Flora & Fauna

Massive, spectacular pleco with white spots on a jet-black body. One of the largest plecos available, reaching 30+ inches. A monster fish for public-aquarium-scale tanks only.

The largest and most majestic of the Pterophyllum species. Wild altums can reach 50 cm fin-to-fin and require very tall tanks (24 in+ depth). More demanding than P. scalare — needs soft, acidic blackwater conditions and is sensitive to water quality. Best kept in species-only or large blackwater scapes. Wild-caught specimens are more challenging than tank-bred.

Caridina cantonensis is the base species from which the famous Crystal Red, Crystal Black, and Tiger Bee shrimp have been selectively bred. Wild-type specimens display variable banding of white and translucent to brown, but it is the domesticated varieties that drive the hobby's fascination. All variants require the same exacting soft, acidic water conditions with very low TDS, and are intolerant of copper, fluctuating parameters, or high nitrates.

Dense, dark grey-to-black tufts that cling stubbornly to plants, hardscape, and equipment. One of the most frustrating nuisance algaes for planted tank keepers. Caused by CO₂ fluctuation and low or inconsistent carbon dioxide levels. Spot-treat with liquid carbon (Excel) or hydrogen peroxide.

Jet-black fish with two white bands on its tail. Generates a weak electric field to navigate and communicate. Nocturnal, shy, and sensitive to water quality. Grows large.

Dense, rough-textured mats of dark green filaments that blanket pond plants and surfaces. Common in outdoor ponds and highly nutrient-rich tanks. More coarse and branched than soft hair algae. Difficult to eradicate fully — physically remove as much as possible before treating with algaecide or reducing nutrients aggressively.

Blue bolt shrimp are a selectively bred Caridina variety featuring a striking white body with vivid blue patches. They require the same pristine, soft, acidic water as other Taiwan bee shrimp. Their dramatic colouration makes them highly sought after by advanced hobbyists.

A blue-green or red-brown slime that coats the substrate, plants, and glass with a slimy, foul-smelling mat. Technically a bacterium, not true algae. Caused by low nitrates, poor flow, and organic waste. Responds to a 3-day blackout combined with the antibiotic erythromycin or hydrogen peroxide treatment.

Red, purple, or dark blue-green slime mats that smother the sandbed and rockwork with a slimy, oxygen-depleting film. Technically a bacterium. Caused by low nitrates, poor flow, and high dissolved organics. A 3-day blackout, hydrogen peroxide spot-treatment, and improved flow usually break the cycle.

Feathery, fern-like dark green algae that is notoriously difficult to eliminate — one of the most persistent reef tank nuisances. Resistant to most herbivores. Best controlled by raising magnesium to 1500–1800 ppm for 2–4 weeks (magnesium treatment). Sea hares will consume it but are not a permanent solution.

Iridescent green spheres that appear harmless in small numbers but rapidly colonise rock if left unchecked. Emerald crabs are the most effective biological control. Do not pop bubbles — they release spores and worsen the outbreak. Manual removal requires extracting the entire holdfast; even fragments regrow.

Exquisite micro-cichlid with a chequered body pattern and lyre-shaped tail on males. Requires very soft, acidic blackwater conditions. Peaceful but demanding — rewarding for experienced aquascapers.

Crystal Black Shrimp are selectively bred bee shrimp displaying bold black and white banding — the black body pattern is the inverse of Crystal Red Shrimp. They are graded S to SSS by the clarity and coverage of the white banding. Like all Caridina cantonensis varieties they demand very soft, slightly acidic water with low TDS, and are highly sensitive to copper, temperature swings, and nitrate accumulation. A dedicated shrimp-only tank with buffered aquasoil is strongly recommended.

Crystal red shrimp are selectively bred bee shrimp featuring striking white and red banding, graded S to SSS by pattern clarity. They demand very soft, slightly acidic water and are highly sensitive to temperature swings, dissolved solids, and trace copper. Dedicated shrimp-only tanks using buffered aquasoil are strongly recommended.

Stunning deep blue mbuna with pale blue stripes. Extremely aggressive despite its small size — requires a large colony (12+) to disperse aggression. Not for beginners.

Fine, fluffy dark green tufts that resemble a softer version of Bryopsis. Often appears in high-nutrient systems and around powerhead intakes. Like Bryopsis it is resistant to most herbivores. Sea hares will consume it; magnesium treatment (1500–1800 ppm) is effective. Reducing phosphate below 0.05 ppm also helps.

Flat, iridescent brown-olive blades that spread over rockwork and corals. Beautiful under certain lighting — shimmers blue-green — but highly invasive in reef tanks. Produces chemical deterrents that most fish avoid. Very difficult to eliminate; manual removal stimulates regrowth. Sea urchins (Diadema) and Thalassoma wrasses occasionally graze it.

Brown, stringy, bubble-filled slime that often appears in new reef tanks — frequently mistaken for cyanobacteria. Dinoflagellates ('dinos') form slimy mats that can smother corals and sandbed. Treatment is complex: raise nitrates (>2 ppm), raise phosphates (>0.05 ppm), run extended dark periods, and increase UV sterilisation. One of the most frustrating reef nuisances.

The smallest aquarium plant in the world, native to Cuba. Forms a dense bright green carpet highly prized in Nature Aquariums and iwagumi layouts. Requires high light, CO₂ injection, and a nutrient-rich substrate to thrive.

Majestic large angelfish with electric blue-and-yellow horizontal stripes. Juveniles are black with white rings. Not reef-safe. Requires expert care and very large tanks.

Premium aquatic moss with large, firm fronds resembling tiny ferns. Grows slowly but produces a striking, almost sculptural texture unlike any other moss. Attach to rock or wood; requires high flow and clean water.

The German blue ram is a strikingly coloured dwarf cichlid demanding pristine water quality and warm, soft, acidic conditions. It forms monogamous pairs and will defend a small territory during breeding. Sensitive to poor water quality and temperature fluctuations, making regular water changes critical.

Rotala Macrandra is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful red plants in the hobby, with broad, crinkled leaves that turn vibrant crimson under optimal conditions. It is also one of the most demanding stem plants, requiring very high light, injected CO2, intensive macro and micro nutrient dosing, and soft acidic water — any deficiency quickly manifests as yellowing or failure to colour up. Rewarding for experienced planted tank keepers.

Glossostigma elatinoides was one of the first foreground carpeting plants popularised by Takashi Amano in the Nature Aquarium style. Its tiny spoon-shaped leaves form an extremely low, dense green carpet when grown under high light with CO2. Without strong light it grows upward rather than creeping, defeating the purpose. It is one of the most demanding carpeting plants but produces one of the most pristine, turf-like results when conditions are ideal.

Gold nugget plecos are stunning loricariids with a dark body covered in bright yellow spots and yellow-tipped fins. They are territorial and require warm, oxygen-rich, fast-flowing water with driftwood. They are algae scrapers that also need protein in their diet.

Beautiful coral with long flowing polyps resembling a field of flowers. Historically difficult to keep long-term. Requires stable, high-quality water and moderate flow.

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba' (HC Cuba) holds the record as the smallest-leaved aquatic carpeting plant, with each leaf barely 0.5 mm across and stems rarely exceeding 3 cm. Under optimal conditions of high light, CO2, and soft water it forms an impossibly dense, bright-green lawn that is the holy grail of foreground carpets in aquascaping. Extremely demanding and unforgiving of parameter fluctuations, it is best suited to experienced, high-tech setups.

Premium Caridina with heavy, mostly black patterning and bold white patches. More black than a standard Crystal Black Shrimp. Requires very soft, acidic water. Prized by serious shrimp breeders.

The smallest and rarest Pterophyllum species. Distinguishable from P. scalare by its more elongated body, a distinctive black spot on the dorsal base, and an absence of the pre-dorsal notch. Rarely available in the trade and best kept by experienced keepers. Requires soft, acidic conditions similar to the altum.

Dark, wiry filaments of cyanobacteria that form dense mats — often mistaken for BBA. Unlike true algae, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen, meaning low nitrogen levels do not suppress it. Produces toxins harmful to invertebrates. Requires the same treatment as blue-green algae: blackout, H₂O₂ treatment, and improved flow.

Montipora is a diverse SPS coral genus second only to Acropora in species diversity, available in plating, branching, and encrusting growth forms in a wide array of colours. It is considered the entry-level SPS coral, more forgiving than Acropora but still demanding stable water parameters, high light, and good flow. Plating Montipora varieties are particularly popular for adding mid-level horizontal structure and bold colour to reef aquariums.

Extraordinary amphibious goby that spends most of its time out of water, breathing through moist skin and skipping across mud. Requires a paludarium (half water, half land) setup.

Powerful, predatory cichlid with stunning gold and green patterning. Grows large and requires a big tank. Will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth.

Pinto shrimp are highly prized Taiwan bee variants with bold black and white patterning in distinctive stripe, skunk, or spotted configurations. They are among the most valuable freshwater shrimp in the hobby and require immaculate water quality.

One of the most beautiful tangs with a powder-blue body, yellow dorsal fin and black mask. Prone to ich and disease — best for experienced reef keepers.

Narrow-leaved Ludwigia that turns deep maroon-purple under high light. One of the most intensely coloured aquatic plants available. Slow-growing but spectacular. Requires CO2 and strong light to stay compact.