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?

5 Plants Picks for Your Brackish Aquarium

It's not saltwater, it's not freshwater - brackish aquariums offer a bit of both! But finding the right plants for this type of tank can prove to be tricky.

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.

Best Supplies for a Betta Fish Tank

Known for their bright colors and long, flowing tails, betta fish are a great option if you're looking for a way to break into the aquarium hobby.

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.

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.

6 Popular Aquarium Fish You Need To Avoid

Just because a fish is readily available, it doesn't mean you should keep it in your own aquarium. Here are six fish that shouldn't be in your tank.

Tips for Keeping Your Aquarium Water Quality High

You may not be able to see it, but the quality of the water in your aquarium makes all the difference. Here's why your water quality needs to be high.

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.

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?

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.�

How to Tell If Aquarium Hobby Right for You

Keeping an aquarium is fun and rewarding - it also takes work. Do you have what it takes to dive into the aquarium hobby?

Best 10 Gallon Fish Tanks

Getting a 10 gallon fish tank is an excellent starting point as it is not overwhelmingly big or too challenging. Take a look at he best 10 gallon aquariums!

How to Safely Clean Your Tank and Aquarium Decorations

If you're sprucing up your tank with aquarium d�cor, it's going to need to be cleaned. Here's how to do it without endangering your fishes' environment.

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.

Keeping Carnivorous Plants in Your Home Aquarium

Don’t let the name scare you off. Adding carnivorous plants to your tank can take your aquarium to a new level of uniqueness. When you are ready to s…

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.

The Best Aquarium Sand

What are you decorating the bottom of your tank with? We've got some ideas - here's the best aquarium sand on the market.

Ebb and Grow: Growing and Controlling Algae in Your Aquarium

It doesn't take much for algae to become a problem in your fish tank. There are many reasons why it grows and there are a few ways to keep it under control.

Unpopular Opinion: Goldfish Belong Outside

Some fish belong in tanks, others need to be outside. And even though you may not like it, the goldfish's place is in a pond.

Top 3 Marine Invertebrates for Beginners

You're getting creative with your tank, and you're thinking about adding invertebrates to the mix. If you're a beginner, start with these marine inverts.

Best Medications for Treating Aquarium Fish Diseases

Just like any pet, fish can get sick too. But how can you fight illness in your tank? Here's our list of the best medications for treating aquarium fish diseases.

Why You’ll Want to Add Mystery Snails to Your Aquarium

Mystery snails are a welcome addition to an aquarium. Colorful and community oriented, these crustaceans will clean up after themselves and tank mates.

Risky Business: Four Types of Dangerous Aquarium Fish

Swimming in the shallow end isn't for everyone. Some people like their fish to have a bit of bite! Check out these four types of dangerous aquarium fish.

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.

What’s Wrong With My Aquarium Plants?

Your aquarium plants aren't thriving; in fact, it looks like they're going to go belly up! Here are some common problems you'll see with aquarium plants.

Best Aquarium Protein Skimmers

Keeping your aquarium water clean and clear is essential for the health and wellness of your tank inhabitants.�Here are our top picks for the best aquarium protein skimmers.

Get to Work on an Office Aquarium

Bring life into your office with a fish tank. A growing trend in the workplace, aquariums add color, energy, and stress release to a busy day.

Best Aquarium Lights

Lights� cameras� action! Put a spotlight on your tank with the right lighting. Here are our picks for the best aquarium lights.

Tips for Converting From a Fish-Only to a Planted Tank

You've decided to make a change from a fish-only to a planted tank. When you're ready to add live plants to the mix, here are some tips you should follow.

How to Properly Acclimate New Fish in the Aquarium

When it comes to aquariums, how you add new fish to your tank is important to their safety and well being. Tips for acclimatizing fish to your aquarium.

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.

Top 5 Invertebrates to Hire For Your Freshwater Cleanup Crew

Taking care of your aquarium is hard work - you need to bring in some extra muscle! Here are 5 invertebrates that you want on your freshwater cleanup crew.

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.

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!�

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.

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.

Meet the Snail Assassin: Your Solution to Pest Snails

Got a snail problem you need taken care of? To take care of a snail problem, you need to send in an Assassin Snail, better known as Clea Helena!

Readers’ Picks: The Best Fish Products on Amazon, According to You

This list isn't at all fishy. We went through the most popular fish-related items bought by our readers on Amazon last year to bring you this rundown.

What Plants Can I Pair With Plant-Eating Fish?

Your planted tank sure looks good... good enough to eat! Here's what you need to know if you don't want fish eating all of the plants in your aquarium.

6 Easy Hacks to Cure Fish Boredom

Just like any other pet, fish can become bored, too. And while they won't chew up your shoes, keeping them occupied will ensure they live a healthier life.

10 Essentials You Always Need in Your Fish Room

Wonder what the pros keep in their fish rooms? They've shared their tips with us, and we're passing along the 10 essentials you need in your fish room.

Ich or White Spot Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

One of the most common diseases affecting aquarium fish, Ich or White Spot Disease is highly contagious. More about the causes, symptoms and treatment.

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.

Top 5 Freshwater Fish Species for Planted Tanks

Now that you've got your planted tank set up, it's time to stock it with fish. You can't go wrong with these five freshwater fish species.

Confessions of a Tank Addict: YouTube Fish Fanatic Rachel O’Leary

The first step is admitting you have a problem. The second step is to set up a YouTube channel and record your tank obsession - just like Rachel O'Leary!

Top 8 All-In-One Aquariums

You want a fish tank, but you want everything you need in one package so you've got the essentials. Here's our list of top 5 all-in-one aquariums.

Readers’ Picks: Top 12 Live Amano Shrimp Buys

Who knew that Amazon was a great place to buy live shrimp? From start to drop off, happy customers are reporting no casualties en route.

Best LED Aquarium Lighting Systems

What is the one thing that can immediately transform the look of a home aquarium? The right LED aquarium lighting system.

Coral Reef-Safe Fish Species for Saltwater Tanks

Pairing the right fish with the right coral makes for a vibrant and healthy aquarium. Here's what saltwater fish will enjoy your coral reef tank.

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 Foreground Plants to Use in a Planted Tank

Much thought and planning goes into a vibrant, practical planted tank. Learn how to properly arrange your plants and which ones are best for the foreground.

Best Saltwater Aquarium Kit

A saltwater aquarium kit lets you create a gorgeous tank without much hassle - they contain everything you need to get started.

Above the Water’s Surface: A Guide to Emersed Plant Growth

A different take on planted tanks, emersed plant life gives your aquarium dimension. Let's talk about the ins and outs of emersed aquarium plants.

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 Natural-Looking Aquarium Decorations

When decorating your aquarium, you may want to create a look inspired by nature. We've picked out some of the best natural-looking aquarium decorations.

Feeding Techniques for Your Coral Reef Tank

With a coral reef tank, you need to think about the eating habits of all the inhabitants. Here are some tips to ensure they all get their fair share.

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.

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.

Get to Know the Bristlenose Pleco

A lesser known variety of the species, the Bristlenose Pleco has a lot going for it. Easy to care for, this fish makes a great addition to home aquariums.