Practical Fishkeeping

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

Welcome

5 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS ISSUE

Diamonds in the rough • Kept correctly, many mainstream fishes can become outstanding aquarium jewels. Chris Wilson looks at one species that punches far above its weight.

Check, mate! • Checkerboards are often the ‘forgotten about’ dwarf cichlids of South America. While not without their challenges, they can also be intensely rewarding, writes Gabor Horvath.

Knights of the realm • A not-so-common classic goby ignites nostalgia in editor Nathan Hill. Here's a sizeable centrepiece that can look outstanding in the right set up.

The Devil's advocate • Despite their demonic name, Satanoperca can be angelic aquarium residents. Radek Bednarczuk introduces a larger but amicable cichlid.

The sassy cichlid CHONGA ROJO • If red is your colour, then you should go for Thorichthys maculipinnis, writes Michel Keijman. So, what makes this cichlid so special?

Everybody loves a Rainbow • Nathan Hill reports on an unusual find spotted at Finest Aquatics, Widnes, that will appeal to the keeper of rare but predatory marines.

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

OFF-THE-SHELF MEDICATIONS • Almost every fishkeeper needs to reach for a bottle of medicine at some point. But what's in them, and how do they work?

PREP YOUR POND PLANTS FOR SPRINGTIME • The sun's out after Easter, and every pondkeeper is looking to spruce up their aquatic greenery. Here's how to get the most of yours in time for summer.

RE-POTTING STEP-BY-STEP

HOLIDAY AQUARIUM CARE • Holidays are supposed to be relaxing getaways, but not if you're fretting about your fish. Here's how to avoid stress on your break.

PFK RECOMMENDS

Wondrous wild widows • Aquascaping aesthetics and nature come together in Tai Strietman's latest Pantanal creation. And even better, he shows how you can make one too.

THE SELF-FEEDING SET-UP • Inspired by botanicals and natural ecosystems, one aquarist tries out a self-sustaining aquarium… with mixed results.

BRINGING IT TOGETHER…

GEAR TRIED & TESTED • Nathan Hill offers his thoughts on a luxury aquarium set from Fluval.

GEAR FIRST LOOK • Our first look at Fluval's new offering to clear aquarium water.

Practical Fishkeeping

Tailpiece NATHAN HILL • How can I square line-bred oddities with hybrids? Honestly, I can't. Yet somehow, I still do.