Category: Fish

The Hatchetfish is an interesting species if just for its unique body shape. Its form comes into play with its behavior and habitat usage. It’s a popular aquarium fish because of these traits, its ease of care, and affordability.

Its color is another factor. A school of these silver, almost iridescent, fish is a sight to behold as they catch the light and shimmer in the water. It’s not a large species, but it has a big presence in the tank that is sure to attract attention.

Breed Overview

Hatchetfish Breed Characteristics

Hatchetfish Fish Cost

The Hatchetfish is part of the Gasteropelecidae family. The various species inhabit parts of Central and South America. It prefers streams and rivers with lots of vegetation and often in shallow waters. That gives this species tolerance for less-than-ideal conditions.

You can get individual fish for less than $10 apiece. You may catch a deal by buying groups.  It’s not the easiest fish to breed by amateurs, although experienced hobbyists and professionals are often successful. Part of the reason may rest with the fact that it’s tied to the rainy season in its native habitat instead of the photoperiod or daylight hours that are common in species of the Northern Hemisphere.

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The Sociability of the Hatchetfish

The Hatchetfish is a friendly fish that isn’t aggressive with other community species of a similar temperament. It prefers living in groups, but there are the usual squabbles with cohorts, jockeying for resources and position. Nevertheless, that makes it a popular choice with hobbyists since it plays well with others. This species typically exists in large schools with the security these arrangements provide.

Do These Fish Make Good Pets?

The Hatchetfish makes an excellent pet for many reasons. It is interesting to look at, with its unique shape and activity level. A school will create an attractive display, especially if you complement it with a setup and decor that puts them in the spotlight. Its lifespan is average for a species of its size. However, optimal tank conditions can push it to the end of the spectrum.

Does This Fish Make a Good Tank Mate?

The Hatchetfish has several factors going for it. Its friendly nature is an element in its favor. This fish isn’t going to chase other tank mates unnecessarily. After all, it’s not very fast, making it less of an opponent to many species. It directs its aggression toward others of its kind, which isn’t unusual since it must compete for resources and mates.

Its body shape is another point in its favor. It’s not like devouring a slender, smaller fish. The Hatchetfish might not be a large fish, but it poses a challenge for some larger species to attack.

Care Guide & Tank Setup

Water Quality, pH & Temperature

The native habitat provides vital clues about what a particular species needs in a tank setup for it to thrive. This fish inhabits rivers with vegetation. That often means acidic water chemistry. Indeed, this species prefers aquariums with a pH between 6.0 to 7.5. That’s something to keep in mind when choosing tank mates and plants.

Its preferred temperature range of 73℉ to 81℉ is comparable to many tropical freshwater species. That gives you some leeway as long as you meet the other compatibility criteria for tank mates. The general hardness of 6 dH to 15 dH is also in line with similar fish. Of course, stability is the foundation of a good aquarium setup since it minimizes stress and disease.

Substrate

The subdued lighting of its natural habitat makes a dark-colored substrate ideal. It will replicate its native conditions and create a more realistic-looking setup for your fish. It’ll also highlight the color of the Hatchetfish and make them pop against this background. Plants are a vital part of your tank, so make sure the size of the gravel is 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter.

Plants

Plants serve three vital purposes for Hatchetfish. First, these fish tend to jump out of tanks. It’s a survival strategy to evade predators. Second, floating plants make it harder for them to get airborne and out of the aquarium. Third, they also provide a habitat for the preferred food of this species, namely, insect larvae. Plants offer cover for a fish that is prey in the wild.

Lighting

Subdued lighting will provide enough UV radiation for your plants to thrive and replicate the fish’s natural schedule in the wild. The light and its associated hood will also offer another way to keep your Hatchetfish inside of the tank with a physical barrier. Ensure that it fits snugly enough to serve these two purposes.

Filtration

Filtration provides stability to a tank and a healthier environment for the fish and plants. It allows for better gas exchange between the surface and the atmosphere. That can increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which benefits all the aquarium’s residents. A power filter is the best choice to fulfill these needs.

Things to Know When Owning a Hatchetfish:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Hatchetfish feeds on insect larvae. Hence, it hangs out near the surface of the water. In its native countries, it helps control mosquito populations. You can offer your fish high-quality flake food. Freeze-dried bloodworms, cricket, or brine shrimp are excellent additions to its diet. Only give your Hatchetfish enough that it will consume within a minute or two to avoid fouling the water with waste.

Size & Growth Rate

The Hatchetfish doesn’t grow large, so you’re unlikely to notice significant growth. The fish you purchase may even be already close to the species’ adult size. A high-quality diet will support any future growth.

Varieties

There are no known subspecies of the Hatchetfish, although there are many species that share its name. Our discussion focused on the Common Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla)

Lifespan and Health Conditions

The Hatchetfish lives about as long as the average tropical fish. The proper tank conditions and a good diet will help ensure it lives a long life. The species is somewhat resilient, given the conditions of its native habitat. However, it’s still essential to keep things stable as it would be experienced in the wild to minimize stress.

Male vs. Female

Hatchetfish don’t appear sexually dimorphic. Both sexes look the same with their silver and black coloration. You may notice some individual variations, but nothing that would denote a female or male necessarily. You may see behavioral differences when the fish are in breeding condition and getting ready to spawn. However, it doesn’t often occur in captivity.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Hatchetfish

1. The Hatchetfish Has Been a Popular Choice for Hobbyists for Over a Hundred Years

European enthusiasts have kept and raised Hatchetfish since 1912. The species didn’t make it across the pond until the 1930s.

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2. The Hatchetfish Is a Schooling Fish

The Hatchetfish finds safety in numbers, preferring to live in groups of 10 or more. They make an attractive display as they swim around the tank together.

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3. The Muscles of the Hatchetfish’s Chest Region Make Up 25% of Its Weight

The unusual shape of the Hatchetfish is compressed, with the bulk of it in the chest and abdominal region. It can jump out of the water, as we mentioned earlier. It is quite muscular in this area, which accounts for the weight distribution.

Final Thoughts

The Hatchetfish is an excellent choice for community tanks with a species that is peaceful and unique. Its penchant for swimming near the surface allows you to plan the use of the aquarium’s space more efficiently. It also means a well-fitting hood to ensure they don’t jump out of it. This species is also easy to care for and will do well in average conditions for a tropical fish tank.

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Featured Image Credit: Pavaphon Supanantananont, Shutterstock

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The Pearl Gourami is a beautiful fish with its distinct coloration and pattern. It’s a popular aquarium species because of its looks and temperament. Its easy maintenance is another point in its favor. You can keep the fish in small groups or as part of a large community tank. The proper setup will ensure your fish stays healthy and content in its new home.

The Pearl Gourami isn’t terribly picky about its conditions, except for the tank size. A large fish needs enough room to swim, feed, and interact with its tank mates.

Breed Overview

Pearl Gourami Breed Characteristics

Pearl Gourami Cost

The Pearl Gourami inhabits the wetlands and shallow waters of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Agriculture and forestry pose significant threats to this species in its native land. Fishing and the international pet trade have also taken a toll. Hence, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies this species as nearly threatened because of these¹.

Fortunately, this fish is easy to breed in captivity with coaxing and the right diet. It is a social species, so you’re better off getting them in groups of three to five fish. They run under $10 a piece, although you’ll likely find deals if you get a few of them. It’s not a rare species and is quite popular among hobbyists because of its beauty.

If you’re buying them online, you should only buy Pearl Gouramis from sellers who offer a live guarantee. However, make sure to read the fine print for your obligations to make a claim. Often, they are for a limited time.

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The Sociability of Pearl Gourami

The Pearl Gourami is a friendly fish and makes a good addition to a community tank. Pay attention to the size of the tank mates, given the relatively large size of this species. It is typically not aggressive. However, all bets are off during breeding, although the skirmishes are usually minor. The tank size and presence of cover are contributing factors for keeping the peace.

Do These Fish Make Good Pets?

The Pearl Gourami is an excellent choice for beginners. Its needs are well in line with other tropical freshwater fish. It’s worth noting that it is a labyrinth species that can breathe atmospheric oxygen to ensure its survival in less-than-hospitable conditions. We’ve mentioned they’re being peaceful. You should remember this fact and likewise choose tank mates with a similar temperament.

Does This Fish Make a Good Tank Mate?

Size is always a consideration when selecting tank mates. It’s a fish-eat-fish world in aquatic environments. Keeping the Pearl Gouramis in groups will encourage them to hang out together and avoid harassing other fish. They usually leave other species alone. Problems may occur with males of their own kind instead of different species.

Care Guide & Tank Setup

Water Quality, pH & Temperature

You should plan on getting at least a 30-gallon tank for a small group of Pearl Gouramis. A larger aquarium can make maintenance easier by keeping the conditions stable. It fares best with temperatures between 75℉ and 82℉. It’s also a decent range for many of its prospective tank mates. You should keep the pH between 6.0 to 8.0, testing it biweekly.

The Pearl Gourami prefers a general hardness of 5 to 20 dH, which is optimal for community tanks. It does well in soft, slightly acidic conditions, which replicate its natural environment. Luckily, this species is adaptable and can tolerate varying conditions.

Substrate

The Pearl Gourami’s native habitat is generally subdued with vegetation filtering light to the deeper reaches of the water. You can replicate these conditions with a dark-colored substrate that will help maintain these requirements. The species is diurnal and occupies the middle and surface areas of the tank.

Plants

Vegetation will provide welcome cover and a dietary supplement to the Pearl Gourami. Floating plants will help maintain the preferred lighting conditions and cover for the fish. Even larger species are less stressed and more secure with someplace to hide. A substrate with a grain size of 2 to 5 mm provides enough bulk to anchor the plants without suffocating the roots.

Remember the area the Pearl Gourami uses to avoid overcrowding its active space. The fish may nibble at the plants occasionally, but they aren’t a significant part of its diet. Their purpose is more for cover than anything else.

Lighting

Subdued lighting is ideal for a setup for Pearl Gouramis. It is comparable to the low-light settings of the fish’s native habitat. It will also help keep algae under control to avoid fouling the water. You need enough lighting to satisfy the plants’ needs for balance. Remember that this fish is diurnal and will benefit from a regular schedule of light and dark.

Filtration

The Pearl Gourami is adaptable and tolerant. However, adequate filtration is still vital for all members of your community tank. The primary benefit is stability, which can reduce the stress that makes aquatic organisms vulnerable to disease. A power filter will agitate the surface to ensure there’s enough dissolved oxygen in the water.

Things to Know When Owning a Pearl Gourami:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Pearl Gourami is an omnivore. It feeds mainly on insects and invertebrates. It will occasionally eat algae and other aquatic vegetation. It’s not a picky fish, giving you many options. You can offer it flakes supplemented with live foods, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. However, be careful of overfeeding your fish when giving them these foodstuffs.

Size & Growth Rate

Adequate nutrition when young is the key to optimal growth and development. High-protein foods are ideal for supporting growth. You can also offer your fish a pellet diet to meet these nutritional needs. You can give your gouramis fresh greens to cover all bases.

Varieties

There are no subspecies of the Pearl Gourami specifically. However, there are others in the same family, such as the Blue Gourami, Chocolate Gourami, Dwarf Gourami, Kissing Gourami, and Moonlight Gourami.

Lifespan and Health Conditions

The Pearl Gourami is relatively long-lived for a species of its size. Of course, providing ideal water conditions and a healthy diet are critical for ensuring your fish lives as long as it can. The fact that it’s a labyrinth species gives this fish an advantage over others who can’t take advantage of this ability. Minimizing stress is another way to keep these fish healthy.

Male vs. Female

Male Pearl Gouramis are more colorful than females. That’s not unusual, given their role to attract a mate. They are also thinner than females, which are usually plumper than them. That’s especially evident when the female is ready to spawn. Other differences exist in the shape of the dorsal fins of the two sexes.

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3 Little-Known Facts About Pearl Gouramis

1. The Pearl Gourami Is a Food Fish

Adding to the other environmental pressures this fish faces is the threat of being a food fish in Central Kalimantan.

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2. Pearl Gouramis Are Bubble Nesters

Labyrinth fish, like the Pearl Gourami, are also bubble nesters. That’s where the floating plants come in handy to provide a base for these structures.

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3. The Fish’s Lines Are Characteristic of the Genus

The Pearl Gourami has two horizontal lines down the length of its body. They are not only markings but are sensors for the fish to navigate its world.

Final Thoughts

The Pearl Gourami is an attractive addition to any large community tank. It brings beauty and a sense of calm to a large aquarium needing a showcase species. A small group of these fish will fit the bill. The best part of adding them to your tank is their ease of care. They are tolerant and hardy. They bring unique traits to your setup as labyrinth fish and bubble nesters.

The Pearl Gourami is a friendly fish that gets along with others of similar temperament. You have plenty of options for compatible tank mates. You can’t get a much more attractive aquarium than one with plants and subdued lighting to create a natural environment.

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Featured Image Credit: chonlasub woravichan, Shutterstock

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The Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) is a colorful freshwater fish and the only member in the Chromobotia genus. They are highly social fishes with fascinating behaviors which liven up most aquariums. You can recognize Clown Loaches by their orange and black patterns which have earned them the nickname “Tiger Botia.”

Breed Overview

Clown Loaches are tropical fish that are often kept in community aquariums. Their peaceful and social temperament makes them compatible with many tank mates, and they rarely show signs of aggression. Clown Loaches do a great job at tidying up the aquarium by eating any leftover food and detritus that would otherwise contribute to water quality issues.

If you are considering adding an active and colorful Clown Loach to your aquarium, this article will help you decide if they are the right fish for you.

Clown Loach Characteristics

How Much Do Clown Loaches Cost?

Clown Loaches originate from Indonesia and Malaysia where they inhabit the slow-moving waterways like acidic streams. They were first described in 1852 by Dr. Pieter Bleeker, but it wasn’t until 2004 that they got classified into their genus. Clown Loaches have been in the aquarium trade industry for decades and make popular additions to very large tropical tanks. They are not considered rare and can be found for sale at most pet stores, fish breeders, and online retailers. Clown Loaches generally cost between $10 to $30 for one fish, but you can often get them at a discounted price if you purchase them in groups.

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Sociability of the Clown Loach

Do These Fish Make Good Pets?

Many people purchase Clown Loaches without truly knowing what their care entails. They might be unaware of the Clown Loaches’ size and social requirements, so they are not prepared for how demanding Clown Loaches can be as pets. Although Clown Loaches do make good pets when cared for properly, their care might be more difficult than some new fish keepers can handle.

Clown Loaches are often sold at a small size in pet stores, where fish keepers might choose them for a small aquarium. However, the Clown Loach can grow up to 12 inches long in captivity, and up to 18 inches in the wild. Clown Loaches are also naturally social animals that need to be kept in groups of five or more.

You should never keep Clown Loaches on their own or in pairs since they can be incredibly stressful for them. With the Clown Loach being a large fish and needing to be kept in large groups, their tank needs to be over 100 gallons in size.

Unfortunately, not everyone has space for a 100-gallon or larger fish tank in their home, nor the time and money to maintain one. It is very important to keep in mind that Clown Loaches only make good pets for those who can keep them in groups and in very large, heated, and maintained aquariums.

Does This Fish Make a Good Tankmate?

Clown Loaches are very peaceful and make good tankmates for other compatible fish or invertebrates. This is one of the main reasons that make good additions to large community aquariums if the conditions are right. However, the best tankmates for a Clown Loach are their species. They need to be kept in groups of five or more before being kept with other tankmates.

Their tank needs to be upgraded accordingly each time new tankmates are added. The size of a Clown Loach community tank can vary depending on the species, size, and the number of tankmates.

You ideally want to keep Clown Loaches with other tropical and freshwater fish that grow larger than 2 inches long. Their tank mates should thrive in the same water conditions as Clown Loaches and eat a similar diet. Tankmates like snails, shrimp, goldfish, and aggressive fish are not compatible tankmates for Clown Loaches and should be avoided.

Care Guide & Tank Set Up

Clown Loaches should only be housed in rectangular aquariums and not bowls, vases, or nano aquariums. A 100-gallon long tank can comfortably house a group of six Clown Loaches and a couple of small tankmates. Keep in mind that the larger the Clown Loaches get, the larger the tank needs to be. Horizontal swimming space is preferred as Clown Loaches are bottom-dwelling fish that actively swim and explore their environment.

Water Quality, pH & Temperature

The Clown Loach’s aquarium should replicate the water conditions and setup they experience in the wild. Their wild habitat consists of murky streams with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range. It is important to keep your Clown Loach tank heated because they experience tropical temperatures in the wild. They thrive at temperatures between 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with few drastic fluctuations. A 1–2 degree drop throughout the day is not much of a concern.

Like most aquarium fish, the Clown Loaches aquarium needs to undergo the nitrogen cycle for 4 to 6 weeks before adding them in. Clown Loaches are very sensitive to even the slightest traces of ammonia or nitrite, so the safest level is 0 ppm (parts per million).

Substrate

Clown Loaches typically prefer to glide across the substrate as they swim, so choosing the right substrate for them is crucial. The underside of a Clown Loach is not protected and can easily get injured by sharp substrate.

In their wild habitat, Clown Loaches dwell along a sandy and muddy substrate. This is why sandy substrates or very fine quartz gravel is preferred for Clown Loaches. Clown Loaches will forage throughout fine substrates in search of food using their barbels, which is difficult in gravel or pebble substrates. You ideally want to choose substrates with a natural coloration like brown, black, or tan rather than brightly colored substrates.

Plants

Live plants are recommended for Clown Loaches for numerous reasons, like water purification, shelter, and oxygenation. Their wild habitat is filled with rocks, leaf litter, and tree roots which provides Clown Loaches with plenty of shelter to make them feel safe. Clown Loaches will appreciate having a moderately planted tank with hornwort, Amazon sword, anubias, and jungle vals.

You can also add aquarium-safe driftwood as a centerpiece in the aquarium. The tannins that leach from the driftwood are not harmful and give the water a natural tea color similar to the Clown Loaches’ wild habitat.

Lighting

Clown Loaches require a low to moderately bright aquarium. Unlike most loaches, the Clown Loach is a diurnal fish that is awake during the day and rests at night. They are used to the low-lit conditions caused by murky water and trees that shade their native habitats. Their aquarium lighting should only be on for 6 to 10 hours per day and switched off at night. Clown Loaches need to rest for at least 8 hours at night in complete darkness. Keeping their aquarium lit 24/7 can cause issues with their circadian rhythm and contribute to excessive algae growth.

Filtration

Filters are a necessity for Clown Loach aquariums and help keep the water clean and moving. The size of the filter will depend on the size of your Clown Loaches tank but should not create much of a current in the water. Clown Loaches prefer slow-moving waters and do not enjoy swimming against fast currents. This could tire them out and cause them unnecessary stress. However, the filter should create enough surface agitation to oxygenate the water if you are not using an aeration system.

Large sponge filters are usually a top choice for Clown Loach aquariums, but under-gravel and external filters work well too.

Things to Know When Owning a Clown Loach

Food & Diet Requirements

Clown Loaches are omnivores that eat a diet consisting of various plant and animal-based foods. However, they prefer to follow a more carnivorous diet in the wild. They naturally feed on mollusks, insects, crustaceans, and worms, but will eat vegetation if they are hungry enough.

Their captive diet should consist of a commercial sinking pellet or flake food that is formulated for loaches. This will be their staple food and should be offered once or twice a day. You can supplement your Clown Loaches diet with bloodworms, daphnia, shrimp, and small snails occasionally.

Most Clown Loaches aren’t fussy about what they eat and will even eat another fish. Keep in mind that as bottom dwellers, Clown Loaches prefer to eat their food from the substrate. They struggle to eat food that floats on the surface.

Size & Growth Rate

Clown Loaches are surprisingly large fish, unbeknownst to many fish keepers. Their average adult size is between 10 to 12 inches long in captivity, but up to 18 inches in the wild. Clown Loaches that are raised for food in the Indonesian islands have been known to reach 16 inches in length. They have a moderately fast growth rate when kept in the right conditions.

They do most of their growth within the first 4 to 6 years of their life. Their growth starts to slow down at around 7 years, and they usually reach their full adult size at 10 years. Clown Loaches need a very large tank, proper water conditions, a healthy diet, and pristine water quality to support their growth.

Varieties

Clown Loaches have a distinctive orange and black patterned body with red fins which resembles a clown suit. Their caudal (tail) fins are forked, and their small mouths are lined with tiny barbels. Clown Loaches have small triangular dorsal fins and have a more elongated body to support their bottom-dwelling behaviors. They have black V-shaped markings along their bodies which can look uneven in some Clown Loaches. Clown Loaches are only available in one variety, but there have been a few instances where they were found with white V-shaped markings instead of black.

Lifespan and Health Conditions

Clown Loaches have a lengthy lifespan of 10 to 20 years as pets, but even longer in the wild or with proper care. Unfortunately, many Clown Loaches do not live very long in captivity. Improper water conditions, housing, diet, and diseases are to blame for their early deaths. Clown Loaches are susceptible to the same health as most tropical and freshwater fish.

These conditions include:

Their most common health conditions include ammonia and nitrite toxicity from poor water quality, along with various skin issues like ich or velvet.

Male vs Female

Clown Loaches are sexually dimorphic fish, so males and females can be told apart by their appearance.

3 Little-Known Facts About Clown Loaches

1. Clown Loaches can make audible clicking sounds

Clown Loaches have been known to make a faint clicking sound by grinding their pharyngeal teeth. This sound can be heard when a Clown Loach is feeling happy or threatened, and sometimes during mating. Clicking sounds helps them communicate with each other often to defend their territory from other fish.

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2. Clown Loaches can live for up to 30 years

The average lifespan for Clown Loaches is between 10 to 20 years. However, they have been known to live for up to 30 years, similar to ornamental goldfish and koi. Caring for a Clown Loach can be a 2-to-3-decade commitment, so be prepared to have them around for a long time.

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3. There is a common misconception that Clown Loaches do not have any scales, which is not true

Clown Loaches have tiny scales embedded into their skin, although they are not normal scales. However, Clown Loaches are still sensitive to certain medications and are highly susceptible to skin issues.

Final Thoughts

Caring for Clown Loaches is a rewarding experience and fairly simple if you understand their care requirements. Clown Loaches can reach 12 inches in length in captivity and therefore require very large aquariums.

A group of six Clown Loaches should be kept in no less than 100 gallons of water and only with compatible tank mates. They are sensitive to poor water quality, so their tank needs to be regularly maintained and fully cycled before they are added in. Most Clown Loaches can have a longer commitment than most dogs and cats.

You will need to determine if you are prepared to care for a very large fish with demanding tank size requirements and a lengthy lifespan before purchasing a Clown Loach.

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Featured Image Credit: Grigorii Pisotsckii, Shutterstock

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