Practical Fishkeeping

Practical Fishkeeping is Britain's best-selling fishkeeping publication, filled with species showcases, fishkeeping answers, advice, competitions, amazing features and much more!

5 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome

Making a splash • While not the most common fish out there, the four spot splash tetra is a project well worth tracking down, writes Chris Wilson.

THE BEARDY BOYS • There can’t be many community tanks left out there without a bristlenose catfish in them. Meet the delightful suckermouth the whole hobby adores.

All in the genes • With all the bristlenose colour morphs floating about, it’s worth a look at how they get that way. New contributor Alice Bignell takes a deep dive into catfish genes.

Knives in! • It gets large and it’s not without its challenges, but in the right tank the black ghost knife fish is an unrivalled centrepiece.

Fishkeeping Answers • Got a fishkeeping question? PFK’s crack team of aquatics experts are on hand to answer whatever you need to know… questions@practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

DARE YOU GO LID FREE? • With a sleek look and a classy air, open-topped tanks are everywhere. But what should you know about them?

FLOATING PLANTS AT A GLANCE • Do you own an open-topped aquarium? Surface growth could be your new best friend!

SIX OF THE BEST

STOP SPENDING ON FRICTIONAL LOSS! • Getting the most from any pond pump involves more than just buying what appears to be efficient ‘off the shelf.’ OASE’s Danny Crook explains how the wrong hosing can pile on the pounds.

A hoppy home • There are few catfish more adorable than the 'hoplos' of south and Cental America. Gabor Horvath provides the lowdown on keeping and breeding these fabulous characters.

Crossing swords • Fulfilling a secret passion, David Nørholm sets up a species tank for a fish that’s more tail fin than body. Meet the wonderful Montezuma swords.

A HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE Marine Aquarium • Setting up a reef aquarium may involve more inhabitants than you bargained for. Chris Sergeant looks at the good, the bad, and the ugly visitors you might meet.

READERS' POLL 2023 • Vote for your favourite store in our Readers’ Poll – and you could win a great prize from Fluval!

WHAT YOU COULD WIN!

GEAR TRIED & TESTED • GOING VEGAN! Here’s a food your herbivores will go wild for…

Practical Fishkeeping

Tailpiece • Maybe I’m showing my age, but I remember the good old days. Or were they atrocious old days? Depends if you were the fishkeeper or the fish, I guess…