For those of you looking to work with a fish veterinarian, we are thrilled to share that there is a new AVMA-recognized specialty in Fish Practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. But what does this mean? Here we will share everything you need to know about working with fish veterinary specialists and their …
Fish Veterinary Specialists: DVM vs CertAqV vs DABVP Read More »
When it comes to fish diets, we’re constantly discussing ingredients and nutritional breakdown, but what about palatability? With picky humans, dogs, cats, horses and more, why isn’t it surprising that fish can be picky eaters too? Many owners assume soaking fish food will improve diet acceptability, but it’s actually causing more harm to your fish’s …
Soaking Fish Food Can Seriously Impact Your Fish’s Health Read More »
A fish spitting food out can be seen in multiple species for many reasons. There is no one common reason why your fish is spitting out their food. Simply put: they do not want to eat their food for some reason including sickness, food palatability and environment. As with some other behavior quirks, some fish …
Why is my fish spitting food out? Top 3 Reasons Why Read More »
Our office has seen in increase of Carp Edema Virus cases this year and we want you koi owners to know what to look out for. Also known as Sleepy Koi Disease, this virus can have deadly consequences for your fish. What is Carp Edema Virus? Carp Edema Virus (CEV) is an emerging pox virus …
What are livebearer fish? In the fish world, these are fish that give birth to live young, rather than the eggs most others stick to. The two most common species of livebearer fish in the pet world are guppies, mollies, platys and swordtails. The biggest issue when keeping these fish is that it only takes …
How to Best Keep Livebearer Fish: 4 Most Common Types Read More »
Koi spawning is the technical name for koi reproduction or breeding. Provided you have the extra space, and at least one mature male and female koi, there is no reason you cannot try to spawn your koi. Even if you follow all of our suggestions, there is no guarantee that your fish will spawn. Some fish …
Koi Spawning: How To Successfully Breed Baby Koi Read More »
Looking for some amazing betta fish tank decorations? If you have a fish with delicate fins, such as a betta or fancy goldfish, then you need special decorations. Too many “fin rot” cases presented to our office actually turn out to be inappropriate decorations. Given the delicate nature and decreased swimming ability of these fish, …
There are many water quality parameters we test in order to determine fish health and many owners can be confused by the phosphate test included in many test kit packages. What does phosphate in fish ponds and tanks indicate for the health of your pond environment? What is phosphate? Scientifically-put, phosphate is the combination of …
As a fish veterinarian, I am frequently asked about fish personalities. Well, although no scientific studies have been done, and honestly, I’m not sure how it would even be attempted, from my 10 years of experience, fish absolutely have personalities, with various fish behavioral quirks. Fish personalities can vary widely and many do not stick …
Fish Personalities: Is My Fish Acting “Normal?” Read More »
Looking to add a pet fish to your family house hold but have no experience? Well, our experts can help guide you to the best beginner fish available and how to set yourself up for success! Before You Get Started Before you head off to the pet store, ask yourself, ‘why do I want a …
Before we get started with the how, ask yourself the question “do I REALLY need to add a new fish?” You may be going for a particular aesthetic or just have the sudden desire to add new fish, but take a minute to ask if a new fish is in the best interest of your …
**Post contains affiliate links.* We are frequently asked this question, “when is the best time to add fish to a pond?” There are many factors that will determine if your pond and existing fish are ready for more pondmates. Before Your Start – Do You Really Need More Fish? In our 10 years in practice, …
You may look at your tank or pond and note that your fish are happily munching on the algae around your pond. Well, if they’re eating that, why bother feeding them? Well, fish eating algae isn’t really about the algae, but more about what is living in the algae. Algae in Fish Ponds and Tanks …
**Post contains affiliate links.** Here in California, we are well aware of water restrictions. Keeping a large pond can make it hard to keep within our water budget and scrimping on pond water can have severe consequences for you fish. Here are our best tips to keep your fish happy and conserve water during a …
5 Ways to Conserve Water in Fish Ponds During a Drought Read More »
**Post contains affiliate links.** We’re in the midst of some crazy temperatures right now and we have a lot of fish owners concerned about their elevated water temperatures. Here are some tips to keep your fish cool when temperatures rise. Why is water temperature important for fish? Remember that fish are ectotherms, meaning their body …
Our main office will be closed Monday, December 25th until 9am PST Tuesday, January 2nd.
