Aquarium fish: the most popular and little known, but no less charming. Their maintenance in the aquarium and their care.
The Oscar fish (Astronotus ocellatus) is one of the most impressive large aquarium fish that has earned popularity among experienced aquarists worldwide. This magnificent cichlid is difficult to recommend for standard home aquariums due to its size, but it’s perfect for spacious office tanks or large aquariums in public spaces.
The betta fish (Betta splendens), also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is one of the most iconic and recognizable freshwater aquarium fish in the world. With its jewel-like colors and flowing finnage, this remarkable labyrinth fish captivates beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. In my years of keeping bettas, I can say without hesitation that no other fish matches its combination of beauty, personality, and relative ease of care.
Finally, the aquarium is purchased, plants are planted, and fish are introduced. The joy of a novice aquarist knows no bounds, as their long-cherished dream has come true. But you should never forget that live aquarium fish and other inhabitants of the underwater world are living creatures and are susceptible to various diseases.
Discus and aquarium plants seem like difficult concepts to combine. Nevertheless, there are some tricks to help try on these neighbors.
Discus fish are rightfully considered the kings of freshwater aquariums, but their care requires special caution. Discus acclimation is a critically important stage that determines the success of further maintenance of these noble fish. In my 15 years of experience keeping South American cichlids, improper acclimation is the main cause of stress and death in newly acquired discus.
The Siamese fighting fish, commonly known as the betta (Betta splendens, Regan, 1910), captivates hobbyists worldwide with its breathtaking color variety and flowing finnage. Native to Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam — bettas inhabit slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies such as rice paddies, drainage ditches, and shallow ponds. Despite their elegant appearance, males are notoriously aggressive toward one another and must always be housed separately.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare, Lichtenstein, 1823) are among the most iconic and recognizable freshwater aquarium fish in the world. Belonging to the family Cichlidae, they are native to the slow-moving and still waters of South America — the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river systems and their tributaries. Alongside the common angelfish P. scalare, the genus includes the altum angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) and Leopold’s angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi), though it is P. scalare that forms the basis of virtually all cultivated aquarium varieties.
Molly fry can appear in your aquarium almost out of nowhere — even if you never planned to breed your fish. Mollies (Poecilia spp.) are livebearers, and females can store sperm for months, producing successive batches of fry without any additional mating. That’s why it pays to know exactly what to do when you suddenly find dozens of tiny fish darting around your community tank.
