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 …
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 …
To novice koi owners, the price of koi fish can be hard to understand. There are many factors that are considered when determining the price of a koi fish. Learn how koi fish price is determined and what makes one koi a champion compared to dozens of others. Looking for more general information on koi? …
**Post contains affiliate links.** So, hopefully you know by now how important water quality is to the health and wellbeing of your fish. But how does one go about actually testing your fish tank water quality? We’ll walk you through each step on how to test fish tank water to give the best results. Step …
How to Test Fish Tank Water Quality in 8 Easy Steps Read More »
When filling up your pond or tank, what is the best water source to use? For most systems, standard tap water is perfectly fine for most pet fish species. However, some fish are a bit more particular about their water and can get very ill if special attention is not applied to their source water. …
Being exposed to the elements, a koi pond in rain can be open to many environmental changes. As long as you plan ahead and have a good grasp of your water quality, there is no reason to worry. If you are not familiar with a koi pond in rainy conditions, be sure to read on! …
**Post contains affiliate links.** If you are concerned about a your betta fish laying on bottom of tank, here is a quick checklist of items to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it! Quick Overview: Betta Swim Bladder Function Like many other fish, bettas maintain neutral buoyancy through a specialized organ known …
Do fish pee? You bet they do! Fish do pee, but since they live in water, seeing a fish pee is not a common occurrence. Depending on if they live in freshwater or saltwater, your fish may pee a lot or just a little. Thankfully, their hardworking kidneys are ready to help them no matter …
**Post contains affiliate links** Hole in the head disease, also known as head and lateral line erosion, is a common disease in many freshwater and saltwater fishes. Many hobbyists are quick to grab an OTC drug to treat the initial sign, without digging into the deeper cause. Learn how to successfully treat hole in the …