Ask Jack:

Reader-submitted questions about discus, the king of freshwater aquarium fishes, are answered by world-famous discus expert and breeder Jack Wattley.

Cichlidophiles:

Wayne Leibel, renowned author, ichthyologist, and “cichlidoholic,” explores topics related to both New World and Old World cichlids, drawing upon years of research into this fascinating family of fishes. Regular guest columnist Ad Konings weighs in periodically with reports from the field, featuring his stunning underwater photographic studies of cichlids in their natural habitat.

Livebearers Unlimited:

Dr. Ted Coletti applies his lighthearted writing style to an informative discussion of livebearers, including such hobby classics as guppies, platies, and swordtails. Always an entertaining read, Ted’s column provides a comedic, but informative, overview of this fascinating, but often overlooked, group of fishes.

The Planted Tank:

Planted tanks, from simple and inexpensive low-tech setups to complicated high-tech displays, are more popular than ever. Planted tank aficionado Rhonda Wilson, who keeps over 80 planted tanks herself, brings her experiences in this fast-growing area of the hobby to the pages of TFH, with periodic guest columnists adding their unique perspectives on keeping aquatic plants happy, healthy, and beautiful.

Catfish Corner:

With 40 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, Lee Finley has learned more about catfishes over the years than most of us could have ever guessed there was to know! In this column Lee discusses the extremely numerous and varied groups of catfishes found worldwide, recommends some species, warns against others, and provides sound advice for their aquarium care.

The Skeptical Fishkeeper:

Science writer Laura Muha explores long-accepted tenets of aquarium keeping, interviewing experts and presenting views and opinions on some often-controversial, always informative topics. With a journalist’s eye for detail and a layman-friendly writing style, Laura asks the right questions and brings the experts’ answers into perspective month after month, providing much-needed insight into the science of fishkeeping.

Top of the Food Chain:

Fish expert Brian Scott informs readers about the biggest, baddest, most predatory fishes in the hobby. From toothy freshwater species like the piranhas and pikes to panic-inducing marine heavyweights like sharks and moray eels, Brian captivates his readers with his perspective on the predatory-fish side of the hobby, with sound advice for properly keeping the “bad boys” of the aquarium hobby.

The Salt Creep:

In a useful and entertaining column for anyone interested in the salty side of the hobby, Jeff Kurtz covers a variety of marine-aquarium topics, with practical advice to help readers over the rough spots they may encounter in setting up and maintaining a saltwater tank, considered by some to be the ultimate accomplishment in aquarium keeping.

The Reefer:

Successfully keeping a reef tank can be quite a challenge, but reading James Fatherree’s monthly “Reefer” installments can go a long way toward helping make things easier for the dedicated reef aquarist. Every month, James takes a look at what can and can’t be kept in reef aquariums, and what does and doesn’t work in the husbandry of the fascinating and beautiful fishes and invertebrates beloved by “reefers” the world over.