Pets & Aquatics at Planters Bretby

20/09/2026

🐟 END OF SEASON KOI! 🐟

We still have a fantastic selection of Koi available, ranging from 4–5 inches right up to 20+ inches!

Including Kohaku, Doitsu Kohaku, Sanke, Showa, Goromo, Asagi, Platinum Ogon and Kujaku, plus more.

🍂 With the pond season coming to an end, now’s a great time to come and choose your favourites!

📍 Bretby Pets & Aquatics – Planters Garden Centre

Message us for prices & availability or pop in and take a look! 🐟💦

20/09/2026

17/09/2026

Our Cockatiels Have Arrived!

Cockatiels are intelligent, social and highly interactive birds, making them a popular choice for experienced and first-time bird keepers alike. They require a spacious, appropriately equipped enclosure, a varied and balanced diet, regular enrichment and plenty of social interaction.

As with all pets, owning a cockatiel is a long-term commitment, so we’re always happy to provide advice and guidance to help ensure they’re the right pet for you.

16/09/2026

We’re getting Halloween ready! 🦇 Why not treat your pet to something spooky? 👻🐾

16/09/2026

MEET OUR RUSSIAN HAMSTERS!

Our gorgeous Russian hamsters are looking for their new families! But before bringing one home, here are a few things to know about these little characters.

Russian hamsters are small, active and naturally curious. They can make wonderful pets, but they still have specific welfare needs to keep them happy and healthy.

Housing: They need a spacious enclosure with plenty of floor space, deep bedding for burrowing, hides, tunnels and enrichment. A large wheel with a solid running surface is also essential.

Diet: A good-quality hamster food should form the basis of their diet, alongside small amounts of suitable fresh foods and occasional treats. Fresh water should always be available.

Naturally nocturnal: Hamsters are most active during the evening and night, so don’t be surprised if your little one spends the day sleeping!

Should they live together? Russian hamsters are generally best kept alone. Although some may appear to get along when young, relationships can change and fighting can cause serious injury.

Lifespan: Around 1.5–2 years, although individual hamsters can vary.

Did you know? Russian hamsters have cheek pouches which they use to carry food and bedding around their enclosure!

Every hamster deserves a home that understands their natural behaviours and provides them with the space, enrichment and care they need. 🐹❤️

16/09/2026

🐜 ANT KEEPING HAS ARRIVED 🐜

Ever thought about keeping ants as pets? They’re fascinating little creatures, and watching a colony grow and work together is amazing! 👀

We now have a range of Ants HQ equipment to help you get started, including:

🏠 Myrmeco Nano Starter Nests – perfect for queens and small, growing colonies.
🏡 Myrmeco Nests – larger setups that allow colonies to expand as they grow.
🌿 eXplorer Outworlds – a separate foraging area where ants can explore, find food and remove waste.
🍯 Nectar & food – providing the carbohydrates and protein ants need for energy and growing their brood.
🌱 Seed mixes – ideal for species such as harvester ants that collect and use seeds.
💧 Hydration & accessories – everything you need to help create the right environment for your colony.

Remember: different ant species have different needs, and a small colony shouldn’t be given a huge amount of space straight away. Their setup can be expanded as the colony grows!

We currently have three different species of ants, each with their own needs and behaviours.

EUROPEAN HARVESTER ANTS – Messor barbarus

• Mainly eat seeds and grains
• Also need occasional protein, especially when raising brood
• Need access to fresh water
• Love collecting and storing seeds in their nest
• Generally prefer warm conditions

BLACK & BROWN CARPENTER ANTS – Camponotus ligniperda

• Feed on sugars and carbohydrates such as honey or nectar
• Need protein such as insects, especially for growing larvae
• Fresh water should always be available
• Larger ants that can take longer to develop
• Enjoy a warm, dry setup with suitable nesting space

COMMON GARDEN BLACK ANTS – Lasius niger

• Enjoy sugary foods such as honey or sugar water
• Need protein from insects, particularly when raising young
• Fresh water should always be available
• Very active and adaptable ants
• One of the most common ant species found in UK gardens

14/09/2026

✨ Creature Feature! ✨

🦆🐸 Duckbill Tree Frogs – Triprion spatulatus 🐸🦆

Looking for something a little different? Duckbill tree frogs are a fantastic and unusual species, instantly recognisable by their broad, flattened “duckbill” snout.

These attractive arboreal frogs are great fun to observe, particularly in the evening when they become more active. With a well-planted, humid enclosure, plenty of climbing opportunities and the correct temperatures, they make a brilliant display species for amphibian keepers.

🌿 Arboreal species
🌙 Most active during the evening and night
🌡️ Maintain daytime temperatures of approximately 24–28°C, with a nighttime drop to around 20–22°C
💧 Keep humidity around 60–80%, with regular misting and good ventilation
🦗 Feed on appropriately sized live insects
🚰 Provide constant access to clean, dechlorinated water
🐸 Fascinating appearance and behaviour

A really interesting choice for anyone wanting something a bit more unusual than the more commonly kept tree frogs!

Species: Triprion spatulatus
Common name: Duckbill Tree Frog

08/09/2026

🐕🐈🐇🐩🐈‍⬛🐁🐍🐢🐕🐈🦎🐀🐹🐕

We have drawn our raffle which we held for our 1st birthday and the winner is Lucy 🥳. Well done you have won a lovely doggy hamper .
Thank you to all our customers for all your support over our first year .

06/09/2026

All fish love a good treat and we have a selection of different feeding tabs for you to choose from 🐟

06/09/2026

Looking for someone cool? We have a range of axolotls just waiting for their new families!