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?

Difficulty: Beginner → IntermediateSize: 2.5–3 inchesTemperament: Semi-aggressive (especially males)Lifespan: 3–5 years 💧 Tank Setup - Tank Size: 5 gallons minimum — more space = less stress. - Water Range: 78–82 °F, pH 6.5–7.5. - Filtration: Gentle flow — strong current tires them out. - Decor: Plants, caves, and leaf hammocks near the surface for resting. - Lighting: Moderate; they prefer consistent light cycles over intensity. 💡 Lesser-Known Tip: Bettas breathe air from the surface with their labyrinth organ — keep a small pocket of warm air above the water (a lid helps maintain humidity and health). 🍽️ Diet - Staple: High-protein betta pellets. - Treats: Frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. - Feeding Rule: 2–3 pellets twice daily — fast them one day a week to prevent bloating. 💡 Fact: Bettas can recognize their owners’ faces and even learn feeding routines — consistent hand placement builds trust! 🧬 Breeding Behavior - Type: Bubble-nest builder. - Pairing: Introduce female in a transparent container inside male’s tank for 1–2 days first. - Trigger: Add floating plants + drop temperature slightly before release. - Parental Care: Male guards the nest and returns fallen eggs — remove female after spawning. 💡 Breeder Insight: Use Indian almond leaves — they release tannins that strengthen eggs, reduce bacteria, and naturally tint the water. 🤝 Tank Mates Peaceful options include kuhli loaches, small rasboras, ember tetras, and snails.Avoid fin-nippers or other male bettas (never keep two males together). What’s your betta’s name and personality like? 🐠 Post a picture or short clip — do they flare, build nests, or follow your finger? Let’s meet your finned friends!