Flora & Fauna

The dwarf neon rainbowfish is one of the most popular rainbowfish in the hobby, combining a brilliant electric blue body with vivid red fins in males. At just 5–6 cm it is considerably smaller than most melanotaenia and suits medium-sized planted tanks. A large school in a well-planted aquarium under good lighting is a spectacular sight.

Tiny, boldly striped pencilfish with red-tipped fins. One of the most popular foreground fish in aquascaping — its small size makes it perfect for nano tanks and densely planted layouts.

Sagittaria subulata is a fast-growing grass-like plant that spreads via runners to form dense meadows. It works as both a carpet in nano tanks and a mid-background plant in larger setups depending on lighting intensity. Very undemanding and adaptable.

Robust Australian rainbowfish with vivid red-orange flanks and iridescent scales. Very hardy and adaptable. A great community fish that colours up beautifully under good conditions.

Echinodorus Uruguayensis is a large, bold sword plant from South America producing broad, dark-green leaves with a smooth texture and prominent venation, reaching up to 60 cm in height. It is notable for tolerating cooler water than most tropical swords, thriving at temperatures as low as 16 °C. Its imposing size makes it best suited as a specimen background plant in larger aquariums.

Brilliant metallic blue cichlid that stays a manageable size. Peaceful for a cichlid and easily bred. One of the most striking freshwater fish available.

One of the most popular Malawi cichlids — vivid yellow with black fin trim. Relatively peaceful for a mbuna. Mouthbrooder. A great beginner African cichlid.

The elegant corydoras has a beautiful mosaic pattern of dark markings on a cream body, with males displaying vivid green iridescence on the upper body. A moderately active species that spends most of its time exploring the substrate. Peaceful and hardy, it is an excellent choice for planted community tanks.

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+.

Dome-shaped brain coral with clearly delineated round polyps in greens, browns, and reds. One of the most common and adaptable LPS corals. Sends out sweeper tentacles at night — space accordingly.

Feathery, fern-like fronds on creeping runners — arguably the most attractive Caulerpa species. Works well in display refugia where its ornamental appearance is on show. Fast-growing nutrient exporter. Same caveats as other Caulerpa: harvest regularly to prevent sexual reproduction.

A sand-sifting powerhouse — plows through the sandbed consuming detritus, algae, and uneaten food. Lively and active, with eyes on stalks. The name comes from its aggressive response when flipped.

Striking blood-red with white-spotted antennae — one of the most beautiful marine shrimp. Acts as a cleaner shrimp, setting up stations where fish visit to have parasites removed. Best kept in pairs.

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.

Flame Moss gets its name from the way its upright, twisted stems spiral and curve upward — resembling flickering orange flames when viewed in flowing water. Unlike most mosses that grow laterally, Flame Moss grows vertically, making it uniquely suited for mid-height mounding effects on rocks and wood. It is slow growing but compact, rarely requiring trimming, and stays tidy in low-flow areas.

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.

The four-leaf clover aquatic fern produces charming four-lobed leaves that resemble tiny clover on short stalks. It can be grown as a compact foreground carpet in high-light CO2 tanks, or left to grow taller as a decorative mid-ground plant in low-tech setups. A unique texture plant that adds whimsy to any scape.

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

Short, fuzzy green tufts — typically 2–5 mm — that appear on the edges of plant leaves, hardscape, and equipment. One of the most common algae in newly planted tanks. Easily grazed by Amano shrimp, Otocinclus, and nerite snails. Caused by light excess or inconsistent CO₂ early in a tank's life. Usually resolves as the tank matures.

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.

Ghost shrimp are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp often sold as feeder animals, though they make excellent, inexpensive nano tank inhabitants in their own right. They consume algae, debris, and uneaten food, contributing to tank cleanliness. However, they are sometimes aggressive toward smaller shrimp species.

Baby Tears or Pearl Grass, this cheerful stem plant produces tiny, round, bright green leaves and grows fast even without CO2. Ideal for mid-ground mounds or as a floating plant for shrimp tanks. Often confused with HC Cuba but its leaves are larger and it is far more tolerant of low-tech conditions.

A larger Bacopa species with distinctive clasping (amplexicaul) leaves that wrap around the stem at the base. The blue-violet flowers it produces above the waterline are among the most attractive of any aquarium plant. Submerged leaves are broad and light green, giving it a lush, robust appearance. Grows quickly and is very adaptable — excellent as an emersed pond margin plant or fully submerged background plant.

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.