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Harriett Cookson (Harri)
Store Manager
at
Burton Latimer
How long have you been a Maidenhead Aquatics team member?
Nearly 8 years
How long have you been keeping fish?
I have been keeping fish for the past 18 years.
What was your first aquarium and what fish did you keep in it?
My first set-up was a 25-litre temperate aquarium with zebra danios, although I remember helping my dad out with his 200+ litre fancy goldfish tank when I was much younger.
What species do you most enjoy keeping and why?
My favourite species currently are Pangio cuneovirgata (A smaller less commonly kept species of Khuli Loach). I have a blackwater biotope set up for these fish and love how secretive they are. I hope to be the first person to document breeding them in captivity, so an ongoing and difficult project, but one I get a lot of satisfaction out of trying to achieve.
What pearl of wisdom would you give to first-time Fishkeepers?
Patience, patience, patience. Do not rush anything, good things come to those who wait and you will be much more successful in this hobby if you can exercise restraint.
What would be your dream aquarium?
I have always wanted something 15ft+ long with a dry haul-out area about a third of the way along for an epaulette shark and other tidal species. One can dream!
What’s your favourite aspect of work at Maidenhead Aquatics?
Education is my passion and being able to help people to learn and to be able to share my knowledge on a subject I’ve been involved with for the vast majority of my life is such a rewarding aspect of this job. (Feeding the koi is also a fun highlight!)
What questions do customers ask you most often?
Questions regarding compatibility between fish species… and of course, ‘have you got any chips with that?’
What’s your secret fishkeeping “top tip”?
When filling up a newly scaped aquarium with soil, apply one layer of kitchen roll, covered with a layer of cling film and top with a plate. When you fill it, add water to the plate slowly and once the tank is full, you can remove the layers gently for a crystal-clear aquarium that hasn’t churned up the base planting substrate.
How many aquariums do you currently keep at home, and what are these?
6 in total (with many more in storage!) 1. Spec 60 Marine Reef Aquarium 2. Quarantine/Breeding tank for Corydoras fry 3. Flex 34 Temperate Set up with Celestial Pearl Danio, Shrimp and an Apistogramma Borellii 4. Aquatropic 65 Khuli Loach Blackwater Biotope 5. 340 Litre Rena Aqualife with Fancy Goldfish 6. 5ft Seabray Elite (425 Litre) community with Flagtail Porthole catfish, Longfin Alestes Tetras, Gold red spot severum, Denisonii barbs and a Pretty river barb.
What do you think is the future of fishkeeping and what developments would you most like to see?
Fish are one of the most underrepresented animals I have come across. They are also not expendable as a lot of people believe just because they are cheap. I would like for a future in fishkeeping where there is more knowledge and understanding on their basic care requirements. We have already come so far in the last 18 years that I have been keeping fish, with the common knowledge of keeping goldfish in bowls evolving to the knowledge that this really isn’t the best for their continued health and wellbeing. A future where common misconceptions are stamped out, such as fish growing to the size of their environment (stunt to the size is a better way of putting it which is detrimental to the health of the fish) and to know the importance of water testing and water changing. As fishkeepers we have an ethical responsibility to the animals in our care, and as such we should all strive to provide the best environment and care possible for them just as we would for a cats and dogs.
What’s the most unique species you’ve ever cared for at Maidenhead Aquatics?
Poecilocharax weitzmani were very interesting to look after and kept them myself at home for a number of years following us stocking them in store.
What is it that first got you hooked on fishkeeping?
Finding Nemo without a doubt. Cliché but true.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since joining Maidenhead Aquatics?
Did you know the sensory organ of an Elephant nosed fish is called a “Schnauzenorgan”? That’s my fact of the month currently. Overall, there is too much to list here, but I think ultimately the most interesting thing for me was learning to have confidence in myself which I never thought I’d have. The small nature of the team is like having an extended family and it has been a nurturing environment to work and grow as a person in.