It’s been a great summer for most of our pondfish, they’ve been thriving and growing rapidly in vats which have been as warm as the tropical systems indoors. These Butterfly koi at our Birmingham store were very active in the warm weather.

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

 

Amongst the wide range of temperate offerings at our Wilton store, my eye was drawn to the elegant Blue-spotted hill trout (Opsarius/Barilius bakeri) which is a fast-moving Danio relative for the larger aquarium that provides strong currents and high oxygen levels. These are shoaling fish which appreciate personal space, meaning that they can be quarrelsome in small tanks and small numbers.

We’ve yet to add this species to our databank but you’ll find a relative with similar requirements here: https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/cyprinids/mackerel-barb/

 It’s true to say that Dorads aren’t the most dynamic of fishes during the day and spend a lot of time snoozing in a favourite cave or tangle of plants. They’re probably sleeping off the activity of the previous night foraging for small snails and other goodies from the substrate. Like many catfish with their physique, they’ll usually wake up for a tasty treat and they have lots of character and a long life in which to charm their keepers. This Spotted talking cat (Agamyxis pectinifrons) at our Melksham branch was posing beautifully but was probably just taking a well-earned rest.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/catfish/spotted-talking-catfish

 

It’s not a view many of us get to see very often but seeing Fancy goldfish from this angle reveals a grace and elegance of form which isn’t always apparent in an aquarium. No surprise when so many of these varieties were originally bred to be admired from above. It’s still an excellent way to keep these messy fishes, as many of the patio features and raised ponds available give them far more room than a conventional aquarium and as long as they’re protected from predators and extremes of temperature, they can be expected to thrive outdoors during the frost-free months. Winters can be spent indoors in a spacious aquarium, or their outdoor home can be moved into a more sheltered position to avoid the chill. This mix of orandas, ryukin and telescopes were enjoying the glass-fronted pool at our Cwmbran store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/coldwater-aquarium-fish

 

With a boldly marked pattern of chocolate brown stripes, the Candy-striped plec (Peckoltia vittata) is an established favourite which has both an L number (L015) and a binomial name. Like most Peckoltia, it enjoys tablet foods and frozen fare, being a fish to enjoy for its looks more than its ability to control algae. As can be seen by this group at our Hare Hatch branch, this fish is social but appreciates plenty of hiding places which they usually defend against rivals.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/catfish/candy-striped-plec-l015/

Dwarf gouramis (Trichogaster lalius) have been in the hobby a long time and looking at this male seen at our Newbury store, it’s easy to see why. A recent reshuffle changed their scientific name and another one might be on the way, but it really doesn’t matter to the fishes either way. What does matter is providing these swamp-dwellers with plenty of cover to enable females to avoid harassment and to limit the territorial urges of a male who wishes to defend the area around the nest of bubbles that they build at the surface amongst plants. Issues with viability in some strains have seen a return to less intensively-bred lines and it’s good to see an old favourite return to form.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/anabantids/dwarf-gourami

They may be Dwarf chain loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) but these individuals at our Braintree store were looking hefty! It’s not often that we see this species as such chunky mature adults, and these are possibly the largest I’ve ever encountered. Mercifully these are still amongst the smallest of the Botia group and make a good choice for a community of fairly boisterous fishes that won’t be upset by playful, nosy loaches, such as barbs.

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

In case you were wondering, there’s a good reason why this fish is called the Moustached danio (Danio dangila). All danios have barbels, but most are very fine and hard to spot without very close scrutiny. This batch at Andover were looking very whiskery as they begged for food at the glass. Like most danios, these are fish that enjoy cool temperatures and water movement – making them a great choice for large aquaria at room temperature or slightly above.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/help-and-advice/freshwater/cyprinids/moustached-danio-