That Fish Blog – Aquarium Advice and Information

Within the aquarium hobby there are many niches. There are reef geeks and coral collectors, catfish aficionados and people that think that guppies are the best thing ever. There are also those in the hobby that will give anything, and pay any price, to keep the biggest and baddest fish possible. Everyone loves an impressive fish that screams “Look at me!” But how realistic is it for the casual aquarist to keep a big fish? Well, that depends on the fish really.  Let’s take a look at some of the more commonly kept aquarium giants. Read More »

Hello everyone, Craig here again. If you have read some of my previous blogs, you know that I am a catfish fan. If it is weird and ugly, has whiskers and swims, I probably think it is one of the coolest things ever! Last night I was watching River Monsters. One of the trivia questions posed during a commercial break asked the show’s host what fish had given him his most painful injury. Though answer choices ranged included piranhas, catfish and others, and it was indeed the catfish that host Jeremy Wade said had given him his most painful injury. Apparently, one of the 8 inch barbs from an African species of catfish had run through the length of his finger. Having been stuck by my fair share of catfish (though much smaller species), I can say that a catfish spine can be an extremely painful injury with long-lasting effects. Read More »

There are so many food formulas and brands of pond fish foods on the market today that it can be daunting for a pond hobbyist to make any sense out of the mix. What and when should I feed my Koi? Why can’t I feed the same staple food year round?  What are the differences in the formulas?  These are all common questions, and just a sampling of those we answer each day at That Fish Place. 

Anyone with koi and other pond fish knows that they aren’t generally picky eaters.  As soon as the ice melts they flock to the surface, looking ravenous after the long winter. But just because they will eat doesn’t mean that it should be fed or be fed what you are feeding. Unless you live in a temperate area or you keep your pond heated during cold months (above 50F) it is vital to their health and appearance that they be provided with appropriate nutrition for each season. Commercial food formulas are developed with seasonal changes in growth, metabolism and other biological activities in mind.  Lots of things go on in the body of a pond fish as the seasons change – all of which have to be considered when you purchase food. Read More »

Hello, Sam here. Most saltwater aquarists know what a bristle worm is, but they may not know that it has function in the reef.  There are many different species of bristle worm, some are scavengers and some are carnivores.  Most of the small bristle worms found in a reef tank under the live rock or crawling across the sand are Eurythoe sp. These worms are scavengers and help you by eating leftover food that settles to the substrate from daily feedings or waste from the other fish in the tank.  The problem occurs when their population in the aquarium grows and you’re suddenly faced with bristleworms everywhere!  They may not be the most attractive things to look at, and clusters of them on rock and in substrate can be a little unsettling when you peer into your tank. Read More »

Experienced aquarists know that the vitality and vibrance of aquarium fish hinges not only on a clean environment but on the quality of the diet you provide for your fish. Flake and pellet foods have been long time aquarium dietary staples and frozen foods are popular for their nutritional value and variety, but a couple new kinds on the feeding block are gaining in popularity – gel foods and frozen “IQF” foods. Read More »