Yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens) have joined the roster of rare and expensive marines in the last few years and it’s great to see a chunky and fin-perfect specimen like this one at Scotsdale. Their availability might have changed dramatically, but caring for this fish hasn’t – especially since captive bred specimens now dominate the trade.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/tangs/yellow-tang

African barbs are rare in the hobby and with a few exceptions, tend to be plainer than their Asian relatives. One of the few species that has (almost) made it into the mainstream is the Barilioides barb (Enteromius fasciolatus). These are peaceful beauties that shine with an ember glow once settled. This group at Huntingdon were developing nicely.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cyprinids/barilioides-barb-

Fancy goldfish have undergone something of a renaissance in the last few years, thanks to higher grade fish replacing many of the low-end mixed fantails that were a staple. Looking at this Oranda at Weybridge it’s clear that these are not pets for children, or for people with small tanks.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/coldwater-aquarium-fish/oranda

A lot of popular pet fishes are definitely getting further from their wild ancestors. In the mixture of species that combine to produce the hybrids known as Parrots, some Amphilophus have banded phases and juvenile stages. It seems that breeders have found a way to bring these genes to the fore and the Tiger Parrot is the result. As with most of these hybrids, expect the mind and personality of a cichlid in the body of a fancy goldfish and choose tankmates accordingly. Their inner Midas might provoke a fight, but they’re unlikely to finish it. Expect a lot of flaring and posture but little damage.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/freshwater/cichlids/red-parrot-cichlid

Many books over the years have been talking about the possible confusion between the Redeye tetra (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae) and the Glass tetra (Moenkhausia oligolepis) which is practically unknown in aquaria. Finally, I can see what they mean, thanks to the sight of a batch of very sturdy individuals at our Bristol store. These fish seem much larger than their redeye cousins and would be perfect for a biotope housing species such as eartheaters or wild angelfish.

Variously known as Wheeler’s shrimp goby or even the Gorgeous prawn goby, the Red-banded goby (Amblyeleotris wheeleri) is a reef-adjacent fish that shares a burrow with a pistol shrimp in the wild. Ideally suited to a marine tank that has a good depth of substrate and secure rockwork if kept with the enthusiastically digging shrimp, these gobies can be prone to jumping if not provided with a companion of the crustacean persuasion. They’ll readily buddy up with Alpheus bellulus or randalli shrimps, which makes for a commensal relationship that puts clownfish and anemones in the shade.

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/fish/marine/blennies-gobies/red-banded-goby