Maidenhead Aquatics Carr Farm

Maidenhead Aquatics Carr Farm Established in 1984, Maidenhead Aquatics is the UK's largest aquatic retailer.

This store specialises in a huge range of livestock, plants and products for fishkeeping in both aquariums and ponds.

30/05/2026

Snowball pleco in stock.

The Snowball Plec L102 is known from the upper Rio Negro in Brazil and the Casiquiare drainage (which links the Rio Negro to the Rio Orinoco) in Venezuela.

The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and driftwood arranged to create lots of small nooks and crannies. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by a river-tank manifold or powerheads (in addition to the current generated by the filtration). As plants are not found in any great abundance in the natural habitat, they can be omitted from the aquascape, although a few areas of hardy vegetation (that can cope with current) will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing and will help with water quality. Ample hiding places/visual barriers amongst the decor will enable you to keep a group of these fish together and will obviously further your chances of breeding them. Snowball Plecs are fairly territorial with similar species, so to see them at their best, keep as the only Loricariids in the tank. Tankmates must be small and peaceful, and able to thrive in warm, fast-flowing water. As these fish do not compete well for food, avoid keeping with fish that are boisterous at feeding times. Snowball Plecs are largely carnivorous and will not make any impact on algae. Ensure that regular partial water changes are carried out as these catfish will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level.

30/05/2026

Vampire pleco in stock.

The Vampire Plec is known only from the Rio Guama in the northeast of Para state, Brazil. Here this large and beautiful suckermouth catfish inhabits rapid sections of rivers where water is forced at speed through boulders and is saturated with oxygen.

This species grows to a substantial size and will require a spacious, mature aquarium with soft, acidic water. Provide a dark substrate and plenty of shady retreats amongst bogwood and sturdy rocky caves, ensuring all decor is secure as larger specimens can be a little clumsy at times. The water should be very well-filtered (adult fish produce a substantial amount of waste) and a decent current should be provided by extra powerheads in order to simulate the highly-oxygenated waters that these fish originate from; they will not fare well in calmer waters. Ensure regular partial water changes are carried out to help keep nitrogenous wastes to a minimum. This species is generally peaceful, although it can be rather territorial with its own kind and similar species. More than one specimen may be kept in the same tank if it is spacious and multiple hiding places/visual barriers are provided. The Vampire Plec mixes well with medium sized characins, some of the more robust Corydoras catfish species, and many rheophilic cichlids. Like all other members of the Leporacanthicus genus, these fish have a small backward-facing blunt 'horn' on top of their heads, and unique upper jaw dentition consisting of two fang-like teeth (the latter being the reason behind the 'vampire plec' collective nametag for the Leporacanthicus genus). It is thought that this specialised dentition aids the catfish in gripping various invertebrate prey items.

May also be seen on sale as Galaxy Pleco. A number of similar L numbers might be in the same species and differ mostly in their distribution.

29/05/2026

Para pleco in stock.

The Para Plec is a beautiful suckermouth catfish species suitable for large, mature softwater aquaria. In the wild, these shy bottom dwellers live amongst rocky substrates in fast flowing rivers and therefore require decent current and a good level of oxygenation within the aquarium. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst low, smooth, rocky caves and driftwood, and try to ensure that reasonable current flows through these shelters. Plants are not strictly necessary, although they may make the tank look more aesthetically pleasing; however try to choose robust species, preferably those that can be tied to wood and not uprooted by digging. A powerful filtration system is recommended as these fish, like other Loricariids, do tend to produce a fair amount of waste. Tankmates for the mid level of the tank, which will help encourage your plecs out into the open, could include good sized shoals of some of the small to medium sized tetras, plus they also get along very well with Brochis and Corydoras catfish who would share the substrate/lower levels. Para Plecs are generally very peaceable, but if keeping more than one in the same aquarium, do ensure that there is plenty of space and many hiding places to choose from (including several visual barriers amongst the decor) so that everyone is happy. Check that the fish have been rested after import and that they are feeding well before purchase, as they can sometimes be a little sensitive to the shipping process. There has been some degree of uncertainty about which genus this fish truly belongs in - it has been moved from Peckoltia, Ancistrus, and Ancistomus to Hemiancistrus then back to Peckoltia. The large geological distribution area and subtle variations in pattern/colour have, in the past, caused this species to be mistaken for different fish and it has been assigned different L-numbers, including L075, L124, L301, and LDA002.

29/05/2026

King tiger pleco in stock.

The King Tiger Plec is known from the Rio Xingu downstream of Belo Monte in northern Brazil. Here the water flows quickly over substrates of bedrock where it is forced past boulders at speed and is saturated with oxygen.

The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and driftwood arranged to create lots of small nooks and crannies. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by a river-tank manifold or powerheads (in addition to the current generated by the filtration). These peaceful bottom-dwellers require warmer than average water temperatures, and will not do well below 25 °C. Ample hiding places/visual barriers amongst the decor will enable you to keep a group of these fish together and will obviously further your chances of breeding them. King Tiger Plecs are fairly territorial with similar species, so to see them at their best, keep as the only Loricariids in the tank. Tankmates must be small and peaceful, and able to thrive in warm, fast-flowing water. As these fish do not compete well for food, avoid keeping with fish that are boisterous at feeding times. King Tiger Plecs are largely carnivorous and will not make any impact on algae. Ensure that regular partial water changes are carried out as these catfish will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level. May also be seen on sale as Network Plec or Scribbled Plec.

28/05/2026

Rusty pleco in stock.

The Rusty Plec is known from the Paraguay and middle Parana River basins.

Provide a mature aquarium with plenty of shady hiding places amongst tangles of bogwood (essential as part of the diet of this fish), rocky caves, PVC pipes, and bamboo tubes. Unfortunately, most plants will be eaten - even relatively hardy species - although some aquarists have success cultivating Java Fern, which reportedly has a bitter taste. Filtration should be efficient with areas of brisk water movement along with some quieter resting spots out of the current. There should be a decent level of oxygenation, and small frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum. The Rusty Plec is generally peaceful, but it will show some territorial aggression towards its own kind if not given enough space. In most instances though, they can be maintained in small groups and with other Loricariids as long as there is adequate room and enough hiding places to go round. Tankmates could include any small-medium sized peaceful fish that enjoy fast-flowing water. Depending on various factors, including mood, s*x, age, or surroundings, these fish are capable of quite considerable colour change. May also be seen on sale as the Cochliodon Pleco or Violet Cochliodon.

28/05/2026

False zebra pleco in stock.

The most northerly member of the genus, the Colombian zebra is found in the same warm, highly oxygenated rocky habitat as its Brazilian relatives.

The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and driftwood arranged to create lots of small nooks and crannies. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by a river-tank manifold or powerheads (in addition to the current generated by the filtration). As plants are not found in any great abundance in the natural habitat, they can be omitted from the aquascape, although a few areas of hardy vegetation (that can cope with current) will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing and will help with water quality. Ample hiding places/visual barriers amongst the decor will enable you to keep a group of these fish together and will obviously further your chances of breeding them. Hypancistrus are fairly territorial with similar species, so may be best kept as the only Loricariids in the tank. Tankmates must be small and peaceful, and able to thrive in warm, fast-flowing water. As these fish do not compete well for food, avoid keeping with fish that are boisterous at feeding times. These plecs are largely carnivorous and will not make any impact on algae. Ensure that regular partial water changes are carried out as these catfish will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level.

Ocean nutrition instant baby brine shrimp in stock Instant Baby Brine Shrimp is ready-to-use fish food consisting of non...
22/05/2026

Ocean nutrition instant baby brine shrimp in stock

Instant Baby Brine Shrimp is ready-to-use fish food consisting of non-living Artemia nauplii (baby brine shrimp) in a saline solution. It can be used in freshwater and marine aquariums and is the perfect food for feeding fish fry/larvae, small fish, reef aquariums, and other tiny aquatic organisms. Additionally, the nauplii have excellent buoyancy and remain in the water column to facilitate feeding. One bottle contains more than 1.5 million baby brine shrimp. Even though you can store the unopened jar of Instant Baby Brine Shrimp at room temperature, it must be kept in a refrigerator once open. This product does not contain or produce live brine shrimp.

22/05/2026

Rainbow shiner in stock.

The Rainbow Shiner is known from a variety of temperate fast-flowing habitats, including small rivers, springs, clear streams, creeks, and riffles. This is a peaceful shoaling species, which is best kept in groups of 6 or more. The aquarium should be spacious, mature, and well filtered. Be sure to provide the fish with plenty of hiding places (rocks, bogwood, robust planting) and a decent current from additional powerheads. The higher the temperature of the water, the greater the level of oxygenation that is required. Rainbow Shiners are primarily a mid to top dwelling species, and they would mix well with other fish of similar size and temperament and which enjoy the same fast-flowing conditions. Good tankmates could include some of the torpedo shaped nemacheilid loaches such as Schistura, Nemacheilus, and Mesonoemacheilus which will occupy the lower levels of the aquarium; some of the sub tropical botiid loaches would work well too, e.g. Sinibotia pulchra and Ambastaia nigrolineata; and also Weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) would mix well, providing that the tank is large enough to accommodate these inquisitive bottom dwellers, which can attain 20cm (10"). Rhinogobius sp. gobies also make great companions. Although the Rainbow Shiner is generally a peaceable species, long-finned tankmates are best avoided.

22/05/2026

Red shiners in stock.

The Red Shiner is widespread throughout the USA and Mexico, where it is found in a variety of habitats from creeks, to small-medium sized rivers, riffles, and silty, rocky pools. This is a peaceful shoaling species, which is best kept in groups of 6 or more. The aquarium should be spacious, mature, and well filtered. Be sure to provide the fish with plenty of hiding places (rocks, bogwood, robust planting) and a decent current from additional powerheads. The higher the temperature of the water, the greater the level of oxygenation that is required. Red Shiners are primarily a mid to top dwelling species, and they would mix well with other fish of similar size and temperament and which enjoy the same fast-flowing conditions. If aiming to keep your shoal of Red Shiners at a mid way point in their preferred temperature range, good tankmates could include some of the torpedo shaped nemacheilid loaches such as Schistura, Nemacheilus, and Mesonoemacheilus which will occupy the lower levels of the aquarium; some of the sub tropical botiid loaches would work well too, e.g. Sinibotia pulchra and Ambastaia nigrolineata; and also Weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) would mix well, providing that the tank is large enough to accommodate these inquisitive bottom dwellers, which can attain 20cm (10"�). Rhinogobius sp. gobies also make great companions. Although the Red Shiner is generally a peaceable species, long-finned tankmates are best avoided. May also be seen on sale as Rainbow Dace, which could lead to confusion with the Rainbow shiner (Notropis chrosomus).

22/05/2026

Galaxy half moon female bettas in stock.

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Birkenhead Road
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