General Fishkeeping

As the weather cools and focus shifts indoors, the ‘trop season’ is upon us. Since the last one there’s been some changes to the names of things with Corydoras catfish and now it seems tetras being reclassified. Predictably, it takes suppliers a while to catch up with these name changes and many people will be pleased to hear that common names are pretty much unaffected.

Traditionally there’s a number of species that are bred and sold to us with the wrong names and have been for years, many

Fish in the flesh – some thoughts on why we feel it’s best to buy your new pets in a bricks and mortar store.

I won’t lie to you; I buy things online like pretty much everyone else. There’s massive convenience in being able to search for obscure or specialist items that you’d have to trudge around shops to find. It’s also handy being able to shop when stores are closed, or if you don’t have the time for an away mission. Some things are dependable, identical and low risk when bought

Once a familiar sight in pet shops everywhere, the tiny hatchling green turtles that found their way into people’s homes over the last few decades have now given rise to a significant feral population of adults that outgrew their owners’ facilities and were released to their fate in the wild. Although banned from importation into the EU thanks to their invasive tendencies in warmer climates, many Red-eared and Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta spp.) can be found in UK waters up and

The pond season is well underway now and our stores are filling with gorgeous pond plants and a wealth of hardy goldfish. Meanwhile, the fancy goldfish are providing a pet that the weather can’t spoil with a range of body forms that are unknown in nature. Some of these forms are rather extreme, such as these Dragon-eyed pearlscales (Carassius auratus) seen recently at Ascot. Although peaceful, fishes such as these are best kept alongside other similar breeds

Since we opened our first store in 1984 a lot of things have changed, even many of the fish. New species have arrived on the scene, as well as established old favourites in a breathtaking range of forms. Here are some key developments.

Let’s look at temperate fishes. They’re not cold water but they’re not tropical either – most importantly they thrive at room temperature. The most significant aspect is that they’re a far better choice for modestly sized set ups than goldfish.

Moving to new surroundings can be daunting for fish and it’s perfectly normal for even the tamest specimens to take a little time to settle in, so don’t worry if your new pets are shy at first. Adding a small quantity of food helps the fish to associate your arrival with good things and tame more quickly.

Many of us had a goldfish as our first childhood pet and they’re a popular choice, especially for a child’s first aquarium. But these large and messy fish are actually far better suited to outdoor life in a pond.

First and foremost, it’s vital that any aquarium is properly established and suitable for your chosen species if they are to thrive. If you have any concerns about the quality of your water or the compatibility of your fish, ask a member of staff for friendly, expert advice.

First and foremost, it’s vital that any aquarium is properly established and suitable for your chosen species if they are to thrive. If you have any concerns about the quality of your water or the compatibility of your fish, ask a member of staff for friendly, expert advice.

Wave the flags and put out the bunting, it’s a right royal weekend and we have a coronation to enjoy! It seems timely to offer our congratulations and look at a few other royals which we’re familiar with.

It’s another historic day in the UK as we see the coronation of a King who has a keen interest in the natural world and a love of gardening. It seems only appropriate to showcase a water gardening favourite which is not only a tried-and-true native plant but is still flowering in many parts of the country.

Mothers come in all shapes and sizes, as you might expect there’s a lot of diversity when it comes to aquatic motherhood, but all these strategies seem to work. The world is full of fish and you don’t see many in therapy.

Check out our last delivery times before Christmas and stores and online operating hours and Customer Service availability over the festive period.

Microbe Lift products are designed to provide solutions to a range of fishkeeping challenges without the need for any harsh chemicals. The range includes products for both freshwater and marine aquaria, many of which are now used by our staff and customers alike

After a long hot summer in the pond section, we’re approaching the time of year when there’s bargains to be had. The water is warm, the fishes have been in stock for weeks and not only are they bigger than when they arrived, their price has gone down rather than up.

As the weather finally starts to look a bit more summer-like, our stores are bursting at the seams with some amazing pond plants that are definitely worth checking out, along with a great pond vac offer and everything you need to take care of your fishy friends while you are away on holiday. 

As a fishkeeper, there’s a good chance that you’re keeping some of the most diverse pet groups available. Look around our stores and you’ll find everything from Piranha to algae-eating catfish, fishes that either need animal protein or can become unwell if offered an excess of it.

The weather may be a bit changeable as we head into June, but with the luxury of an early bank holiday weekend to look forward to and a range of royal festivities to enjoy for many of us, hopefully warm and sunny weather is just around the corner.  

It seems that energy prices are increasing every day and a lot of us are having to find new ways to economize. Thankfully there’s been a quiet revolution in the efficiency of electrical equipment and there’s a multitude of ways that we can help to reduce the running costs of our hobby.