Flora & Fauna

The smallest aquarium plant in the world, native to Cuba. Forms a dense bright green carpet highly prized in Nature Aquariums and iwagumi layouts. Requires high light, CO₂ injection, and a nutrient-rich substrate to thrive.

One of the smallest loaches, the dwarf chain loach has a distinctive chain-link pattern and an endearingly playful personality. Unlike most loaches it is comfortable in the upper water column and is often seen resting on plant leaves. A prized nano loach.

The Dwarf Gourami is a compact labyrinth fish renowned for the male's spectacular flame-red and turquoise-blue diagonal stripes on a petite 5–6 cm body. It is a popular choice for smaller community tanks where larger gourami species would be impractical. Males can be mildly aggressive toward one another, so a single male per tank is usually advisable unless the aquarium is large and well planted.

Dwarf hairgrass forms a lush, grass-like carpet in the foreground of aquascapes. It requires moderate to high light and injected CO2 to spread effectively, otherwise growth is sparse and slow. Regular trimming encourages lateral runners and a denser mat.

Eleocharis pusilla (Dwarf Hairgrass Mini) is a nano-scale hairgrass species producing extremely fine, short blades reaching only 3–5 cm, making it noticeably shorter and denser than standard Dwarf Hairgrass (E. parvula). Under CO2 injection and good light it spreads rapidly via runners to form a tight, lawn-like foreground carpet highly prized in Nature Aquarium-style layouts. It is particularly effective in nano aquariums where even E. parvula would be too tall.

The dwarf neon rainbowfish is one of the most popular rainbowfish in the hobby, combining a brilliant electric blue body with vivid red fins in males. At just 5–6 cm it is considerably smaller than most melanotaenia and suits medium-sized planted tanks. A large school in a well-planted aquarium under good lighting is a spectacular sight.

Tiny, boldly striped pencilfish with red-tipped fins. One of the most popular foreground fish in aquascaping — its small size makes it perfect for nano tanks and densely planted layouts.

The world's smallest pufferfish, the dwarf puffer is a freshwater species with enormous personality. They are intelligent, curious, and aggressive hunters of snails and worms. Best kept in species-specific tanks or with fast, robust tankmates.

Sagittaria subulata is a fast-growing grass-like plant that spreads via runners to form dense meadows. It works as both a carpet in nano tanks and a mid-background plant in larger setups depending on lighting intensity. Very undemanding and adaptable.

Robust Australian rainbowfish with vivid red-orange flanks and iridescent scales. Very hardy and adaptable. A great community fish that colours up beautifully under good conditions.

Echinodorus Uruguayensis is a large, bold sword plant from South America producing broad, dark-green leaves with a smooth texture and prominent venation, reaching up to 60 cm in height. It is notable for tolerating cooler water than most tropical swords, thriving at temperatures as low as 16 °C. Its imposing size makes it best suited as a specimen background plant in larger aquariums.

Brilliant metallic blue cichlid that stays a manageable size. Peaceful for a cichlid and easily bred. One of the most striking freshwater fish available.

One of the most popular Malawi cichlids — vivid yellow with black fin trim. Relatively peaceful for a mbuna. Mouthbrooder. A great beginner African cichlid.

Elegance coral was once considered easy but is now classified as demanding due to a syndrome ('elegance coral decline') that causes rapid tissue recession in many captive specimens, the cause of which is still debated. Specimens sourced from Australia's Great Barrier Reef tend to fare better than Indo-Pacific stock. It requires low light, minimal flow, and sandy substrate — placing it on rock causes tissue damage and death.

The elegant corydoras has a beautiful mosaic pattern of dark markings on a cream body, with males displaying vivid green iridescence on the upper body. A moderately active species that spends most of its time exploring the substrate. Peaceful and hardy, it is an excellent choice for planted community tanks.

An extremely fine, thread-like hairgrass originating from the Belem region of Brazil, producing the thinnest, most delicate stems of any Eleocharis in the hobby. Blades rarely exceed 3–5 cm tall, creating a wispy, ultra-fine carpet that looks unlike any other aquatic grass. Demands good light, CO₂, and a nutrient-rich substrate to spread reliably. A favourite among competitive aquascapers who want a finer-textured foreground than standard dwarf hairgrass provides.

Eleocharis acicularis is the most popular hairgrass for carpeting in aquascapes. Its ultra-fine, bright green blades create a lush lawn effect, especially with CO2 injection. It spreads via runners and fills in quickly under good conditions.

The Elephant Ear or Dumbo Betta has extraordinarily large, ruffled pectoral fins resembling elephant ears. This genetic variant can occur in any tail-type betta and is bred specifically for the oversized pectoral fins rather than the caudal shape. The large pectorals are used for slow, graceful swimming and give the fish an unmistakable, dramatic appearance.

Ember tetras are tiny, fiery orange fish ideal for nano planted tanks. They occupy the midwater and are completely peaceful, making them safe with shrimp and other small species. Their brilliant colour intensifies under warm lighting and dark substrate.

The Emerald Betta is a wild Betta splendens-group species from northeast Thailand and Laos, known for spectacular iridescent emerald-green scale edging that creates a metallic mesh pattern across a dark base. Males are large and aggressive, similar in temperament to B. splendens. A hardy species once established, it thrives in slow-moving, heavily planted tanks with blackwater-type water chemistry.

The emerald corydoras (now classified as Brochis splendens) is larger than most corydoras and sports a stunning metallic green body. It is a peaceful schooling fish that prefers groups and thrives in heavily planted tanks with soft substrate.

The emerald eye rasbora has a vivid electric-green eye and a subtle iridescent body. It is a small, peaceful schooling fish that adds movement to the upper-midwater of planted tanks. Undemanding and compatible with most community species.

Majestic large angelfish with electric blue-and-yellow horizontal stripes. Juveniles are black with white rings. Not reef-safe. Requires expert care and very large tanks.

Small gudgeon with striking red-orange fins and a blue-green iridescent body. Comes from cool-water streams so prefers lower temperatures. Can be kept in a subtropicaltank.

Endler's livebearers are related to guppies but smaller and with more intense, contrasting colouration. Males display striking neon patterns and are constantly active. They breed readily in captivity and make an excellent choice for nano planted tanks.

Named for the dot-dash pattern on its flanks, the exclamation point rasbora is a tiny, stunning micro-fish suited to nano planted tanks. It is best kept in large groups with other micro fish or shrimp and requires pristine, soft water.

Commonly sold as julii corydoras, C. trilineatus has spots that merge into broken lines along the body. It is extremely popular in the hobby due to its attractive pattern and ease of care. Active during the day and peaceful with all tankmates.

Nearly identical to the true rummy nose but slightly less demanding. Red nose, silver body, and black-and-white striped tail. Schooling fish that looks spectacular in groups of 12+.

Fancy goldfish encompass egg-shaped body varieties including Orandas, Ryukins, Telescopes, and Ranchus. Their rounded bodies and ornate finnage are the result of centuries of selective breeding. They are slower than single-tailed goldfish and should not be mixed with them.

Dome-shaped brain coral with clearly delineated round polyps in greens, browns, and reds. One of the most common and adaptable LPS corals. Sends out sweeper tentacles at night — space accordingly.

Favites (war coral / closed brain coral) are encrusting SPS corals with a brain-like maze pattern. They are moderately demanding and aggressive, extending sweeper tentacles at night to sting neighbours. Available in a wide range of vivid colour morphs.

Feathery, fern-like fronds on creeping runners — arguably the most attractive Caulerpa species. Works well in display refugia where its ornamental appearance is on show. Fast-growing nutrient exporter. Same caveats as other Caulerpa: harvest regularly to prevent sexual reproduction.

Rare and highly sought-after Eriocaulon with long, feathery white-green leaves that fan out like a plume. A collector's plant demanding very soft, slightly acidic water and strong light. Breathtaking when healthy.

A sand-sifting powerhouse — plows through the sandbed consuming detritus, algae, and uneaten food. Lively and active, with eyes on stalks. The name comes from its aggressive response when flipped.