In this March issue of cover photo is rasboras Trigonostoma sp. sailing over a beautiful aquascape, but the artistic effect is of a mossy glen. Each month another aspect of the Nature Aquarium concept, which draws inspiration from terrestrial landscapes, is discussed in Mr. Takashi Amano’s feature series. This month he focuses on aquatic mosses and how they can be used to naturalize a planted layout, emulating the look of moss-covered forest scenery (p. 62). Photograph by Takashi Amano     Feature... Read more»

As a way of saying thank you to everyone who enjoys shopping with FnM aQuarium eStore for the past 1 year, we have initiated a loyalty discount scheme to reward those that shop with us time after time. For every purchase of SGD100 you make over the past one year, you will earn a 1% discount point.  This scheme applies to any purchase made after 20 January 2009.  The maximum discount you can earn at any one time during the past 1 year period is 10%.    So enjoy shopping with FnM aQuarium eStore... Read more»

I remembered saving hard during my college days for my first purchase of JUWEL Aquarium, RIO 125, in the early 1990s for a freshwater planted tank setup. Attracted to its  complete and neat design and system, I personally thought that no other aquarium tank during then was able to match this product in terms of quality and price, especially the glass.  JUWEL has been in the aquarium market for over 35 years in aquarium manufacturing in Germany and have received many good reviews from satisfied... Read more»

As the clock strikes at midnight on 31 December 2009, spread your happiness with New Year wishes to everyone! 2010 marks the beginning of a better tomorrow and a year ahead!  I wish everyone a Happy New Year and May all your New Year wishes come true! SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Welcome 2010!", url: "http://freshnmarine.com.sg/blog/welcome-2010/" }); Read more»

These piranhas Pygocentrus piraya are often called San Francisco piranhas, a potentially misleading name given them based on their native range in Brazil’s Rio São Francisco. Piranhas are apex predators, and like many other predatory species they are extremely popular aquarium specimens. Unfortunately many myths abound about the nature and the proper care of these fish. Find out how they should actually be kept in this month’s look at predatory fish, “The Killer Instinct.” Photograph... Read more»

Freshwater Puffer Fish belongs to the family Tetradontidae and they have four teeth.  Due to their defensive mechanism ability to inflate themselves with air or water when they feel threatened, they are called Puffer Fish, making them difficult to the predators to swallow them.  They have black eyes that turn blue when they are in the light and their eyes move interestingly independent of each other.  They can be found in freshwater, brackish water and sea water.  Due to the different kinds... Read more»

May the spirit of Christmas bring u peace, The gladness of Christmas give u hope, AND The warmth of Christmas grant u love! I would like to wish every readers and friends a Merry Christmas 2009 and enjoy your Christmas Eve with your family, friends and your loved ones! SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Merry Christmas 2009!", url: "http://freshnmarine.com.sg/blog/merry-christmas-2009/" }); Read more»

Sea Slug Sea slugs are mollusks, related to the shelled terrestrial snails that we are all too familiar with on land. They are distributed everywhere in both tropical and temperate seas, with the greatest numbers and the largest kinds found in tropical waters. Most sea slugs are rather small under 1 inch and some are as long as 12 inches, the largest which is found in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Sea slugs display a great array of solid colors and patterns, and are also known as “butterlfies... Read more»

Bettas! The variety in color and finnage available in domestic strains of Betta splendens is truly astounding, as the beautiful male on this month’s cover reminds us, but there is an equally diverse variety among the many wild bettas—the other species in the genus Betta. Large and small, dazzling and drab, bubblenesting and mouthbrooding, there are bettas enough to appeal to anyone. This month, Stan Sung reviews these gems of the Orient in “Magnificent Bettas” (p. 70). Photograph by Ed Wong Feature... Read more»

During the months of November and December 2009 one lucky TFH Twitter follower will win their choice of Dr. Axelrod’s Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes or Dr. Burgess’s Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes courtesy of T.F.H. Publications—an up to $115 value! Here’s how to enter: 1. Sign up for a Twitter account (if you don’t already have one): https://twitter.com/signup 2. Follow our “tweets” at: http://twitter.com/TFHmagazine 3. @tfhmagazine I entered the FREE TFH Aquarium Fishes... Read more»

Gracing our shiny year-end cover this month is a group of Pacific sea nettles Chrysaora fuscescens featured in the “Jellies Invasion” exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Found mostly off the West Coast of the United States, these cnidarians represent one of many species that have recently caught the attention of progressive marine aquarists. Our cover story, “Feeding Jellyfish: Problems and Solutions” (p. 90) tells of the trial-and-error search for the best way to feed captive... Read more»

Live Sand (”LS”) is essentially a combination of non-living substrate with a myriad of tiny beneficial life forms that grows on it. It is home to many microscopic biological bacteria. LS can form as a main base for biological filtration in a marine aquarium, while the living organisms in the sand bed can help consume the organic matters. LS can be collected live from the ocean, or can be cultured from a non-living oral sand to make it live. The quickest method in starting a marine aquarium... Read more»