"Are you seriously buying a fish from Thailand right now?" — I was. And not just any fish... a stunning halfmoon male with burgundy fins that faded to cream at the edges, his photo uploaded by a breeder halfway across the world.
8 posts
Michaela Thompson
How to Cycle a Fish Tank: The Essential First Step
What I didn't know — what nobody had bothered to explain — was that my tank wasn't actually ready for fish. It was a beautiful glass box filled with chemically safe water, but it wasn't a home. It wasn't an ecosystem. It was, quite literally, toxic.
Crystal Red Shrimp Care: What I Learned Breeding CRS
The first time I saw a berried Crystal Red Shrimp, her translucent belly heavy with tiny dark eggs, I understood why shrimp keepers become obsessed.
Best Aquarium Equipment Worth Your Money (And What to Skip)
I've learned the hard way which gear deserves your hard-earned money — and which marketing promises will leave you with lighter pockets and frustrated fish.
Planted Aquarium for Beginners: My Journey from Bare to Lush
Planted aquariums aren't reserved for experts with chemistry degrees. They're for anyone willing to start simple and learn as they go.
The Fish That Picked Me: What Your First Betta Teaches You About Keeping Fish
I remember standing in front of the betta wall at Petco, scanning the rows of tiny cups like a kid at an adoption event. I never wanted a red one.
About Blissfish: A Fishkeeping Blog Born from Love & Loss
Some people have white noise machines. I have the gentle bubble of sponge filters and the occasional splash of a betta investigating his reflection in the glass.
What Pet Stores Get Wrong About Betta Fish Care
I still have it somewhere — that glossy pet store pamphlet I picked up the day Harlot chose me from his cramped cup on the Petco shelf. Easy Betta Care! it proclaimed in cheerful Comic Sans.