Social media is tricky when looking for fishkeeping advice, there are a lot of sources and all with their pro’s and con’s. It’s even more tricky for a beginner but I assume most reading this website are not beginners, even the most seasoned aquarist can fall into echo chambers and feel lost with knowing where to go. I hope this article can offer some help.

Some might know that I do not just have this website, I have a Youtube channel, run multiple Facebook groups and can be active on Discord. Previously I was on a few forums and sometimes will frequent the Planet Catfish forum. Social media is hectic and confusing, it can be full of drama but where isn’t that has people?

At the end of the day many fishkeepers don’t frequent a lot of social media, Youtube particularly is very focused onto those who can make videos which takes skill and time.

So what social media is there?

Throughout this article I wont include channels/groups that encourage poor welfare, out of date or inaccurate/unreliable ideas. This is not the extensive list as no doubt I’ll have missed some.

Youtube/Instagram

I would say both of these platforms are quite similar. I largely am not keen on either for learning, they are entertainment platforms. Viewer count is not about knowledge (or experience) but about entertainment value. Youtube is tricky as there is no real argument for or against, on it’s own largely it’s self focused so ideas cannot really be contested or debated. There is little ability to cite sources and it is not frequently done.

Both are so much of a bottleneck that the most knowledgeable fishkeepers inevitably will not be the most popular. The most seasoned aquarists seem to frequent other sources.

Saying all of that there are great channels, those that show different biotopes or discuss the science.

My favorite channels:

• Professor Leandro Souza, (https://www.youtube.com/@LeandroSousa_IctioXingu). A great channel for anything connected to the Rio Xingu, it is largely in Portuguese but subtitles exist. Not just can you see the habitats of the various fishes but the fishes themselves.
• Chris Englezou/CE Fish Essentials, (https://www.youtube.com/@cefishessentials). Great for biotopes and some real thought provoking discussion.
• Cam and John, The Fish Room (https://www.youtube.com/@TheFishRoom). Their weekly livestream/interview is one of the best podcasts around. They have interviewed some of the top names of fishkeeping from Ian Fuller to Project Piaba (and some Rift Valley cichlid people) and really care for advancing knowledge. If fishes aren’t entirely your thing many episodes involve interviewing brands and aquascapers.
• Meenkaran, (https://www.youtube.com/@flare1979/). If you want to see anything from biotopes to husbandry and science of South East Asian fishes, no further needed to go.

Knowledgeable fishkeepers:

I put this as separate as they are kind of a different format and knowledge to be gained.

• Alyssa Bentley, (https://www.youtube.com/@mangala666). One of the best Loricariid breeders, she is currently building a fishroom after many years of fishkeeping.
• Dylan/DJA Aquatics, (https://www.youtube.com/@DJAAquatics). A Loricariid breeder with a lot of knowledge and passion for this group of fishes and Corydoradinae.
• Graeme/Aquarium Adventures, (https://www.youtube.com/@AquariumAdventures). A great channel for fishkeeping in general, a channel that emphasizes the fact we are always learning as fishkeepers. If you want to try a different aquarium sealant other then silicone, a great channel to watch.
• Paul/BigFishLad, (https://www.youtube.com/@bigfishlad4847). Good for anyone interested in keeping those larger Central/South American cichlids, what is required and a channel that shows high welfare or thoughtful care of these fishes.
• StephenP, (https://www.youtube.com/@StephenP2003). Stephen has a real interest for plants and learning more about them. Not just the husbandry but also the science behind them.
• Tropical Fish Hub, (https://www.youtube.com/@tropicalfishhub). A great channel largely focused on South American fishes. Looks more into their husbandry but has a lot of high welfare and thoughtful setups.
• Bills Cichlid Room, (https://www.youtube.com/@BillsCichlidRoom). This channel is great for seeing a realistic fishroom with a particular focus on cichlids. Bill obviously has a lot of knowledge about a variety of freshwater fishes but particularly cichlids.
• Amiidae, (https://www.youtube.com/@amiidae). This channel shows a lot of footage of rarer species from a diversity of locations.

Discord Servers:

Don’t forget we have our own discord server! The link to join: https://discord.gg/CzFRvEQkrT