Flora & Fauna

Narcissus corydoras is a large, long-snouted species with a pale body and subtle spot patterning. It belongs to the long-nosed group of corydoras and commands premium prices among collectors. It prefers soft, acidic water and cooler temperatures.

Narrow, willowy leaves give this variant a graceful, feathery appearance unlike its broad-leafed relatives. Great for creating visual contrast alongside wider-leaved plants. Just as hardy as the parent species.

Eleocharis Acicularis, Needle Hairgrass, produces extremely fine, hair-like leaves that are noticeably thinner and longer than the closely related E. parvula, creating a delicate, windswept grass carpet effect. It requires good light and CO2 to spread vigorously via runners; without injection it grows slowly and sparsely. Regular trimming keeps the carpet dense and lush.

Needle Leaf Java Fern produces extremely narrow, grass-like fronds that are distinctly different from standard Java Fern. The slender leaves create a delicate, airy texture that contrasts beautifully with broad-leaved plants. It shares the same hardy, low-light, epiphytic growth habit of regular Java Fern — easy to grow attached to rock or wood.

Ludwigia Arcuata is a fine-leaved stem plant with narrow, needle-like leaves that turn deep red to orange-red under high light and iron-rich dosing, contrasting beautifully with broader-leaved green plants. It requires more light and nutrients than L. repens to achieve its signature colour. Frequent trimming promotes bushy side-shoot growth and prevents the lower stem from going bare.

Males develop a stunning neon blue sheen. Grazes biofilm from rock surfaces in fast-flowing streams. Needs strong flow, high oxygen, and a mature tank with algae growth to thrive.

Microdevario kubotai, the Neon Green Rasbora, is a tiny danionin from Thailand and Myanmar that glows with electric lime-green to yellow-green iridescence along its translucent body. At just 2–2.5 cm it ranks among the smallest vertebrates kept in aquariums. It needs soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic water and does best in large groups of 15+ where the collective shimmering effect is most visible against dark substrates and fine-leaved plants.

The neon rainbowfish is the smallest and most popular of the Melanotaenia rainbowfish. Males display vivid neon-blue bodies with striking red fins. A large school in a planted tank is a spectacular sight. Peaceful and easy to breed.

Sundadanio axelrodi, the Neon Rasbora (also called Axelrod's Rasbora), is a stunning nano fish from Borneo and Sumatra whose body radiates intense neon-blue to blue-green iridescence along its flanks. At just 2 cm it ranks among the smallest cyprinids, requiring soft blackwater conditions similar to its peat swamp habitat. Its striking colour and active schooling behaviour make it a prized centrepiece in nano planted aquariums.

One of the most popular aquarium fish, the neon tetra is recognised by its vivid iridescent blue stripe and red tail. It thrives in schools of six or more in soft, slightly acidic water with dense planting. Peaceful and hardy once acclimated, making it ideal for community tanks.

Incredibly vivid lime-yellow nano fish with neon intensity that rivals neon tetras. Peaceful, active schooler. Looks stunning in large groups in a Nature-style aquascape. One of the best nano fish available.

Nerite snails are among the best algae-eating invertebrates available, consuming green spot algae, diatoms, and film algae from glass, rocks, and plant leaves. They cannot reproduce in freshwater, so populations remain controlled. They may attempt to escape, so a tight-fitting lid is advisable.

A striking stem plant with relatively large, broadly oval leaves that take on vivid orange-red tones under high light. The thick stems give it its species name (crassicaulis = thick-stemmed). It requires good light, CO2, and regular fertilisation but rewards with some of the most vivid colouration of any aquatic stem plant.

Nijssen's corydoras, sometimes called the panda cory's wilder cousin, has a bold pattern of large dark patches on a pale pink-white body with a distinctive black band through the eye. It is a stunning and sought-after species that requires soft, acidic water and a pristine, densely planted aquarium.

Tiny schooling fish with luminous iridescent blue eyes that catch the light beautifully. Excellent for nano planted tanks. Peaceful and undemanding. Looks spectacular in groups of 20+.

Taiwan Nymphoides produces attractive round-to-heart-shaped leaves with reddish-brown mottling on the underside. It spreads by runners and can be kept compact with regular trimming. Unlike surface-growing Nymphoides, it stays submerged in good lighting. A distinctive mid-ground to background plant with a bold, pond-like aesthetic.

Unique plant with long, thin tentacle-like leaves arranged in whorls. Fast-growing, forgiving, and adaptable. Excellent hiding place for fry and shrimp.

Males develop a striking iridescent red flame along the flanks. Hardy and adaptable — one of the most underrated aquascaping barbs. Groups create a stunning display of colour in midwater.

A lesser-known species with elegant, slightly wavy narrow leaves. Grows quickly in good conditions and provides dense cover for fish and invertebrates. The emersed form produces small fragrant flowers, giving the species its name.

Small, olive-coloured nerite with a smooth shell. Excellent algae grazer that won't eat healthy plants. Does not reproduce in freshwater. A reliable and undemanding member of any planted tank clean-up crew.

Orange Rili Shrimp display the characteristic Rili pattern — bright orange pigmentation on the head, carapace, and tail sections, with a clear transparent mid-section revealing the internal organs. This two-tone broken pattern is unique and visually distinctive against green plants and dark substrates. They are as easy to keep and breed as any other Neocaridina davidi colour morph and are a lively, active addition to planted nano tanks.

Vivid orange Neocaridina that stands out brilliantly against green plants. One of the most popular shrimp for planted tanks. Hardy and prolific — an excellent beginner Neocaridina colour variant.

An exotic relative of the water lily, Barclaya Longifolia produces spectacular long, wavy-edged leaves with olive-green upper surfaces and vivid burgundy-red undersides. It grows from a bulb and prefers to be undisturbed once planted. A dramatic focal plant for larger tanks, particularly in Nature Aquarium style compositions.

Oscars are large, bold cichlids known for their personality and intelligence. They recognise their owners and can be hand-fed, but they are destructive tank inhabitants that will uproot plants and rearrange décor. They need very large tanks with robust filtration.

The otocinclus, or 'oto cat', is a diminutive algae-eating catfish prized for keeping plant leaves spotless without disturbing the aquascape. It requires a mature, well-established tank with existing algae film as a primary food source. Keep in groups of five or more as they are social fish that suffer in isolation.

Echinodorus Ozelot is a hybrid cultivar renowned for its striking green leaves adorned with irregular dark-brown to red spots, resembling the coat of an ocelot. It is a vigorous, moderately sized sword plant reaching 25–40 cm that makes an eye-catching focal specimen in the midground or background. New leaves often emerge with a reddish tint before maturing to spotted green.

The Pacific blue eye is a small, hardy Australian native with striking yellow fins tipped in black and white, and the characteristic brilliant blue eyes of the genus. It is more adaptable than many pseudomugil, tolerating a range of salinities from fresh to brackish. An ideal nano fish for those wanting an unusual Australian species.

The deepest red Neocaridina available — body and legs are entirely opaque fire red with no clear patches. Top grade of the red cherry lineage. Striking against any substrate colour.

Named for their black-and-white colouration reminiscent of giant pandas, panda corydoras are a popular and peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish. They are active during the day and thrive in groups of 6 or more over fine sand substrate.

Small, hardy tetra with a clean silver body and distinctive black patches on the eye and tail base. Peaceful schooling fish suitable for community tanks and beginners.

One of the first tropical fish kept in Europe — records date to the 1860s. Stunning blue-and-red banding with flowing fins. Tolerates cold water well. Aggressive toward other males.

Parkinson's rainbowfish is a large, spectacular species with males displaying a golden-yellow to orange anterior transitioning into a blue-grey posterior, with vivid yellow fins edged in black. One of the most colourful and striking of all rainbowfish. It is a hardy, active species best kept in a long, spacious aquarium.

Parrot's Feather is a fast-growing, feathery stem plant with blue-green whorled leaves. It grows both submerged and emersed. Excellent for ponds and unheated tanks. Grows vigorously without CO2, absorbing nutrients rapidly and helping suppress algae. In warm tanks it may require pruning weekly to keep it manageable.