Aquarium guides for beginners

Fishkeeping, made simple.

Clear, honest guides to keeping your fish healthy and your water right — written for beginners, checked against the science, and never overwhelming.

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Betta Fish Care

Feeding, tank size, behavior, and the myths that hurt bettas most.

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Betta Fish Care

Betta Fin Rot: How to Tell, Treat, and Regrow

Ragged betta fins? Learn to tell fin rot from fin biting and decor tears, treat it by stage from clean water to antibiotics, and know when fins are healing.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 16 min read

Betta Fish Care

Betta Tank Mates: What Works, by Tank Size

Which tank mates can live with a betta? A gallon-by-gallon chart of what works in 5, 10, and 20 gallons, what to avoid, and how to introduce them safely.

Updated July 24, 2026 · 21 min read

Betta Fish Care

How to Set Up a Betta Tank: The Full Buy List and Timeline

Setting up a betta tank? Get the full buy list with heater wattage and filter specs, plus how to tell exactly when your betta can safely go in.

Updated July 24, 2026 · 16 min read

Betta Fish Care

Betta Swim Bladder: Why Your Betta Floats, Sinks, or Swims Sideways

Betta floating, sinking, or swimming sideways? Learn which direction means what, the right fix for each, and when it's not swim bladder at all.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 16 min read

Betta Fish Care

How to Acclimate a Betta Fish: 2 Easy Methods (Step by Step)

Acclimate a betta the right way with two step-by-step methods — the simple float and the gentler drip — plus the mistakes to avoid.

Updated July 23, 2026 · 9 min read

Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Hiding? Normal vs. Concerning (and How to Fix It)

Betta hiding? Learn when it's normal (new tank, shy fish, lots of plants) vs. a problem — plus a causes-and-fixes table to set it right.

Updated July 12, 2026 · 10 min read

Why Finned Friends?

Every guide is researched against current aquarist and scientific sources, dated when it was last reviewed, and honest about what we don't know. We're enthusiast-researchers, not veterinarians — and when your fish needs a vet, we'll say so plainly.

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