The pond season will soon be upon us, and the first fishes of the year are arriving in stores. Low temperatures are never a problem for Orfe (Leuciscus idus) which enjoy oxygen-rich water and feed at lower temperatures than Goldfish or Koi. You’ll see them appearing in stores now and they’re noticeably more active than other pond fish species, making them perfect for large ponds with strong water movement. They’re also plant friendly and seem immune to many of the diseases that can affect other popular pond pets. Their wild ancestors are dark brown but ornamental strains are either gold or blue.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/pond-fish/golden-orfe-

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

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. The perfect pet fish for a multitude of reasons, these hardy marine fish are descended from fish that rarely move far and are compatible with a whole host of reef creatures. This batch at our Derby store were a good reminder of why this is one of the world’s most popular fish.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/marine/damselfish/common-clownfish

They might not suit small aquaria or communities of nervous fishes, but barbs can make excellent aquarium residents given a bit of room and the company of a shoal. These Melon barbs (Haludaria fasciata) at our Basingstoke store were looking especially handsome during a recent visit. One of the more unusual medium-sized barbs, these beauties are a good fit alongside active tankmates.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/cyprinids/melon-barb

Freshwater pufferfishes are pretty distinctive and always full of character. All of them have their charms but not many can boast ornate appendages like this Hairy puffer (Pao baileyi) seen at our Mere Park store. Built for ambush, this is a predator built for stealth despite looking like a freshly-dug potato.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/miscellaneous/hairy-puffer

Some old familiar tetras would really cause a stir if they were newly introduced to the hobby. Known under a variety of names, including Beacon tetra, the Head and tail light tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer) is a quietly beautiful shoaling fish that looks stunning in a blackwater set up. Those distinctive markings hold shoals together in poor visibility or coloured water. In double-figure shoals, the effect is stunning and makes a change from the usual Neons or Cardinals.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/characins/head-tail-light-tetra-