Flora & Fauna

The Crowntail Betta features dramatically extended fin rays with webbing reduced to one-half or less of the ray length, creating the appearance of a spiky crown. This striking mutation originated in Jakarta in the 1990s and quickly became one of the most popular betta tail types. Males are bold and territorial; their long rays require careful attention to water quality and tank decor to prevent damage.

A slender Cryptocoryne with narrow, strap-like leaves that range from olive-green to brownish-red depending on light intensity. Submerged leaves are typically narrower and more reddish than the emersed form. Grows to a manageable 15–20 cm and is suited to the midground of smaller tanks or the foreground of larger setups. Tolerates a range of water conditions and is one of the easier narrow-leaved Crypts.

Cryptocoryne Balansae is a dramatic, tall-growing crypt producing strap-like leaves with deeply ruffled, crinkled edges that can reach 40–60 cm in length. Its striking vertical texture makes it one of the most visually distinctive background plants available without requiring high tech. Once established it is robust and spreads into an impressive stand via runners.

Cryptocoryne Beckettii is a compact, adaptable crypt producing wavy-edged leaves that range from olive-green on the upper surface to pink-brown or purple on the underside — colouration intensifying under brighter light. It is among the most forgiving crypts, tolerating harder and more alkaline water than most of its relatives. A reliable midground plant for low-tech community tanks.

Cryptocoryne Flamingo is an eye-catching cultivar with pale pink to deep rose-pink leaves that maintain their colour even in moderate light. A relatively recent cultivar, it adds pastel colour contrast rarely seen in aquatic plants. Hardy and slow-growing like other Cryptocorynes, making it easy to use as a focal foreground or midground accent.

Cryptocoryne Lucens is a small, narrow-leaved crypt with plain bright-green foliage, reaching about 10–15 cm in height. It spreads via runners to form a tidy clump over time and is one of the easiest crypts to keep, tolerating a wide range of conditions including harder water. An excellent choice for foreground or midground planting without the demanding care of more ornate crypt species.

Cryptocoryne lutea is a small to medium-sized crypt producing olive-green to brownish-green leaves with a slightly hammered or textured surface. It is one of the most adaptable and forgiving crypt species, tolerating a wide range of water conditions including moderate hardness and near-neutral pH. Reaching 10–20 cm in height, it works well in the foreground or midground of medium to large planted tanks, spreading via runners into tidy clumps.

A small, compact Cryptocoryne with narrow, lance-shaped leaves of uniform mid-green. One of the more underrated compact Crypts, it stays small and spreads slowly via runners to form neat clusters. A good foreground alternative where HC Cuba or Monte Carlo would require CO2.

A highly sought-after Cryptocoryne among collectors, prized for its dramatically patterned leaves featuring brown-green to dark olive surfaces with reddish-brown splotches, spots, and a heavily bullate texture. Multiple forms exist — some have narrow leaves, others broader. Slower and more delicate than common Crypts, it rewards patient keepers with unique, jewel-like foliage. Best maintained in stable, soft, slightly acidic water with minimal disturbance.

Cryptocoryne Parva is the smallest crypt species, producing narrow, plain-green leaves that rarely exceed 5–6 cm — making it the only crypt truly suitable for a foreground carpet role. Growth is extremely slow even under good conditions; patience of several months is required before carpeting effect appears. It is also the least prone to 'crypt melt' among its genus.

A compact, manageable Cryptocoryne from Sri Lanka with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that can range from olive-green to brownish depending on conditions. Often confused with C. wendtii but distinguished by its shorter stature and slightly narrower leaves. It is very adaptable and tolerates a wide pH and hardness range, making it one of the best Crypts for beginners. Forms attractive rosettes in the foreground or midground of most tanks.

A medium-sized Cryptocoryne with broad, oval-to-heart-shaped leaves in a uniform bright green. The rounded leaf form is quite different from most Crypts and adds a distinctive look to the midground. Relatively fast-growing for a Crypt and more tolerant of harder water than many species. An underrated choice that pairs beautifully with more colourful plants like AR or Rotala.

Cryptocoryne Spiralis produces unusually long, slender leaves with a finely serrated or slightly twisted edge, giving it a distinctive spiral character unlike most other crypts. Leaves can reach 30–50 cm, placing it firmly in background territory. It prefers softer, slightly acidic water and benefits from CO2 supplementation to sustain its taller, more demanding growth habit.

A versatile mid-sized Cryptocoryne with lanceolate leaves that have attractively undulated margins. Colouration ranges from olive-green to reddish-brown depending on light intensity and water conditions. It is one of the hardiest Cryptocoryne species, tolerating a wider range of pH and hardness than most.

A large, majestic Cryptocoryne species with broad, heavily bullate (bumpy-textured) leaves in shades of brown-green with reddish undersides. One of the biggest Crypts available, capable of reaching 50–60 cm in ideal conditions. Best suited to large tanks where it serves as a dramatic centrepiece or bold background plant. Slower to establish than smaller species but extremely long-lived and rewarding.

Cryptocoryne wendtii is a popular, low-maintenance rosette plant available in several colour forms from green to brown-red. It may undergo 'crypt melt' when first planted or after water chemistry changes, but almost always recovers. Once established it is resilient and spreads via runners.

The green form of Cryptocoryne wendtii has smooth, bright green leaves with a subtle hammered texture. It is one of the most adaptable crypts available, tolerating a wide range of light, water, and substrate conditions. An excellent beginner midground plant.

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.

Unique scrolling, cup-shaped SPS that grows in convoluted plates rather than branches. More tolerant of lower light and flow than most SPS — a good entry point into stony corals. Yellow-green to brown.

Cyperus helferi is the only fully aquatic sedge used in aquascaping. Its long, gracefully arching bright green leaves create a unique grass-like texture that moves beautifully in current. It requires CO2 and fertilisation to grow well submerged.

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.

Classic, bulletproof stem plant with whorls of bright green leaves. One of the best beginner plants — grows rapidly without CO2 and tolerates cool water. Also excellent for goldfish and temperate tanks.

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.

The Diamond Tetra lives up to its name — under aquarium lighting the large, iridescent scales along its flanks flash with silver, gold, and green like faceted diamonds. Males develop impressive, elongated dorsal and anal fins as they mature. This Venezuelan species is undemanding and peaceful, making it an eye-catching alternative to more common tetras for medium-sized planted community tanks.

Brown, dusty coating on glass, substrate, and decorations — the most common algae in newly set-up tanks. Feeds on silicates from tap water and substrate. Almost always disappears on its own within 6–8 weeks once silicates are depleted. Otocinclus catfish and nerites clean it rapidly.

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.

Discus are considered the 'king of the aquarium' for their spectacular circular shape and brilliant colours. They are demanding fish requiring pristine water, warm temperatures, and frequent water changes. Best kept in species tanks or with very peaceful, warm-water tankmates.

The dojo loach (weather loach) is a large, eel-like fish famous for becoming more active before changes in barometric pressure. It is extremely peaceful, cold-tolerant, and a hardy beginner fish. It burrows into substrate and requires a tight-fitting lid.

The Double Tail Betta carries a genetic mutation that splits the caudal fin into two distinct lobes, giving the appearance of two separate tails. This same mutation often also shortens the body and broadens the dorsal fin significantly. Double tails tend to be weaker swimmers than single-tail varieties and are more prone to swim bladder issues; careful feeding with high-quality food helps mitigate this.

Pogostemon helferi (Downoi or Little Star) is a distinctive, star-shaped rosette plant from Thailand with deeply ruffled, wavy-edged bright-green leaves radiating from a central crown. It grows low (5–8 cm) and is one of the few compact foreground rosette plants with real textural interest. It requires medium to high light and benefits from CO2 and soft, slightly acidic water. Popular in detailed Iwagumi and Nature Aquarium aquascapes.

Brilliant scarlet-red, blade-shaped macroalgae — one of the most visually striking species for display refugia. Provides excellent colour contrast and nutrient export. More delicate than Chaeto; requires moderate flow and consistent light. Popular with collectors and stunning under reef lighting.

Duckweed is the smallest flowering plant and one of the fastest-growing aquatic plants available. It provides effective nutrient export and surface shade while serving as live food for herbivorous fish. It can quickly cover the entire surface if not managed.

Duncan corals are LPS corals with large, fleshy polyps that extend dramatically during the day and retract at night. They are peaceful, fast-growing, and feed readily on meaty foods. Colonies branch and multiply quickly under good conditions.