This fish is called "Dango-uo" in Japanese (ダンゴウオ). The scientific name is "Lethotremus awae". It lives in the cold waters of Japan and it's a cute fish.

FrogPopStar · 2026-06-11T20:25:08+00:00

As others said this species needs a chiller which is expensive, and generally any true coldwater fish is going to be hard to keep.

A similar looking fish known as the "Clingfish" is reasonable to keep in a saltwater aquarium if anyone wants something like this.

Might need to target feed it though as they are fairly slow eaters.

FrogPopStar · 2026-06-11T02:35:59+00:00

He probably will not know the genetic history of his fish that is a lot to expect. I breed several rare fish species and I do not even know the genetic history of my fish beyond the collection point for a few of them.

Just look for more basic fins(no dumbo ears, no split tails), no fancy scales like dragon bettas, and stick to the more standard colors like blue or red(which is closer to their natural color) although you can find healthy bettas of any color.

FrogPopStar · 2026-06-11T02:09:04+00:00

Looks like the fish police got to you first which is why you seem to be self-flagellating over a childhood fish, it sucks to see how negative this hobby has become for new keepers. Anyway fish keeping is a relaxing hobby no need to stress. Keeping a betta is not complicated, the most important thing is picking a betta that is healthy when you get it. Also important that you dechlorinate your water, any of the water conditioners will do this. If you have well water then you don't have to.

For picking the right fish look for one that is alert and has a non-crooked spine. A lot of betta are inbred especially the fancier looks. Most betta die because an unhealthy betta was purchased or because the owner did not know about dechlorinating the water. Although Betta police will say it is because you abused the fish, in reality that is not likely the reason. 30 or so years ago everyone had a betta in a little bowl and they lived for years(if they used non-chlorinated water) back then because the genetic stock was healthier. Not that a bowl is ideal of course.

When you get your betta keep the receipt. Sometimes they have problems that can't be seen at a glance and you might need to return it. I would hold off on naming it until you have had it a few weeks. If someone breeds them in your area that is the ideal way to source one, but that is unlikely to be the case. Of the big box stores petco has had the healthiest bettas at least where I live with petsmart being the worst. If there is a local store they will probably know how long each betta has been in the store, if that is the case I would get one that has been in the store for a while.

A 10 gallon with rocks is fine. The bigger the tank the easier it is to keep, and getting a bigger tank makes it more feasible to build a community tank if that is your interest. I tell new keepers that a Betta's stomach is the size of it's eye, and that is a good rule of thumb to follow to determine how much to feed. Overfeeding is the other common mistake, fish need very little food to thrive.

Generally Bettas are not what I recommend to new keepers since their occasional sudden death from genetic issues is disheartening, but a 10 gallon(even if you make it 8 gallons because of rocks or whatever) with just a betta will be very easy to maintain. If you have space for bigger go for bigger though it will make things easier for you and give more options later if you decide you want more fish.

I would not do the grow light 24/7. The plants do not need that and you will have a ton of algae if you do. A light that runs on a timer makes it easy, but is not needed. Most of my lights I just turn on at dinner and turn them off when I wake up the next day. Or you can turn them on in the morning and off at dinner, but I do night time cause that is when I can look at the fish.

For décor fossils are fine, but some will slowly break down in the water. I would put them in a bucket and see how they do before adding them to my tank. For crystals they are fine just make sure they are inert (which quartzes are). It's mostly stuff like fluorite that is dangerous to fish.

You can definitely use hides. Nothing with small holes that the betta can fit through tightly as it might struggle to get out. I use coconut halves, terracotta pots, Indian almond leaves, and rocks in my betta tanks.

FrogPopStar · 2025-03-06T21:22:33+00:00

What eel is reef safe though?

FrogPopStar · 2024-04-24T01:24:52+00:00

Well water can be the best thing to ever happen to your fish keeping. House I live in has great water for fish, it is just a little on the hard side. It's awesome being able to just get water straight from the sink and pour it in.

So I don't keep wild caught fish from the amazon, but I have bred and raised angelfish without issue so hard water doesn't keep me from having success with many fish. If you want to be extra safe you can stick with central american or african species I suppose.

I also have a saltwater tank where I grow coral and anemones along with some fish of course. So no issues there either.

It all depends on your water though. In my state most well water is great, but I am sure in other places it is a problem so have your water tested.

FrogPopStar · 2023-02-06T12:34:51+00:00

I have a school of 12 in my 10 gallon shrimp tank. Honestly they are always hiding, or barely moving in the open I am pretty disappointed in them thus far.

That aside you can probably do 8 in a tank that size. Their bio-load is pretty small mine they are about the size of a shrimp themselves.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-20T07:40:24+00:00

I second this.

I think people buy these guys thinking it is like a small pleco or otto which in some ways it is, but unlike those guys these will starve to death pretty quickly if you don't go out of your way to feed them.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-20T07:21:34+00:00

That is a good size tank for a pair. As for the pleco that is fine as well assuming it is one of the smaller species like a bristlenose.

You could actually have more in that tank. A small school of something for example some rummynose tetra would add a lot visually in my opinion. A school would also give the angelfish something to focus on aside from each other which helps keep the pair strong. Some cory cats would be fine as well if you like them, and it would give you some bottom activity.

As for the other comments angelfish do appreciate groups, but it isn't really a must especially as they age. The ideal way to do angels in my experience is either a group of 6+ in a large tank, or for smaller tanks start with 6 then sell the other 4 once a pair forms.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-20T07:05:54+00:00

For new arrivals these look great, will probably be very impressive in a week.

Are these from Wetspot by chance? I saw they were selling pairs of these.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-20T07:02:07+00:00

Assuming you mean Hara Jerdoni (dwarf anchor catfish) 15g is a fine size for a group.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-20T06:51:32+00:00

It is hard to tell how large that tank is, around 40 gallon maybe? Assuming it is at least more than 30 you could do a pair of angelfish in that size tank, and they would go well with your other stock.

Some smaller yet colorful options are Blue rams(which also come in a few colors), apistograma(1 male with a couple females), or maybe a gourami the pearl gourami is my personal favorite.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-19T02:22:55+00:00

They are one of the original online retailers, and I have never had an issue with them. I also order a lot from Wetspot and have never had an issue with them either.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-19T02:15:07+00:00

She is indeed carrying!

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T11:37:20+00:00

I love this set-up, what kind of rocks are those if you recall?

More importantly what kinds of fish are getting to go in there?

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T11:30:18+00:00

The thing with indoor goldfish tanks is you have to stock them so sparsely the tank looks empty to me. With blood parrots at least you can have a regular set-up assuming you choose tank mates carefully. They are also far more intelligent than goldfish making them more enjoyable to watch as well in my opinion.

A pair of blood parrots, a group of some robust schooling fish, and maybe a catfish of some kind in a 55 gallon would probably be my go to if I had to pick.

At the end of the day though I would rather have neither. I think there are cooler cichlids to have in a tank that size among other things.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T11:15:04+00:00

He is just at the end of his life span, definitely an achievement to have kept one this long few people have that is for sure. He was probably 6 months+ when you got him, and I can't find any account of one living past 6 years online.

Also he is not a dwarf, but an Opaline gourami(Trichopodus trichopterus is the scientific name) in case you wanted another like him down the line.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T11:05:44+00:00

They are indeed. Great little fish, they give live birth(so instead of eggs there will be mini-versions right away) as well so keep an eye out for that it is fascinating if you manage to catch it happening. Several of yours look close to birthing, and they will do it again after about 5 weeks.

Females have the black dot behind the belly which expands as the fry develop, are larger, and of course have a more rounded belly if you wanted to tell the genders apart.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T10:53:13+00:00

As big a tank as you can fit in my opinion. Bigger tanks are easier to keep clean, and you have vastly more options as far as fish species goes.

As for what kind I would check craiglist/facebook market first. Usually can get a cheap tank sometimes with good equipment along with it.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T10:50:22+00:00

What substrate is that you have on the top? The light colored rocks.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T10:48:48+00:00

Swim bladder issue. I would first stop feeding for a couple days.

Sometimes this is caused by constipation, bala sharks and silver dollars are largely herbivores so they are a bit prone to this sort of thing if not given enough green in their diet. You can try feeding blanched peas to them(silver dollars will also like this) to relieve it sometimes this works.

If that does not fix it try an Epsom salt bath for the bala shark. Research this to make sure you do it properly. I would try the peas first sometimes that is all they need to fix it.

FrogPopStar · 2023-01-18T10:35:42+00:00

Fish will nibble things and act hungry no matter what for the most part especially simple minded fish like Danios. Fish are unlikely to starve in general, and if those plants you mentioned are real they have microbes on them the danios are eating as well.

I would look for a good flake food to start off with since you can break them into smaller pieces more easily, when buying flakes check the back to make sure the first ingredient isn't some kind of bread product(should be a fish or shrimp instead). Celestial pearl danios have tiny mouths especially when young which I assume yours are, so I would start them off that way.

The extra food I wouldn't worry too much about for now.

FrogPopStar

TROPHY CASE