Josh Carpmail

Sales Assistant at Trowell

How long have you been a Maidenhead Aquatics team member?

I’ve been part of the Maidenhead Aquatics team for a year now.

How long have you been keeping fish?

I’ve been keeping fish for around 10 years.

What was your first aquarium and what fish did you keep in it?

My first setup was an Aqua One 25L, and I kept guppies in it—great little fish to start with.

What species do you most enjoy keeping and why?

Right now, I’d say fancy goldfish are my favourites. I’ve got a few at home, but one in particular—Roberta—definitely has the most character! I recently upgraded to a Fluval Shaker 345L to give them more room as they grow. They’re just so entertaining to watch; each one seems to have its own personality.

What pearl of wisdom would you give to first-time fishkeepers?

Go for the biggest tank you can afford and have space for. Speaking from experience, I started with a 25L, moved up to a 55L, then 125L, and now I’m at 345L. I wish I’d just gone bigger from the start—it would've saved me time, money, and effort in the long run.

What would be your dream aquarium?

Definitely an Oase HighLine. I love the clean, stylish look—it would be a stunning centrepiece in any room.

What’s your favourite aspect of working at Maidenhead Aquatics?

Honestly, I love it. It doesn’t feel like a typical job—it’s more like spending the day doing my hobby, surrounded by a great team I can have a laugh with.

What questions do customers ask you most often?

The one I get all the time is: “Can we feed the fish?”

What’s your secret fishkeeping “top tip”?

Try feeding your fish once every two days. It helps prevent overfeeding and keeps the tank cleaner for longer.

How many aquariums do you currently keep at home, and what are they?

At the moment, I’ve got a Fluval Roma housing my fancy goldfish, and a Fluval Shaker 345L that’s currently cycling and getting ready for future residents.

What’s the most unique species you’ve ever cared for at Maidenhead Aquatics?

Piranhas, without a doubt. When I first started, I was nervous about cleaning their tank, but they’re actually quite shy and totally misunderstood. They’ve ended up being my favourite fish to feed in the shop.

What got you hooked on fishkeeping in the first place?

I used to love wandering around garden centres and pet shops, just watching the fish. When I landed my first full-time job, I finally decided to take the plunge and set up my own tank.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since joining Maidenhead Aquatics?

I was blown away to learn how long some fish can live! For example, the oldest recorded koi lived over 200 years—mind-blowing!

For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here

Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here