With the long nights upon us, it’s good to know that the aquarium season is here to brighten our days. As possibly the best community fish choice possible, Corydoras catfish can be relied on to add nothing but charm to any suitable set up. For their part, they want to be kept in groups (the bigger the better) on a sandy substrate, in temperatures that are in the cooler range of the tropical scale.

This huge genus is long overdue some work and is currently split into a number of lineages before we have to learn lots of exciting new binomial names. For now, this gorgeous fish is Corydoras Gold Laser (sp. cw010) in lineage 7 - alongside the Bronze cory (C. aeneus) and it’s close relatives/geographical variants. The simpler bit is the fact that it’s one of a number of species looking good at our Newbury  store.

 

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/catfish/gold-laser-cory-cw010

 

Discus have long been a dream fish for many keepers and they’ve never been easier to keep. Historically there’s been two issues that complicate their care - a need for soft, acidic water and the fact that these cichlids will happily bully each other to death unless kept in a way that allows for expression of their social structure.

Generations of domestication have led to easy-care Stendker discus (Symphysodon hybrids) that thrive in tap water in many parts of the country and differ hugely from their sensitive wild kin. They still need the same considerations to avoid problems with aggression and their breeders recommend keeping young fishes in groups of ten to avoid what’s long been known as ‘smallest discus syndrome’. Once paired, mature fish can be kept as compatible couples with minimal bickering. Our Ascot branch specialises in trops and these fine young German fishes were amongst them.

 

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/cichlids/discus

 

The wriggling charm of Khuli loaches (Pangio khulii) has won them a place in the hearts of fish keepers for years and with good reason. A group of these oddballs will add a lot of interest to the right community, where they’ll mooch about amongst the cover of plants and magically appear when sinking foods are added. They’re a little shy but numbers are everything, they’re more confident in shoals and you’re more likely to see them the more you have. These little beauties were at Endsleigh.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/cyprinids/kuhli-loach-

Marine fishes are a varied lot, many are home loving residents of their chosen tiny territory whereas others like to roam a bit wider. For those marine enthusiasts with space for larger species, big Sailfin tangs (Zebrasoma desjardinii) are a great choice. These herbivores thrive on the quality dried diets available that feature an algae component and this ensures a good balanced diet, as even the most conscientious keeper will be unable to present the diversity of algae available in the natural habitat. Properly fed and housed, big tangs like this beauty at Leeds South  will be long lived pets.

 

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/marine/tangs/indian-ocean-sailfin-tang-