

Best Products to Remove Aquarium Algae

It's completely natural, but it sure does make your tank look gross! Here are the best products to remove aquarium algae.

Cichlids: One Of The World’s Most Fascinating Freshwater Fish Specie

Colorful and plentiful, cichlids are a popular freshwater aquarium fish. If you're looking to add them to your tank, here are a few basics to keep in mind.

5 Common Mistakes Made by Reef Keepers

When you're starting out, the smartest thing to do is learn from others' mistakes. Minimize your reef keeping boo-boos and take some advice from the pros.

Add Color to Your Tank With Freshwater Shrimp

Have you ever thought of adding freshwater shrimp to your aquarium? A wonderful addition to any tank, shrimp brighten and bring zest to a tank.

Best Substrates for Saltwater Tanks

Make your saltwater tank look its glorious best. Decorate your aquarium with the best substrates for saltwater tanks and let it shine!�

Why You Need The API Master Test Kit

Here's a test you don't have to study for. The API Master Test Kit has everything you need to maintain and monitor aquarium conditions.

Best Aquarium Substrates for Planted Tanks

What's at the bottom of the best aquariums? The best substrates! Here's our list of the best aquarium substrates for planted tanks.

The Benefits of Hermit Crabs in Your Aquarium

The hermit crab isn't just a pretty shell - this invertebrate likes to clean up after itself. Here's why you should let a hermit crab move into your tank.

Finding Dory: The True Tail Behind the Regal Tang Fish

Thanks to Hollywood, the new must-have fish to have is the Regal Tang. But this isn't a fish for the faint hearted - are you up to the challenge?

6 Most Common Freshwater Fish Diseases

Just like any other pet, fish are susceptible to illness. If you have a tank, be on the lookout for these six common freshwater diseases.

Multiple Tank Syndrome: It’s Time for a Fish Addict Intervention

Speaking out on her addition to fish and aquariums, Summer Davis suffers from multiple tank syndrome (MTS), and she doesn't care who knows it.

Best Reef Aquarium Supplements

There are unique challenges to keeping a reef aquarium. To properly maintain this type of tank, you need the right reef aquarium supplements.�

How to Use Aquatic Mosses in Your Planted Tank

To make your tank truly spectacular, try adding moss to the mix. With many types to choose from, moss adds a lush and natural touch to your aquarium.

Top 5 Fast-Growing Aquarium Plants for Planted Tanks

If you're impatient for growth, you'll want aquarium plants that shoot up quickly. Take a look at these fast-growing aquarium plants for your planted tank.

Aquarium Basics: Let’s Talk About Amazon Sword Plants

When it comes to freshwater tanks, the Amazon Sword Plant is a fan favorite - for many reasons. Here are the basics you need to know about this tank staple.

Best Air Bubbler Aquarium Decorations

Turn your tank into a conversation piece with the right decorations. Here are our picks for the best air bubbler aquarium decorations.

Top 8 Best Aquarium Plants for Beginners

Welcome to the wonderful world of planted tanks! If you're just getting started, we've made a list of eight aquarium plants that are great for beginners.

Expand Your Saltwater Tank With a Refugium

Want tag on a new addition to your saltwater tank? With a refugium, you can add greater water capacity to your main tank for a host of benefits.

Best Aquarium Kits for Beginners

You want to get an aquarium, but you don't know where to start. Not to worry - we've compiled a list of the best aquarium kits for beginners.

4 Popular Cryptocoryne Species for Your Planted Tank

Lush and colorful, the Cryptocoryne species is a popular pick for planted tank enthusiasts. Why not add these vibrant aquatic plants to your tank?

Are You Feelin’ Crabby?

Are you a tank owner who's always wanted to bring home a crab? If you're ready to jump into the world of crabs, take a pinch of our tested advice.

Mail Call: The Ins and Outs of Shipping and Receiving Fish

If you can't go to the fish, perhaps the fish can come to you. Here are the essentials of shipping and receiving fish through the mail.

Aquarium Snails: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

What starts out as a small nuisance may end up becoming a "Snail Apocalypse!" Here's how these visitors get into your aquarium and what you can do about it.

Coral Reefing: Choosing Soft or Hard Coral

When it comes to making a choice between soft or hard, it's not just a question for tacos. For coal reefing, are you going to go with soft or hard coral?

Saltwater Shopping List For Beginners

Starting up a saltwater tank is a lot simpler when you have a must-have list of items. Use this list as a start point for your new saltwater aquarium.

Growing and Propagating Your Own Coral

Feel like fragging? If you want to propagate your own coral, you sure do! This cost-effective practice lets you grow your own coral.

How to Use Floating Plants in Your Planted Tank

Floating plants help to create a tranquil vibe in your aquarium. If you're new to this kind of plant, here are a few pointers to keep in mind.

The Best Aquarium Gravel Cleaners

You may not think much about it, but the gravel at the bottom of your tank needs certain care. Here are our picks for the best aquarium gravel cleaners.

The Lowdown on Fish Laws

Are you guilty of breaking a fish law? Perhaps you don't even realize that what you've done is illegal. What you don't know may land you in hot water.

Best Freeze-Dried Fish Foods

We're going to explore the subject of freeze-dried fish food in greater depth. You'll learn how to choose freeze-dried fish food, how best to feed it, and our top picks.

Aquarium Biology 101: Anatomy of a Fish

We all know that a fish has gills and fins... but there's more to them than just a few basic parts. Get ready for our crash course in "Anatomy of a Fish."

Tips for Keeping Fiddler Crabs in Your Brackish Tank

Fiddler Crabs make a wonderful addition to a brackish tank. Easy to care for and fun to watch, here's what you need to know about the fiddler crab.

Cute But Deadly: The Truth About Fish Bowls

They may be compact and stylish, but there's nothing cute about fish bowls. Small space and toxic water conditions are just a few of things wrong with them.

Betta Leaf Hammock is the Perfect Fit for Any Tank

Researchers suggest keeping bettas happy by housing them in large, landscaped tanks. This hammock is a great addition to any enclosure.

5 Fish Questions You Always Wanted to Ask

There's no such thing as a stupid question. But if you're too hesitant to raise your hand, here are 5 fish questions you always wanted to ask.

Do Fish Recognize Their Owners?

When we think of pets that recognize their owners, dogs wagging their tails or cats rubbing against our legs usually come to mind. But what about fish?

The 5 Stimulating Spawning Methods of Fish

The spawning habits of aquarium fish are fascinating. When it comes to reproducing, fish fall into one of these five spawning types.

Best Automatic Aquarium Feeders

We've put together some tips for choosing and using an automatic aquarium feeder and our top 10 picks for the best automatic aquarium feeders.

What You Need to Know About the Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle is important if you're interested in cultivating a thriving aquarium. Let's talk about the basics and why you need to know about it.

Why Is My Fish Lying at the Bottom of the Tank?

Fish can have all sorts of quirky behaviors, but spotting your fish lying motionless at the bottom of the tank can be a cause for concern. While it might look alarming, this isn’t always a sign of illness.

Stay Tuned For Aquarium’s Got Talent

What amazing talent lurks in your tank? Take a front row seat - you won't believe the specular show that's going on in your aquarium!

Best Aquarium Filter Media

There are parts of your aquarium that work behind the scenes to ensure that it works properly. Here's how to choose the best aquarium filter media for your tank.�

Readers’ Picks: Top Seachem Products for Aquariums

Seachem is the most trusted name in the aquarium hobby game, according to PetGuide readers. Here we take a look at the top Seachem products on Amazon.

Why You Need To Dip Your Coral in Coral RX

You've spent a lot of time and money on your aquarium. Don't let nasty parasites take over - use Coral RX to drip your coral before adding it to your reef.

The Best Aquarium Thermometers

Keeping your tank water at the perfect temperature is extremely important. That's why you need the best aquarium thermometer for your tank.

Top 3 Substrates to Use in Planted Aquariums

The key to the perfect planted tank is to get the balance between fish and plant needs just right. The solution is finding the ideal type of substrate.

Best Fish Food for Algae Eaters

Finding the perfect combination of aquarium inhabitants is an art. You want to find species that are compatible with each other in terms of size and color, but you also have to think about aggression and diet as well. Once you’ve established the ideal balance, it can be challenging to add a new inhabitant to the tank. If you’re struggling to control problem algae, however, adding a new species could be your best option. Bristlenose Plecostomus, oto cats, and other algae eaters are a natural and long-term solution for problem algae, but they require care of their own.

Tank Stocking: The Truth About The 1 Inch Per Gallon Rule

You've heard about the "one inch of fish per gallon" rule, but there are other factors to keep in mind when you're first stocking your aquarium.

Best Aquarium Supplies for Biological Filtration

Balance is the key to a healthy aquarium and filtration plays a major role. That's why you need know about the best aquarium supplies for biological filtration.

Top 3 Most Popular Types of Aquarium Filters

You know that you need a filter to keep your aquarium clean. Did you know that certain types of tanks need a filter that'll get the job done right?

Aquarium Spotlight: PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, PA

Education can be lots of fun - just don't tell the kids that! If you're looking for a family outing in Pittsburgh, PA, drop by the PPG Aquarium.