About Modest Fish

Welcome to Modest Fish, your home for all things freshwater aquarium.

We’re all about making it simple for you to start and successfully run your own aquarium. On this site, you’ll find easy-to-understand guides on caring for freshwater species, equipment how-tos, and trouble-shooting. Basically, we’ve got you covered on everything you need to run a successful freshwater aquarium.

How do we do that?

By producing thorough product reviews and how-to guides backed by hands-on testing and years of experience.

Our Mission

At Modest Fish, our mission is to be your go-to hub for trustworthy, unbiased information on freshwater aquariums—whether you’re a newcomer dipping your toes in the water or a seasoned aquarist searching for reliable advice. 

We’re committed to creating easy-to-follow, comprehensive product reviews, in-depth guides, and expert tips, all rigorously tested and based on years of experience.

Our aim is to make it easy for anyone who wants to enter the world of fishkeeping, by offering easy-to-follow solutions and insights, enabling  you to create and maintain a successful, vibrant aquatic environment.

Meet the Team

Modestfish.com was created by aquarists who have a passion for sharing clear and easy-to-follow information.

Chris Adams

Owner of modestfish

Chris started Modest Fish in the hope to make it easier for brand new hobbyists start and run a successful aquarium.

Chris enjoys low-tech non-CO2 planted tanks. He has a special affinity for betta fish but is looking to expand his tanks to include a community of shrimp and CPDs.

Read Chris’s articles here

Chris’s Current Tank

10 Gallon Blackwater Betta Fish Tank

Livestock:

  • Wild Betta imbellis Copper
  • Assassin Snail (Anentome helena)
  • Black Military Helmet Snail (Neritina Pulligera)

Katherine Morgan

Katherine Morgan, from Northwest Florida, has kept aquariums for over two decades. She enjoys experimenting with low-tech planted setups and is an avid South American cichlid enthusiast which you can see on her Instagram here

Read Kate’s articles here

Katherine morgan selfie
Chief Editor

Current Tanks From Experienced Aquarist Katherine Morgan

6 Gallon Blue Shrimp Tank

Livestock: 

  • Blue velvet shrimp – Neocaridina davidii 
  • Bladder snails – Physella acuta

Equipment: 

  • DIY corner filter
  • Lights that came with the aquarium kit

10 Gallon Red Crystal Red Shrimp Tank

Livestock: 

  • Crystal red shrimp – Caridina cf. cantonensis ‘Crystal Red’
  • Bladder snails – Physella acuta

Equipment: 

  • Hygger sponge filter
  • Hygger clip on 24/7 light

40 Gallon Pirate Tank

Livestock: 

  • Breeding pair of angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare

Equipment: 

  • 2 AquaPapa sponge filters
  • Fluval E-200 heater
  • BeamsWork DA LED plant light

40 Gallon Red Cherry Shrimp Tank

Livestock: 

  • Red cherry shrimp – Neocaridina davidii
  • Amano shrimp – Caridina multidentata
  • Bladder snails – Physella acuta

Equipment: 

  • AquaPapa sponge filter
  • BeamsWork DA LED plant light

40 Gallon Rainbow Tank

Livestock: 

  • Boesemani rainbowfish – Melanotaenia boesemani
  • Zebra loach – Botia striata
  • Synodontis catfish – Synodontis multipunctatis
  • Clown pleco – Panaque maccus

Equipment: 

  • Fluval M200 heater
  • Eheim Classic canister filter
  • Lustar – Hydro-Sponge III
  • BeamsWork DA LED plant light

40 Gallon Cube Tank

Livestock: 

  • Breeding pair of angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare
  • Mystery snails – Pomacea bridgesii

Equipment: 

  • Fluval E-200 heater
  • Fluval C4 HOB filter
  • BeamsWork DA LED plant light

Pair of 55 Gallon Tanks Stacked

Two 55 gallon tanks stacked on custom shelving

55 Gallon Top Tank

Livestock: 

  • Assorted angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare
  • Boesemani rainbowfish – Melanotaenia boesemani
  • Peppered cory cats – Corydoras paleatus
  • Oto cats – Otocinclus vittatus
  • Mystery snails – Pomacea bridgesii

Equipment: 

  • Fluval E-200 heater
  • Fluval 407 canister filter
  • Lustar – Hydro-Sponge III
  • Fluval Full Spectrum LED plant light

55 Gallon Bottom Tank

Livestock: 

  • Breeding pair of angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare
  • Bladder snails – Physella acuta

Equipment: 

  • Fluval E-200 heater
  • 2 AquaPapa sponge filters
  • Seachem Tidal 75 HOB filter
  • Fluval Full Spectrum LED plant light