Around the World

One of the most frequently asked questions is "Where do the fish come from?".    Well the answer is in the title of this page.   The fish found in shops such as ours are collected from every continent on earth with the exception of Antarctica. Their habitats range from the largest freshwater lakes on the planet to shallow stagnant puddles by a jungle track. From the greatest of the earths river systems to the smallest of streams, often nothing more than a trickle.   They are found at all altitudes from high mountains to dark underground cave systems and in temperatures from only a few degrees above freezing to scalding springs hot enough to blister human skin.

Clearly many are so specialised as to be unsuitable for the home aquarium, but the keen aquarist still has the choice from thousands of different species, certainly enough for most tastes.

Some species are still wild caught by licensed collectors in their native habitat and transported to centralised collection stations where they are correctly identified, sorted and quarantined before being listed for sale on the international market.  Many others are captive breed, either in their country of origin, or in breeding centres in Europe and the Far East. 

Most arrive in the UK via national distributors, but some larger retailers like ourselves do import some stock directly from reputable dealers abroad

Today the international trade in ornamental fish is well regulated to ensure that natural stocks are managed responsibly and not dangerously depleted and helps to prevent illicit trade in endangered species.   It will also have a positive effect on the welfare and treatment of livestock and hopefully drive the unscrupulous out of the industry.