Yes, you should turn off the air pump when feeding your fish. The reason for this is because the oxygen levels in the tank will drop when you add food to it and if there is no air pump running then the oxygen level can become dangerously low. This could cause stress on your fish…

German Blue Rams are small and peaceful cichlids that make great tank mates for a variety of other fish. They get along well with most community fish, such as tetras, barbs, danios, rasboras and Corydoras catfish. When choosing tankmates for German Blues you should avoid aggressive species like Oscars or large Cichlids. You can also…

Rust colored algae is a type of brown algae that usually forms in fish tanks. It can form on the surface of rocks, plants, and other surfaces in an aquarium. And will often attach itself to decorations or the glass walls of the tank. Rust colored algae is caused by too much light, nutrients, and…

Boiling spider wood is a process used to remove tannins, which can discolor aquarium water. The exact length of time needed to boil the wood varies depending on how much you are boiling and the size of the pieces. Generally speaking, it takes about 30 minutes for small pieces and up to an hour or…

Pictus Catfish make excellent tank mates for a variety of other fish species. They can be kept with many types of tetras, danios, gouramis, and cichlids. When choosing the right tank mates for Pictus Catfish it is important to consider their size and temperament. Smaller peaceful fish like tetras are ideal companions as they will…

Yes, plecos can change color. This is due to a phenomenon called physiological color change. Physiological color change occurs when environmental conditions alter the pigmentation of an animal’s skin, allowing it to adapt and blend in with its surroundings for camouflage or communication purposes. Plecostomus fish have special cells filled with melanin that allow them…

Flowerhorn fish are large, aggressive cichlids, and their tank mates should be selected carefully. It is best to keep Flowerhorns with other large cichlids of equal size or larger. Some compatible species include Severums, Jack Dempseys, Oscars, Texas Cichlids and Convict Cichlids. Smaller fish may become food for the Flowerhorn. When selecting tank mates it…

Bichirs are ancient, bottom-dwelling fish that make fascinating and interesting tank mates. They do best with other peaceful species such as barbs, danios, tetras, rasboras, catfish (especially Corydoras), loaches and gouramis. Avoid fin nippers like Tiger Barbs as they may nip at the bichir’s long fins. It is important to provide plenty of hiding places…

A red tail shark losing its color can be a sign of stress and illness. The most common cause is poor water quality, such as high levels of ammonia or nitrite caused by overfeeding or inadequate filtration. Poor nutrition, aggression from other fish, overcrowding and sudden changes in temperature can also contribute to the loss…