Freshwater Aquarium/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer most questions on freshwater aquariums involving the biological cycle, live plants, fish compatibility, stocking quantity, feeding, filtration, aeration, water chemistry, and cleaning. I am still learning about some certain diseases and parasites but am more than willing to research any questions that I do not know.

Experience in the area

I have owned multiple freshwater fish tanks over the years. I also help maintain other people’s freshwater fish tanks. I am currently a college student at Minnesota State University Moorhead for a major in Biology and a minor in Zoology. I'm also currently employed at Petco.

What do you like about this subject?

I love the responsibility of keeping an entire aquatic environment in my own home.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

There is always something new to learn!

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Many people will recommend Clown Loaches to get rid of Snails. Clown Loaches grow to a foot in length which is too large for most peoples tanks. All Loaches should be kept in schools. There are different types of Loaches that will also eat snails and will not grow as large such as Yoyo Loaches, Dojo Loaches, Zebra Loaches, and Bengal Loaches.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Don't flush your fish down the toilet as that is an awful thing to do to them. There are many pet stores and local fish shops that will take in or adopt your sick, injured, or unwanted pets and will find a new home for them. Goldfish should not be kept in small tanks. I consider Goldfish for ponds instead of aquariums (unless they have a large tank) as they grow large and produce a lot of waste.