Flora & Fauna

Striking livebearer with vivid red, black, and yellow patterning on males. More delicate than standard guppies and prefers brackish to soft freshwater conditions.

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.

Orange-and-black banded Caridina shrimp. Requires softer, more acidic water than Neocaridina species. Striking coloration and increasingly popular in the hobby.

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.

Very fine, dark green threads — slightly stiffer than Spirogyra and less silky. Wraps tightly around plant stems and mosses. Caused by low CO₂ and high light. Siamese Algae Eaters are one of the few fish that readily consume it.

The threadfin rainbowfish is a delicate, striking fish with males displaying long, flowing finnage tipped in vivid colour. It is a micro-predator that requires calm water and very small live or frozen foods. Best kept in species tanks or with the smallest, gentlest tankmates.

Elegant pencilfish with three distinct horizontal stripes and vivid red markings on the fins. Peaceful and slow-moving — ideal for low-flow planted tanks. Best in groups of 8+.

Stunning apisto with brilliant iridescent blue and red markings. Males are notably elongated and display vivid colour during spawning. Peaceful for a cichlid and works well in planted community tanks.

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.

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.

An exotic stem plant from the Amazon that produces tight spirals of fine, needle-like leaves arranged around the stem. It is challenging to keep, demanding very soft, acidic water and strong CO2 supplementation — conditions that mimic its blackwater origins. A showpiece plant in specialist Amazonian biotope and high-tech scapes.

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.

One of the most beautiful and sought-after corydoras, C. tukano has a vivid blue iridescent body with a striking orange-red stripe running from the nose to the dorsal fin. It is a blackwater species requiring very soft, acidic water and thrives in species tanks replicating its natural biotope with leaf litter and tannin-stained water.

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.

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.

Cool-water dwarf cichlid with a yellow body and blue iridescence. Cooler temperature preference than most apistos. Peaceful and excellent for planted tanks.

Eleocharis Vivipara, Umbrella Hairgrass, is uniquely different from other hairgrass species — when grown submerged its slender stems branch repeatedly into arching, umbrella-like tufts rather than simple grass blades, creating a highly textural midground accent. Each stem tip can produce plantlets that anchor to substrate, aiding natural propagation. It needs moderate light and benefits from CO2.

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.

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.

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.

Vampire shrimp (giant African filter shrimp) are large, impressive filter feeders that sieve fine particles from the water. Despite their intimidating name they are completely peaceful. They require strong flow and regular fine food additions to thrive.

A captive-bred variety with dramatically elongated, veil-like fins on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. The flowing fins are visually stunning but more delicate — avoid housing with fin-nipping species. The veil gene can be combined with any colour morph (silver, koi, marble, etc.).

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.

Striking Malawi hap with a giraffe-spotted pattern. Males develop a vivid blue head. A crafty ambush predator that lies still pretending to be dead to lure prey. Best with other large Malawi haps.

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.