Flora & Fauna

Tiny Tanganyikan cichlid that lives inside empty snail shells. Males are larger and guard a harem of shell-dwelling females. Perfect for a dedicated shell-dweller nano tank.

The Siamese Algae Eater is one of the few fish that will actively consume black beard algae (BBA), making it highly sought after by planted tank hobbyists. It is a streamlined, active fish with a distinctive black horizontal stripe from snout to tail. Unlike the similar-looking Flying Fox, it is a true algae specialist rather than just a grazer. Best kept singly or in groups; young fish are more active algae eaters than adults.

The classic wild-type angelfish with a silver body and bold black vertical bars. Its triangular profile and long trailing fins make it a centrepiece fish. Prefers tall tanks with vertical driftwood or broad-leaf plants that mimic Amazonian floodplains. Semi-aggressive during spawning but generally peaceful with similarly sized tank mates.

Large, disc-shaped silver fish that schools impressively in groups. Voracious herbivore — will demolish live plants. Best kept with hardy tankmates in a spacious aquarium.

Unique keel-shaped body adapted for surface dwelling. Can leap out of water to escape predators — a tight lid is essential. Prefers surface insects and small live food.

The silvertip tetra gets its name from the bright white or silver tips on every fin, which flash attractively as the fish moves. Males have a warm orange-copper body colouration while females are more silvery. It is a very active, somewhat nippy species that is best kept in large schools of 10 or more to distribute any fin-nipping behaviour.

Similis corydoras is a small, attractively spotted species with a distinctive dark spot at the base of the tail fin. Peaceful and active, it mixes well with other calm community fish and is hardier than many of its relatives.

Active and colourful wrasse with six horizontal blue stripes. Pest controller — eats flatworms and small pests. Can be territorial with similar species.

The skunk corydoras has a distinctive arched black stripe running from snout to tail over a pale body, resembling a skunk's marking. It is a peaceful, active bottom-dweller that does well in soft, slightly acidic water with fine sand substrate.

Small, peaceful cichlid with iridescent blue-green scaling and an expression resembling a smile. One of the best cichlids for planted community tanks — rarely aggressive and plant-safe.

Betta channoides, the Snakehead Betta, is a mouthbrooding wild betta from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, named for the slightly flattened, elongated head profile reminiscent of snakehead fish. Males and females display striking orange-red coloration with dark scale edges. Like other mouthbrooders it is less belligerent than bubble-nesters, and well-conditioned pairs can coexist in adequately sized planted tanks.

Spectacular black-and-white patterned eel. One of the most reef-compatible morays as it eats crustaceans rather than fish. Needs a very secure lid.

The Sparkling Gourami (Pygmy Gourami) is a tiny, jewel-like labyrinth fish barely 4 cm long whose body glitters with iridescent blue-green spots. It produces a distinctive chirping or croaking sound during spawning, which is audible outside the aquarium. Its diminutive size makes it perfect for nano tanks with fine-leaved plants; it should not be housed with boisterous or much larger tankmates.

The splendid rainbowfish is a large, hardy, and adaptable species that comes in several regional colour forms varying from blue-green to reddish-orange. Males develop a deep body profile and bold colouration. It is a robust, undemanding fish that tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it popular with beginner rainbowfish keepers.

Tiny blue-eyed rainbowfish with yellow fins spotted with black. Gorgeous in groups in a heavily planted nano tank. Males display with raised fins in bright iridescent colours.

A tiny jewel of a fish, the spotted blue eye has vivid spotted fins and stunning iridescent blue eyes. Males display spectacular finnage with yellow and black markings during courtship. At just 3–4 cm it is ideal for nano tanks and looks magnificent in a heavily planted setup. It prefers soft, slightly acidic to neutral water.

Sterbai corydoras are distinctive bottom-dwellers with a bold spotted pattern and bright orange pectoral fins. Unlike many corydoras they tolerate warmer water, making them suitable tankmates for discus and other warm-water species.

Betta albimarginata, the Strawberry Betta, is a small mouthbrooding wild betta from Borneo distinguished by its deep red body, white-edged fins, and the characteristic white lip border that gives it its species name. Males incubate eggs orally and are typically less aggressive than bubble-nesting bettas. They do best in densely planted species tanks or carefully managed community setups with non-nippy tankmates.

Armoured catfish with striking black-and-white stripes. Nocturnal and peaceful. Known to produce audible grunting sounds. Hardy and long-lived — can reach 20+ years.

Compact, boldly marked loach with dark bands on a tan body. More territorial than other loaches — keep with fish that can hold their own. Active and entertaining to watch.

Large cichlid that sifts sand through its gills for food particles. Peaceful despite its size. Needs a deep sand bed and pristine water quality.

Striking livebearer with vivid red, black, and yellow patterning on males. More delicate than standard guppies and prefers brackish to soft freshwater conditions.

The Swordtail is named for the dramatically elongated lower caudal fin lobe of males, which can equal or exceed body length and is used in courtship displays. Available in numerous cultivated colour forms including red, orange, green, and black, it is a hardy and active community fish. Males can become aggressive toward each other, so limit the ratio of males per tank or keep a single dominant male.

One of the most popular reef blennies — mottled tan with a characteristic black tail spot and expressive eyes. Grazes on algae and is generally reef-safe with corals. Full of personality.

The threadfin rainbowfish is a delicate, striking fish with males displaying long, flowing finnage tipped in vivid colour. It is a micro-predator that requires calm water and very small live or frozen foods. Best kept in species tanks or with the smallest, gentlest tankmates.

Elegant pencilfish with three distinct horizontal stripes and vivid red markings on the fins. Peaceful and slow-moving — ideal for low-flow planted tanks. Best in groups of 8+.

Stunning apisto with brilliant iridescent blue and red markings. Males are notably elongated and display vivid colour during spawning. Peaceful for a cichlid and works well in planted community tanks.

Tiger barbs are energetic, striking fish with four vertical black stripes on a golden body. They are notorious fin-nippers when kept in small numbers, but large groups of 8 or more redirect aggression within the school and become safer community fish.

Bold, tomato-red with a single white cheek stripe. Hardy and beginner-friendly, closely related to the Ocellaris. Pairs readily with bubble-tip anemones in captivity.

Lake Tanganyika herbivore with dozens of stunning colour morphs by location. Requires a strict plant-based diet — meaty food causes deadly bloat. Best kept in large colonies of one morph.

Slightly more vibrant coloring than its ocellaris cousin. Pairs beautifully with Bubbletip or Magnificent anemones. Very popular reef fish.

One of the most beautiful and sought-after corydoras, C. tukano has a vivid blue iridescent body with a striking orange-red stripe running from the nose to the dorsal fin. It is a blackwater species requiring very soft, acidic water and thrives in species tanks replicating its natural biotope with leaf litter and tannin-stained water.