With March finally here, the new season pond plants are starting to appear in our stores. Full of promise, these early arrivals tend to be a mixture of the ultra-hardy foliage types such as sedges, as well as the first flowering marginals of spring just getting into their stride. As with any garden design, evergreen types add structure and interest at this time of year.

Pond plants in Maidenhead Aquatics stores

As Easter approaches, the traditional start of the pond fish season begins. There’s a reason why goldfish have been popular pets for hundreds of years and they remain a popular choice today. As well as standard forms, there are varieties such as sarasa comets, shubunkins, canary goldfish, black comets and even the odd retro bronze ancestral type to choose from. All are hardy and complement one another nicely.

Pond fish at Maidenhead Aquatics

Some fish really do have more character than others and pufferfishes always hold a special place in the hearts of their keepers. This is just as well, because species like this Potato puffer (Tetraodon miurus) really don’t like each other! A solitary ambush predator, this one at our Ascot store might have the perfect face for a selfie but is a formidable predator. See more information here, in our Databank.

 Potato Puffer Maidenhead Aquatics

Fancy guppies (Poecilia reticulata) continue to get more fancy. These Red cap guppies at our Morden store combine a number of traits and are certainly eye-catching. Highly bred forms like these are a little more demanding but well worth the effort.

For more information on keeping guppies in the best of health, see their Databank profile here.

 Red Cap Guppies Morden Maidenhead Aquatics

 

Although Tangs are marine fishes that appreciate having room to roam and don’t suit small set ups, the right one will often repay these considerations by helping with the housework. One of the best at controlling microalgae growth is the Spotted yellow-eye tang (Ctenochaetus truncatus) which even has the added appeal of being bright yellow as a juvenile. What more could you ask for? This little beauty was one of a batch at our Cwmbran store.

For more information, head to their species profile here.

Spotted yellow-eye tang fish - Maidenhead Aquatics - Cwmbran