Our Stores

Pond plants can go from mundane to spectacular and these Japanese Iris (Iris ensata ‘Cheesecake’) were definitely eye catching. One of the Dinner plate series, this is Cheesecake, although I’m led to believe they taste like normal iris. As with most pond plants, this is a hardy perennial that requires sunshine and wet feet to thrive. Flowering will be enhanced by the use of fertiliser balls or regular repotting to ensure optimal nutrition. These beauties were seen at ou

Sarasa comets (Carassius auratus) are always eye-catching, with reds that put all but the most highly bred Koi to shame. Whether mixed with contrasting varieties such as Shubunkin or Canary goldfish, or brightening the pond with their crimson and white, it’s hard to find a better pond fish for the average garden pond. You’ll find them in all of our pond sections at the moment.

They might not be as generous as the easter bunny, but rabbitfish are very giving when it comes to algae control. This One-spot fox face (Siganus unimaculatus) at Reefkeeper Rugby makes a great alternative to the more active tangs but will reach a size that necessitates a spacious aquarium. Every time I write about these fishes I wonder why the old common name of Badger fish isn’t more widely used, but then the native name of Spinefoot (thanks to their s

As different mutations are combined, Rams are getting further from their wild ancestors. Originally a seasonally colourful dwarf cichlid that demands warm soft water with low nitrates, their descendants such as this Longfin electric blue ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are far more forgiving thanks to generations of domestication. This batch was looking good at our Cheddar store.

L number plecs are an area of the hobby where you could easily spend many years and end up with a lot of aquaria. As their needs become more widely known and increasing numbers of dedicated hobbyists unlock the secrets to breeding them, it’s nice to see the fishes playing their part. This batch of Flash plecs (Panaqolus albivermis) were seen at our Reading store recently. See what else we have in store this month. 

Having been misidentified for some time, it’s great to see this pair of Lavender firefish (Nemateleotris lavandula) given proper credit at our Reefkeeper Rugby store. For years, this species was seen as helfrichi and may be more familiar to many keepers by that name. As often happens, the real helfrichi is slightly different and very rarely seen outside of its native habitat. Firefishes are all excellent choices for reef aquaria although liable to jump f

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

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.

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. 

A good choice for an unheated aquarium, these Rosy bitterlings (Rhodeus ocellatus) have beautiful pearlescent colours when the light hits them from the side. 

Not all pond plants rely on flowers for colour, the hardy and vigorous Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' has leaves which add a splash of colour to the shallows and pond surroundings.

Goldfish tend to come in two very different forms, the pond-hardy breeds which are classically ‘fish-shaped fish’ with streamlined bodies and single tails, then the fancy varieties with a wide range of shapes and finnage.

With their good looks, small size, and hardier nature, Endler’s guppies are becoming a popular...

A familiar sight to many, tank bred Common clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) are now seen in a bewildering array of colours, but the original wild type remains a design classic.

Our marine specialist stores carry a lot of frags, some of these are produced instore by our staff and it’s become the norm to see rows of brightly coloured tiny corals during store visits. In contrast, seeing a larger specimen such as this Metallic red brain coral (Symphyllia sp.) at our Leicester store is all the more impressive. 

New Year, new tetra! Well, fairly new tetra – The Blue ribbon tetra (Hyphessobrycon sp. ‘Blue ribbon’) is an undescribed South American beauty that’s been appearing more and more in our stores but is easily overlooked until it starts to develop some colouration

Having seen Gold dust eartheaters (Geophagus sp. ‘Alto Sinu’) in our stores for a few years, it was a treat to see fully-grown adults at our Cardiff store.

Red jewel cichlids have been popular but savage aquarium pets for years and have graced the home aquaria of such celebrities as Sir David Attenborough.