Author: DARREN BISHOP

  • Congo Tetra/Long-fin Tetra-African bio-tank!

    Congo Tetra/Long-fin Tetra-African bio-tank!

    Today we are looking at The Congo Tetra and The Long-fin Tetra. Amongst others and thought we would look at how we could not only put these two amazing fish in a tank together.

    But as they are both from Africa how about finding some more African tankmates. Some African plant shrubs etc to really show off these amazing fish let’s put together an African Bio tank!.

    LOOKING AT THE CONGO TETRA AND ITS HABITAT!

    So let us start well at the beginning!

    we need to know a little bit more about our fish. We can decide what size tank we will need and what conditions suit these fish. read more

  • Buenos Aires tetra:

    Buenos Aires tetra:

    Today as we were doing a water change on one of our tanks (more on that as we go) we started thinking about the “Buenos Aires tetra” This beautiful incredibly colourful fish just came to mind! but why? I sense you asking why during a routine water change? Well funny you should ask let’s start with the water change and ill explain why the Buenos Aires Tetra came to mind.

    While doing our water change which we tend to do weekly on all our tanks mainly because we tend to keep tetra and they can be considered (shall we say they have a heavy bioload) mainly because we stock our tanks to full capacity as Tetra need to be kept in good-sized groups! read more

  • Kitty Tetra: Are there two types?

    Kitty Tetra: Are there two types?

    So We’ve been pondering our usual Questions. Which Tetra to get next and what tank should we buy and of course filters, lights, decor, etc! Have you ever just been looking and thinking I want it all lol.

    Anywho we decided to head off to our local fishery at good old Dobbies – maidenhead aquatics – we were taking a gander at the tetra.

    Of course, the other fish when something caught our eye “KITTY TETRA” We hadn’t seen this type of tetra before and so after some time looking at this amazing little fish we think we have found our next TETRA so here we are the KITTY TETRA! read more

  • Serpae Tetra The Fighting Champion

    Serpae Tetra The Fighting Champion

    SERPAE TETRA INTRODUCTION:

    Today let’s look at a tetra that has some boisterous some say “fin nipping” problems yep the shall we say naughty tetra the Serpae tetra! This fish was discovered fighting its way out of the back swamps of the Amazon River drainage through Brazil, Peru, Paraguay and winning its way into Bolivia and becoming a world champion by the time the fish

    reached northern Argentina (let’s just say this fish has a temper) All joking aside the Serpae tetra gets a bad rap it’s not that bad you do have to be mindful of a few things and keep with certain tank mates but overall this is a beautiful fish. read more

  • So Ember Tetra: What Are They Like?

    So Ember Tetra: What Are They Like?

    What do you need to know about the Ember Tetra?

    The Ember tetra or Amanda tetra even red dwarf tetra and red tetra oh and of course the fire red tetra (these are some of the names given) These tropical freshwater fish are found in Brazil, within the Araguaia river basin!

    This orangy-red super friendly but tiny fish with a big personality was discovered by Heiko Bleher in 1986 making the ember tetra one of the newest additions to the modern aquarium. He named the fish in 1987 and named it”Amanda” after his mother.

    SO WHAT’S THE EMBER TETRA LIKE:

    The Ember tetra is small in stature roughly three-quarters of an inch long around two centimetres They have a lifespan of between only two and four years the fish’s bodies are slightly elongated. Males’ bodies are torpedo, especially when looking at them from above Females are however more rounded and plump mainly as they will be carrying eggs most of the time. Females also have a much bigger air bladder! Both male and female fish have one merged anal fin a small dorsal fin and a slightly bigger caudal fin. Ember or fire red tetras bodies are compressed towards the back of the fish allowing greater movement and a smoother swim, scales on them are compact laying close together making them appear transparent! read more

  • Tetra fish types

    Tetra fish types

    We have wanted to write about our experiences with different types of tetra we thought it would hopefully benefit some of you so let’s look at 5 of our favourite tetra fish types starting at our fish tanks beginning with our first tetra The Cardinal tetra!

    hope you enjoy the read.

    So you have been wanting a FISH tank for a while now but what fish to keep we decided on TETRAS here’s our tetras!

    the tetra has a huge array of types all are suitable for beginners! WHICH IS GOOD AS WE ARE INDEED BEGINNERS. We eventually (after some deliberation) decided on cardinal tetras I think you would agree they are read more

  • Do Fish Have Teeth?

    Do Fish Have Teeth?

    Do Fish Have Teeth?

    fish teeth

    Recently I was out fishing with a couple of friends.

    And my friend got bitten by one fish. He was really surprised and didn’t expect it all. So we wondered do fish really have teeth? We decided to do a little research and here’s what we found.

    Do fish have teeth?

    All fish have teeth. The type, structure, and position of the teeth vary in the different species and depending on what kind of food they eat. Carnivorous fish have teeth that are adapted for hunting and eating other fish. Herbivorous fish have teeth adapted for chewing through, crushing, and eating plants and other vegetation. read more

  • Can Fish See In The Dark? Let’s Find Out

    Can Fish See In The Dark? Let’s Find Out

    So can fish see in the dark? Stick around I will explain all the details as we go but ill let you in on a secret most fish can indeed see in the dark. You see fish have what are known as rod and cone cells that are attached to their retinas.

    It is now believed fish can turn even pitch blacks into a lighter shade of grey and can determine colors with these rod and cone cells. Just think fish need to find food and it’s pretty dark in most of their habitats. 

    Fish also need to avoid predators and most do so by seeing really well in the dark. That being said much like us humans some fish see much better than others. Those that don’t see that well like the shark for instance still do well in the dark as they have a sixth sense and an incredible sense of smell. read more