These amusing little yellow fish have become more popular in the last couple of years and so you are more likely to see them in your local fish shop.  Prices have gone down from $15 just 2 years ago to $5 which is probably about where it will stay. Because these fish are small, brightly colored, interesting to watch, and affordable, many aquarists are going to think about getting one, or two, or three.  By the time you are done reading this article you should know if the yellow clown goby is for you, and what you need to know to take care of it.

Excessive algae growth is one of the main reasons given by people for not entering the fishkeeping hobby.  "I don't want to spend all day scraping the side of the tank" said with a shrug, has been uttered many times by would-be aquarists or those who have given up on the hobby.  However, controlling algae is actually quite simple once you know how.  Sure, you may occasionally have to scrape the side of the tank, but proper practices can keep that chore to a minimum.  In this article you will learn how to control algae in your fish tank so that it doesn't become a nuisance.

This article from the U.K. Daily Mail web site is about a poor woman who was fined and ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device for selling a goldfish to a 14 year old boy.  This is in violation of a 2006 law passed in the U.K. regarding the health and wellbeing of animals.  While we may deride our European cousins for this sort of stupidity, it is also true we are closely approaching the same here in the United States.

In this article we will discuss the chocolate chip starfish, how to choose one, acclimate it, and take care of it and feed it.  By the time you are done reading this short article, and watching the video, you should know if the chocolate chip starfish is a good choice for your tank.

There are many types of sea stars available to aquarists.  It can be difficult to know which ones to get.  In this article we will discuss just one, the red (or deep red) linkia. By the end of the article, you should know if this is the starfish for your tank or not and what you need to make sure it stays alive and healthy.

Live rock is foundation for any reef tank, and for many fish only tanks as well. It's important for an aquarist to know what constitutes quality live rock.  Failure to pick good rock can actually result in tank failure, or at the best long term problems with the tank.  In this short guide we will discuss live rock in general and what to look for when making a purchase, as well as what you can expect to pay.

For some, this fish is still called the Siamese fighting fish, but more commonly it is now referred to as the Betta (from the scientific name Betta Spendens). For many fishkeepers this is their very first fish, and well it should be, the Betta is a great beginner's fish.  Many new owners buy them in small cups but should they be housed in such small containers? We answer that question and give care instructions in this article.

As I've mentioned, the main reason for the 20 gallon conversion was to buy a small puffer commonly called a Valentini or saddleback puffer. Prior to wanting to purchase one I would often see one in the various shops.  Puffers in general are very interesting fish with complex and intelligent behavior. The Valentini was of particular interest to me because it remains small, unlike many marine puffers which easily reach 19 inches or more, a 3.9 inch fish was a lot closer to my liking.

This five step guide is designed for the beginner who is thinking about setting up a new freshwater fish tank. Starting right can make the difference between a failed experiment and a lifetime hobby. We're sure you will be more satisfied with the enjoyment fishkeeping brings as a hobby; take a moment to go over this simple list and increase your chances of success.

It's probably the biggest question asked by someone starting their first reef tank: which corals are good for beginners.  Fortunately there are several species that are hardy, easy to care for, and also quite affordable. They can survive most beginner's mistakes and provide an incredible amount of beauty for minimal effort. This article lists several species that are as close to "bullet proof" corals as one can get.