Fish
There are so many wonderful varieties of fish available to keep in our aquariums and ponds - too many to list here. We have access to many fish breeders and wholesalers, so if we don't have a particular species in stock, just ask us, and we'll do our best to find it for you. Feel free to call, email or just pop in if you have any enquiries about the species we currently have in stock. For now, here is a general list of the sorts of species we commonly keep.
This page is under construction.
| Tetras |
Tetras are Characins (from the family Characidae). They are distinguished from other fish by the presence of a small adipose fin between the dorsal fin (top fin) and caudal fin (tail) . There are more than 1500 species of tetra, originating from South America, Central America and tropical Africa. Most prefer soft, acidic water. They are an extremely popular aquarium fish. Most are gentle, brightly coloured and do best in groups of 6 or more. Some, like Serpae and Congo Tetras, even do well in a semi-aggressive tank. Easily the most popular is the Neon Tetra, a small and very peaceful species. |
| Barbs |
Barbs are Cyprinids (from the family Cyprinidae), and primarily come from the genera Barbus and Puntius. Most come from Asia, where the water is soft and acidic. They range in temperament from very peaceful, like the Rosy and Cherry Barbs, to somewhat aggressive, like the Tiger Barb. Barbs are easy to keep, hardy, very active, have a complicated social hierarchy, are enthusiastic feeders, and make an interesting addition to almost any aquarium. Like tetras, they are schooling fish and should be kept in groups - keeping 6 or more will reduce aggression in the more feisty species. |
| Rasboras |
Rasboras are similar to the tetras - they are generally small, peaceful community fish that are best kept in groups of at least 6. While tetras come primarily from the South American continent, rasboras originate mostly from Asia, with some species from Africa, and are from the family Cyprinidae. Commonly kept species include the Harlequin, Hengeli, Emerald Eye and the larger Scissortail. There are also some very attractive dwarf rasboras that grow only to a centimetre or two. |
| Sharks |
The freshwater sharks that we keep in aquariums are not true sharks - instead, they're more closely related to barbs or rasboras - they are from the family Cyprinidae. They are generally long, slender fish with temperaments that range from the gentle schooler (Bala, or Silver Shark) to the feisty loner (Red-Tail Shark, Rainbow Shark, Flying Fox Shark). Most of these common species grow to about 15cm or so, a good size for most aquariums, but there are also some species that grow very large, such as a Black Shark. They are easy to keep, unfussy about water conditions, and active. They are better-suited to an aquarium of at least 60L. |
| Loaches |
Loaches are primarily from the family Cobitidae, comprising the subfamilies Botiinae and Cobitinae. They are all bottom-feeders, spending most of their time foraging on the substrate, or resting under logs or in ornaments. They are very characterful fish, often described as puppy dogs in their behaviour. They are scaleless, which means they can be more prone to external parasites, such as white spot (Ichthyosporidium). The most popular kind of loach is the lazy Clown Loach, followed by the very active Pakistani Loach. A good choice for smaller tanks are the Dwarf Chain Loach or the eel-like Kuhli Loach. All of these loaches are schooling, and should be kept in a group of at least 3. |
| Catfish |
Catfish are a huge and diverse group, from the order Siluriformes. Common families kept in aquariums are Loricariidae (sucker-mouthed catfish), Callichthyidae (corydoras), Pimelodidae (long-whiskered catfish), Plotosidae (eel-tailed catfish), Mochokidae (upside-down catfish), and Doradidae (talking catfish). Catfish spend most of their time foraging on the substrate or through plants. Some eat algae (Plecos, Bristlenoses or Otos), a very useful thing to have in any aquarium. Most catfish are happy enough as a single individual, but some prefer the company of their own kind (Corydoras), and should be kept in groups of at least 3. Most catfish are peaceful, but those that grow large will happily eat any fish that will fit into its mouth. |
| Livebearers |
Perhaps even more popular than tetras, livebearers, from the family Poeciliidae, are the perfect beginner's fish. They are unfussy about water conditions, though they prefer hard, alkaline water if they can get it, they have a huge range of bright colours, are good community fish, and - as their names suggests - breed readily. Unlike other fish, which lay eggs, livebearers give birth to live babies in the aquarium. If there are plants for the babies to hide in, or they are separated after birth, then they are easy to raise. Guppies, Platies, Mollies and Swordtails are the most common livebearers, with the tiny Endler following close behind. Care should be taken when keeping those varieties with fancy tails, not to mix with fin-nipping fish such as Tiger Barbs. |
| Bettas |
Known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta splendens deserves a category all to itself. Extremely easy to keep, this beautiful and intelligent fish is very popular as a first fish, fish for the office, or low-maintenance fish. Bettas are different to most other fish in that they posess a special "lung" called a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. This means that they can live in conditions where there is no water movement, or the dissolved oxygen levels are very low. In practice, this means they can be kept in smaller bowls or aquariums with no filter or airstone. It is still important for the container to be big enough for the fish to move freely around, and with enough water to dilute the waste so as not to result in ammonia poisoning. A good size container for a betta is 5 to 10L or more, with 3L being a bare minimum, keeping in mind that smaller containers will need more maintenance. Bettas are extremely territorial and must be kept alone. It is possible to keep a betta in a larger community tank, but care must be taken with fish choices so as to avoid a messy end. Bettas are caring parents, with the male making a bubble nest with special saliva, in which he deposits the fertilised eggs laid by the female. He viciously guards the nest from all other fish, even his mate, until they hatch. Ideally, bettas prefer soft, slightly acidic water, with sub-tropical temperatures. Many betta-keepers find that their fish get cold over Sydney winter, and a heater is needed through the colder months. |
| Gouramis |
Most gouramis kept in aquaria are from the family Osphronemidae. They are closely related to bettas - they, too, have a labyrinth organs and are able to breathe atmospheric oxygen. However, gouramis can also absorb oxygen through their gills. This and the lack of the long, fancy fins of the betta, make gouramis an ideal addition into most community tanks. Gouramis come in all sizes - from the tiny Sparkling Gourami to the brilliantly-coloured Dwarf Gourami and the feisty Gold and Opaline Gouramis. There is even a Giant Gourami that can get to a whopping 70cm! Gouramis come primarily from Asia, and prefer soft, slightly acidic water. They are territorial, so it is recommended to either get only one, or a whole school, so there is not space for any individual to attempt to form a territory. Gouramis should also not be kept with betta fish. |
| Australian Natives |
There are many species of Australian Native fish that are available in the aquarium trade. Rainbows (Melanotaenia), Blue-Eyes (Pseudomugil), Gudgeons and Gobies (Gobiidae), all easy-to-keep and, best of all, Australian-made! There are also some species that do well in ponds in the Sydney region - such as Pacific Blue Eyes, Firetail Gudgeons, Empire Gudgeons, Murray River Rainbow, Crimson-Spotted Rainbow, and Smelt. Australia's enrionment is so drastically variable, that the conditions each species prefers vary widely - from so hard and alkaline to be nearly brackish, right to the extremely soft and acidic. Most native fish kept in aquaria are schooling, and should be kept in appropriately-sized groups. |
| African Cichlids |
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| American Cichlids |
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| Dwarf Cichlids |
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| Goldfish |
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| Other Coldwater Fish |
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| Oddities |
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