Flora & Fauna

The Halfmoon Betta is one of the most recognisable and popular betta cultivars, characterised by the spectacular 180-degree spread of the caudal fin that forms a perfect half-circle when fully flared. Selective breeding has produced individuals with extraordinary fin size and vivid coloration in virtually every hue. The large fins require pristine water quality to prevent fin rot and tearing.

Red cherry shrimp are the most popular dwarf shrimp in the hobby, bred in a variety of red intensity grades from pale pink to deep 'painted fire red'. They are tireless algae and biofilm grazers that thrive in established planted tanks. A mature tank with mosses and fine-leaf plants provides ideal conditions for breeding.

Colourful LPS coral with large fleshy polyps available in virtually every colour combination. Aggressive — maintain space between it and neighbouring corals. Beginner-friendly.

Chunky, encrusting LPS with fleshy, colourful polyps in virtually every colour combination imaginable. Extremely hardy and popular among collectors. One of the best beginner LPS corals.

Striking background plant with long, narrow, wavy green leaves. Grows from a large bulb and can reach impressive heights. Very tolerant and long-lived. Low maintenance.

Stunning lily with red-spotted leaves. Grows from a bulb and alternates between broad, flat pads and long petioles reaching the surface. Remove surface leaves to keep it compact.

Named after legendary aquascape artist Takashi Amano who popularised their use, amano shrimp are the most effective algae-eating invertebrates available to hobbyists. Their large size and robust constitution means they can handle moderate current and tankmate activity. They do not breed in freshwater, so populations must be replenished from wild-caught stock.

Amazon frogbit is a floating plant with round, slightly spongy leaves that provide excellent surface cover and diffuse lighting. Its dangling white roots absorb excess nutrients and provide refuge for fry and small shrimp. It grows rapidly in good light.

The only known all-female vertebrate species, reproducing by gynogenesis using sperm from other mollies as a trigger without genetic contribution. A true biological oddity.

The amazon sword is a staple background plant in community aquariums, producing broad lanceolate leaves that provide shelter for fish. It is a heavy feeder that benefits greatly from root tab fertilisers. Given adequate nutrients and moderate light, it will grow large and produce runner plantlets.

Sometimes called Ambulia, this fast-growing stem plant produces dense whorls of fine, feathery leaves that resemble a soft green bottle brush. One of the most forgiving stem plants — it grows without CO2 injection and tolerates a wide pH range, making it ideal for beginner planted tanks.

Anubias barteri is a robust, slow-growing plant with dark-green, waxy leaves that are resistant to herbivorous fish. Like java fern, the rhizome must not be buried. It thrives under low light, though algae can colonise the leaves in high-light environments; shading by taller plants helps.

Anubias Coffeefolia features deeply corrugated, dark-green leaves with a pronounced bullate (puckered) texture that gives them the appearance of coffee leaves — hence the name. The new leaves often emerge with a reddish-bronze tint before darkening to deep green, adding colour interest even at low light levels. Its compact, low-spreading habit suits midground placement in low-tech planted tanks.

Anubias Congensis (often sold as Anubias lanceolata) produces elongated, lance-shaped leaves on tall petioles, reaching 30–40 cm in height and making it one of the larger anubias suitable for midground to background use. Its upright, narrow leaf profile creates vertical interest against broader-leafed plants. Like all anubias, the rhizome must remain exposed and anchored to wood or rock.

Anubias Gigantea is the largest species in the anubias genus, with broad, leathery leaves that can exceed 20 cm in length and reach 60–80 cm in total height in mature specimens. It makes a dramatic focal-point background plant in large aquariums and is equally at home emersed in paludariums. Despite its impressive size it shares the same forgiving, low-maintenance care profile as all anubias.

A distinctive species with arrowhead-shaped, triangular leaves held on long, elegant petioles above the rhizome. The leaf shape sets it apart from other Anubias species and gives the scape a more dynamic, textured look. Grows taller than A. nana but slower than A. barteri. Ideal for attaching to large pieces of driftwood or elevated rock structures.

Anubias hastifolia is one of the tallest anubias species, with long, spear-shaped leaves that make a dramatic background plant. Like all anubias it attaches to hardscape and is extremely tolerant of low light and neglect. Slow-growing and long-lived.

One of the larger Anubias varieties, featuring long lance-shaped leaves with prominent veining and a rich dark green colour. It grows on a thick rhizome and reaches 20–40 cm tall, making it a striking background or tall midground plant in larger tanks. Like all Anubias, it is extremely hardy, grows slowly, and must never be buried — attach it to rock or driftwood with thread or glue.

Anubias Mini Coin is a rare cultivar distinguished by its nearly circular, coin-shaped leaves on short petioles, giving it a distinctly rounded aesthetic not found in other anubias varieties. It is highly sought after by collectors and commands a premium price. Care requirements are identical to Anubias Nana Petite, and it performs best as a focal point on a small piece of hardscape.

Anubias Nana is the classic dwarf variety of Anubias barteri, producing compact rosettes of small, dark-green ovate leaves on a slow-creeping rhizome. Its diminutive size makes it one of the most popular choices for nano tanks and foreground planting on hardscape. Like all anubias it must be attached to wood or rock — burying the rhizome causes rot.

An ultra-compact cultivar of A. nana with smaller leaves and shorter internodal spacing, creating a dense, bushy mound on the rhizome. The 'Bonsai' name refers to its miniaturised, tree-like appearance when grown on a small piece of driftwood or stone. Perfect for nano tanks and desktop aquariums. Care is identical to A. nana — extremely forgiving.

Anubias Nana Petite is a cultivar even smaller than standard Nana, with leaves rarely exceeding 1.5 cm — making it the go-to foreground and carpeting anubias in nano aquascapes. Its slow growth means algae build-up on leaves is its biggest challenge; moderate flow and controlled nutrients help keep leaves clean. Exceptionally popular in Japanese Nature Aquarium style layouts.

A cultivar of A. nana with noticeably rounder, broader leaves and very short petioles, giving it a compact, dome-like silhouette. The rounded leaf shape is more pronounced than the standard nana and looks especially attractive when grouped. A popular choice for mid-foreground planting on rocks or driftwood in both small and large tanks.

Aponogeton ulvaceus produces large, translucent, ruffled leaves that add an elegant flowing quality to the aquarium. It grows from a bulb and may go dormant periodically. During active growth it can fill a large area of the tank with minimal care.

Assassin snails are the go-to solution for controlling pest snail infestations in freshwater aquariums. They hunt and consume other snails methodically, and will also scavenge meaty foods. They breed slowly and do not typically overrun a tank like pest species do.

One of the best reef algae-eating snails — effective grazer of microalgae and diatoms on rock and glass. Conical shell with star-like ridges. Cannot right itself if flipped, so monitor after storms of flow.

Axelrodi corydoras is a small, pinkish-bodied species with a bold dark lateral stripe and dark dorsal saddle markings. It is less commonly seen in the hobby than many species but is a peaceful, undemanding corydoras suitable for community planted tanks. A lovely species for those wanting something a little different.

A compact, small-leaved Bacopa from southern Brazil, producing round to oval light-green leaves on reddish stems. Grows slower and stays shorter than B. caroliniana, making it better suited to midground placement or smaller tanks. Under high light, the stems take on a reddish-orange tint that adds warmth to the scape. One of the most beginner-friendly stem plants available — it rarely melts and grows reliably even without CO₂.

A larger-leaved Bacopa with attractive, broadly oval leaves. Under high light, the foliage develops a beautiful pinkish-purple coloration that makes it a standout mid-ground or background accent. More colourful than B. monnieri and responds well to fertilisation.

The banana plant is named for its distinctive cluster of banana-shaped storage roots at the base. It sends up floating leaves and white flowers when mature. It is an unusual, undemanding midground plant that does not require substrate planting — it can float freely.

The bandit corydoras is named for its distinctive black mask across the eyes and a black patch at the dorsal fin base, giving it a masked outlaw appearance. It is a peaceful, active species that thrives in soft, slightly acidic water.

Elegant black-and-silver with distinctive elongated fins and bold stripes. A mouthbrooder — the male incubates eggs in his mouth until hatching. One of the few marine fish regularly bred in home aquaria.

The black neon tetra has a distinctive two-tone horizontal stripe — iridescent white-green above a solid black band. Subtler than its neon cousin but equally elegant, it thrives in large schools in soft, acidic planted tanks and is very peaceful.

Deep black to dark charcoal Neocaridina. Full opaque black coloration is the most sought-after grade. Creates a dramatic contrast in light-substrate planted tanks. As hardy as red cherry shrimp.

The black skirt tetra has a distinctive deep body with flowing black dorsal and anal fins. It is extremely hardy and adaptable, making it a classic beginner fish. Long-finned and balloon variants are widely available in the hobby.

Bladder Snails are small, sinistral (left-coiled) freshwater snails with translucent amber shells, often introduced accidentally with plant purchases. They are voracious detritivores and algae grazers that help clean up uneaten food and decaying plant matter, contributing to tank cleanliness. Population explosions occur with overfeeding; controlled feeding keeps numbers in check. They serve as an excellent food source for pea puffers and assassin snails.