Snails Are Not All Bad
To an aquarist the word usually brings about visions of shredded plants, a tank infestation and the imminent purchase of a few clown loaches, but I have found a few species of apple snail that are actually fun to maintain and breed in my aquariums. Read more
Vallisneria Americana
The scientific name of this plant is Vallisneria americana and the common name is giant val. According to Christel Kasselmann in her book Aquarium Plants this plant also has many synonyms such as V. gigantean, V. natans, V. neotropicalis and others. Read more
Shedd Aquarium-Well Worth The Trip
I used a well-earned July vacation day and loaded daughters Brittany and Megan into the car in the early AM for a long round trip to Shedd Aquarium, in Chicago.This was my second trip there, the first having been twelve years ago. They have since added the “Wild Reef” display, and just this spring finished the oceanarium remodel. Read more
HAP Articles Outline
I have had several people tell me they do not want to write an article about a plant because it is just a plant so how do you write about it. Since I didn’t feel like doing water changes this evening I have decided to try and make it easier for people to write about their plants and have provided a simple outline below and an example of how you can use it to submit and article for the HAP Program. Read more
Who is the Fish Man, Anyway?
His story starts out simply enough. He received his first fish tank at the age of ten. Soon he, along with his father and best friend, was making weekly trips to fish store. One tank led to seven tanks which were mostly home-made. Read more
Micro Worms 101
This article is intended to familiarize the reader with the nematodes commonly referred to as “microworms”.
The nematode genus Panagrellus is currently comprised of 12 species, one of which, Panagrellus redivivus, is widely assumed to be what we raise as “microworms”. Read more
A Great Cat. . . Fish: Aspidoras eurycephalus
I purchase most of my fish at Grand Valley aquarium Club (GVAC) meetings, auctions or other club’s events. Most of the fish that I buy are ones that are on my list of wanted fish and they have a tank waiting for them or at least I can make space for them. It is not often that I see a fish that I decide that I must have and don’t have it on my list of wanted fish. Read more
Live Bearers: Not Just For Chichlid Breakfast Anymore
Livebearers. The word never used to mean much to me other than visions of feeder guppies, or the occasional red wag sword. Until four years ago I never appreciated what a diverse and successful group of fish they actually are. The closest I got to keeping any live bearing fish for any length of time was the feeder guppy who escaped my cichlid’s “amorous” attentions. Read more
Lake Tanganykan Shell Dwellers
Lake Tanganyikan cichlids have always held a special place in my aquariums. Among my favorites have been the feisty little shell dwellers, mainly from the Neolamprologus family, (or Lamprologus depending on who you listen to). Not all of them are exceptionally colorful or come to the surface of the tank to beg for food, but their preference for housing themselves and raising their brood in empty snail shells has always drawn me to them.
Madagascar Lace Plant
I have always wondered why you never see Aponogeton madagascariensis, Madagascar lace plant, in those cool looking high tech planted tank displays. These plants are the Queens of the planted aquarium and just about everyone wants one. Read more