Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is known as the Giant krib at Maidenhead Aquatics

It’s probably thanks to being largely imported as mature fish that Pelvicachromis sacrimontis is known as the Giant krib as they don’t grow any larger than more familiar species. Darker than their domesticated pulcher relatives, sacrimontis are found in a few colour forms which are mostly indistinguishable in the females – much like their relatives kribensis and taeniatus. Males can be red, green or yellow and all forms show the same green cheek marking. As they’re a fish that hails from soft, acidic water it’s best to duplicate those conditions in their aquarium, especially to encourage spawning. Breeders report that this fish needs more genetic diversity to remain viable over a number of generations, so the communication age seems a great time to set up links between breeders and try to get them more established in the hobby. This batch were looking good at our Melksham store.

 https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cichlids/dwarf-cichlids/green-kribensis

Orandas are familiar fancy goldfish at Maidenhead Aquatics

Orandas are familiar fancy goldfish known for their exaggerated wen or head growth and we’ve seen some strains that are very well endowed in this respect. These lines, known as Jellyhead or Bubblehead orandas are certainly remarkable and as well as the usual requirement for spacious and well-maintained aquaria, you’d be wise to make sure that any décor is free of edges that could be harmful to these often-clumsy swimmers. These were turning heads at our Cardiff branch.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/coldwater-aquarium-fish/oranda

Purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa) at Maidenhead Aquatics

Freshwater gobies are uncommon in the hobby and tend to come in two main flavours – small riverine species and larger, lurking predators. The Purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa) is a chunky mid-sized predator with plenty of character and a mouth large enough to swallow small fish, tankmates should be sturdy such as large Rainbowfish or barbs. With a distribution that ranges outside the tropics, these fish may benefit from a seasonal drop in temperature for long term health and to trigger spawning. These were seen at our Ascot store.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/miscellaneous/purple-spotted-gudgeon-

Emperor damsel (Chrysiptera arnazae) at Maidenhead Aquatics

Thanks to many bad experiences with the rougher members of the family and a price tag that often puts them in the wrong hands, Damselfishes are often the group that everybody loves to hate - apart from Clownfish which are damsels with a different paint job and better PR. Aggression levels vary amongst species and it’s true to say that all of the members of the yellow-tailed blue group are amongst some of the more reasonable. The Emperor damsel (Chrysiptera arnazae) is the smallest and least aggressive of the group and it’s also monogamous, with pairs forming in a similar way to clowns but with the dominant fish becoming male. Selecting two fish of different sizes and allowing each to hold a territory will keep them busy and should ensure a pair. Like the popular Springer’s damsel (Ch. springeri) these little fish eat flatworms as well as adding vibrant colour and interesting behaviour. This batch was seen recently at Leeds South.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/damselfish/emperor-damselfish

White cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica ‘Alba’) at Maidenhead Aquatics

Lobelias are a common sight in hanging baskets and flower beds but there are species and varieties which have broader uses. For late season colour, hardy lobelias are hard to beat and also popular with pollinators. This White cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica ‘Alba’) is a moisture-loving plant that can be placed in the shallows with its feet in the water or planted in a bog garden that’s always reliably moist. You’ll find them together with blue and red flowered cultivars in our pond sections right now, although they’re often the first plants to sell in late season clearance sales.