Jen and Nora regularly discuss an aspect of fishkeeping that has caught their interest

Do Cory Catfish Need Sand? Health and Behavioral Considerations in Substrate Choice

By The Fish Ladies

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A., and Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Nora and Jen weigh in on the ongoing debate about whether cory…

Using Aquarium Salt: Treat Diseases, Wounds and Nitrite Poisoning

By The Fish Ladies

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Jen and Nora discuss how to effectively use aquarium salt to treat…

White Bumps and Patches on Bettas: What Are They and How to Treat

By The Fish Ladies

Nora Hickey, D.V.M. & Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. Nora and Jen ask Dr. Jessie Sanders, a fish veterinarian with extensive…

Jen, a professional aquarist, and Nora, a fish veterinarian, provide advice for beginning fishkeepers

Cycling a New Fish Tank

By The Fish Ladies

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Whether you’re setting up your first aquarium or expanding your collection, cycling…

Best Aquarium Fish for Beginners

By The Fish Ladies

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A. & Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Looking for great beginner fish to start your aquarium? Nora and Jen’s…

How to Set Up a Quarantine Tank

By Nora Hickey, D.V.M.

Learn how to set up a basic quarantine aquarium and/or hospital tank, to prevent the introduction of diseases to your aquarium.

Nora, a fish veterinarian, breaks down common fish health problems

Mycobacteriosis

By Nora Hickey, D.V.M.

Dos and don’ts for aquarists fighting mycobacteriosis Mycobacteriosis is one of those diseases that long-term fishkeepers will likely encounter in…

Diamond Eye in Bettas

By Nora Hickey, D.V.M.

A fish veterinarian explains what “Diamond Eye” is When Jen and I went down our fancy betta rabbit hole in…

Hole-in-the-Head (Lateral Line Depigmentation)

By Nora Hickey, D.V.M.

A fish veterinarian explains what “Hole-in-the-Head” Disease is (and isn’t) The first Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), “Dino,” that I ever kept…

Jen and Nora's fish-related adventures and special interests

The Art of Collecting Botanicals for Blackwater Aquariums

By Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A.

Blackwater and botanical method aquariums are becoming more popular and for good reason. This naturalistic approach can more closely replicate…

Inside a Fish Vet’s Cory Catfish Collection

By Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A.

Dr. Nora Hickey has been passionate about cory catfish since she started in the hobby and has now advanced to…

A Matter of Scale

By Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A.

Cichlid husbandry as a hobbyist and as a professional Imagine aquariums so large you can’t remember the volume without referring…