Flora & Fauna

Gossei corydoras is a medium-sized species with a golden-tan body adorned with irregular dark markings. It is sometimes called the tail spot cory for the dark blotch at the caudal peduncle. A peaceful schooling species that does well in South American biotope setups with dark substrate and tannin-stained water.

The green neon tetra is the smallest of the three Paracheirodon tetras and one of the most underappreciated. It has a longer, more vivid blue-green stripe with a shorter red patch compared to the cardinal tetra. It is a strict blackwater species requiring soft, very acidic water and is best kept in biotope setups with tannin-stained water and low light.

Green terror cichlids are large, dramatic fish with vivid turquoise-green scaling and orange-edged fins. Males develop a pronounced nuchal hump with age. Despite the name, they are manageable in species or large community cichlid setups.

Guppies are hardy, colourful livebearers that reproduce readily in captivity. Males display elaborate tails and body patterns to attract females. They adapt to a wide range of water conditions, though clean, well-filtered water is essential to prevent fin disease.

The harlequin rasbora is recognised by the distinctive black triangular patch on its rear half set against a copper-orange body. Hardy, peaceful, and active in the midwater, it pairs beautifully with planted tanks.

The Hillstream Loach (Reticulated Hillstream Loach) is a spectacularly patterned torrent fish with a flattened body and enlarged pectoral fins adapted for clinging to rocks in fast-flowing streams. In the aquarium it requires strong water movement, high oxygenation, and cool temperatures mimicking its native Vietnamese mountain streams. It grazes periphyton (algae and biofilm) from hard surfaces and benefits from supplemental feeding with blanched vegetables and spirulina wafers.

Distinctive pencilfish that swims at a 45° upward angle with its head tilted toward the surface. Copper-red body with a bold black lateral stripe. Fascinating schooling behaviour in planted tanks.

The Honey Gourami is one of the most peaceful labyrinth fish in the hobby — males develop a rich golden-honey coloration with an orange-red throat and belly when in breeding condition. At 4–5 cm it fits comfortably in nano and small community tanks. Less prone to disease than the Dwarf Gourami and considerably more tolerant of soft, acidic water, making it an excellent alternative for low-tech planted setups.

Striking apisto with vivid yellow, red, and blue colouring on males. Highly variable in colour intensity depending on mood and water quality. A showpiece fish for any planted South American biotope.

Elongated loach with a distinctive long snout for sifting sand. Spends much of its time buried with just its eyes visible. Peaceful and an excellent sand-bed cleaner.

Bold, iridescent cichlid covered in electric blue-green spots. Named for the aggressive boxer. One of the most popular American cichlids — easier to keep than its aggressive reputation suggests.

Tiny, peaceful fish from Japanese rice paddies. Extremely cold-tolerant — one of the few fish that can be kept outdoors year-round in temperate climates. Egg-hanger that's easy to breed.

Elegant Tanganyikan cichlid with black-and-white chequered markings. Pairs for life and is a devoted parent. Relatively peaceful and a great entry point into Tanganyikan cichlids.

The julii corydoras is often confused with the false julii (C. trilineatus) which is more commonly sold. True julii have spots that do not connect into lines. Both are charming, peaceful schooling fish suited to planted community tanks with fine substrate.

Famous for its lip-locking 'kissing' behaviour — actually a dominance display. Pink or green form available. A voracious algae grazer that also strips soft plants. Grows large.

The kitty tetra is a relatively new species to the aquarium trade with a beautiful rosy-pink body and striking red and black finnage. It is closely related to the rosy tetra and shares its peaceful temperament. A charming choice for soft-water planted community tanks, where its delicate colouration glows under warm lighting.

A captive-bred colour morph with a bold red-orange, white, and black marbled pattern reminiscent of koi pond fish. Each individual is uniquely marked. Hardy and one of the most popular angelfish varieties in the hobby. Same care requirements as other P. scalare varieties.

The Kribensis is an attractive, personable West African dwarf cichlid from Nigerian coastal rivers and one of the most beginner-accessible cichlids available. Both sexes are colourful — females develop a bright cherry-red belly when in breeding condition. Pairs form strong bonds and jointly guard fry in caves, making them fascinating to observe. They are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and generally peaceful outside of breeding territory.

The Kuhli Loach is an eel-like, nocturnal loach from Southeast Asia with alternating yellow-orange and dark-brown banding. It wriggles through substrate and around plant roots searching for food, making it a fascinating and useful bottom-level scavenger. Kuhli Loaches are social and do best in groups of five or more; lone individuals are shy and rarely seen. Fine sand is essential to protect their sensitive underbellies.

The Lake Kutubu rainbowfish is one of the most intensely coloured species in the genus. Males develop a vivid turquoise-blue upper body that grades to silver-yellow on the lower flanks. It is a robust, active fish suited to larger planted or Dutch-style aquariums. The intense colouration only develops fully in mature males in well-maintained water.

Lake Tebera rainbowfish is a medium-sized species with males displaying a yellow-gold body with a reddish-orange upper flank and vivid red fins. It is a hardy, colourful rainbowfish that is easy to breed and well suited to community tanks with other peaceful species. Its bright colouration intensifies significantly during spawning courtship.

The lambchop rasbora has a slimmer body than the harlequin rasbora with a characteristically narrow, wedge-shaped black mark on the rear half. Peaceful and undemanding, it is ideal for nano planted tanks and pairs beautifully with shrimp.

The laser corydoras (orange laser or green laser depending on the variant) has a striking iridescent stripe running the length of the body. These undescribed species are highly sought after by corydoras enthusiasts and require soft, warm water.

One of the smallest vertebrates in the world — females reach just 1.5 inches. A fascinating livebearer from the USA that thrives in cool, planted nano tanks. Ideal for a species setup.

Brilliant yellow Tanganyikan cichlid that lives in rocky crevices. Curious and bold but aggressive toward its own kind. Stunning in a rock-heavy Tanganyika biotope.

The lemon tetra is a classic, elegant fish with a translucent lemon-yellow body, vivid yellow dorsal and anal fins edged in black, and striking red eyes. It is a hardy, peaceful schooling fish that has been in the hobby for decades. The intensity of yellow colouration deepens considerably under warm, high-quality lighting in a planted tank.

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.