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

Community TANKS

MEET THE MONACANTHIDAE • Is a filefish right for your aquarium? If so, which species should you pick, and how should you care for it? Marijke Puts talks filefish and explains how you can make sure yours thrives.

UNDERAPPRECIATED Gems OF LAKE TANGANYIKA • Julidochromis may not be the flashiest cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, but their fascinating behaviour, striking patterns, and adaptability make them well worth a closer look.

SPECIES FACTFILES

COLOURFUL Congochromis • Beautiful, peaceful and surprisingly straightforward to maintain, Michel looks at the history, habitat, and how to succeed with Congochromis sabinae.

READERS’ POLL 2026 • Cast your vote and show your support for your favourite aquatic store in our Readers’ Poll - and you could win a year subscription to Practical Fishkeeping!

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

A Golden ALTERNATIVE • If you’re looking for a splash of gold in a temperate aquarium but don’t have the space for goldfish, the gold barb could be the perfect alternative. Hardy, peaceful, and easy to keep, it’s one of the hobby’s most underrated fishes.

LIFE IN NARATHIWAT’S peat swamp • Rodrigo travels to the Toh Daeng forest in southern Thailand to explore the shrinking pools of its tea-stained peat swamps and the remarkable fish that survive there.

A HIDDEN spring OF CICHLIDS • Tai explores a beautiful natural spring in the Brazilian highlands, home to an astonishing diversity of fishes and one unforgettable wildlife encounter.

GOLDFISH FOR free • After witnessing his goldfish spawning in his pond, Gabor came up with a couple of plans to try to raise some of the fry. He shares how he got on.

REPTO TERRA SKY TERRARIUM • A blank canvas for bioactive paludariums and tropical habitats.

FULL STEAM (PUNK) AHEAD! • Hand-painted, quirky and surprisingly well made, these steampunk ornaments won over Gabor at first sight.

Practical Fishkeeping

Tailpiece ALEX BELL • Alex takes a look at some of the old treasures found in the Practical Fishkeeping store room.