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Stewart Allenby
Store Assistant
at
Carlisle Dobbies
How long have you been a Maidenhead Aquatics team member?
15 months
How long have you been keeping fish?
20 years
What was your first aquarium and what fish did you keep in it?
Fluval Roma 90L Fish- Different species of tetras, Dwarf Gouramis and some different types of plecos and catfish.
What species do you most enjoy keeping and why?
South American Cichlids, due to their breeding behaviour and personalities. Dwarf Cichlids are good to keep too. My overall favourite is “nannacara anomala”
What pearl of wisdom would you give to first-time Fishkeepers?
Be patient and take your time.
What would be your dream aquarium?
Really large river (24ft x 4ft x 2ft) tank. Rapid water movements with an abundance of native river species, plus lots of hill stream loach.
What’s your favourite aspect of work at Maidenhead Aquatics?
Problem solving. Every day can be different and no one day is exactly the same. There is always a challenge around every corner.
What questions do customers ask you most often?
Why is my fish dying? – sounds awful, but a lot of people ask this and it is mostly down to incorrect maintenance of filters. Using the tap to clean everything being the number 1 cause.
What’s your secret fishkeeping “top tip”?
Not so much a secret, but regular testing and maintenance is the key. Top tip would be research.
How many aquariums do you currently keep at home, and what are these?
4 aquariums. I have a 25L Betta tank. 5ft Elite – freshwater Aquarium with mixed South America fish 4ft Turtle tank 70L Cherry Shrimp Tank
What do you think is the future of fishkeeping and what developments would you most like to see?
The future looks good for fishkeeping. This is due to technological advances in filtration, apps, testing and other products. To have aquatic nature in your own home is within reach of everyone now. There are smart chips in Fluval filters to self-prime. There are apps you can dip your test strips in and scan with your phone. As long as it doesn’t become taken over where we have no input, all good. Not being hands-on with the tank is the only thing that shouldn’t progress totally. Self-cleaning tanks would be most people's dream. Not mine. I love the satisfaction of maintenance and seeing a clean and healthy aquarium. Heaters need to develop further. Leave a heater switched on a forget to unplug it whilst water changing and wham, the heater catches fire and melts. Having a cut-off so that once water isn’t on the heater's surface, then it shuts off. Thermostats are amazing in heaters, so just incorporate a shut-off when it detects air.
What’s the most unique species you’ve ever cared for at Maidenhead Aquatics?
Exodon Paradoxus (Bucktoothed Characin) – absolutely stunning fish to watch and care for.
What is it that first got you hooked on fishkeeping?
My parents having a freshwater aquarium when I was younger.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since joining Maidenhead Aquatics?
“You are a water keeper before you’re a fish keeper”. Keep to this 1 rule and you will succeed. Water parameters are the key, and, cause of most issues. Keep your water to where it needs to be for the species of fish you’re keeping, and they will flourish.