What's in store this June?
There’s a reason why Orfe (Leuciscus idus) have been popular pond fish for years, they’re hardy, fast-growing, cold tolerant and excellent value. They do need large, oxygen-rich ponds but unlike Koi they don’t damage plants or stir up silt from the bottom of the pond. The gold form has been around forever, but the blue strain is a much newer addition and needs clear water to look its best, owing to its darker colouration. Orfe do have one major weakness, they’re susceptible to some of the stronger fish medications on the market – so make sure you read the instructions or take advice before adding any chemicals and always use a tap water conditioner that detoxifies heavy metals. These were seen at our Thornbury store, but you’ll find them in every one of our pond sections.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/pond-fish/blue-orfe-
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/pond-fish/golden-orfe-
Gouramis have always been popular community fish and these Orange thick-lipped gourami (Trichogaster labiosa) are a great choice if you’re looking for something a bit larger to mix with small tetras or rasboras in a planted aquarium. This species is seen in a few flavours in stores, with the wild colour form being one of the most unusual. Often the bright red colour form known as the Red robin gourami is misidentified as a ‘Red honey gourami’ but should grow into an orange adult like this one. A couple of breeders have given their own names to their strains, so you might see a tank of Marigold gourami which are a little more yellow. All are peaceful and far more hardy than the more frequently seen Dwarf gourami (Trichogaster fasciata). These well-grown young adults were at our Scotsdale store.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/anabantids/thick-lipped-gourami-
Algae-eating fish are always popular aquarium residents and the Starry blenny (Salarius ramosus) is a popular choice for reef aquaria. Otherwise known as the Jewelled algae blenny, this fish has an appetite for green filamentous algae and is best housed in a system that provides natural grazing alongside a range of prepared foods. As if their janitorial services weren’t enough, blennies have a lot of character and tend to become favourites with their owners. Although it would be easy to dismiss them as a bit plain, their eyes and the little cirri above them are magnificent and help to disguise them as they perch on the reef, hiding in plain sight. This one was taking a break from cleaning at the Mere Park branch.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/blennies-gobies/jewel-algae-blenny
Sunlight brings out the very best in rainbowfishes. There’s no denying that these Dwarf neon rainbows (Melanotaenia praecox) are handsome under normal conditions, but with the sunlight bouncing off their bright blue scales, they’re a sight to behold. One of the smaller members of their family, praecox are easily sexed (females have more yellow fins) and look great in shoals. These were looking glorious at our Stapleton store.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/rainbow-fish/dwarf-neon-rainbowfish
Metallic Koi are always striking fish and these Ginrin platinum ogons are sparkling white and bound to stand out in the depths of a large pond. These fish are bred in Japan and are excellent value, having a pedigree that should insure they improve with age. Single-coloured koi are often more hardy and faster-growing than their more patterned kin, so expect females particularly to become some of the biggest fish in the pond. These were at our Huntingdon store.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/pond-fish/koi
Not all Rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are German blue rams, with this name being originally reserved for a line of fish that were particularly robust and colourful – such as these European bred adults seen recently at our Wenvoe store. The German strain has been bred into many commercial strains of this species but it’s rare to see them as chunky adults that remind me of the fishes that were commanding a premium in the late eighties! They may be generations away from their wild ancestors, but these are still a fish that will do their best in soft water with low nitrates.
