What's in store - August 2026

It’s a rare opportunity to get a good look at the Ninja woodcats (Centromochlus orca) during the day when they’re not either hidden in a comfy sleeping spot or charging around feeding. As the name might suggest (not the ninja part) they enjoy finding a nice cavity in waterlogged wood to rest in and are one of those fantastic fish that make every appearance a bit magical. Peaceful and only likely to trouble tankmates that can be swallowed whole, these crepuscular cuties have two speeds and add a lot of interest as they take over from the day shift in a thoughtfully stocked community tank. An evening feed in an aquarium with a slow sunset setting to the lighting would suit them perfectly. These were a highlight at our Cwmbran store.

Fish keeping is a fascinating hobby, especially when it gives insights into the natural world. Neon gobies (Elacatinus oceanops) share a pattern with wrasses and other unrelated cleaner fish that swim in other oceans, meaning that they probably evolved this pattern before North America and South America cut the link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This universal uniform means that they’re recognised as cleaners by any fish they’re housed with and will happily provide a fish parasite removal service as well as thriving on a range of foods and being suitable for nano tanks. This one was trying to catch my attention at our Braintree branch.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/blennies-gobies/blue-neon-goby

Much is said about the Electric blue Dempsey but it has to be said that the classic Jack Dempsey cichlid (Rocio octofasciata) is very attractive fish in its own right. It’s true to say that the aquarium hobby has fashions and right now there’s a lot of attention on exactly the opposite of what this fish is – small, inoffensive shoaling fishes that won’t damage a beautifully laid out aquatic garden. If that’s what you’re into then move along as ‘JD’s’ are more about that thug life. Like an untrained dog, these fish will cause chaos but show so much character that you’ll happily forgive them and they’re good looking in a rough diamond kind of way. As with most Centrals, keep them in hard water with robust non-cichlid tankmates in a tank large enough that everyone can keep out of each other’s way. This pair were amongst other nice cichlids seen at Woodbridge.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cichlids/jack-dempsey

Sometimes it’s hard to see the appeal of some aquarium forms of already attractive species. It’s a very objective thing but many of us often find that albinos are a pale imitation of their wild ancestors but it’s hard not to see the appeal of these albino Congo tetras (Phenacogrammus interruptus) which display all the iridescence of the normal males and have females which are undeniably brighter than their brown counterparts. These fish are definitely a long-term investment and grow into stunning chunky tetras with ornate finnage, far removed from these promising youngsters at our Mere Park store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/characins/congo-tetra-

Not the best image but when you’re trying to capture the swift movements of Blue orfe (Leuciscus idus) you have to take what you can get. A colour form of golden orfe, these fish tend to get paler with age and often develop orange speckling as they mature. Considered the ultimate pond fish before Koi took that crown, orfe are streamlined, elegant and don’t damage pond plants or grub around in the silt at the bottom of the pond. They love flowing water and have a high oxygen demand but given these things they’ll prove extremely hardy and entertaining. These were enjoying the crystal-clear water at our Hare Hatch branch.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/pond-fish/blue-orfe-