The Wild Fishing Forum

If it's the stuff sometimes used in pool filters it's fine. As is 'play sand'.

I wouldn't like to say these days. But due to APC being the only licensed courier with a limited range you might find many based in England and Wales unable to ship to you. Check which postcodes sellers will ship live fish too. And ensure they use heat packs at this time of year.

We used to ship to customers and it's not unheard of for live fish deliveries to be delayed etc. So be warned.

**Some eBay sellers use the Royal Mail Special Delivery service. This is illegal but more importantly I'd be very wary of anyone offering fish like this. They use the excuse that their website cites delivery of fish eggs and fry. This was implemented for the salmon farming industry and not meant to apply to live ornamental fish.^^


Check to see if you have a local fishkeeping club. These can be an absolute goldmine when it comes to information and high quality, unusual fish etc.

I can remember when Maidenhead had just four shops! Now they're everywhere.

Their prices are on the high side. Sometimes very high. That's not a dig, the rent and business rates their outlets attract needs paying for.

But if they're the only retailer who has what you want.....

That said electric blue rams have never been 'cheap'. They were a lot more than that when they first appeared.

We have a branch locally under the name of Scottish Fishkeepers, but it's the same bunch.

I see you have one  Coatbridge as well Sandy.

A decent shop (it's within Dobbies Garden Centre) but I was surprised at the price of the fish. Tiny Electric Blue Rams @ £20 each. Is that expensive or am I just out of touch?

Which are the most reliable online fish retailers?

I was B&Q today and noticed large bags I could hardly lift of this stuff for about £8.

It looks nice, fine texture and good colour.  Is it safe for aquariums?

Just noticed the Cory have been at it again. She seems to like this corner under the internal filter. Not the easiest place for pictures

White spot (Ich) - Just treat with eSHa Exit as per instructions. Ignore any nonsense about increasing the water temperature!

Malawi bloat - Mbuna are herbivores but many people feed them high protein food which is why captive fish can grow larger than wild mbuna. And why they suffer from bloat.... - Just fed them spilurina based feed and a herbivour diet and it won't be a problem. Simple.

Neon tetra disease does the rounds. Unfortunately you can't do anything about it as far as I'm aware and it can pass to some other species.

The only ones I came across 40 years ago were the usual white spot, (easy to deal with) and the infamous "Malawi Bloat" which was a mystery back then and didn't even have a name. I lost several good fish to that as did all my fish keeper friends. I even bottled a dead fish in formalin and sent it too Stirling University for an autopsy. Got a report back, but sadly they came up blank. I believe it's now known to be a dietary issue.

What is the latest on these ailments?