API- Canister Filter Winner!!

We would like to announce that we had a client draw the winner of the API Filstar XP (L)Canister filter! The Winner is Customer: Brooks Tarter!! Congratulations Brooks! We are excited for you and for your fish!! happy Holidays from Finatics!

Customer Sergio, was our official- Who drew the winning name! The Winner is Brooks Tarter! Congratulations!!

Can a Loach win my Heart!? If it’s a Red Lizard or Gecko Loach it can!

Thanks to Cichlid Exchange and information from Loaches.com: We were shipped 4 really nice Red Lizard Loaches;  Homaloptera orthogoniata (Vaillant, 1902)  These fish inhabit fast flowing streams over boulders, often in forested areas. Collection reports describe "Blackwater" conditions at many sites. Your Hillstream Loach aquarium should duplicate these conditions, including high water flow, as these fish have very high oxygen requirements. They reach a maximum size of almost 5” - they can be kept as cool as 70f and can tolerate water temps to about 78f. They prefer foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworm but many will also accept pellet foods too, they are not greedy eaters so be sure to watch them with other Hillstream Loaches as they may get chased away from food.

Homaloptera species require similar conditions to other Hillstream species. All need excellent water-flow and aeration, numerous rocky hiding places and smooth pebbles and boulders to graze over. Lighting should be bright to encourage algal growth in the aquarium. Plants are not necessary as the fish do not normally encounter them in the wild, but they will help with water-quality. Suitable plants for high-flow environments are Anubias and Microsoreum. (Java Fern) These can easily be attached to rockwork or driftwood. 

                                                                                                                                                                       

There are 4 of these guys in the shop  they are CE598, and are $17.99 each.

Check out these Communal Betta’s!

Most everyone is familiar with the Siamese Fighting fish called the Betta.

 (Pronounced Bet’ta or  Bayta) These fish have a reputation for fighting and cannot be safely housed together with other males and even with females of the species in many cases.

Well, What would you say- if I told you there are fantastic ,cool - Betta’s that can all be housed together, look awesome and all get along!? Don’t believe me?

Well, here are two that we will be receiving:

Betta simorum can be housed in pairs, species tanks, and community tanks.  Pairs can be housed in a 20 gallon tank, groups should be housed in a 55 gallon tank or larger.  Pairs should be given cover such as caves and plants.  In a pair or species situation it is possible that fry could be discovered in the tanks.

Betta imbellis can be housed in pairs, species tanks, and community tanks.  Pairs can be housed in a 10 gallon tank; groups should be housed in a 30 gallon tank or larger.  Pairs should be given cover such as caves and plants.  In a pair or species situation it is possible that fry could be discovered in the tanks.  For best results remove a pair to a breeding tank with little to no filtration. The peaceful betta, Betta imbellis, also known as the crescent betta is a freshwater ray-finned fish in the gourami family. This species is native to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.