Flora & Fauna

Sterbai corydoras are distinctive bottom-dwellers with a bold spotted pattern and bright orange pectoral fins. Unlike many corydoras they tolerate warmer water, making them suitable tankmates for discus and other warm-water species.

A stringy, long-stranded moss with thin, delicate shoots that grow in loose, flowing tangles — giving it a wild, natural look unlike the denser Christmas or Java moss. Often used to create shaggy, overgrown effects on driftwood or as a hiding place for fry and shrimp. Also used in Wabi-kusa style arrangements. Grows faster than many mosses and can be difficult to manage if left untrimmed but is very undemanding.

Armoured catfish with striking black-and-white stripes. Nocturnal and peaceful. Known to produce audible grunting sounds. Hardy and long-lived — can reach 20+ years.

Tiny nerite with extraordinary spiky protrusions on the shell resembling a crown or sun. Highly variable shell pattern — no two are identical. Excellent algae grazer. A novelty snail beloved by aquascapers.

A robust, fast-growing species native to the Americas with broad, oval leaves and prominent veins. It adapts well to a wide range of water conditions and is commonly found in paludariums and low-tech setups. Produces beautiful purple flowers when grown emersed.

The Swordtail is named for the dramatically elongated lower caudal fin lobe of males, which can equal or exceed body length and is used in courtship displays. Available in numerous cultivated colour forms including red, orange, green, and black, it is a hardy and active community fish. Males can become aggressive toward each other, so limit the ratio of males per tank or keep a single dominant male.

Often mistaken for a moss, Süsswassertang (German for 'freshwater seaweed') is actually a fern prothallus — the juvenile phase of a fern. It produces small, bright green, tear-drop-shaped cells that cluster into irregular clumps or sheets. Grows slowly and does not need to be attached — it can float freely or be loosely placed on hardscape. Very popular in shrimp tanks and nano setups due to its low-maintenance nature and the intricate hiding spaces it creates for juvenile shrimp.

Taiwan Moss is characterised by densely packed, small, round-tipped fronds that grow in a drooping or cascading habit, making it ideal for creating natural-looking hanging mosses on hardscape overhangs. Its fine texture creates a gentler, softer effect than Christmas Moss.

One of the most popular and forgiving stem plants. Large, bright-green leaves grow in opposite pairs up a thick stem. Thrives in a wide range of conditions and grows fast, making it ideal for beginners and as a background filler.

Tiger barbs are energetic, striking fish with four vertical black stripes on a golden body. They are notorious fin-nippers when kept in small numbers, but large groups of 8 or more redirect aggression within the school and become safer community fish.

The Tiger Lotus is a bulb plant with striking, broadly ovate leaves that are green or red, patterned with dark maroon spots. Without pruning it quickly sends large lily pads to the surface; regular removal of floating leaves keeps the submerged growth dense and compact. A dramatic, high-impact focal plant for mid-tanks.

Bold black-and-yellow tiger-striped nerite shell. One of the most visually striking clean-up snails. Outstanding algae grazer, especially for green spot algae on glass. Won't reproduce in freshwater.

The turquoise rainbowfish has an intense blue-green iridescence across its body that intensifies at peak colour. It is a larger, robust rainbowfish that does best in spacious tanks with good filtration. Males colour up brilliantly in well-maintained setups.

Fascinating catfish that swims inverted to feed on the underside of leaves and wood. The inverted posture causes its belly to be darker than its back — the reverse of most fish.

A tall, ribbon-leaved background plant that spreads aggressively by runners to create natural-looking grass beds. Leaves can reach 50–100 cm, making it ideal for very tall tanks or ponds. Very adaptable and grows without CO2 injection in moderate to hard water. An excellent fish habitat plant that oxygenates the water actively.

Vallisneria nana is a dwarf vallisneria with narrow, grass-like leaves that stay much shorter than spiral vallisneria. It spreads prolifically via runners and creates natural-looking meadow backgrounds. Excellent for tanks with moderate lighting and no CO2.

Vallisneria spiralis is a fast-growing ribbon grass that produces long, narrow, strap-like leaves that spiral slightly as they grow, creating a graceful waving motion in moderate current. It is one of the easiest and most forgiving background plants available, tolerating hard, alkaline water that challenges most aquatic plants. It spreads rapidly via runners and can quickly fill the background of large aquariums without CO2 injection.

The corkscrew Vallisneria produces striking, tightly twisted ribbon leaves that spiral as they grow. Unlike straight Vallisneria species it stays at a medium height (20–40 cm), making it more versatile in mid-sized tanks. A distinctive textural element in planted tank backgrounds, especially effective in Dutch Style rows.

Venezuelan corydoras is similar to the bronze corydoras but displays more orange-red colouration on the pectoral and dorsal fins, especially in males. It is hardy, adaptable, and makes an excellent beginner corydoras.

Closely related to the White Cloud Mountain Minnow but with more vivid colouring — bright red stripe and neon fins. Smaller and more delicate. Excellent for cool, planted nano tanks.

The von Rio tetra, also called the flame tetra, is one of the first tropical fish ever imported to Europe. The rear body and fins of males glow a vivid red-orange, resembling flames. Despite being over 100 years in the hobby it remains a charming, underrated choice. It is extremely hardy and tolerates a wide range of water conditions.

Water lettuce is a floating rosette plant with velvety, pale green leaves and a substantial root system. It provides excellent shade, nutrient export, and shelter for surface-shy fish. It grows rapidly in bright conditions and may become invasive outdoors.

Water Sprite is a versatile aquatic fern that can be grown both floating and rooted. The finely dissected, lacy fronds give it a delicate, feathery appearance. Floating specimens develop broader, more deeply lobed leaves and provide excellent surface cover and fry refuge. A classic, beginner-friendly plant that grows vigorously.

Famous for its deeply pinnate, fern-like leaves that look remarkably intricate yet require almost no effort. A true beginner's showpiece — grows rapidly, outcompetes algae, and can be planted or left floating. Leaf shape changes dramatically depending on light intensity.

Water wisteria is a fast-growing stem plant with deeply lobed, feathery leaves that vary in form depending on light intensity. It is an excellent nutrient sponge that helps control algae in new setups. Cuttings root readily and it adapts to a wide range of water parameters.

A bulb plant with long, bright green leaves that have distinctly wavy, crinkled margins. One of the easiest Aponogeton species to keep, tolerating low light without CO2 injection. It goes through natural growth and dormancy cycles — if leaves die back, leave the bulb and it will re-sprout. An excellent low-maintenance background plant.

Long, eel-like loach said to predict weather changes by becoming hyperactive before storms. Extremely hardy and cold-tolerant. Peaceful, playful, and full of personality.

Weeping Moss is prized for the elegant downward-drooping habit of its fine fronds, which cascade gracefully off driftwood and rocks like a willow tree in miniature. This weeping growth pattern is most pronounced in moderate flow and makes it one of the most aesthetically distinct mosses for aquascaping. It is slightly slower growing than Java Moss but creates a more refined, delicate textural effect.

Slender, armoured catfish with a long whip-like tail. Excellent algae grazer that clings to wood and glass. Peaceful and relatively easy to keep. Males guard the eggs.

Once thought to be extinct in the wild, the white cloud mountain minnow is a cold-tolerant fish that thrives at room temperature without a heater. It has a subtle but attractive iridescent stripe and pairs well with pond-style or unheated aquariums.

One of the smallest and most versatile cryptocorynes — stays compact even in high light. Deep green, slightly wavy leaves. Perfect low-maintenance foreground or midground plant that spreads via runners.

Long, willow-shaped leaves up to 15 cm in length give this species a softer, more natural look compared to other Hygrophilas. The leaves are pale green and narrow, creating a flowing appearance in flow or current. One of the taller background choices in the genus.

The X-ray tetra (also called the pristella tetra) has a nearly transparent body through which the spine and organs are clearly visible — hence the name. Its dorsal and anal fins are boldly banded in black, white, and yellow. It is an extraordinarily adaptable species that tolerates both soft acidic and hard alkaline water, making it one of the hardiest tetras available.

Yellow Neocaridina (also known as Yellow Sakura or Banana Shrimp) are a selectively bred morph of Neocaridina davidi displaying a clean, uniform lemon-yellow to deep golden colouration. They are equally hardy and prolific as red cherry shrimp, making them ideal for beginners seeking a splash of warm colour in planted tanks. Against dark aquasoil substrates and green plants the yellow stands out vividly.

The yoyo loach gets its name from the Y-O-Y-O pattern visible on juveniles. Active, social, and entertaining, it is one of the most popular loaches in the hobby. An excellent snail hunter that becomes bolder and more colourful with age.

Zebra danios are robust, active schooling fish characterised by horizontal blue and silver stripes. They are among the most beginner-friendly species available, tolerating a wider range of water conditions than most tropical fish. Their bold, zippy behaviour makes them excellent dither fish to reduce the shyness of more reclusive tankmates.