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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Named for the vivid red spot on the chest that resembles a bleeding heart, this is one of the larger and more impressive tetras. Males develop long, flowing dorsal and anal fins and a deeper body as they mature. Despite its size, it is a peaceful community fish that looks spectacular in large schools in planted or natural-style aquariums.

Eyeless cave-dwelling form of the Mexican tetra. Navigates entirely by lateral line. Surprisingly active and hardy — a fascinating conversation piece in any community tank.

One of the most colourful freshwater fish, the boesemani rainbowfish sports a vivid split colouration — bright blue-purple on the front half and yellow-orange on the rear. Males colour up fully in well-maintained tanks with varied diet and good water quality.

The Bolivian Ram is a hardier, more forgiving alternative to the German Blue Ram, tolerating a wider temperature range and less pristine water conditions without sacrificing its attractive appearance. It displays a golden-tan body, red-tipped fins, and an elongated dorsal fin with black and yellow banding. Pairs form monogamous bonds and exhibit fascinating parental care when breeding, making them rewarding to keep.

The bristlenose pleco is the most commonly kept plecostomus in the hobby thanks to its manageable adult size. Males develop characteristic bushy tentacles on the snout used in mate selection. An excellent algae grazer, it should also receive supplemental feeding with blanched vegetables and sinking wafers.

The bronze corydoras is one of the most widely kept bottom-dwellers in the hobby. Its metallic bronze-green flanks and peaceful temperament make it a staple of community tanks. Like all corydoras it requires fine sand to protect its sensitive barbels and prefers groups of six or more.

Tough, active tetra with red-tipped fins. Tolerates cooler water down to 18°C. Known to nip fins and eat plants. Best in a species tank or with similarly robust fish.

Elegant killifish with a lyretail caudal fin in shades of orange, red, and yellow. One of the gentlest killifish — works well in community tanks with small peaceful fish.

Often confused with the neon tetra, the cardinal tetra has a longer red stripe extending the full length of the body. It prefers soft, acidic blackwater conditions and looks stunning in large schools against dark substrate and dense planting.

Discovered in Myanmar in 2006, the celestial pearl danio features a dark body scattered with gold spots and vivid red-orange fins. It prefers densely planted tanks with subdued lighting and thrives in groups where males display to one another.

Male cherry barbs turn a vivid deep red when breeding-conditioned, making them one of the most colourful small barbs available. Unlike many barbs they are peaceful and non-nippy, suiting them to community planted tanks with other peaceful species.

Tiny surface-dwelling killifish with bold black-and-white horizontal bands and a vivid blue-tipped tail. Perfect for nano tanks. Surface skimmer that catches small live food.

The Clown Pleco is a small, attractively patterned plecostomus with bold yellow-and-black tiger-stripe markings on a compact 8–10 cm body, making it one of the most manageable pleco species for community tanks. Unlike most plecos it is primarily a wood eater (xylivore) and must have driftwood available to gnaw on. It is a cavity dweller that benefits from PVC pipes or hollow wood to use as territory.

The Colombian tetra, also known as the red and blue Colombian tetra, is a larger, striking tetra with brilliant blue iridescence on the upper body contrasting with vivid red fins. Males are larger and more intensely coloured. It is a boisterous species that may nip at long-finned tankmates, so it is best kept in large schools to diffuse aggression.

The common goldfish is one of the oldest domesticated fish, kept for over a thousand years. Hardy, cold-tolerant, and long-lived, it is best kept in ponds or large aquariums as it grows substantially. Single-tailed goldfish are active and fast.

The common pleco is one of the most recognisable aquarium fish, widely sold for algae control. It grows very large and requires a spacious tank as an adult. Despite its popularity it is often impulse-bought for tanks far too small to sustain it long-term.

The Congo tetra is a large, spectacular African tetra. Males develop long flowing fins with a central extension and display an iridescent sheen of blue, gold, and orange across the flanks. A schooling fish that looks magnificent in large planted tanks.

Black-and-white barred cichlid named for its prison uniform. Extraordinarily hardy and easy to breed — almost too easy. Fierce parents that will defend fry against much larger fish.

Deep blue body with orange-yellow sides and purple highlights. Hardiest of the dwarf angels. Generally reef-safe but may nip soft corals.

The Crowntail Betta features dramatically extended fin rays with webbing reduced to one-half or less of the ray length, creating the appearance of a spiky crown. This striking mutation originated in Jakarta in the 1990s and quickly became one of the most popular betta tail types. Males are bold and territorial; their long rays require careful attention to water quality and tank decor to prevent damage.

The Diamond Tetra lives up to its name — under aquarium lighting the large, iridescent scales along its flanks flash with silver, gold, and green like faceted diamonds. Males develop impressive, elongated dorsal and anal fins as they mature. This Venezuelan species is undemanding and peaceful, making it an eye-catching alternative to more common tetras for medium-sized planted community tanks.

The dojo loach (weather loach) is a large, eel-like fish famous for becoming more active before changes in barometric pressure. It is extremely peaceful, cold-tolerant, and a hardy beginner fish. It burrows into substrate and requires a tight-fitting lid.

The Dwarf Gourami is a compact labyrinth fish renowned for the male's spectacular flame-red and turquoise-blue diagonal stripes on a petite 5–6 cm body. It is a popular choice for smaller community tanks where larger gourami species would be impractical. Males can be mildly aggressive toward one another, so a single male per tank is usually advisable unless the aquarium is large and well planted.

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.

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.

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.