Fish care, without the myths
Know the fish
before you buy it.
Species profiles with real tank sizes, water needs, and tank-mate logic — plus guides and tools that help you avoid new-tank syndrome.
Popular species
Solid starter picks
Common choices with honest difficulty — not marketing labels.
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
- Type
- Freshwater
- Tank
- 10 gallons
- Size
- 3 inches
Bettas are not bowl fish. A single Betta splendens needs a heated, filtered tank of 5+ gallons (10 preferre…
View care guideNeon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
- Type
- Freshwater
- Tank
- 20 gallons
- Size
- 1.5 inches
Neon tetras fail in new tanks, not because they are “hard” fish. Add Paracheirodon innesi only to a fully c…
View care guideCherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
- Type
- Freshwater
- Tank
- 10 gallons
- Size
- 1.5 inches
Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are the beginner shrimp that actually breed: bright red colonies in 5–10…
View care guideBristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
- Type
- Freshwater
- Tank
- 30 gallons
- Size
- 5 inches
Bristlenose plecos stay 4–5 inches—unlike common plecos that hit 18–24 inches and wreck small tanks. They a…
View care guideNew to the hobby
Cycle first. Stock second.
Most “beginner fish failures” are water problems. Start with a complete setup and a real cycle, then pick livestock that matches your tank.