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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Feathery stem plant that turns vivid red under high light and good fertilisation. One of the best red background plants for Nature-style aquascapes. Needs CO2 and macro/micro nutrients to colour up.

Compact Rotala with thick stems and rounded leaves that blush deep red under intense light. Rarely grows tall — ideal for creating low, dense red accent patches in aquascapes.

One of the most intensely coloured Rotala varieties available, producing deep blood-red to crimson stems and leaves that stand out dramatically in any scape. Requires the highest light levels and CO₂ of any commonly kept Rotala, along with careful nutrient management. Under suboptimal conditions the colour fades to dull orange or pink. Grown well, it creates an arresting, almost unreal red that elevates competition-level scapes.

A miniaturised form of the famously demanding Giant Red Rotala, producing smaller, narrower leaves but retaining the same intense red-pink colouration when kept in optimal conditions. Requires high light, CO₂, and balanced macro and micro nutrients — particularly iron — to achieve its best colour. Grows slower than the standard species but is equally sensitive to nutrient deficiencies, which show as pale or washed-out leaves. Best kept by experienced planted tank hobbyists.

A feathery, needle-leaved Rotala from Brazil producing hair-fine, almost pine-needle-like leaves in green-orange to reddish tones. The extremely fine leaf texture creates a soft, cloud-like effect in the midground or background that is highly distinctive in competition aquascaping. Demands high light, CO₂, and soft, acidic water to thrive and colour up. One of the most visually unique stem plants in the hobby — a collectors' favourite.

One of the most sought-after Rotala species in competitive aquascaping. Produces fine, needle-like leaves and deep pink-to-red colouring. Requires pristine water, high light, CO2, and regular trimming to maintain shape.

High-grade Caridina with a reverse panda pattern — black where panda shrimp are white, and white where they are black. Requires the same soft, acidic conditions as Crystal Reds. Collector's shrimp.

Grey-green single strands that branch into antler-like forks — often tangled in plant leaves and filter intakes. Like BBA, it signals CO₂ problems. More responsive to spot-treatment with liquid carbon than BBA. Siamese Algae Eaters will consume it.

Tiger Shrimp (Orange Eye Blue Tiger or Black Tiger depending on variant) display striking alternating body bands of blue-black to brown on a translucent base, with prominent orange eyes in some forms. They are Caridina species requiring the same soft, acidic, low-TDS water as bee shrimp. Several colour forms exist including Orange Eye Blue Tiger (OEBT) which is among the most sought-after shrimp in the hobby, commanding premium prices for high-grade specimens.

Lake Tanganyika herbivore with dozens of stunning colour morphs by location. Requires a strict plant-based diet — meaty food causes deadly bloat. Best kept in large colonies of one morph.

Remarkable camouflage artist that looks exactly like a twig or dead stick. Grazes algae and biofilm off surfaces. Sensitive to water quality — requires pristine, well-oxygenated water.

Carnivorous aquatic plant used as a fine-leaved carpet alternative. Forms a delicate bright-green lawn. Requires CO2, high light, and soft water. Rewarding when established.