Flora & Fauna

The Elephant Ear or Dumbo Betta has extraordinarily large, ruffled pectoral fins resembling elephant ears. This genetic variant can occur in any tail-type betta and is bred specifically for the oversized pectoral fins rather than the caudal shape. The large pectorals are used for slow, graceful swimming and give the fish an unmistakable, dramatic appearance.

Ember tetras are tiny, fiery orange fish ideal for nano planted tanks. They occupy the midwater and are completely peaceful, making them safe with shrimp and other small species. Their brilliant colour intensifies under warm lighting and dark substrate.

The emerald corydoras (now classified as Brochis splendens) is larger than most corydoras and sports a stunning metallic green body. It is a peaceful schooling fish that prefers groups and thrives in heavily planted tanks with soft substrate.

The emerald eye rasbora has a vivid electric-green eye and a subtle iridescent body. It is a small, peaceful schooling fish that adds movement to the upper-midwater of planted tanks. Undemanding and compatible with most community species.

Small gudgeon with striking red-orange fins and a blue-green iridescent body. Comes from cool-water streams so prefers lower temperatures. Can be kept in a subtropicaltank.

Endler's livebearers are related to guppies but smaller and with more intense, contrasting colouration. Males display striking neon patterns and are constantly active. They breed readily in captivity and make an excellent choice for nano planted tanks.

Commonly sold as julii corydoras, C. trilineatus has spots that merge into broken lines along the body. It is extremely popular in the hobby due to its attractive pattern and ease of care. Active during the day and peaceful with all tankmates.

Nearly identical to the true rummy nose but slightly less demanding. Red nose, silver body, and black-and-white striped tail. Schooling fish that looks spectacular in groups of 12+.

Elegant dartfish with a fiery orange-red tail and white-to-yellow body. Shy but beautiful. Tends to jump so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Vivid red with black dorsal markings and outline — perches atop gorgonians and Acropora waiting to ambush prey. Completely reef-safe with corals but will eat small shrimp. Charismatic and bold.

Stunning killifish native to Florida whose flanks mimic the American flag. Hardy algae-eater that tolerates cool water. Great for subtropical and unheated tanks.

Distinctive man-made hybrid cichlid with a prominent nuchal hump (kok). Extremely hardy but highly aggressive — must be kept alone. Develops a strong bond with its keeper.

Beautiful nano rainbowfish with a distinctive forked tail with yellow-and-black markings. Males display intensely to each other. Perfect for planted nano tanks.

Bold yellow body with intricate brown-and-white facial patterning. Has venomous spines so handle carefully. Outstanding algae and nuisance weed grazer.

Galaxy Koi Bettas are among the most visually complex cultivars, displaying a mosaic of multi-coloured patches — white, orange, black, and metallic blue or green — resembling the marbled pattern of koi fish. The galaxy pattern refers to an additional iridescent metallic sheen overlaid on the koi marbling. Each fish is unique; no two Galaxy Koi Bettas look exactly the same.

One of the most popular and colourful killifish. Males display vivid blue-green with red spots. Hardy and readily available. Perfect introduction to the killifish hobby.

The giant danio lives up to its name among danios, reaching up to 10 cm. It is a fast, active schooling fish with vivid blue-yellow horizontal stripes. Peaceful with most community fish but may outcompete slow or small tankmates for food.

The largest labyrinth fish, reaching 24 inches. Despite its size, generally peaceful and even shy. Develops a real personality — will hand-feed and recognise its owner. A long-term commitment.

The glowlight tetra has a warm golden-orange iridescent stripe running the full body length, glowing like an ember in a planted tank. It is a peaceful, attractive schooling fish that pairs beautifully with dark substrates and dense planting.

Golden selective line of the Japanese ricefish. Suitable for ponds, outdoor tubs, and nano tanks. Extremely tough and easy to breed. Females carry egg clusters before releasing to plants.

The gold tetra has a distinctive golden-yellow sheen to the body caused by a parasitic infection the fish experiences in the wild — this actually produces the attractive gold iridescence that hobbyists prize. Tank-bred specimens often lack the intense gold but retain a pleasant iridescence. A peaceful, undemanding schooling fish.

Hardy, golden-bodied pencilfish with a bold red-and-black lateral stripe. The most adaptable pencilfish — tolerates a wider pH range than most. Great for beginner planted tanks.

The quintessential schooling reef fish — shimmering apple-green in open water above Acropora. Incredibly hardy and peaceful. Best kept in groups of 6+ for the most natural look.

Guppies are hardy, colourful livebearers that reproduce readily in captivity. Males display elaborate tails and body patterns to attract females. They adapt to a wide range of water conditions, though clean, well-filtered water is essential to prevent fin disease.

The harlequin rasbora is recognised by the distinctive black triangular patch on its rear half set against a copper-orange body. Hardy, peaceful, and active in the midwater, it pairs beautifully with planted tanks.

The Honey Gourami is one of the most peaceful labyrinth fish in the hobby — males develop a rich golden-honey coloration with an orange-red throat and belly when in breeding condition. At 4–5 cm it fits comfortably in nano and small community tanks. Less prone to disease than the Dwarf Gourami and considerably more tolerant of soft, acidic water, making it an excellent alternative for low-tech planted setups.

Elongated loach with a distinctive long snout for sifting sand. Spends much of its time buried with just its eyes visible. Peaceful and an excellent sand-bed cleaner.

Bold, iridescent cichlid covered in electric blue-green spots. Named for the aggressive boxer. One of the most popular American cichlids — easier to keep than its aggressive reputation suggests.

Tiny, peaceful fish from Japanese rice paddies. Extremely cold-tolerant — one of the few fish that can be kept outdoors year-round in temperate climates. Egg-hanger that's easy to breed.

Elegant Tanganyikan cichlid with black-and-white chequered markings. Pairs for life and is a devoted parent. Relatively peaceful and a great entry point into Tanganyikan cichlids.

The julii corydoras is often confused with the false julii (C. trilineatus) which is more commonly sold. True julii have spots that do not connect into lines. Both are charming, peaceful schooling fish suited to planted community tanks with fine substrate.

Famous for its lip-locking 'kissing' behaviour — actually a dominance display. Pink or green form available. A voracious algae grazer that also strips soft plants. Grows large.

The kitty tetra is a relatively new species to the aquarium trade with a beautiful rosy-pink body and striking red and black finnage. It is closely related to the rosy tetra and shares its peaceful temperament. A charming choice for soft-water planted community tanks, where its delicate colouration glows under warm lighting.

Brown tang covered with fine yellow-orange spots. Excellent detritivore and algae grazer. More peaceful and compact than most tangs. Great reef fish.

The Kribensis is an attractive, personable West African dwarf cichlid from Nigerian coastal rivers and one of the most beginner-accessible cichlids available. Both sexes are colourful — females develop a bright cherry-red belly when in breeding condition. Pairs form strong bonds and jointly guard fry in caves, making them fascinating to observe. They are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and generally peaceful outside of breeding territory.

The Kuhli Loach is an eel-like, nocturnal loach from Southeast Asia with alternating yellow-orange and dark-brown banding. It wriggles through substrate and around plant roots searching for food, making it a fascinating and useful bottom-level scavenger. Kuhli Loaches are social and do best in groups of five or more; lone individuals are shy and rarely seen. Fine sand is essential to protect their sensitive underbellies.