Albino redcap angel (Pterophyllum sp.)

Who knew the Angelfish genome was so vast? Decades of domestication and new varieties keep coming, like this Albino redcap angel (Pterophyllum sp.) which combines a whole raft of recessive genes to express colouration that none of its wild ancestors would have ever displayed. It might have a pedigree longer than its pelvic fins but the standard angelfish rules apply – keep as a group of mixed sizes in a set up large enough to allow them to avoid each other. Males grow faster than females, so an ideal tactic is to get three larger and three smaller fish of the same age to make up a group. This was one of many fishes that caught the eye at our Derby store.

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

Chinese rainbow loach (Traccatichthys pulcher)

It’s a blessing that many interesting fishes are found in temperatures that are close to those found in the average heated living room. One such fish is the Chinese rainbow loach (Traccatichthys pulcher) which can add interest to a community of cool water barbs and danios, as well as help with the housekeeping by mopping up any uneaten food that gets past their midwater tank mates. This service should be viewed as a bonus however, and a staple diet of sinking pellets and frozen foods will see them thrive and display an abundance of charisma and colour. These were looking good at our Cwmbran store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cyprinids/chinese-rainbow-loach

Crescent betta (Betta imbellis)

They might have a monopoly on the common name, but domesticated Bettas are not the only game in town. Their wild cousins are fascinating fishes to keep and have the advantage of not having been selectively bred for aggression, meaning that they can be kept in more interesting ways. The Crescent betta (Betta imbellis) is a fighting fish with more manageable levels of rage and can be kept in harems or even multi-male groups in a large enough tank with dense planting and broken sightlines. Layout is more important than tank size in this instance and a poorly furnished aquarium where fish can see each other all the time is a certain recipe for friction. Think swamp rather than scape and suddenly things fall into place. These were a highlight of a visit to our Basingstoke store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/anabantids/crescent-betta

Pond season is approaching

The pond season is approaching and our stores are counting down for the traditional Easter start to the season. The fact that this is never a fixed date can have some ramifications and it’s worth exercising a little restraint if we have a cold Easter weekend. Fish like these Koi which have been housed by us through the winter months will be more thoroughly acclimatised to the rigours of spring, but more recently imported fish might benefit from a little more warmth before being added to a home pond. Ask a member of staff when choosing any new pets and they can guide you to making the best choice.

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

Peugeot tetra (Hyphessobrycon peugeoti)

There’s a reason why we have display tanks in our stores, some species don’t show themselves off in the stock tanks and this is one of them. The Peugeot tetra (Hyphessobrycon peugeoti) arrives from the breeders as an underwhelming little silver fish with a black tail spot and you’d be forgiven for walking past them without a second glance. Named in honour of a Brazilian family and not the car (despite being almost the colour of an old 90’s 205) we expect this stunning softwater characin to become a popular staple amongst aquascapers. This male was one of a group trying to outdo one another in the planted display tank at our Bristol branch.

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

 

Rio Tomo CW217

A bit like tetras, corys seem to be enjoying a run of exciting new imports and the Rio Tomo CW217 is currently enjoying some well-deserved popularity. Thought to be a regional colour variety of the Slate cory (Hoplisoma concolor) this black and tan beauty has already been spawned successfully in the tanks of catfish enthusiasts and has a bright future in the hobby. As most of the fish we’ve seen have been mature adults and have been through the dry season, this is probably the perfect time to attempt breeding these majestic fish. This photo and the fish depicted are courtesy of our Farnham branch, a store which specialises in tempting the most discerning of freshwater fishkeepers.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/catfish/slate-cory

 

Yellow assessor (Assessor flavissimus)

It may look like a Gramma or a Dottyback, but this elegant creature is a Yellow assessor (Assessor flavissimus) a small relative of the Marine betta (Calloplesiops). Found under reef overhangs or in the vicinity of caves, this fish has a very broad approach to the concept of ‘up’ and will normally turn its belly towards the nearest solid surface, which occasionally includes the water’s surface. With polite manners and a fairly small mouth, this fish can be trusted in a reef aquarium that provides some dark recesses that it can retire to amongst the rockwork. Tiny crustaceans might be a bit too tempting to resist but there aren’t many that fall into the risky category. This fish was seen at our Bristol store.