Resources

🐠 Care Guides for Thriving Aquatic Life

Whether you're welcoming your first pleco or nurturing a bustling shrimp colony, our care guides are here to help every step of the way. Each guide is thoughtfully written and regularly updated with the latest insights to support healthy, happy aquatic environments. From water parameters to feeding tips, we blend expert knowledge with real-world experience so you can feel confident caring for your livestock.

We believe in transparency, simplicity, and making aquatic care accessible to everyone. Dive in, explore, and let your underwater world flourish.

Bristlenose Pleco Care Guide (Ancistrus sp.)

🐟 Species Overview

Common Name: Bristlenose Pleco  

Scientific Name: Ancistrus sp.  

Origin: Amazon Basin (wild types); tank-bred morphs common  

Lifespan: 5–10 years  

Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 inches)  

Temperament: Peaceful, nocturnal, mildly territorial when breeding  

🏡 Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 100L or above for one adult — ensures proper grazing space, stable water parameters, and reduced territorial stress  

Water Temperature: 22–28°C  

pH Range: 6.5–7.5  

GH/KH: GH 6–12, KH 4–8  

Filtration: Moderate to strong flow; oxygen-rich water preferred  

Lighting: Low to moderate (they’re shy)  

Substrate: Sand or fine gravel  

Decor: Driftwood (for rasping), caves (for breeding), shaded areas  

💡 AJ’s Note: “I always recommend 100Lor above as a minimum for a single Bristlenose — they’re messy eaters, territorial when mature, and need space to thrive. Smaller tanks often struggle with waste load and aggression.”

🍽️ Feeding

Diet: Herbivore with omnivorous tendencies  

Staples: Algae wafers, blanched veg (courgette, cucumber, spinach)  

Treats: Repashy gel foods, bloodworms (sparingly), wood fiber  

Feeding Frequency: 1x daily; remove uneaten veg after 24 hours  

🤝 Tank Mates

 Compatible With:

   Cherry shrimp — peaceful and safe when hiding spots are available  

   Swordtails & platies — proven compatibility in planted setups  

   Tetras, rasboras, snails — non-aggressive community species  

Avoid:

  Aggressive cichlids  

  Fin-nippers  

  Other plecos (unless tank is large and well-zoned)

🧠 AJ’s Tip: “I’ve kept Bristlenose with shrimp and livebearers in dozens of client tanks — no issues when caves and feeding zones are well spaced.”

🐣 Breeding

 Ease: Easy in mature tanks with stable water  

 Sexing: Males have longer, more elaborate bristles  

 Setup Tips: Provide multiple caves, low light, and stable parameters  

 Fry Care: Males guard eggs and fry; feed fry powdered algae wafers and biofilm  

🚨 Common Issues

Bloating: Caused by protein-heavy diets — keep it veggie-focused  

Scratched Eyes: From sharp decor or tankmates — use smooth surfaces  

Oxygen Stress: Watch for surface gasping — increase aeration if needed  

🧠 AJ’s Pro Tips

 Bristlenose are poop machines — overfilter and understock for best results  

 Driftwood isn’t optional — it’s part of their digestive health  

 They’ll rasp on glass, wood, and even sponge filters — expect wear and tear  

 If you hear a “clicking” sound at night, it’s probably your pleco munching away  

We regularly refresh our care guides with the most up-to-date information to help you nurture thriving aquatic environments.

Cherry Shrimp Care Guide (Red & Wild Varieties)

🧬 Species Overview

- Common Name: Cherry Shrimp (Red & Wild-type)

 Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi

 Origin: Taiwan

 Lifespan: 1–2 years

 Size: Up to 3 cm

 Temperament: Peaceful, social, non-aggressive

🏡 Tank Requirements

 Minimum Tank Size: 20L (nano-friendly)

 Water Temperature: 18–26°C

 pH Range: 6.5–7.5

 GH/KH: GH 4–8, KH 3–6

 Filtration: Sponge or gentle flow filter

 Lighting: Moderate (enhances coloration)

 Substrate: Dark substrate enhances red tones; inert or buffered depending on water source

 Decor: Mosses, fine-leaved plants, driftwood, shrimp hides

🍽️ Feeding

 Diet: Omnivorous scavengers

 Staples: Shrimp-specific pellets, blanched veg (spinach, courgette), algae wafers

 Treats: Indian almond leaves, biofilm-rich surfaces, spirulina

 Feeding Frequency: 1x daily, remove uneaten food after 2–3 hours

🤝 Tank Mates

 Best Companions:

   Peaceful nano fish: ember tetras, endlers

   Livebearers: swordtails, platies — great in planted setups with plenty of cover

   Bottom dwellers: bristlenose plecos — gentle giants that won’t bother shrimp

   Snails: mystery, nerite, assassin (with caution)

 Avoid:

   Aggressive or predatory fish (bettas, cichlids, large gouramis)

   Fast, boisterous swimmers that may outcompete shrimp for food

 Tip: Dense planting and hides reduce stress in mixed tanks

🐣 Breeding

 Ease: Very easy in stable conditions

 Sexing: Females are larger, deeper red, with visible saddle/eggs

 Setup Tips: Stable water, moss beds, no predators

Fry Care: No parental care needed; fry feed on biofilm and microfauna

🚨 Common Issues

 Molting Problems: Caused by unstable water parameters or lack of minerals

 Copper Sensitivity: Avoid medications or foods containing copper

 Ammonia/Nitrite: Deadly even in trace amounts — always cycle tanks fully

🧠 AJ’s Pro Tips

 “Shrimplet zoomies” are a sign of happy shrimp — but sudden darting can also mean stress.

 Wild-type coloration varies from translucent brown to olive — great for natural setups.

 Use RO/DI water remineralized with shrimp-safe salts for consistency, treated tap water is fine       if ro water isn’t available

 A mature tank with biofilm is better than a sterile new setup — patience pays off.

We regularly refresh our care guides with the most up-to-date information to help you nurture thriving aquatic environments.