Favourite aquariums: Catfish and barbs from the Western Ghats of India

River habitats are probably the hardest habitat to replicate in the one aquarium. This design by B. Vergeheyen in Belgium is one of the best I’ve seen. The combination of big rocks and driftwood and the mixed shoal of silvery Sahaydria, Dawkinsia and Barilius barbs is great. Having a mammoth 270x90x70 cm tank also helps create a sense of scale. It is a loose biotope for Horabagrus catfish, but it would also make a fantastic home for a group of Etroplus canarensis.

You can see more on Planet Catfish or the creators YouTube page:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36780&start=20
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCqJOmX2lVZfkBcE-0M0OWMg

 

 

 

 

Succulents and geometry

The beauty of succulent plants is, for me, in their shape and texture. I really like displays where this is accentuated by planting in pots with their own geometric and/or textural interest or where the plants are grouped to created repeated forms and patterns. Retail displays of smaller succulents lined up in individual small pots often do this well and look great compared to more random groupings.