Editorial Policy

My Editorial Mission

Aquatico Pets is my personal website dedicated to helping real fishkeepers, beginners setting up their first tank, hobbyists troubleshooting a water chemistry problem, and experienced aquarists researching new species make confident, well-informed decisions about their aquatic pets.

I focus on practical, accurate, and accessible aquatic pet care content: species care guides, tank setup advice, water quality management, disease identification, compatibility guides, and product recommendations for saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Every piece of content I publish is measured against one question: Does this genuinely help someone care for their fish?

Who I Am

I’m the owner and sole writer behind Aquatico Pets. I’m a fishkeeping enthusiast with hands-on experience managing both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Everything on this site is researched and written by me personally; there’s no team or outside contributors.

I have direct experience with a wide range of aquatic species, including clownfish, reef systems, freshwater community tanks, and planted aquariums. I write from a place of genuine passion for fishkeeping, not just to fill pages. Every claim I publish is tested against my own experience and verified through reputable sources before it goes live.

A note on specialist advice: While I provide detailed general care guidance, I always recommend consulting a veterinarian or a certified aquatic specialist for medical diagnoses, treatment of serious diseases, or complex, species-specific health concerns. My content is here to inform; it does not replace expert professional advice.

How I Create Content

Every article on Aquatico Pets follows a consistent process before it goes live:

Step 1 — Research & Topic Selection
I choose topics based on common fishkeeper questions, species care gaps, and practical aquarium problems I’ve encountered myself or seen in the hobbyist community. My research draws from aquatic biology literature, established fishkeeping communities, manufacturer guidelines, and my own hands-on tank experience.

Step 2 — Drafting (Me, with AI Assistance)
I write all content myself. I sometimes use AI writing tools to help with structure, phrasing, or to explore a topic more broadly, but the AI output is always a draft starting point that I significantly rewrite and verify. See my full AI usage policy below.

Step 3 — Fact-Checking
All facts, water parameters, tank sizes, species compatibility, feeding requirements, and disease symptoms are verified against at least two reputable sources before I publish. When I find conflicting information, I research it further and go with the most conservative or well-supported position.

Step 4 — Final Review
Before publishing, I re-read every post for clarity, accuracy, tone, and practical usefulness. I ask myself: Is this advice safe for the fish? Is it realistic for the reader? Is it clear and easy to follow?

Step 5 — Publication & Dating
Every article shows its original publication date. Articles I substantially update get a visible “Last Updated” date so you always know how current the information is.

My Source Standards

Here is the hierarchy I follow when researching and verifying the information I publish:

  • Scientific journals (e.g., Aquaculture, Journal of Fish Biology, Copeia) — the highest authority for species biology and water chemistry
  • Veterinary & aquatic specialist resources (e.g., fish disease databases, aquatic vet publications) — health, disease identification, treatment guidance
  • Established fishkeeping organizations (e.g., CORAL Magazine, Reef2Reef, FishBase) — species data and husbandry best practices
  • Manufacturer documentation (e.g., product manuals, official care guides) — equipment specifications and dosing guidelines
  • Experienced hobbyist consensus (e.g., long-running reef forums, species-specific groups) — real-world validation when scientific sources are limited

I do not rely on a single informal source, an AI-generated claim, or an unsupported blog post as sufficient evidence, especially for anything that could directly affect your fish’s health.

My AI Usage Policy

I believe in being fully transparent about how I use AI tools in my content process. AI is a writing aid, not my author, editor, or fact-checker. Here’s exactly how it fits in:

What AI helps me do:

  • Draft assistance — AI may help me structure an outline or generate a rough draft, which I then significantly rewrite myself
  • Rewording and clarity — improving sentence flow or simplifying technical explanations
  • Idea exploration — brainstorming angles or subtopics I might not have considered
  • AI images — some idea-based and inspirational posts may include AI-generated images to illustrate concepts; I always label these as AI-generated

What I never do with AI:

  • Publish AI-generated content without thorough personal review and fact-checking
  • Use AI to mass-produce low-quality or padded content purely for search volume
  • Allow AI to make factual claims about species, water chemistry, or animal health that I haven’t independently verified
  • Use AI to spread misleading information about aquatic care, products, or species welfare

Think of AI the same way I think of a spell-checker: it helps me write faster and more cleanly, but every decision about accuracy, safety, and quality is mine. The fish in your care are real. My responsibility to give you accurate information is real too.

How I Keep Content Up to Date

Fishkeeping knowledge evolves, best practices change, new research emerges, and products get updated. I’m committed to keeping my content accurate over time.

  • Every article shows its original publication date
  • Articles I substantially revise display a “Last Updated” date at the top
  • I periodically review my most-read care guides to make sure they still reflect current best practices
  • If you spot something outdated, please let me know, and I’ll review it promptly

Error Corrections

I take accuracy seriously. If something I’ve published is wrong, a water parameter, a species compatibility claim, or a product specification, I want to know and fix it quickly. Incorrect fishkeeping advice can cause real harm to living animals.

How to report an error: Use my Contact page and include the article URL, the specific claim you think is wrong, and any source supporting the correction. I aim to review all reported errors within 5 business days. Confirmed errors are corrected promptly, and significant corrections are noted at the bottom of the relevant article.

I don’t quietly delete incorrect content; I correct it and acknowledge it. Transparency matters.

Have questions about how I create my content? I’m always open to feedback. Get in touch

Last updated: May 2026