Rosy Loach - P mango!
A tiny little gem that would add so much character and enjoyment to many a small tank, Physoschistura mango (Rosy Loach).
Maximum Size: 3.5cm
Temperature: 22°c - 26°c
Water Parameters: 6.5 - 7.8 pH
Compatability: Community
The natural habitat is shallow, flooded grassland that is permanently maintained due to the damming of springs. Here, the water is clear and a maximum of 30cm (12") in depth, supporting an abundance of lush aquatic vegetation.
The Rosy Loach occurs sympatrically with Danio margaritatus (Celestial Pearl Danio) so would make a great neighbouring species to happily coexist. This species is highly sociable and should be kept in large groups (10+).
These diminutive loaches require a variety of appropriately sized foodstuffs. Frozen baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), mini-bloodworm, daphnia, and cyclops are all taken eagerly. Will also feed on small sinking pellets/granules, and crushed flake/powdered fry foods.
You know the deal ⬇️
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cyprinids/rosy-loach
Alestes Tetra
Stocktake is finally over (well, until I've got to count all the fish at the end of the month!) - so we can continue focusing on gradually shutting down outside and ramping up on indoors as the season changes.
Kicking it off with 6 boxes of livestock ordered for next week, 3 freshwater and 3 marines. The salties will have a huge influx of inverts and clean up crew and the freshwater a mix of bread and butters with, of course, some weird oddballs we've never had in before!
The week after that we have Brazil, loaded with some South American specialists and then the week after that one, we're going hard on a coral and fish top up for marines!
An exciting few weeks to come; we're still having dry good deliveries trickling in with lots of new bits of equipment arriving, new tanks and new ornaments pending.
We'll continue our endeavours to ensure that we are THE place to visit in the South West for all your fishkeeping needs and desires, and remember...
Keep it fishy folks!
~Soph 🐟
Black-Barred Myleus
A Silver Dollar with a twist, Myleus schomburgkii aka the Black-Barred Dollar. Similar looking to the Pirahna, just with an appetite towards greenery instead.
Maximum Size: 40cm
Temperature: 23°c - 27°c
Water Parameters: 5.0 - 7.0 pH
Compatability: Community With No Small Fish
Black-barred Myleus are a timid, but peaceful shoaling species, juveniles of which will require an aquarium at least 4ft long. These fast-swimmers grow very quickly and before long will require an aquarium measuring at least 6" x 2" x 2" (and preferably larger).
They must have company of their own kind, so 6 specimens would be considered the absolute minimum number to house together; not only is this a tightly shoaling species, but an instinctive hierarchy system will develop amongst their group.
They're largely herbivorous and possess powerful dentition - they can actually inflict a rather painful bite. Most plant species will be devoured, however, some of the more robust species such as Java Fern or Anubias can sometimes be successful; otherwise you may wish to opt for plastic or silk varieties.
For more information on this aquatic goat, please visit the link below ⬇️
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/characins/black-barred-myleus
CW123 Yellow Fin Corydoras
Could watch these guys buzz around the tank all day! Gastrodermus sp. C123 (Yellow Fin Cory). It's been a long time since I've managed to get hold of these beauties 🥰
Maximum Size: 4.5cm
Temperature: 22°c - 26°c
Water Parameters: 6.0 - 7.2 pH
Compatability: Community
As with any member of Corydoradinae, keep in a group of ideally 6+ to allow these social cats to thrive. A sand substrate is a must, although rounded gravel is an imperfect alternative. Wearing of the barbels and infection often occurs when not kept on a sand substrate for them to sift naturally.
They'll readily accept all manner of dry foods but for conditioning to spawn, supplement with livefoods such as bloodworm, white worm, grindal worm, daphnia and tubifex.
The yellow colouration will absolutely improve with age and settling to a home tank.
For more information, check out the link below ⬇️
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=2356
Green Dragon Pipehorse
Our latest delivery was very saltwater focused with another cracking box of Boston filled with linebred Clownfish - we can now boast we have 10 different species and over 30 variations available!
Two boxes of Bali with clean up crew and fish, these Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Green Dragon Pipehorses) being the icing on the cake to what was another fabulous delivery.
Whilst Charlie swooned over the salties, I had a small Peru order with some gorgeous Gastrodermus sp. C123 (Yellow Fin Cory) and super chunky Hatchetfish (species yet to be determined). I've already started planning the next delivery to squeeze in before Brazil turns up - some more Hypancistrus zebra anyone?
Keep it fishy folks!
~Soph 🐟
Mouse Catfish/Three Spot
Tenellus trimaculatus (Three Spot Catfish) 😍Tenellus comes from the Latin 'tener', meaning delicate, in reference to the dainty appearance of these dorad catfish.
Maximum Size: 10cm
Temperature: 22°c - 25°c
Water Parameters: 6.5 - 7.0 pH
Compatability: Specialist Community
One of my all time favourite catfish, Tenellus are quirky, active and voracious once properly established. They appreciate a decent linear flow and immaculate water quality to thrive. Medicate with care as they are sensitive to most treatments.
They readily accept most dry foods but good supplementation with frozen and livefood is a must.
Helfrich's Firefish
👀 By far one of the most beautiful saltwater fishes... at least in my book anyway! Nemateleotris lavandula aka Helfrich's Firefish.
Maximum Size: 6cm
Temperature: 22°c - 28°c
Water Parameters: 1.020 - 1.025 SG
Compatability: Reef
A much sought-after fish for the home aquarium, Helfrich's Firefish is known from relatively deep waters (>40m) and is typically found over small patches of rubble, sand, or the hard rocky substrates at the bottom of steep seaward reefs. These fish tend to live in pairs and they are often seen hovering together in the water column feeding on zooplankton; however they tend not to stray far from cover.
This species is an ideal candidate for the mature reef aquarium; it is colourful, relatively peaceful, and readily acclimatises to aquarium life.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/miscellaneous-fish/helfrichs-firefish
Glass Tetra (Moenkhausia oligolepis)
Robust, voracious and pretty without being in your face about it. No I'm not describing Lucy (😬😂), but these wonderful Moenkhausia oligolepis (Glass Tetra)!
Green Barbs!
A day of ordering today - I always get a little buzz flicking through the catalogues for new and exciting products to stock. I've managed to catch another Brazil shipment, landing in the first week of October. L-Number plecs, Cories and a few other oddities to look forward to.
Charlie is placing a Tropical Marine Centre order tomorrow for delivery this Thursday, alongside an import to arrive next Tuesday, so we'll have a huge influx of new salties to choose from.
New products; I've ordered the Red Sea Reefmats, a heap of different wood varieties (some types new to us!), some new aquascaping and fragging tools and some unique Betta "toys" and enrichment!
All should arrive this week with any luck 🥰
Fish in the video are one of my ultimate favourite temperate species, Barbodes semifasciolatus aka the Green Barb! Read about these beauties below ⬇️
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cyprinids/green-barb
Chilodus punctatus - Spotted Headstander
Another fantastic sized fish in from Peru - Chilodus punctatus aka the Spotted Headstander. I've not seen them come in at this size or quality before!
Maximum Size: 8cm
Temperature: 24°c - 28°c
Water Parameters: 6.0 - 7.5 pH
Compatability: Community
A calm and peaceful species, living up to their name by adopting an odd "headstanding" position in the aquarium. This species are shy and should be kept in a large group of ideally 6 or more to help negate any fearful behaviours. Tankmates should also be chosen wisely, as anything too boisterous can easily frighten and outcompete the gentle nature of these fish.
Feeding should be varied, consisting of a good quality flake or dry micropellet and plenty of small microfauna such as brineshrimp, cyclops and daphnia.
Furnish the aquarium with plenty of vegetation and floating plants to help diffuse any bright lighting and ensure the aquarium is thoroughly mature before adding as they can be delicate where water quality is involved.
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/characins/spotted-headstander-
Japan Red Blue Double Sword Endler Guppy Males
I'm quite partial to these Japan Blue/Red Double Sword Endler Guppies (Poecillia wingei). One of four different variants we currently stock.
Not only are they perfect for smaller aquariums, they're colourful, confident, active and engaging. They tick many a box when it comes to what we typically want out of our aquarium inhabitants.
I'm curious to know, do many read this far? Are my care profiles read and worthwhile? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️
Check out their care requirements here ⬇️
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/livebearers/endlers-guppy
Red Laser Tetra
Playing the usual game of Tetris, moving everyone around ready for fish delivery tonight. Four boxes of freshies expected with a mix of the bread and butter and a few rarer beauties (yes there's of course a weird oddball catfish or two 😜)!
Due in for the 10th of September, we have a Boston designer Clownfish delivery alongside several more boxes of clean up crew and salties to wet your whistles with!
We also have stocktake planned for the same week so please bear with us during this time. It can get a bit messy with lots of beeping and scurrying around!
As we wind down pond season and start entering indoor season with the weather, we have lots planned to continue making our store into the one stop shop for all your fishkeeping needs! Keep an eye out for some new wet displays 😏
One of the fish I've moved are these Hemigrammus coeruleus (Red Laser Tetra) - definitely an under appreciated species in store.
African Butterfly Fish
A face only a mother could love - Pantodon buchholzi (African Butterfly Fish).
Maximum Size: 15cm
Temperature: 23°c - 30°c
Water Parameters: 5.5 - 7.0 pH
Compatability: Specialist Community
The curious-looking African Butterfly Fish originates from the calm waters of creeks, swamps and slow-moving parts of rivers, where they inhabit the area just underneath the water's surface. They are excellent jumpers, so the aquarium MUST have tight fitting coverslides to prevent accidental escape.
With a deceptively capacious mouth, do not keep with small fishes that will be liable to being eaten. Feeding should consist of bloodworm, mosquito larvaes, small crickets, mealworm and flies. Dry floating foods will sometimes be taken (all ours are currently accepting flake as well but a focus on meaty foods is essential).
Check out our databank for a full write up on their care ⬇️
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/miscellaneous/african-butterfly-fish-
BM 120 Macro Algae
Charlie's Blue Marine 120 macro algae display is coming along nicely - a few more macros arriving in the week. Once established, we'll be able to cultivate and sell from this tank too! Just awaiting the new inhabitants... 🦑
Can't help but smile at these Strawberry Conch going about their day 😆🤣
