King cup (Caltha palustris)

Spring in the water garden is heralded by the yellow blooms of King cup (Caltha palustris). This native plant of water meadows is a must-have for planted ponds tolerating a wide range of water depths from damp soil to full submersion and is also a star in the wildlife pond – giving nectar and pollen early in the season and the perfect refuge for loafing frogs in the summer, beneath a parasol of leaves. You’ll find Caltha in our pond sections and as our winters are part of its DNA, it just gets bigger and better every year.

Sohal tang (Acanthurus sohal).
Tangs are marine fish that demand plenty of swimming space as they mature and one of the most iconic is the Sohal tang (Acanthurus sohal). This fish looks like the product of a graphic designer and these bold markings serve as a flag to proclaim territory, as it patrols its borders enforcing dominance. Sohals are big and feisty, but breathtaking in the right set up that gives them the space they need and the right tankmates. This one was at our Rugby store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/tangs/sohal-tang-

Blood red dwarf gourami,

Gouramis have been popular residents of community aquaria for decades and they have much to commend them. At home in planted aquaria with moderate flow and offering a size contrast in a non-predatory package, all they ask is for company of their own kind to ensure normal behaviour. One of the hobby staples, the Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster fasciata) has been afflicted by a virus which has made sourcing healthy specimens tricky and breeders have been busy looking for solutions. It seems that one of these has arrived in the shape of a fish that we receive as the Blood red dwarf gourami, which seems to have more of the characteristics of the Thicklip gourami (Trichogaster labiosa). These new gouramis have a look that you’d expect from crossing a red strain dwarf with a Red robin gourami, especially as females carry some colour too. This batch were at our Ascot branch.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/anabantids/red-robin-gourami

Calico ranchu

Fancy goldfish are fishes that inhabit a world of contrasts. At one extreme, they’re a novelty widely considered as pets for children and we seem to spend much of our time pointing out to parents just how unsuitable they are for small tanks. At the other end of the scale (pardon the pun) they’re prized examples of many generations of selection by dedicated breeders. These Calico ranchu were big, impressive fish for serious keepers that appreciate their charms and have the facilities to do them justice. Recently seen at our Wenvoe store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/coldwater-aquarium-fish/ranchu

Pinto spotted shrimp

Having appeared relatively recently in our aquaria, fancy shrimps are continuing their ascent as the perfect choice for small set ups. A line bred form of the Crystal shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) these Pinto spotted shrimp have the same requirements, which are easily provided and now widely catered for by a wide range of products. Some of these forms can be tricky to breed true and mixing them is sure to result in offspring that lose their pedigree features. These were amongst a wide range of shrimps at our Shrewsbury store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/miscellaneous/crystal-red-shrimp