Flora & Fauna

Betta mahachaiensis is a wild betta discovered in 2012 in the brackish coastal habitats of Samut Sakhon, Thailand — making it unique among bettas in its tolerance for slightly saline conditions. Males display striking iridescent teal-blue scale edging similar to B. smaragdina. It builds bubble nests and is less aggressive than B. splendens toward other species. Its restricted wild range makes it important for conservation-minded hobbyists.

A captive-bred variety with a swirling black-and-white marbled pattern caused by the marble gene. The pattern is unpredictable and no two fish look alike. One of the most widely kept angelfish morphs, well suited to planted scapes.

Marble Bettas carry a transposon-driven colour mutation discovered in the 1970s that causes random, irregular patches of pigmentation. One of their most fascinating traits is colour instability — a marble betta can spontaneously change colour pattern over its lifetime as the transposon activates or silences pigment genes. This unpredictability makes every individual unique and constantly surprising to their owners.

Smallest hatchetfish with intricate brown-and-gold marbled patterning. A delicate but fascinating surface fish. Needs a very tight-fitting lid as it can jump significant distances.

Mollies are versatile livebearers available in many colour forms including black, dalmatian, and balloon. They are adaptable to a wide range of conditions including brackish water. Females give birth to live young and breed prolifically in captivity.

Elegant silver gourami with a subtle moonlit sheen and orange-red ventral fins. One of the most peaceful and graceful labyrinth fish. Works beautifully in a tall, well-planted aquarium.

One of the smallest schooling fish in the hobby at just 0.8 inches. Deep red body with a black lateral spot. Thrives in blackwater planted nano tanks. Looks extraordinary in groups of 20+ against green plants.

Mosquitofish are exceptionally hardy, adaptable livebearers that have been deliberately introduced worldwide for mosquito larvae control. They consume prodigious quantities of surface larvae and can survive conditions — extreme heat, cold, salinity, low oxygen — lethal to most aquarium fish. Note that they are aggressive fin nippers and should not be housed with fancy-finned fish; they are best suited to utility or outdoor pond use rather than display aquariums.

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.

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.

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+.

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.

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.

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.

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.

World's smallest puffer fish at just 1 inch. Full of personality and intelligence. Fin nipper — best kept in a species-only tank or with fast, short-finned tankmates.

Betta imbellis is aptly named — unlike the highly aggressive Betta splendens, this species is notably peaceful toward conspecifics and can sometimes be kept in pairs or even small groups in heavily planted, well-structured tanks. Males display subtle but attractive blue-green iridescent scales and red fin edging. It prefers very soft, peat-filtered water replicating its native blackwater rice paddy habitat in Malaysia.

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.