Author: John Braithwaite

The swim bladder is an important internal gas-filled organ that allows bony fish to maintain neutral buoyancy control and stabilize their movements. Unfortunately, this delicate bladder is prone to bacterial infections, parasites, physical injuries, birth defects, and other disorders that can cause it to malfunction, leaving fish struggling to swim properly or regulate their depth. While mild swim bladder disturbances may sometimes be treatable if promptly addressed, chronic long-term bladder disease often has a relatively poor prognosis for complete recovery in home aquaria. However, fishkeepers can still focus on improving quality of life for affected fish through specialized supportive care…

Fish comprise one of the most abundant and diverse vertebrate groups found across aquatic ecosystems worldwide, from tropical oceans to temperate lakes and ponds. Over 34,000 unique fish species have been identified living in a myriad of marine and freshwater habitats. Many fish species have evolved specialized instinctive behaviors and adaptations over millions of years to help maximize their chances of survival and reproduction. One nearly universal strategy is forming coordinated social groups of various types and sizes that fulfill key needs. From small schools of neon tetras gliding smoothly together through planted freshwater aquariums to massive shoals of predatory…

For aquarium hobbyists intentionally breeding fish species like guppies, mollies, and angelfish or accidentally encountering fry in community tanks, the sudden appearance of large numbers of tiny young fish swimming around can be a simultaneously exciting yet confusing experience. While most juvenile fish are simply called “fry” in general terms, there are far more specific developmental stage names and terminology to describe baby fish depending on age and species. Understanding the nuances in the names for young fish stages helps provide proper care tailored to their needs at each vulnerable life phase. With appropriate conditions during their fragile early days,…

For freshwater tropical fishkeepers and marine aquarists caring for delicate coral reef ecosystems, maintaining safe, stable water quality parameters is essential for all tank inhabitants’ health. While the harmful impacts of ammonia and nitrate accumulation are well known, spiking nitrite levels can also quickly become problematic if left unchecked. Nitrites, produced as a natural byproduct of the nitrogen cycle, are vital to this biological process at low levels. However, concentrations over the safe threshold can rapidly turn toxic for fish and invertebrates. When faced with rising nitrites, prompt troubleshooting and mitigation through optimized husbandry techniques enables aquarists to safely reduce…

In mammals like humans that give live birth, pregnancy lengths can vary substantially between species. But what about in the aquatic world of fish – how long do fish remain pregnant before giving birth to offspring? Unlike mammals that carry developing embryos internally, most fish species actually lay eggs that hatch outside the female’s body after being externally fertilized. However, numerous fish groups are livebearers that do become “pregnant” analogous to mammals and give birth to free-swimming young after an internal gestation period. For these livebearing fish species, average pregnancy lengths differ widely based on reproductive strategies and evolutionary adaptations.…

The vast expanses of the world’s oceans and seas cover over 70% of the planet’s surface and represent the largest habitat on Earth. These marine environments are home to everything from microscopic zooplankton to enormous whales, hosting a diversity of life that researchers are still working to fully catalog. The common phrase “there are plenty of fish in the sea” conveys an assumption of just how abundant aquatic life is in ocean realms. But do scientists truly know how many total fish inhabit oceans and seas across the globe? Deriving an exact estimate of global fish populations poses substantial challenges.…

Keeping pet aquatic turtles like red-eared sliders, cooters, and various terrapins species can be immensely enjoyable and rewarding. But turtles aren’t necessarily the most active or engaging pets to simply observe in an aquarium. Adding compatible fish species to a turtle habitat can provide visual interest through their schooling behaviors and activity, while also conferring other benefits for both the fish and turtle tankmates. With proper planning and species selection, certain hardy, fast fish can make excellent companions in a turtle aquarium. Benefits of Keeping Fish with Turtles Aside from simply being more aesthetically pleasing to watch multiple species interacting,…

As humans, our relatively short lifespans seem insignificant compared to those of other animals like tortoises, parrots, whales, and certain sharks and rockfish that frequently live well past 100 years. But what about fish – do any species set records for longevity? As it turns out, some fish can live for extraordinarily long periods, reaching ages over 500 years in rare cases! These incredible lifespans are made possible by key biological adaptations that enable fish to live nearly immortal lives compared to us short-lived humans. In this in-depth article, we’ll explore some of the longest living fish found in oceans…

Let’s dive deep into the aquatic world today and shine a light on a species that often doesn’t get enough attention: the basa fish. We will explore their intriguing life, from their habitat and physical characteristics to their economic significance. Origins of Basa Fish Geographical Distribution Native to Southeast Asia, the basa fish – scientifically known as Pangasius bocourti – primarily inhabit the Mekong River basin in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Natural Habitat Being a freshwater fish, basa typically inhabit deep, swift-flowing rivers with plenty of hiding spaces among rocks and fallen trees. Basa fish swimming…

Have you ever caught yourself wondering, “Do fish sleep? And more specifically, how do betta fish sleep?” You’re not alone. The sleeping habits of fish, particularly betta fish, are a common curiosity. It’s time we dived into this fascinating topic. Understanding Betta Fish An Introduction to Betta Fish Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are renowned for their vibrant colours and large, flowing fins. Originating from the warm, shallow waters of Southeast Asia, bettas are a popular choice for home aquariums due to their resilience and relatively easy maintenance. Unique Characteristics of Betta Fish One peculiar trait of…