Flora & Fauna

Distinctive man-made hybrid cichlid with a prominent nuchal hump (kok). Extremely hardy but highly aggressive — must be kept alone. Develops a strong bond with its keeper.

The Penang Betta or Forest Betta is a paternal mouthbrooder from clearwater forest streams in Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the earliest Betta species to be scientifically described and has been kept by hobbyists for over a century. Males display brown-grey bodies with metallic green scale edging and elongated ventral fins. Less showy than newer cultivars, it is valued by wild betta enthusiasts for its natural behaviour and interesting breeding process.

Beautiful nano rainbowfish with a distinctive forked tail with yellow-and-black markings. Males display intensely to each other. Perfect for planted nano tanks.

The four-leaf clover aquatic fern produces charming four-lobed leaves that resemble tiny clover on short stalks. It can be grown as a compact foreground carpet in high-light CO2 tanks, or left to grow taller as a decorative mid-ground plant in low-tech setups. A unique texture plant that adds whimsy to any scape.

The frontosa is a majestic Lake Tanganyika cichlid with a distinctive nuchal hump and striking black-and-white vertical banding. It is a slow-moving predator that is surprisingly peaceful for its size in large colonies. A showpiece fish for large Tanganyika setups.

Furcata rainbowfish are small, jewel-like fish with males sporting vivid yellow fins edged in black. They are highly active swimmers and look spectacular in planted nano tanks with dense vegetation. They need very small foods and calm tankmates.

Short, fuzzy green tufts — typically 2–5 mm — that appear on the edges of plant leaves, hardscape, and equipment. One of the most common algae in newly planted tanks. Easily grazed by Amano shrimp, Otocinclus, and nerite snails. Caused by light excess or inconsistent CO₂ early in a tank's life. Usually resolves as the tank matures.

Galaxy Koi Bettas are among the most visually complex cultivars, displaying a mosaic of multi-coloured patches — white, orange, black, and metallic blue or green — resembling the marbled pattern of koi fish. The galaxy pattern refers to an additional iridescent metallic sheen overlaid on the koi marbling. Each fish is unique; no two Galaxy Koi Bettas look exactly the same.

One of the most popular and colourful killifish. Males display vivid blue-green with red spots. Hardy and readily available. Perfect introduction to the killifish hobby.

The German blue ram is a strikingly coloured dwarf cichlid demanding pristine water quality and warm, soft, acidic conditions. It forms monogamous pairs and will defend a small territory during breeding. Sensitive to poor water quality and temperature fluctuations, making regular water changes critical.

Ghost shrimp are nearly transparent freshwater shrimp often sold as feeder animals, though they make excellent, inexpensive nano tank inhabitants in their own right. They consume algae, debris, and uneaten food, contributing to tank cleanliness. However, they are sometimes aggressive toward smaller shrimp species.

Lush, feathery stem plant with large whorls of finely divided leaves. Fast-growing background plant that creates a spectacular bushy effect. Needs good light and CO2.

Baby Tears or Pearl Grass, this cheerful stem plant produces tiny, round, bright green leaves and grows fast even without CO2. Ideal for mid-ground mounds or as a floating plant for shrimp tanks. Often confused with HC Cuba but its leaves are larger and it is far more tolerant of low-tech conditions.

A larger Bacopa species with distinctive clasping (amplexicaul) leaves that wrap around the stem at the base. The blue-violet flowers it produces above the waterline are among the most attractive of any aquarium plant. Submerged leaves are broad and light green, giving it a lush, robust appearance. Grows quickly and is very adaptable — excellent as an emersed pond margin plant or fully submerged background plant.

The Giant Betta is a selectively bred line of Betta splendens that can reach 12–14 cm in length — roughly twice the size of standard bettas. Despite their size, they require the same care as regular bettas but demand more space and food. The giant gene is recessive and was developed in Thailand through multi-generation line breeding.

The giant danio lives up to its name among danios, reaching up to 10 cm. It is a fast, active schooling fish with vivid blue-yellow horizontal stripes. Peaceful with most community fish but may outcompete slow or small tankmates for food.

The largest labyrinth fish, reaching 24 inches. Despite its size, generally peaceful and even shy. Develops a real personality — will hand-feed and recognise its owner. A long-term commitment.

The tallest commonly kept Eleocharis species, producing stiff, dark green needle-like blades up to 30–50 cm tall. Creates a dramatic, grass-like background that mimics riparian meadows. Unlike dwarf hairgrasses, it does not form a dense carpet but instead grows as individual clumps. Very undemanding and one of the few Eleocharis that thrives without CO₂ injection. Excellent for paludarium setups or tall tanks where vertical structure is desired.

The Giant Ramshorn (Colombian Ramshorn) is a large, impressive snail with a distinctive flat, coiled shell striped in brown and cream — reaching up to 5 cm — distinguishing it from the smaller true ramshorn (Planorbarius). Unlike many ornamental snails it has a voracious appetite for aquatic plants and should not be kept in planted aquariums; it is best suited to fish-only or utilitarian setups where its algae and detritus grazing is beneficial. It reproduces readily in freshwater.

Rotala Macrandra is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful red plants in the hobby, with broad, crinkled leaves that turn vibrant crimson under optimal conditions. It is also one of the most demanding stem plants, requiring very high light, injected CO2, intensive macro and micro nutrient dosing, and soft acidic water — any deficiency quickly manifests as yellowing or failure to colour up. Rewarding for experienced planted tank keepers.

Completely transparent body reveals the skeleton and internal organs. Must be kept in schools of 6+, otherwise becomes stressed and stops eating. Stunning in a well-planted tank.

Glossostigma elatinoides was one of the first foreground carpeting plants popularised by Takashi Amano in the Nature Aquarium style. Its tiny spoon-shaped leaves form an extremely low, dense green carpet when grown under high light with CO2. Without strong light it grows upward rather than creeping, defeating the purpose. It is one of the most demanding carpeting plants but produces one of the most pristine, turf-like results when conditions are ideal.

The glowlight tetra has a warm golden-orange iridescent stripe running the full body length, glowing like an ember in a planted tank. It is a peaceful, attractive schooling fish that pairs beautifully with dark substrates and dense planting.

A captive-bred variety carrying the gold gene, producing a warm golden-yellow body with reduced or absent black barring. The gold colouration intensifies with good nutrition and water quality. A classic show-tank fish that pairs beautifully with dark substrates.

Golden selective line of the Japanese ricefish. Suitable for ponds, outdoor tubs, and nano tanks. Extremely tough and easy to breed. Females carry egg clusters before releasing to plants.

Vivid golden-yellow form of the mystery snail. Active and personable — visually striking against dark substrates. Peaceful algae and detritus grazer. Lays eggs above the waterline so populations are easy to control.

Gold nugget plecos are stunning loricariids with a dark body covered in bright yellow spots and yellow-tipped fins. They are territorial and require warm, oxygen-rich, fast-flowing water with driftwood. They are algae scrapers that also need protein in their diet.