The Quick Catch: Coptodon bakossiorum — A CARES Crater Lake Cichlid
This month's Quick Catch: Coptodon bakossiorum — a critically endangered CARES-listed cichlid from Cameroon's volcanic crater lakes, with striking red-and-black coloration, dedicated biparental care, and a conservation story that makes keeping it genuinely meaningful.
The Quick Catch: Daisy’s Ricefish (Oryzias woworae)
This month's Quick Catch: Daisy's Ricefish (Oryzias woworae) — the vivid blue-and-red nano fish from Sulawesi that Mike bred for BAP, including their unique egg-carrying behavior and success breeding them in an outdoor summer tub.
The Quick Catch: Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
This month's Quick Catch: Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) — Mike's all-time favorite freshwater invertebrate, covering tank setup, the power of Süsswassertang, calcium for healthy molts, breeding for color, and keeping a thriving colony.
The Quick Catch: The American Flag Fish (Jordanella floridae)
This month's Quick Catch: The American Flag Fish (Jordanella floridae) — the native North American species with stars-and-stripes coloring that eats hair algae, breeds easily, and has just enough attitude to keep things interesting.
The Quick Catch: Mystery Snails (Pomacea bridgesii)
This month's Quick Catch: Mystery Snails (Pomacea bridgesii) — the colorful, plant-safe, personality-packed invertebrate that earned a permanent spot in Mike's tanks, covering care, calcium needs, floating behavior, and breeding.
The Quick Catch: Mollies (Poecilia sp.)
This month's Quick Catch: Mollies (Poecilia sp.) — the incredibly versatile livebearers Mike has kept in everything from planted freshwater tanks to full saltwater setups, covering care, the many varieties, breeding, and fry rearing.
The Quick Catch: The Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
This month's Quick Catch: The Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus) — one of Mike's all-time favorite Malawi cichlids, with vibrant yellow coloring, surprisingly peaceful temperament, and one of the easiest mouthbrooders to breed.
How to Outsmart Your Aquatic Plants: Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis)
Mike's "How to Outsmart Your Aquatic Plants" series: Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis) — the plant that needs no planting, propagates itself into infinity, and is the ultimate fry sanctuary. The only challenge? Keeping it from taking over your tank.
The Quick Catch: The Super Red Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
This month's Quick Catch: The Super Red Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) — Mike's most profitable bred fish, with stunning red-orange coloration, easy breeding, and all the algae-eating benefits of a standard Bushynose in a far flashier package.
How to Outsmart Your Aquatic Plants: Stargrass (Heteranthera zosterifolia)
Mike's "How to Outsmart Your Aquatic Plants" series: Stargrass (Heteranthera zosterifolia) — the fast-growing, dense, star-shaped stem plant that's fragile to handle but rewards you with lush cover and even blue flowers when grown in a tub.









