That Fish Blog – Aquarium Advice and Information

Hello everyone! This is Craig with another odd ball freshwater fish profile. This time we will take a look at a species of Betta that is quite different from the Fighting Fish that everyone knows and loves.

Betta albimarginata is a small fish that originates from the rainforests of Borneo, where it can be found amongst leaf litter and plant roots in very shallow water.  Barely reaching 2 inches in length, these little fish are shy, but curious. The males, especially when breeding, boast rich reddish brown body coloration with black fins. The anal fin and the tail fin are edged in white. This combination forms a striking pattern. The females are typically a bit more drab in coloration, but are still a very attractive fish. Read More »

Natural disasters seem to be an unsettling trend to 2010. I was riveted by the breaking news of the massive earthquake that rocked Chile over the weekend, followed by the coverage of empty beaches and rising waves in Hawaii. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about the scenes of Thailand and the South Pacific Islands crushed by the December Tsunami only a few short years ago. Would our Aloha State meet the same horrific fate? Read More »

Working here I often find people looking for a fish that is just a little different from everything else. Although they may not be the most exotic fish out there, the Bucktooth Tetra (Exodon paradoxus) will bring some life to a tank, as well as some color and attitude like no other fish I have seen in my time here. But these aren’t your average community fish.

At first glance, you can see that these Amazon natives are quite attractive. They have rather elongate bodies, lending to their speed and agility. They are tan with a beautiful, green-gold shimmer along the mid-line, two well-defined, rich, black spots, and orange-red accents in the fins. It is said that the fish gets its name from its prodruding teeth, though these teeth are not always visible. These are hardy, robust fish that can live for many years in home aquariums. Read More »

Hello everyone, Craig back again with another odd and interesting fish species to highlight! In this entry, I want to talk about an old favorite among fish enthusiasts, the Dragon Fish, Gobioides broussonetti. It has a long, slender eel-like body and a huge, gaping basket-like mouth. Coloration ranges from silver to grey to purple depending on health and environment. The Dragon Fish has tiny eyes and can hang vertical on your glass with its suction cup-like ventral fins. Want to know more? Well, let’s get into some specifics! Read More »

Sam here with another nano fish profile. There are lots of little fish that are ideal for nano aquariums. The small sizes of these set-ups are the perfect way to really appreciate these tine fish that can get lost in larger tanks.

A very curious and interesting fish is the Atlantic Sailfin Blenny, Emblemaria pandionis. This small blenny reaches a size of just 2 inches and is great for nano tanks. This blenny is usually brown or black with white mottling along the dorsal ridge.  Though not as brightly colored as some of it’s cousins, this species has a distinguishing feature; a very large dorsal “sail-fin”. It’s not uncommon for this dorsal fin to extend over an inch in height, impressive on a blenny this small. Emblemaria pandionis will engage in an interesting behavior when threatened or scared. It will raise it’s large dorsal fin to try and appear larger than it is! The blenny may also do this when approaching other blennies or seeking food. Read More »