Art's Fish Room

08/06/2025

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the key differences between Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp - two stunning genera that dominate the freshwater shrimp hobby. From water chemistry and care needs to breeding difficulty, compatibility, and strain variety, this guide is all about helping you figure out which shrimp are right for YOU. Whether you're a beginner setting up your first tank or an advanced hobbyist chasing high-grade Caridina, this episode will give you the clarity you need.
🎙️ Which type of shrimp fits your aquarium goals and skill level? Let’s find out.
Referenced in this episode: What is biofilm?

06/06/2025

What if your fish could tell you how they feel?
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the fascinating world of fish behaviour; from ancient instincts to modern cognitive science. Discover what drives your fish’s actions, how to decode their body language, and what research (including the famous goldfish-driving-a-tank experiment) tells us about how intelligent and emotional these animals really are.
Whether you’re keeping bettas, cichlids, tetras, puffers, or clownfish, this episode is packed with expert tips to help you observe, understand, and enrich your fish’s world.
🔬 Learn how fish think, feel, learn, play, and communicate like never before.

28/05/2025

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we break down the true economics of aquarium keeping using simple but powerful financial tools like ROI, break-even analysis, NPV, and amortization. Whether you're deciding between a budget heater and a premium one, or wondering if a canister filter is worth it, this episode gives you a toolkit to make smarter, safer, and more cost-effective choices.
Host Arthur Preston explains each concept in everyday terms, with practical, real-world examples that show how better spending leads to better tanks and better outcomes for your fish.
💬 Learn how to:

Compare budget and premium equipment with real ROI analysis

Factor in long-term cost, time, and fish safety

Use depreciation and opportunity cost like a pro aquarist

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to balance their love for fishkeeping with a real-world budget.

24/05/2025

In this episode we take a critical look at one of the most persistent myths in the hobby: that air bubbles from your filter automatically mean your fish are well-oxygenated. Spoiler alert: they don’t. We uncover the science behind gas exchange, explain why surface agitation matters more than you think, and offer proven solutions to improve oxygen levels where your fish need it most.
You’ll learn how temperature, filter placement, and even seasonal changes can drastically impact oxygenation. If you've ever wondered how oxygen even gets into your water, this episode if for you!

16/05/2025

Have you ever felt guilty for not feeding your fish? You may actually have helped make them healthier! In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the surprising science and practical benefits of fasting your community aquarium fish. Learn how strategic fasting improves digestion, reduces waste buildup, supports water quality, and mimics natural feeding rhythms.
We cover species-specific advice, common myths, troubleshooting signs, and how to build a fasting schedule that supports long-term fish health. Whether you're caring for goldfish, bettas, corydoras, or a full community tank, this episode provides expert insights and actionable tips.

09/05/2025

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we learn about the basics of care for the often-misunderstood Clown Loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus), covering everything from their natural habitat in Indonesian floodplains to their unique behaviours in the home aquarium. Whether you're housing juveniles or managing a mature shoal, you'll learn how to design the perfect tank, maintain ideal water conditions, feed for health and growth, prevent disease, and troubleshoot common problems.

You can search for Care Guides episodes in your favourite podcast app or go take a look at the Aquarist Edge Care Guide episodes on YouTube: Care Guides (YouTube playlist)

👉 Don’t forget to leave a review and share your thoughts.

02/05/2025

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we answer one of the most critical and misunderstood questions in fishkeeping: Where should you place your aquarium? With expert-level insights, we cover everything from structural safety and natural light to temperature stability, noise, and real-life home scenarios.
Whether you're setting up a nano tank or a 600-liter community display, this episode offers practical advice, troubleshooting solutions, and tips that will help you make the best decision for both you and your fish.
🗨️ Share your tank placement wins (or horror stories) by leaving a voice comment here: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/contact
You can also leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you for taking a moment to help us out!

Episode music:
Music track: November by Limujii Source: https://freetouse.com/music Royalty Free Music for Videos (Safe)

26/04/2025

The recently released documentary film entitled "Aquariums: The Dark Hobby" shines a light on the marine aquarium hobby's impact on Hawaii's reefs and the broader marine ecosystem. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we journey from marinw coral reefs to freshwater riverbeds, uncovering what ethical, sustainable fishkeeping really means for freshwater aquarists. While marine hobbyists often face criticism, the freshwater world has its own victories—and its blind spots. We’ll explore the hidden carbon cost of our fishrooms, celebrate major breeding successes, and finish with several easy eco-friendly habits you can start this week to make a difference. No guilt trips - just practical wisdom and real-world examples to empower every hobbyist.
🌿 Don’t forget to leave a review and share your feedback: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/episodes
Aquariums: The Dark Hobby documentary: https://aquariumsthedarkhobby.com/

Project Piaba - creating sustainable freshwater aquarium trade: https://projectpiaba.org/

18/04/2025

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the art and science of building a vibrant planted aquarium without CO₂ injection. Learn how to choose the right plants, lighting, substrate, and layout strategies to create lush growth with minimal tech and maintenance.
Whether you're a beginner or an aquascaper on a budget, this episode will help you build a tank that thrives naturally and looks amazing doing it.
📝 Feedback link as mentioned in the episode: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/contact

12/04/2025

The next part of our Guppy Blitz weekend is a photo lucky draw:

📸 PHOTO TIME - Post a photo of a guppy or guppies in your aquarium that deserve their 'moment to shine'! The photo must be posted on the Art's Fish Room WhatsApp group and must also be captioned with what strain or type of guppy it is.
Photo submissions must be in by 16h30 on Sunday 13 April. This is simply a lucky draw and will be drawn tomorrow at 18h00. The winner of the lucky draw will receive a R350 voucher redeemable on the Art's Fish Room website. (No late entries will be accepted. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash.)

You must be on the Art's Fish Room WhatsApp group to participate in this lucky draw. http://tinyurl.com/ArtsFishRoomWhatsAppGroup

12/04/2025

First special of this weekend's Guppy Blitz has been posted on the Art's Fish Room WhatsApp group - if you're interested in being part of the fun, join the group here:

WhatsApp Group Invite

11/04/2025

In this week’s episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we’re taking the mystery out of guppy genetics and turning it into a clear, beginner-friendly guide for hobbyists who want to breed stunning guppies right at home. From dominant and recessive genes to punnett squares and strain development, this episode is packed with practical insights, scientific explanations, and real-world advice you can apply to your own tank.
Whether you’re curious why your fry don’t match the parents or you're ready to build your first breeding line, this is your go-to guide for understanding guppy heredity, trait tracking, and breeding strategy.

Mentioned in this podcast: "Are Our Guppies Weak?"