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Aquatic Pets and Aquariums

What’s the best freshwater aquarium fish combination? What size tank does a pet pufferfish need? Does an aquarium need to have plants? Are saltwater aquarium fish right for me? Uncle Bill’s can answer these questions and help you find the right pet fish or other aquatic friends, along with all the aquatic pet supplies you need to give it a comfortable home.

Best Aquatic Pets for Beginners

Pet fish habitats can range from a simple rectangular tank to nano reef or betta tanks to a saltwater aquarium holding 100 gallons or more. Uncle Bill’s generally recommends that people who are new to maintaining an aquarium choose a fish that’s low-maintenance. Here are some excellent freshwater fish for beginners:
Guppies
Mollies
Platies
*These three types of freshwater fish above get along well with each other, and can live in a large enough tank in same-sex groups.
Bettas
*Smart, showy, but only female Bettas can share a tank since males are aggressive to each other, but male Bettas may share a tank with Neon Tetras.
Cichlids
*While fairly aggressive, some of the most colorful and popular freshwater fish in the hobby.

Other Aquatic Pets

In addition to fish, Uncle Bill’s has a wide variety of water-loving animals:
Frogs
Sideneck Turtles
And Axolotls!
*Our inventory varies by location, so please contact us if you’re looking for a specific type of aquatic pet or stop by an Uncle Bill’s location near you.

Aquarium Care

Uncle Bill’s has everything you’d expect in an aquatic pet store: aquariums, filtration systems, fish food, and more. Our friendly associates can help you choose an appropriately sized saltwater or freshwater aquarium for your pet and provide tips on aquatic plants and fish tank accessories.

Quick tips for freshwater aquariums:
*Avoid direct sunlight to deter algae growth
*Once a week
-Change about 10-20% of your tank water (varies by tank size and number of fish)
-Use a siphon when removing water so you can do it slowly
-Set aside water you siphon off to use when you clean the filter
-Only add pre-treated or R/O water to the tank

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Aquariums are great learning tools.

Whether you’re an adult hobbyist or have kids interested in science, building and perfecting an aquarium habitat is a fun and exciting way to learn about nature and ecology.

Aquariums promote responsibility without being too demanding.

Kids (and adults) of all ages can participate in various tasks related to maintaining an aquarium, and they often become deeply invested in the saltwater fish or freshwater fish they select. Aquariums can also be a relatively low-maintenance hobby, which is perfect for busy households.

Aquariums reduce stress and anxiety.

Have you noticed how many doctors’ offices have aquariums? That is not a coincidence! Experts, including the former Surgeon General of the United States, advocate aquariums for their proven health benefits, including reducing blood pressure!

The Sparkling Gourami!

| Sep 13, 2017

Sparkling Gourami's!

This species, Trichopsis pumila, can also be called the Pygmy Gourami or the Dwarf Croaking Gourami. It may reach up to 1 1/2 inches in length, and is the smallest species in the labyrinth family.

The Sparkling Gourami can have many variations of sparkling iridescent reds, blues, and greens which reflect a rainbow of colors when it moves, and its eyes can appear bright blue in certain lighting. Sometimes its colors and stripe can change or even disappear and reappear depending on its condition and mood!

Native to the rice patties of Thailand, it can be naturally found in slow-moving waters such as rivers, swamps, and small ponds with a dense cover of plants. It thrives rather well in environments with diminished oxygen due to its labyrinth organ, which allows it to breathe air directly from the surface of the water. The Sparkling Gourami is a tiny diamond-in-the-rough of the fish world so to speak!

sparkling-gourami-2 The reason some call it the "Dwarf Croaking Gourami" is because it can actually create "croaking" sounds that you can hear with the human ear, utilizing its specialized pectoral mechanism. The unique family in which this species is classified uses their pectoral-fin tendons, muscles, and anterior fin rays to create these noises in a similar fashion as plucking strings on a guitar!

These fish are hardy and tolerant of less than ideal conditions as long as there are no strong currents, aggressive tank-mates, and as long as there are plenty of hiding places for this docile species. It prefers heavily planted aquariums with room enough above the plants to sip some air from the surface of the water.
sparkling-gouramis
This petite, peaceful species can be kept in pairs or small groups of similar fish, but preferably not with any large or aggressive fish that may try to bully them. For the best coloration and condition try using dark substrates/gravel or special lighting, and be sure to include both plant-based and meat-based foods in its diet. Keep a lid on your tank with these little guys, too, as they can be fantastic jumpers!

Right now until October 9th, you can get your very own Sparkling Gourami's for only $1.99 each at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers!

Are you ready to find a saltwater or freshwater fish store near you? Then visit the nearest Uncle Bill’s Pet Center today! We’ll help you learn more about how to get started with an aquarium, or you can view our amazing selection of pet fish as well as other aquatic animals and accessories.

Uncle Bill’s Pet Center is an ethical, humane source for a wide variety of pets, including Dogs, Cats, Fish, Birds, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Reptiles, Amphibians, and other small and exotic animals. We are the premier pet store in the Indianapolis area, with locations on the east, northeast, and west sides of Indianapolis, as well as in Fishers, Greenwood, and Ft. Wayne. Uncle Bill’s Pet Center carries a large inventory of pet supplies, and is committed to helping our customers understand and care for their animals throughout their lives.