Castle Dawn Aquatics

Welcome to our blog Aquatic Rambles Castle Dawn Aquatics caters to novices and experienced aquarists alike. We offer a range of aquarium equipment and accessories at competitive prices. www.castledawnaquatics.com

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Beautiful new Gastromyzon hillstream loach in stock on Friday. Hillstream loaches inhabit fast flowing streams and can be found through out Asia. They are easy to keep but have high oxygen requirements that need to be met in order to thrive. #nanoaquarium #nanoscape #hillstreamloach #pleco #plecosofinstagram #aquariumhobby #aquascaping #aquascapers #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #fishkeepinguk #fishtanksofinstagram #fishhobby #aquariumofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CZJY5OdIclO/?utm_medium=tumblr

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This beautiful little red devil vampire crab (Geosesarma Hagen) is a freshwater crab species that comes from Indonesia habiting forest areas around swamps and ponds. Although commonly sold as a fully aquatic crab they are in fact semi-terrestrial. They can live in an aquarium but they require access to climb out of the water, so are more suited for a paludarium aquarium. They are a gentle species within their own community, but do not tolerate other crab species, and will happily take on crabs 5 times their own size. If you are ever looking to keep something different in our hobby, I highly suggest these little critters, they are full of individual character and easy on the eyes. #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_Pwsioosn/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Look at this fella, I feel like he is the final form of a boss in an RPG. What a stunner !! The feathering of his fins is extraordinary even for a Rosetail.  #betta #bettas #bettafish #bettatank #bettasorority #wildbettasp #bettasofinstagram  #fishkeeping #fightingfish #fishofinstagram #instafish #plantedtank #aquascape #aquarium #koibetta #plakat #hmpk #wildbetta #bettasplenden #halfmoonbetta #fishtanksofinstagram #betta_pic #castledawnaquatics #aquariumhobby #aquascaping https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvGnq8oESA/?utm_medium=tumblr

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BEDTIME !!! An interesting thing about bobtails is they are actually squid but their appearance is more cuttlefish like. Even though it appears large in the video, this little adult Bobtail is just under 3cm. Bobtails would be one of the more popular molluscs in the Asian marine aquarium trade due to their undeniable cuteness. But like most molluscs, their lifespan is incredibly short with most dying within 3 - 10 months. However, a pair can provide the aquarist with generations of bobtails for years. The only thing is just don't get too attached. #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #fishhobby #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #saltwaterfishtank #marinekeeper #marineaquarium https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7z0w7IkFX/?utm_medium=tumblr

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One of the most common questions we have received is does the fry have the same extravagant colour as the parent? The answer is yes, as you can see from the fry pulled up from a breeding pond along with a female. Even freshly hatched genetically modified danios have the green pigment.  Some people get genetically modified fish mixed up with colour dyed fish. These fish are created by inserting a new fluorescent gene from the likes of jellyfish into the plasmid which then is carried through on to the next generation like any other gene code. Not all the fry will be green this is because some of the danios still carry the original colour gene even though they are green. So, you normally end up with a small percentage of normal coloured danios. However, even though they are normal in appearance they may carry the fluorescent gene and pass it on to another generation. Note, these dainos are bred in Asia and not in the USA. As some of you may already know that fluorescent genetically modified danios are trademarked in the USA and breeding them is illegal. However, the patent does not extend to Asia at this time. This is why you would often see other glow species in aquatic stores that are not sold by the official patent owners in the US as they are imported from the likes of Thailand, where they are free to breed for sale. Does anyone keep fluorescent genetically modified fish in their aquarium or would consider it? #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #glowfish #fishtanksofinstagram #aquariumofinstagram #fishkeepinguk #aquariumhobbyist https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5FYSAoB3u/?utm_medium=tumblr

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ANIME STYLE AQUARIUM DECORATION BACK IN STOCK: LIMITED SUPPLY. The Merry Go and Thousand Sunny are ships from the hit anime series One Piece. Each one is hand-painted and beautifully detailed right down to the trademark straw hat sail, perfect for any anime fan. Link in the bio. #betta #bettas #bettafish #bettatank #bettasorority #bettasofinstagram  #fishtank #fishkeeping #fightingfish #fishofinstagram #instafish #plantedtank #aquascape #aquariumhobby #aquascaping #nanoaquarium #aquariumsofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #fishhobby https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0QcO0IJ6K/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Bright orange genetically engineered fluorescent long fined Zebra Danio (Danio rerio). Although prolific in the hobby, they were never intended for the ornamental fish trade. They were first created over 20 years ago by Professor Gong Zhiyuan in Singapore for the purpose of testing for pollutants in waterways, where the fish would glow if pollutants were detected. Since the fish are genetically engineered the colour change is done by inserting the fluorescent gene from invertebrates such as jellyfish & anemones into the fish embryo. The gene is then carried through to the next generations. What do you all think? Do you like them or do you find them too extreme? #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #aquariumofinstagram #aquariumsofinstagram #nanoaquarium #nanoscape https://www.instagram.com/p/CTz7p5hIz2u/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Check out the colour on these hemioliopterus. This morph used to be fairly common but has slowly been disappearing in the market making them triple in value. The yellow tones are more popular in Asia than full platinum as yellow resembles gold, gold equals wealth in Feng shui. Note to the fish tank police, this is a temporary viewing tank to check for any physical damages or noticeable ailments before they are released into a quarantine pond. #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #monsterfish #monsterfishkeepers #freshwatertank #castledawnaquatics #tankbuster #aquascape #monsterfishkeeper #monsterfishtank #aquariumtank #alligatorgar #alligatorgarfish #tankbusters #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #redtailcatfish https://www.instagram.com/p/CTkjw2Ao08w/?utm_medium=tumblr

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**WATCH TO THE END** Yes, that is an Arowana with Longfin Batfish (Platax teira), your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Batfish are saltwater but are commonly found in the Asian aquarium trade as freshwater, similar to Bumblebee groupers (Epinephelus lanceolatus). Longfin Batfish are a Euryhaline species and can adapt to different levels of salinity. In their juvenile stage, they can be found in brackish estuaries or hanging around mangroves. Like the Bumblebee groupers found in the trade, the batfish are bred in brackish conditions and reared in freshwater. They do surprisingly well and unlike some other Euryhaline species found in the trade, the batfish do not seem to lose the ability with age and are quite comfortable in freshwater conditions. Freshwater Longfin Batfish (Platax teira) has been in the Asian aquatic trade for about 3 years now, so I expect them to hit the western aquatic trade in the next 24 months. What do you all think would you keep a freshwater Batfish if you had the opportunity? #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #monsterfish #monsterfishkeepers #freshwatertank #castledawnaquatics #tankbuster #aquascape #monsterfishkeeper #monsterfishtank #aquariumtank #arowanas #arowana #tankbusters #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquariumofinstagram #arowanalovers https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfXwmlhmeK/?utm_medium=tumblr

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What a stunner he is and I think he knows it himself. He is a Fundulopanchax Sjoestedt or Fundulopanchax Sjoestedti Funge ADL 13-39 to be more precise. When it comes to Killifish there are quite a few region variants of the same species, blessing them with lengthy Latin names to include collection information. Region variants are common in many species of fish, particularly widespread species like Killifish. Bettas are another species that have developed region variants such as Imbellis which can vary in appearance depending on what part of Thailand it is collected from. Fundulopanchax Sjoestedti Funge is one of the bigger species of Killifish with some domestic bred species reaching nearly 13cm, but are rarely bigger than 10cm in the wild. The largest species of Killifish is Fundulus grandis which is a whopping 18cm, dwarfing many common species of Killifish found in the hobby like Aphyosemion australe. #nanoaquarium #nanoscape #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #aquariumofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSmGdtDp6b/?utm_medium=tumblr

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A new species of Rhinogobius sp. is currently referred to as Rhinogobius 'Strawberry' until classification. There are over 70 different species of Rhinogobius goby scattered throughout South East Asia, with the majority native to China. These small gobies are freshwater,  prefer fast-flowing water and are comfortable in cooler subtropical water between 10 -25 degrees celsius. They are full of character and colour, and out of all the fish we offer in our retail store Rhinogobius has the biggest following. When we get new shipments in, it is like black Friday with Rhinogobius collectors. There are so many different species, all intensely coloured and unique, and as a customer once said, ''I can't help myself they are like Pokemon, I gotta catch em all'' therefore also addictive.  #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #nanoaquarium #nanoscape #goby #gobies https://www.instagram.com/p/CTQHtW-Iwqb/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Underwater camera footage of elegant Platinum Dragon butterfly Koi in a grow out pond 🙂. At the moment they are between 6 and 12 inch so they will remain in the grow out untill next season. The full body dragon butterfly Koi can reach up to nearly 24 inch, however, the short body tend to cap out around 14 inches. #aquascapers #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #goldfishkeeper #goldfishtank #koiofinstagram #koipond (at Foshan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS7cbMtI-nz/?utm_medium=tumblr

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LIMITED SUPPLY RRP: $73.98 SALE PRICE: $48.99 Large artificial plant set. Average height 30cm. Our aquatic artificial plants help create the illusion of a real planted aquarium without the extra work. The leaves are soft to the touch, making them perfect for fish such as Bettas and fancy goldfish which have delicate fins and appendages. The lightweight leaves can be easily adjusted with their flexible frame and flow naturally with the movement of the water. Castle Dawn Aquatics artificial plants are made using 100% aquatic safe plastics and printed using non-toxic fade-resistant inks. https://bit.ly/2W7Squ5 #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes https://www.instagram.com/p/CSuy1NmDdV_/?utm_medium=tumblr

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I am worried about my male Betta splendens I recently noticed a marble-sized swelling in his abdominal area. He is eating well, flaring and being his everyday self and so far does not seem to be affected by it. He lives on his own in a 20-gallon aquarium with nitrite, nitrate and ammonia all 0, temp is around 26 degrees celsius. I use one of the slimline Castle Dawn Aquatics air-driven filters, as he is a half-moon Betta so I didn’t want a heavy flow in the aquarium. His diet consists of freeze-dried water flea and Hikari Betta pellets, occasionally he will take flake food. I know it's not dropsy from experience so what do you think is wrong with him? The swelling you have described could be down to several problems. The swelling of the abdominal area in fish can be a sign of internal disease particularly tuberculosis and an internal fungus caused by Icthyophonus. Both these diseases can affect the liver and kidney functions which causes fluid to build up in the abdominal region. From the outside, it can look like simple bloat but as time progresses it becomes more apparent what the ailment is, as they are both wasting diseases. Read more: https://bit.ly/3mdtcFr #fishhobby #fishtanksofinstagram #fishtank #fishkeeper #fishhobbyist #fishofinstagram #fishkeepersofinstagram #aquariumhobby #aquariumofinstagram #aquascapes (at Foshan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSuSgUNjTBP/?utm_medium=tumblr

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I can’t keep Nothobranchius Killifish alive; they always die within a month or two after I purchase them. My water parameters are perfect Nitrites, Nitrates and Ammonia are 0 and the PH is balanced at 6.5, What am I doing wrong? The Nothobranchius family are known as annuals and their lifespan rarely succeeds 10 months. So, the reason your Killifish are dying is likely due to the simple fact that they were already at the end of their lifespan when you purchased them.  If you want to pursue keeping Nothobranchius we always recommend starting from eggs and growing them out, not only do you get to enjoy the Nothobranchius as long as possible, but you get to experience their miraculous life cycle.  #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #aquariumsofinstagram (at Foshan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSrQJzZIe7J/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Stunning Nannostomus rubrocaudatus is often confused with Nannostomus mortenthaleri. I have a lot of time for Pencil fish, I kept them a lot in my youth and they are a species I find myself coming back to time and time again through life. I don’t know why they are not more popular in the hobby, they are timid, shoaling and full of character, and some species of the family display some intense colouring. For a regular stocked species in our store we always get a customer or two allured in by their intense colouring asking what they are, and 9 out of 10 times they will leave with a small shoal of them. Most Pencil fish are timid, but Nannostomus rubrocaudatus particularly the males can get a bit of a handful especially when it comes to establishing dominance. It is best to keep them in a dense shoal in a large heavily planted tank to spread aggression in the males. The aggression does not extend to other species and will remain in the shoal. Even with the aggressive behaviour between the males they are still timid fish and are best kept with similar timid species.   #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers#fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #fishkeepersofinstagram (at Foshan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSpfPhyoTy8/?utm_medium=tumblr

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One of the more popular and common old world Killifish, Nothobranchius rachovii and also one of my personal favourites. The colours in these little beauties would put some marine fish to shame. Nothobranchius are part of the annual killifish family, where they would spend their life cycle in small bodies of water that would evaporate in the dry season, with the fish reappearing in the wet season. It was a common belief by the locals that the fish came down with the rain every year and were often referred to as Rain fish. The miraculous event of the fish dying and reappearing in the wet season was not the result of fish falling out of the sky, but was down to the Killis remarkable adaptability to survive the harsh environment. The fish is not only prolific in producing offspring, they grow at an extraordinary rate, and become sexually mature at an early age, all evolution traits to beat the predestined drought. The most remarkable trait annual killifish have developed is how they spawn by depositing their eggs within the depths of the substrate. As the water evaporates the adult fish die but the next generation is safely tucked away under the surface. As the ground dries and cracks the eggs become exposed to the air, and as the rain falls replacing oxygen with water (anaerobic conditions) it kickstarts the hatching process. and the cycle continues. #aquariumhobby #fishtanks #fishkeepers #fishkeeping #plantedtank #fishhobby #freshwatertank  #castledawnaquatics #fishhobbyist #aquascape #fishofinstagram #fishtanksofinstagram #aquascaping #aquascaper #aquascapes #aquariumofinstagram (at Foshan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSXgZ9Ooarc/?utm_medium=tumblr