Ross McFarlane
How long have you been a Maidenhead Aquatics team member?
I have worked for Fishkeeper for more than 6 years.
How long have you been keeping fish?
I got my first fish when I was 10 years old, so more than 20 years now.
What was your first aquarium and what fish did you keep in it?
My aquarium was a cold-water tank, it had two goldfish and 2 weather loaches.
What species do you most enjoy keeping and why?
I enjoy keeping the marine animals the most, I tend to find with a marine tank there is always a problem to be solved or something that can be improved.
What pearl of wisdom would you give to first-time Fishkeepers?
If you think you are going to enjoy this hobby, I would get the biggest tank you can to start with. Most people will start of with a small tank, find out how much fun it is and end up going through a series of tanks before they end up with a large one. Get the big one first and save yourself some money in the long run.
What would be your dream aquarium?
A very large Asian Arowana tank
What’s your favourite aspect of work at Maidenhead Aquatics?
Continuing to learn about all of the interesting animals available to us in the hobby.
What question do customers ask you most often?
Where are the nemos?
What’s your secret fishkeeping “top tip”?
Test your tank regularly. Not testing your tank is like driving a car blindfolded, you just have no idea what’s going on.
How many aquariums do you currently keep at home, and what are these?
I currently have 2 Aquariums. A large mixed reef marine and a small planted betta tank.
What’s the most unique species you’ve ever cared for at Maidenhead Aquatics?
The flashing tilefish, it can change its colour at will. Super cool
What is it that first got you hooked on fishkeeping?
Being able to set up an almost totally alien environment to keep animals that we would normally never be able to get close to. That and the shiny colours
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned since joining Maidenhead Aquatics?
A lot of the marine animals we keep like Wrasse and even clownfish change their gender as they develop from juvenile to adulthood.