Art's Fish Room

24/05/2026

Best schooling fish for your home aquarium (and the real difference between shoaling and schooling). In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down why many “schooling fish” don’t actually school in home tanks and how to choose freshwater species that do show strong group behaviour in a typical community setup.

You’ll learn the practical difference between shoaling vs schooling, which fish are the best choices for tight, confident group movement, and how tank size, group numbers, flow, layout, and tankmates can make or break the effect.

Best schooling fish for your home aquarium (and the real difference...

17/05/2026

Can freshwater aquarium fish eat everyday foods from your kitchen? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we look at safe human foods for freshwater fish.

You’ll learn how to prepare these foods, which fish are most likely to benefit from them, and how to avoid polluting your aquarium water with uneaten food.

Can freshwater aquarium fish eat everyday foods from your kitchen? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we look at safe human foods for freshwater fish.Yo...

04/05/2026

Aren't these stunning? Unfortunately, this is a USA-based supplier...I've never seen this colour strain in South Africa. If you know someone who has them here in SA, please let me know! 😮

04/05/2026

Guppies are some the most fun freshwater aquarium fish. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down what makes guppies so entertaining, how to set up a guppy tank that stays stable, and what to do when the fry start arriving.

9 likes, 2 comments. "Guppies Are the Most Fun Aquarium Fish - Here’s Why: Colour, Behaviour, Breeding & Tank Tips"

02/05/2026

We're very pleased to announce a new way for you to place your orders from our various suppliers: https://portal.artsfishroom.co.za/local
Fully automated - easy to use - loads of fish, shrimp, snails, plants, and more to choose from across multiple suppliers.
What are you waiting for? Check it out now! 😄

01/05/2026

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explains why minerals are essential in a healthy freshwater aquarium. You’ll learn how GH, KH, calcium, magnesium, and buffering capacity affect fish health, plant growth, shrimp moulting, snail shells, and long-term pH stability.

33 likes, 6 comments. "Why Your Aquarium Needs Minerals"

25/04/2026

We are proud stockists of this excellent South African brand's products. It's really good to see a local company leading the way with aquarium products.

Oceansix was built with a simple goal: to do things properly.

We are building a South African pet brand focused on quality, fair pricing, and real support for the stores that back us. We believe good business is built on consistency, strong relationships, and a commitment to improving over time.

There is still a lot we want to achieve, but the foundation matters. For us, that means doing right by our customers and building a brand that earns trust over the long term.

Thank you to every stockist and customer who has supported the journey so far.

18/04/2026

Activated carbon (often called “charcoal”) is one of the most common aquarium filter media, but what does it actually do, and do you really need it running all the time? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down how activated carbon works, what it removes, what it doesn’t remove, and the best times to use it in a freshwater aquarium. You’ll also learn why pet shops sell carbon so aggressively and how to avoid the cartridge-replacement trap that can destabilise your filter.

Activated Carbon Charcoal in Aquarium Filters Benefits, Mistakes, and When You Actually Need It

11/04/2026

If your aquarium feels like a constant problem to solve, this episode is for you. Art explains how to build a low-stress freshwater aquarium: a stable, forgiving setup that stays healthy with simple habits (even during busy weeks). Learn how to choose the right tank size, avoid common stress traps, and create a low-maintenance system that keeps both you and your fish calmer.

If your aquarium feels like a constant problem to solve, this episode is for you. Art explains how to build a low-stress freshwater aquarium: a stable, forgi...

03/04/2026

Keeping a freshwater aquarium at home can be one of the most calming, rewarding hobbies; until a heater fails, algae takes over, or the guilt of fish loss hits hard. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, I reflect on the real positives and negatives of home aquariums: stress relief, routine, learning, ethics, hidden costs, and how to keep the hobby enjoyable without chasing perfection. You’ll walk away with practical ways to simplify your setup, reduce anxiety, and build a tank that fits your real life.

Aquariums can make your home feel calmer, more alive, and more beautiful but they can also be expensive, messy, stressful, and emotionally heavy when things ...