Let’s kick things off with one of our favorite community traditions — the “Show Us Your Tank” Challenge! 🌿 Whether you’ve just set up your first aquarium or have been breeding for years, we want to see your setup. This challenge helps everyone connect, learn from each other’s designs, and celebrate the incredible variety of tanks in our community. Here’s how to join:📷 Step 1: Post 1–3 photos (or a short video) of your aquarium setup.💬 Step 2: Tell us what species you’re keeping — or the ones you hope to breed next.💡 Step 3: Share one lesson you’ve learned so far or one challenge you’re facing. Each month, we’ll feature one member as our “Tank of the Month” 🏅 — with a special reward for Premium Members like early stock access or gift cards. 🌊 No tank is too small or too simple — this community celebrates progress, not perfection. 🐟 Comment below:Have you posted your tank yet? Drop your link or photo and let’s see what you’re working on!

Difficulty: BeginnerSize: 2 inchesTemperament: Energetic and peacefulLifespan: 4–5 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: 15–20 gallons minimum — they’re active swimmers! - Water Range: 64–75 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 — one of the few tropicals that thrive in cooler water. - Group Size: Keep 6 or more — small groups = fin chasing and stress. - Decor: Open swimming area with plants at the edges. - Lighting: Moderate; brighter light brings out their reflective stripes. 💡 Lesser-Known Tip: Zebra Danios can handle cooler temps because they come from mountain streams in India and Nepal — they’re perfect for unheated tanks in warm climates! 🍽️ Diet - Staple: High-quality flakes or micro pellets. - Supplements: Baby brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, or daphnia. - Feeding Routine: Twice a day; small amounts. 💡 Fact: They’ve been used in scientific research for decades — even in genetic and medical studies — because of their transparent eggs and regenerative ability. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Egg scatterer. - Trigger: Separate males and females for a week; then reunite with a morning light cycle and cooler water change. - Setup: Use marbles or mesh on the bottom so eggs fall through — parents will eat them otherwise. - Egg Care: Remove adults post-spawning; fry hatch in about 2 days. 💡 Breeder Insight: They usually spawn at sunrise — mimic dawn lighting with a dim room light first, then your tank light 30 minutes later. 🤝 Tank Mates Great with guppies, corydoras, rasboras, and small tetras.Avoid slow, long-finned species (like bettas) — danios are too fast and can annoy them. 💬 Community Prompt Who’s kept Zebra Danios before? 🦓Post a video or photo — do yours zip around the glass or stay together in a tight school? (Bonus: share if you’ve ever seen them spawn at sunrise!)

Difficulty: Beginner-FriendlySize: 4–5 inchesTemperament: Peaceful bottom-dwellerLifespan: 10–12 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for one, 30+ for pairs. - Water Parameters: 72–80°F, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to medium-hard water. - Environment: Provide driftwood (they need it — it’s part of their digestion) and multiple hiding spots. - Lighting: Moderate; dim corners help them feel secure. - Filtration: Strong but gentle flow — they like oxygen-rich water. 💡 Pro Tip: Add cholla wood or almond leaves. They release tannins that reduce stress and promote natural grazing behavior. 🍽️ Diet - Staple: Algae wafers and high-quality sinking pellets. - Supplement: Fresh veggies — blanched zucchini, cucumber, spinach, and sweet potato. - Protein Boost: Once a week, give frozen bloodworms or Repashy gel food. 💡 Lesser-Known Fact: They’re nocturnal eaters — feed after lights out for better nutrition and cleaner tanks. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Cave spawners. - Pairing: One male with a plump female — males have larger bristles on their heads. - Trigger: Slight temperature drop (2–3°F) and heavy feeding mimic rainy season conditions. - Caring for Eggs: The male guards eggs until hatching (4–6 days). Leave him alone — removing him too early risks fungus. 💡 Advanced Tip: Use pleco caves tilted slightly downward — males feel more secure guarding entrances. 🌿 Compatibility Great with tetras, corydoras, rasboras, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.Avoid housing with aggressive or fin-nipping species. What’s your favorite veggie to feed your plecos — and how do you prepare it? 🥒 Do you blanch it, skewer it, or just drop it in raw? Share your method (and maybe a photo)!

Difficulty: Beginner-FriendlySize: 1.5–3 inches (varies by species)Temperament: Peaceful bottom dwellerLifespan: 5–8 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons; always keep in groups of 6+ — they’re schooling catfish. - Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel — rough substrate can wear down their barbels. - Water Range: 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard water. - Environment: Add driftwood, smooth stones, and live plants for shade and oxygenation. 💡 Lesser-Known Tip: Corydoras gulp air from the surface using a modified intestine — it’s normal! But if they do it constantly, check for low oxygen levels. 🍽️ Diet - Staple: Sinking pellets or wafers. - Supplements: Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and crushed snails for protein. - Feeding Routine: Feed 30 minutes after lights out — they forage best in dim light. 💡 Pro Tip: Rotate foods — a mix of pellets, veggies, and occasional live snacks leads to thicker, healthier bodies and brighter eyes. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Egg layer (T-position spawn). - Trigger: Large cool-water change (simulate rainfall). - Setup: Smooth surfaces or spawning mops for eggs; remove adults afterward. - Egg Care: Add methylene blue or Indian almond leaves to prevent fungus. 💡 Breeder Insight: Females “cup” eggs in their pelvic fins before sticking them to glass — an amazing behavior to watch! 🤝 Tank Mates Perfect with tetras, rasboras, livebearers, shrimp, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.Avoid large or aggressive fish that may outcompete them for food. Which Cory species do you keep — Panda, Sterbai, or maybe a rare one like Orange Laser? 🧡Post a photo of your favorite and tell us what substrate or food keeps them happiest in your tank!

Difficulty: BeginnerSize: 1.5–2.5 inchesTemperament: Peaceful livebearerLifespan: 2–3 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: 10 gallons minimum; 20+ if you plan to breed. - Water Range: 74–82 °F, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard water. - Decor: Live plants like hornwort or guppy grass give fry hiding spots. - Filtration: Sponge filters work best — gentle flow, fry-safe. 💡 Lesser-Known Tip: Guppies show brighter color in harder, mineral-rich water — adding crushed coral or Wonder Shells can naturally enhance color and health. 🍽️ Diet - Staple: High-quality flake or micro pellet. - Supplements: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and spirulina flakes. - Feeding Frequency: Small amounts 2–3 times daily. 💡 Fact: Guppies are “micro-predators.” They pick at microorganisms and algae — a clean but slightly “seasoned” tank helps them thrive. 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Livebearer — fry are born free-swimming. - Gestation: About 28 days; females can store sperm for multiple births. - Fry Care: Move newborns to a grow-out tank or heavily planted area to prevent predation. - Feeding Fry: Crushed flakes, microworms, or powdered fry food. 💡 Breeder Insight: Maintain a 1 male : 2–3 females ratio to reduce stress and avoid fin damage from over-courting males. 🤝 Tank Mates Peaceful community fish like corydoras, platies, mollies, and small tetras.Avoid fin-nippers or aggressive species. 💬 Community Prompt What’s your favorite guppy strain? 💎Post a photo of your favorite tail type or color line — and let’s talk genetics! Have you ever tried line breeding or mixing strains?