We currently have the rare Taiwan Horsemouth 'Candidia barbata' in store at a good size. This is a true coldwater species, preferring temperatures around 15-20C. This stream dwelling species can attain 15cm in length, so a large, well oxygenated aquarium is required with no small fish, as they will be predated upon.
We currently have a nice batch of Sentani Rainbowfish 'Chilatherina sentaniensis' available, with some very vivid males. Rainbows make a good choice of larger sized, peaceful fish for larger community tanks.
Costa's Tetra 'Moenkhausia costae' (also known as black-line tetra) is a rarer species of South American Characin which we currently have in stock. Best kept as a shoal with other fast moving, shorter finned fish and only reaches 6cm in length.
The African Broadband Darter Tetra 'Neolebias unifasciatus' is a rarely seen species of African Characin from Nigeria. This peaceful, shoaling, tropical species only reaches 5.5cm, making it perfect for moderately sized aquariums.
In this video, you can see two species of 'oddball' fish that we currently have in store.
The long silvery species is Rocket Gar 'Ctenolucius hujeta' and is native to northern South America. This mainly surface dwelling species is not a true gar, but is in the characin (tetra) family and can reach around 30cm in length. Best kept in small groups in a large aquarium with no small fish as these will be predated, but otherwise fairly peaceful. Avoid aggressive species, such as cichlids, snakeheads etc.
The other species is the African Butterfly Fish 'Pantodon bucholzi'. Another surface dweller found in Central/Western Africa, this species can reach 15cm in length and is a prodigious jumper, meaning a tight fitting lid is essential. Avoid keeping with nippy species as the elongated pelvic fins will be targeted. These fish can be fed on small crickets and locusts on the water surface and are fascinating to observe.
We currently have a good range of high end male fighters in stock, including this lovely plakat elephant ear. Fighters are good choices for a single centre-piece fish in calm and peaceful community aquariums.
If you know, you know. 1 pair only.
The current cost of electricity means that temperate aquariums are becoming increasingly desirable. In this video you can see a rarer temperate species, 'Danio kyathit', the Spotted Orange-Finned Danio. The maximum size of this fish is only 4.5cm, making them an excellent choice for modest sized aquariums with other peaceful shoaling species.
While we love an oddball species/catfish here at Wilton, its important not to forget those 'bread and butter' species that grace many aquarists aquariums. Black Phantom Tetra 'Hyphessobrycon megalopterus' and Blue Emperor Tetra 'Inpaichthys kerri' are small, peaceful shoaling fish that make excellent community choices. These fish have a max. size of 4/5cm and can be mixed with the many other peaceful community tetras, barbs and rasboras that are available in the hobby.
Gobies are a very under-represented group of fish within the freshwater side of the hobby and make ideal oddball species for community tanks. The first species in this video is Peacock Goby 'Tateurndina ocellicauda', from Taiwan; The second is the rarer Lipstick Goby 'Sicyopus exallisquamulus', from Indonesia.
Both species have a maximum size of 6/7cm and should be kept as a small group with other small, peaceful fish.
Our shrimp tank is currently full. We have both Amano Shrimp 'Caridina multidentata' and Cherry Shrimp 'Neocaridina davidi' (red, yellow, orange and black). Both of these species can be kept in temperate or tropical aquariums and are excellent algae eaters/clean up crew. Keep with small peaceful fish in community aquariums and avoid the use of copper based medications.
Rainbowfish are an excellent choice for larger, peaceful, community based aquariums with no very small fish. These shoaling fish look more impressive as they mature and will reach between 10 and 15cm in length. In this video are Blue Rainbows 'Melanotaenia lacustris' and Boseman's Rainbows 'Melanotaenia boesemani', however there are very many species available in the hobby.
In this video, you can see two of our rarer barb species. The first are Melon Barbs 'Haludaria fasciata' from India and the second are Lined Barbs 'Desmopuntius johorensis' from Thailand. Both species will reach around 12-15cm in length and as with all shoaling species should be kept in groups, with other moderately sized, peaceful species.
You can also see High-Fin Synodontis 'Synodontis alberti' in with the Lined Barbs. This rare species from the Democratic Republic of Congo will reach around 20cm and should be kept with other larger, robust species.
Black-Barred Myleus 'Myloplus schomburgkii' are a rarer, larger growing species of 'dollar' from Brazil that can attain around 40cm in length. This deep bodied fish therefore needs a spacious tank and should be kept in groups, with other larger sized fish. This species will devour most aquarium plants and will predate on small fish, but is otherwise relatively peaceful.
Coldwater or temperate fish are often seen as an easier and less exciting alternative to tropical fish, however we have many different species in store which are just as interesting and can be quite specialised.
In this video you can see Blue Spotted Hill Trout 'Opsarius bakeri', Moustached Danio 'Danio dangila' and Red Lined Torpedo Barb 'Sahyadria denisonii'.
All of these species reach around 15cm in length and look amazing in groups in large, temperate tanks with strong flow.
Rasboras are an often under represented group of aquarium fish which make ideal choices for peaceful community tanks. The two species in this video - Eyespot Rasbora 'Brevibora dorsiocellata' and Red-Tailed Rasbora 'Rasbora borapetensis' are two of the less commonly seen species. These small, lively fish are best kept as a good sized group and will fare best in softer water.
Angelfish 'Pterophyllum scalare' are a very popular species of South American Cichlid that will grow to around 18cm long, meaning a large and especially a tall tank is required. These 'Blue Pinoy' are captive bred and will not grow as large as their wild cousins, such as Altum Angelfish 'Pterophyllum altum'.
Angelfish will appreciate a planted aquarium and will readily breed. Suitable tankmates include other more peaceful South American Cichlids, Rainbowfish and larger sized Tetras, Barbs and Rasboras, as well as non predatory catfish species.
We have various species of South American and also African Cichlids available, please see our livestock list.
Catfish pellets always entice our Ninja Woodcats 'Tatia musaica' out from hiding. These awesome little catfish only grow to 6cm and should be kept in a group. Avoid very small fish as these may be predated on overnight, but these fish are otherwise very peaceful. We currently have 6 woodcat species in store, the other 5 being:
Honeycomb Driftwood/Oil Catfish 'Duringlanis perugiae' (7cm, peaceful community fish)
Orca Woodcat 'Centromochlus orca' (a rare species, same as musaica care wise).
Pygmy Woodcat 'Trachelyichthys exilis' (8cm, as above).
Zamora Woodcat 'Auchenipterichthys coracoideus' (12cm, will predate small fish, peaceful).
Fisher's Woodcat 'Trachelyopterus fisheri' (28cm, large tank needed and more predatory).
We currently have a range of unusual characins in store, the most noticeable of which are these XL Striped Headstanders 'Anostomus taeniatus'. This species can grow to 28cm and should be kept in groups, meaning a large tank is required. They would make a stunning addition to a South American biotope aquarium or a setup of larger, fairly peaceful oddball species.
Botid loaches are a popular group of aquarium fish due to their active nature and diet which includes snails. The Zebra Loach 'Botia striata' is one of the most peaceful species and attains a maximum size of only 10cm, making it a much better choice than the commonly seen Clown Loach, which can attain 40cm. Botid loaches should always be kept in a minimum group of 3, however 5+ is optimal.
