Tropical Fish Keeping UK

Ruth McDonald

Join me for chats about fish, stuff about fish, and some stuff that might just interest fish keepers.

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84 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes84

Newest first

Nov 12, 2025 · 49 min
They're coming for our hobby again
The Don't Pet Me campaign has come out and seems to be saying that the fishkeeping hobby should be subjected to a positive list, and heavily restricted. It seems that we aren't capable of keeping fish without significant welfare issues. Join me for my thoughts on these ridiculous ideas, and even though many might think this is targeted at primates, and big cats, fish keeping is the area really at risk.
Nov 7, 2025 · 21 min
It's not Swimbladder
Join me on a rant about the things that people say in the comments, and why so often they are just plain old wrong.
Nov 6, 2025 · 28 min
Guppys to Goodieds Part 2
Part two of looking at livebearers, looking not only just at Goodieds, but also the conservation projects around them. There's some diversions down different streams of thought, but I get there in the end.
Nov 5, 2025 · 30 min
Guppys to Goodieds Part 1
Livebearers are fascinating fish, from the humble Guppy that graces so many of our tanks, through to less well known species, but there's a lot more than meets the eye. Come and join me as I dive into the world of livebearers.
Oct 31, 2025 · 23 min
Problem Genes, should we care?
Welcome back to the irregularly scheduled rants, this is a topic that gets me so angry, and I can see the issues that are facing the industry. But we as keepers can make choices, and even if that isn't the same choice that others make it will still matter to the fish you keep.
Oct 29, 2025 · 24 min
What are your parameters part 3 the final part
Welcome back to the final part of the question, what are your parameters. This time we are looking at hardness and phosphates, and then that is it for analytical chemistry for a while. So dive in and learn a little more. I'm aware we've done hardness in another episode, but it never hurts to revisit this topic.
Oct 23, 2025 · 30 min
What are your parameters part 2
Continuing looking at the water tests that should be a regular part of your fish keeping, looking at nitrates and pH. For beginners and more experienced aquarist alike. Nitrates are so often miunderstood, they're seen as being completely safe, but in fact they are deadly at higher concentrations.
Oct 22, 2025 · 35 min
What are your parameters-part 1
What are your parameters is a question I ask far too often. Most issues in fish keeping can be traced back to issues with our water, so when trying to help I will ask that question. But what do I mean, what are I refering to when I ask that question? What is ammonia and why is it an issue, why do we want to know. Where does ammonia and nitrite come from, and what harm do they cause? This is for those just starting out, and for more experienced aquarists, hopefully there will be something interesting for everyone. Ruth McDonald has been keeping fish for over two decades now, and has been researching fish since her master thesis into what fish eat dead bodies took a turn into what fish like to eat. She's taught at university level, and has been running Tropical Fish Keeping UK for 10 years.
Oct 15, 2025 · 39 min
Are 90% of Aquarium Fish Wild Caught?
According to a recent article 90% of aquarium fish are wild caught, and that's destroying the ocean. Is this even close to the truth? And are wild caught fish even an issue that the aquarists need to be concerned about? The first episode back after an unplanned break Ruth explores something that she's passionate about. How aquarists can use their hobby as a real conservation tool.
Jan 5, 2024 · 26 min
Planted tanks without breaking the bank
Do you love the look of planted tanks, or know how much they can add to your tank in terms or removing nitrates, and enrichment for your fish. But the cost is just too much. Well here are some ideas on how to start keeping plants without blowing the budget.
Jan 3, 2024 · 27 min
Species Spotlight, Betta splendens.
The much loved Siamese fighting fish, or the betta is a great fish to consider, today we dive into the species to give you some more information.
Jan 1, 2024 · 19 min
What is water?
So what is in water that will impact our fish? Let's have a look at what's in our water and how it gets there. Why is this important? How can we protect our fish? Want to find our socials? Patreon https://www.patreon.com/tropicalfishkeepinguk UK Facebook Group -Tropical Fish Keeping UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/TropicalFishKeepingUK International Facebook Group - Tropical Fish Keeping https://www.facebook.com/groups/tropicalfishkeepingint Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tropicalfishkeepinguk/ Website www.tropicalfishkeeping.co.uk
Jun 2, 2023 · 9 min
Making Your Own Fish Food
Want to save some money, and make things healthier for your fish, then have a look around your house for things you can feed to your fish.
May 31, 2023 · 15 min
Species Spotlight- Guppies
One of my favourite little fish, the guppy is a great addition to the right set up, but all too often they're not kept right, the adults are cheaply bought from the pet store, and no selection on the fry that are born.
May 29, 2023 · 9 min
Getting Started With Plants
Plants can be an amazing part of any tank, and the hobby of fish keeping, but it can be expensive and intimidating to get into. Here's a way of dipping a toe in the water, and hopefully something that's nice and easy.
May 26, 2023 · 13 min
Swimbladder, a disease that doesn't exist.
Swimbladder is commonly diagnosed disease, but it doesn't exist. There's a lot more to that word than a simple disorder.
May 22, 2023 · 12 min
What do we mean by community fish?
Community fish? What does that mean, can all community fish live together, or is there more to it/
May 19, 2023 · 16 min
Substrate
The first thing you put in, but quite possibly the last thing you think about. Substrate might be the biggest problem you have or the start of a stunning aquascape.
May 17, 2023 · 18 min
Why Does Fish Welfare Lag So Far Behind?
Fish welfare lags far behind every other types of welfare, and today when I'm feeling rotten after taking a wolfhound to the chest, it's something I can chat about.
May 15, 2023 · 15 min
Dealing with Nitrates
Ammonia is deadly. Nitrites are Deadly. But Nitrate is safe right, no afraid not, but what can you do?