Flora & Fauna

The Halfmoon Betta is one of the most recognisable and popular betta cultivars, characterised by the spectacular 180-degree spread of the caudal fin that forms a perfect half-circle when fully flared. Selective breeding has produced individuals with extraordinary fin size and vivid coloration in virtually every hue. The large fins require pristine water quality to prevent fin rot and tearing.

One of the most striking corydoras, adolfo's corydoras has a vivid orange patch behind the head on a white body with a bold black stripe. It requires softer, more acidic water than many corydoras and is a prized species among collectors.

Massive, spectacular pleco with white spots on a jet-black body. One of the largest plecos available, reaching 30+ inches. A monster fish for public-aquarium-scale tanks only.

The African butterflyfish is a surface-dwelling predator with large, wing-like pectoral fins. It floats motionlessly at the surface waiting to ambush insects and small fish. It requires a tightly covered tank as it can jump considerable distances.

Apistogramma agassizii is one of the most widespread and variable apistogramma species across the Amazon basin, with geographic colour forms ranging from blue-tailed to fire red. Males display spectacular iridescent blue-green flanks and the distinctive pointed caudal fin characteristic of the species. They are slightly more demanding about water softness than A. cacatuoides but reward careful husbandry with outstanding colour.

The largest and most majestic of the Pterophyllum species. Wild altums can reach 50 cm fin-to-fin and require very tall tanks (24 in+ depth). More demanding than P. scalare — needs soft, acidic blackwater conditions and is sensitive to water quality. Best kept in species-only or large blackwater scapes. Wild-caught specimens are more challenging than tank-bred.

The only known all-female vertebrate species, reproducing by gynogenesis using sperm from other mollies as a trigger without genetic contribution. A true biological oddity.

Famous for shooting precisely aimed jets of water to knock insects off overhanging vegetation. Requires a brackish tank with at least 12 inches of air space above the water. Fascinating behaviour.

Axelrodi corydoras is a small, pinkish-bodied species with a bold dark lateral stripe and dark dorsal saddle markings. It is less commonly seen in the hobby than many species but is a peaceful, undemanding corydoras suitable for community planted tanks. A lovely species for those wanting something a little different.

The bandit corydoras is named for its distinctive black mask across the eyes and a black patch at the dorsal fin base, giving it a masked outlaw appearance. It is a peaceful, active species that thrives in soft, slightly acidic water.

Elegant black-and-silver with distinctive elongated fins and bold stripes. A mouthbrooder — the male incubates eggs in his mouth until hatching. One of the few marine fish regularly bred in home aquaria.

Jet-black fish with two white bands on its tail. Generates a weak electric field to navigate and communicate. Nocturnal, shy, and sensitive to water quality. Grows large.

A dark variety produced by the dark gene, expressing as a near-black body with intricate lace-like patterning on the fins. Striking against light-coloured substrates and green plants. Bred from the silver base morph with additional dark gene copies for deeper colouration.

The black neon tetra has a distinctive two-tone horizontal stripe — iridescent white-green above a solid black band. Subtler than its neon cousin but equally elegant, it thrives in large schools in soft, acidic planted tanks and is very peaceful.

The black skirt tetra has a distinctive deep body with flowing black dorsal and anal fins. It is extremely hardy and adaptable, making it a classic beginner fish. Long-finned and balloon variants are widely available in the hobby.

Named for the vivid red spot on the chest that resembles a bleeding heart, this is one of the larger and more impressive tetras. Males develop long, flowing dorsal and anal fins and a deeper body as they mature. Despite its size, it is a peaceful community fish that looks spectacular in large schools in planted or natural-style aquariums.

Eyeless cave-dwelling form of the Mexican tetra. Navigates entirely by lateral line. Surprisingly active and hardy — a fascinating conversation piece in any community tank.

Striking royal blue fish with a yellow tail. Active swimmer requiring large tanks. Prone to ich, so quarantine is recommended.

Annual killifish with extraordinary colours — electric blue body with vivid red markings. Short-lived (under 1 year) but spectacular. Eggs are buried in peat and dry-stored.

One of the most colourful freshwater fish, the boesemani rainbowfish sports a vivid split colouration — bright blue-purple on the front half and yellow-orange on the rear. Males colour up fully in well-maintained tanks with varied diet and good water quality.

The Bolivian Ram is a hardier, more forgiving alternative to the German Blue Ram, tolerating a wider temperature range and less pristine water conditions without sacrificing its attractive appearance. It displays a golden-tan body, red-tipped fins, and an elongated dorsal fin with black and yellow banding. Pairs form monogamous bonds and exhibit fascinating parental care when breeding, making them rewarding to keep.

The bristlenose pleco is the most commonly kept plecostomus in the hobby thanks to its manageable adult size. Males develop characteristic bushy tentacles on the snout used in mate selection. An excellent algae grazer, it should also receive supplemental feeding with blanched vegetables and sinking wafers.

The bronze corydoras is one of the most widely kept bottom-dwellers in the hobby. Its metallic bronze-green flanks and peaceful temperament make it a staple of community tanks. Like all corydoras it requires fine sand to protect its sensitive barbels and prefers groups of six or more.

Betta macrostoma, the Brunei Beauty, is widely considered the most beautiful wild betta species — males display deep orange-red bodies, black-bordered fins, and a striking bicolour pattern. It is a large, powerful mouthbrooder endemic to cool, clear streams in Brunei and Sarawak and is critically endangered in the wild. Keeping it successfully demands expert-level water quality management, cool temperatures, and near-perfect breeding conditions.

Tough, active tetra with red-tipped fins. Tolerates cooler water down to 18°C. Known to nip fins and eat plants. Best in a species tank or with similarly robust fish.

Tiny, striking goby with bold black-and-yellow bands. Prefers slightly brackish water. Bottom-dwelling and territorial — needs caves and live/frozen food as it rarely accepts dry food.

Elegant killifish with a lyretail caudal fin in shades of orange, red, and yellow. One of the gentlest killifish — works well in community tanks with small peaceful fish.

Often confused with the neon tetra, the cardinal tetra has a longer red stripe extending the full length of the body. It prefers soft, acidic blackwater conditions and looks stunning in large schools against dark substrate and dense planting.

The celebes rainbowfish is a slender, elegant species with a translucent yellowish body, vivid blue-yellow finnage and elongated fin rays giving it a delicate, almost lacy appearance. It is an older hobby fish with a devoted following. It prefers moderately hard water and calm, well-oxygenated tanks with dense planting.

Discovered in Myanmar in 2006, the celestial pearl danio features a dark body scattered with gold spots and vivid red-orange fins. It prefers densely planted tanks with subdued lighting and thrives in groups where males display to one another.

Exquisite micro-cichlid with a chequered body pattern and lyre-shaped tail on males. Requires very soft, acidic blackwater conditions. Peaceful but demanding — rewarding for experienced aquascapers.

Male cherry barbs turn a vivid deep red when breeding-conditioned, making them one of the most colourful small barbs available. Unlike many barbs they are peaceful and non-nippy, suiting them to community planted tanks with other peaceful species.