Magazine

One of the largest and most impressive freshwater invertebrates that can be safely added to an aquarium alongside peaceful fishes, the Giant fan shrimp (Atya gabonensis) is a filter feeder that needs very fine particle foods. Shy by nature, they tend to find a secure spot where a strong current brings food and oxygen to them. This group was seen at our Derby store.

Temperate fishes are a misunderstood bunch, straddling the divide between tropical and coldwater fish. Typically, they hail from regions that have warm summers/wet seasons followed by cooler winters/dry seasons

Triggerfishes are some of the most responsive and rewarding marine fish pets but are often loveable rogues with borderline psychotic tendencies

Let’s look at temperate fishes. They’re not cold water but they’re not tropical either – most importantly they thrive at room temperature. The most significant aspect is that they’re a far better choice for modestly sized set ups than goldfish.

Cichlids are a very diverse group of fishes and if you were so inclined, you could find species for pretty much every type of aquarium whether community, unheated temperate (even summer pond!), or marine. The early days of the hobby were characterised by experiences of keeping territorial species of this group in tanks that were often too small to allow any tankmates to keep a healthy distance from angry parental cichlids and so a reputation was born.

Welcome to a new year! Traditionally a time of resolutions and change, as well as freezing weather. After the usual feasting and merriment, those who make resolutions will be joining gyms, giving up smoking, trying to swear less (or at least only under due provocation!) and perhaps be better fish keepers. Having done most of the above at some point, I can tell you that the last one is probably the easiest of the lot...

February can be a changeable month, with glimpses of spring between reminders that winter’s not intending on going down without a fight…Check out our top tips for fishkeeping indoors and out!

With signs of spring everywhere, it’s time to embrace the start of a new pond season before the warmth of Easter brings the traditional start of the outdoor season.  

The coming of Easter means it’s time for things to wake up in the spring garden and this month sees sunny days win over cold nights. In response, fish and aquatic wildlife become more active and plants start growing and flowering. With the current shenanigans taking place, it’s good to know that the water garden can absorb all the time you can give it…

Bank holidays have been a rollercoaster of high and low temperatures and we’ve had a good amount of rain. It can only mean one thing – spring is here!

No matter how slow the spring seems, this time of year never fails to deliver the promises of early summer. Looking at the verdant growth of poolside plants there’s no escaping the fact that summer’s here.

​High summer is here and in many gardens the pond is the most verdant part. That’s what makes them such a great place to sit and enjoy a cold drink but this has to be earned by keeping on top of the usual seasonal tasks.

This summer has been a record-breaker and continues to provide tropical temperatures, no matter how ‘cold water’ your fishes may be.

After the heat of summer, September is the point where pond keepers need to start planning for what’s to come.

So, it’s the time of year when nature shrugs off her summer splendour to take on the glorious glowing tints of autumn. For less romantically inclined water gardeners it’s the time when leaves start to get everywhere!

As the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness gives way to winter there are far fewer leaves on the trees. It’s time to go and fish them out of the pond and make the most of the warm autumn weather before it really does get cold out there. We may have had the first frosts but it takes a little longer for ponds to cool. Indoors, it’s always tropical...

So, here we are again – the robins are briefed and ready, the mistletoe is looking nervous and the stores are bracing themselves to explain to last minute gift shoppers that fish can’t be gifted in a brand new aquarium purchased the previous day. Here are our top fishkeeping tips for indoors and out for December.

Everybody knows what Dory looks like (it is the school holidays after all) but this has to be one of the most unique Regal tangs (Paracanthurus hepatus) that we’ve ever seen. 

Moving to new surroundings can be daunting for fish and it’s perfectly normal for even the tamest specimens to take a little time to settle in, so don’t worry if your new pets are shy at first. Adding a small quantity of food helps the fish to associate your arrival with good things and tame more quickly.

Many of us had a goldfish as our first childhood pet and they’re a popular choice, especially for a child’s first aquarium. But these large and messy fish are actually far better suited to outdoor life in a pond.