Keeping Shrimp and Fish Together: A Freshwater Compatibility Guide
Which fish can safely share a tank with cherry and Amano shrimp? A practical guide to stocking invertebrates without them becoming snacks.
Hannah Brooks
Freshwater & Community Tanks Editor
Hannah Brooks
Hannah has kept freshwater aquariums for over fifteen years, from a first betta bowl she now regrets to a peaceful planted community tank. She writes for beginners the way she wishes someone had written for her: patiently, and without the gatekeeping.
Articles
13 articles by Hannah
Hannah Brooks
Feeding Your Fish Right: How Much, How Often, and What to Avoid
A guide to portioning, variety, and schedules that prevents overfeeding, the number-one cause of poor water quality in home tanks.
Hannah Brooks
Ten Hardy Freshwater Fish That Forgive Beginner Mistakes
A list of ten resilient freshwater species that tolerate parameter swings and rookie errors while you build your fishkeeping skills.
Hannah Brooks
Recognizing and Treating Ich: The Most Common Aquarium Disease
Learn to spot the white-spot parasite early and treat ich effectively with heat, medication, and the right tank management.
Hannah Brooks
Corydoras Catfish: A Species Profile for the Perfect Bottom Cleanup Crew
Meet the corydoras catfish, a peaceful, social bottom-dweller. Learn ideal group size, substrate needs, and feeding for healthy cories.
Hannah Brooks
Choosing the Right Filter: Sponge, Hang-On-Back, or Canister
Compare sponge, hang-on-back, and canister filters by tank size, cost, and maintenance to find the best fit for your aquarium.
Hannah Brooks
Why Your New Tank Water Turns Cloudy and How to Fix It
Cloudy water in a new aquarium is usually a bacterial bloom, not a crisis. Learn the real causes and the patient fixes that work.
Hannah Brooks
Guppies, Platies, and Mollies: A Buying Guide to Beginner Livebearers
Compare the three most popular livebearers on hardiness, breeding, and care so you can pick the right starter fish for your tank.
Hannah Brooks
Betta Fish Care: Debunking the Myths About Bowls and Tank Size
Everything new keepers get wrong about bettas, from bowl living to heating, plus what a healthy betta setup actually requires.
Hannah Brooks
Understanding Water Chemistry: pH, GH, and KH Explained for Beginners
A plain-language explainer of pH, general hardness, and carbonate hardness so you can match fish to your tap water with confidence.
Hannah Brooks
How to Stock a Community Tank Without Overcrowding or Aggression
Learn how to combine peaceful freshwater species, plan bioload, and avoid aggression when stocking a thriving community aquarium.
Hannah Brooks
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Setting Up Your First Freshwater Aquarium
A step-by-step walkthrough for setting up your first freshwater aquarium, from choosing a tank size to adding your first fish safely.
Hannah Brooks
The Nitrogen Cycle Explained: The Foundation of Every Healthy Tank
Understand ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and learn how to cycle a new aquarium so your fish never face toxic water.
Hannah Brooks