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Who are we?
Who Are We?
read our story beginning over 30 years ago, about our current team members and their respective qualifications as well as the initiatives we support!
Our Story
The Fish Works has been trading since 2002, when Bernard, Anne and Matthew Lai put a shovel into the ground of an old horse paddock.
We had been breeding and selling koi for many years before that, but just trading out of our home in Allambie.
Now The Fish Works is now known as the experts in all things fish ponds, with over 30 years of experience.
We are your one-stop shop for everything to build, stock and maintain your garden fish pond, with expert free advice to anyone, be it your DIY homemaker, Architects, builders and landscapers.
We give honest and experienced advice and sell only the best brands, with long warranty periods and an emphasis on energy efficiency.
We want everyone who wants a pond, to have a great experience and avoid the costly mistakes that can easily be made when designing or running a fish pond or water feature.
We will match anyone’s advertised price.
But don’t take our word for it, check out our customer reviews!
5 stars on Trustpilot
4.7 stars on Google
Who are we though?
Matthew Lai
Matt is the proprietor of The Fish Works
Matt has a Bachelor of Science degree (Environmental) from the University of Sydney where he studied animal and plant biology, chemistry as well as coastal and catchment management, among other fields.
He has over 20 years of experience in designing fish ponds, biological filtration systems, and installations and has provided advice on hundreds of ponds around Australia.
Matt’s father Bernard Lai has been a koi and goldfish breeder for 35 years and was one of the first designers and manufacturers of bio balls in Australia, having come from a background in engineering. Matt has learned much of his knowledge from Bernard’s experience in fish husbandry, filtration design and pond aesthetic. Growing up in a “fish family” had Matt surrounded by fish ponds growing up, watching his father breed koi, as well as breeding tropical fish himself such as bettas and rainbow fish.
Matt keeps abreast with the latest developments in products, practices and science within the pond industry, having attended events such as:
– Pet Trade shows in China, Germany and Las Vagas, as well as visiting fish farms in Japan, Singapore, Thailand and of course Australia
– Aquascape Pondomonium in Chicago 2019, learning everything about Pond construction, Artisty, pond biology and design
– OASE product training in Melbourne 2015
Matt can help you with your pond and filtration design for builders, architects and DIY pond builders. He can troubleshoot fish pond water quality issues and tailor solutions. He is available for pond consultation site visits and always happy to give his expert advice via phone or email contact. You can reach Matt by emailing [email protected] or calling 0449 255 652
Andy Antoniou
Andy, like Matt, was born and raised in a ‘fish family’. His lifelong passion for aquatic life led him into aquarium keeping at a young age. In 1999, as a teenager, he began working at his fathers’ shop, Crystal Palace Aquariums, Five Dock, which was one of the few retail shops in New South Wales with an attached quarantine facility. This experience provided Andy with an extensive understanding of fish husbandry and the requirements for importing and selling ornamental fish.
Alongside retail work, Andy regularly managed aquarium maintenance for both corporate and residential clients, a service expanded by his uncle in the mid 90s and still ongoing today. In 2010, Andy took over as manager of Crystal Palace Aquariums, allowing his father to focus more on fish importation. For the next six years, he oversaw operations until the retail side of the business was sold. During this time, he also worked with AquaOne, installing aquarium systems for major retailers like Petbarn, Petstock and independent aquariums across Australia and New Zealand.
After 17 years in the aquarium industry, Andy briefly shifted to construction, working as a builder’s assistant to broaden his skill set. However, his passion for aquatics brought him back, this time specialising in pond design and filtration. His experience in both aquariums and construction makes him well equipped to assist enthusiasts, builders and architects with tailored pond and filtration solutions.
With a family legacy of over 80 years in the Aquarium industry, Andy plays an integral role in The Fish Works recent growth and expansion.
David Gulikov
David has been an essential member of The Fish Works team since 2023.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Certificates in Environmental Monitoring and Technologies, providing him with a solid foundation in plant and animal biology, as well as environmental and biological processes.
With over 12 years of experience in the aquarium industry, David has worked in all aspects, from quarantine and retail to working with commercial aquarium design with Aquaone.
In the fish pond industry, David offers extensive knowledge and experience, having consulted on hundreds of pond projects in Sydney, including design, installation, and tailored maintenance programs.
David stays current with the latest developments in pond products and practices by attending trade shows and factories in China as well as domestically all around Australia.
He is well-equipped to assist builders, architects, and DIY enthusiasts with pond and filtration design. David can troubleshoot fish pond water quality issues and provide customised solutions.
He is available for on-site consultations to assess current pond equipment and recommend improvements to resolve common problems, such as poor water quality and fish health issues.
Milo Gray
Milo began at The Fish Works in 2021 at 16 years of age, and has been personally committed the business ever since! Like the rest of the team Milo has a deep love of wildlife, particularly freshwater aquatics, reptiles and amphibians.
As well as being a longstanding part of The Fish Works team, Milo has worked, studied and volunteered at a variety of animal care facilities including Taronga zoo, Sydney Wildlife Rescue, and Potoroo Palace, a native animal sanctuary on the south coast of NSW. Milo contributed significantly to the renovation of the reptile house at Potoroo Palace, helping to design bioactive enclosures and custom backgrounds that closely replicate the natural habitats of various species. Today, Milo continues to create custom bioactive terrariums, aquariums and paludariums at The Fish Works.
In addition to hands-on experience, Milo completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies and a Certificate III in Captive Animal Management at the Taronga Zoo Institute of Science and Learning. During this time, Milo worked closely with zookeepers, gaining specialized knowledge of the pond systems used throughout the zoo, from small-scale aquarium filtration used in the endangered Bellinger River turtle breeding program to large-scale pump systems in walkthrough aviaries and the capybara enclosure.
Milo particularly enjoys helping customers build ecosystem ponds, whether small frog ponds or large pool-to-pond conversions. Milo loves seeing the creations that customers make and all the native wildlife they manage to attract.
Milo also attended the DIGIMARCON Digital Marketing Conference in 2024 as a representative of The Fish Works and manages the company’s social media platforms.
Nick Roache
Nick joined The Fish Works in 2020 and has been a valued member of the team ever since. Now 20 years old, Nick is also studying engineering at Macquarie University. When he’s not working, Nick enjoys fishing and caring for his Australian Bass, which he keeps at home.
A friendly and experienced member of the team, Nick brings years of knowledge to every customer interaction. His hands-on experience and keen interest in freshwater aquatics, including native species, make him an excellent resource for all things related to ponds and aquariums.
Whether you’re building a new pond or maintaining an existing one, Nick is ready to offer expert advice and support.
With his combined passion for engineering and aquatic life, Nick is excited to help customers design and maintain their dream water features, ensuring every pond is as functional as it is beautiful.
Anika Kowald-Linsley
Anika has held a lifelong passion for everything aquatic, a passion she readily shows in her work here at The Fish Works.
She is currently studying for a Master’s of Marine Science and Management at the University of Sydney, which gives her a unique ability to transfer her knowledge of marine systems into creating balanced ecosystems in your own home.
Anika started working for The Fish Works in July 202,4, adding an unbridled enthusiasm for home projects. From water fountains to wetlands, Anika’s excitement for your new water feature might just outshine your own.
Understanding what is required for a holistic and productive ecosystem means that Anika is ready to help you with any problem you might face, from a lethargic goldfish to a stringy algae outbreak, she will give you the tools and equipment to face your pond head on and go back to enjoying the serenity of your water feature.
Our Charities
The Fish Works proudly supports a variety of local and international charities. We strongly believe that all successful businesses owe a debt to the community that supports them.
These guys are amazing, once we heard that these guys can restore someone’s sight for as little as $25, we decided to support them. What a great cause and great ambassadors for Australia abroad.
We donate $75 per month to these guys, which gives us a great feeling, but more importantly, gives the gift of sight to people in need.
Please click on their logo to go straight to their donations page.
Wayside Chapel provides services and meals to homeless people in Sydney. Their work is invaluable. In 2020, The Fish Works donated $8000 to buy over 400 traditional Xmas meals for people in need.
Access Industries is a non profit organsiation that helps people with disabilities to gain meaningful work and with developing their work skills, with a new to increasing their personal and financial independence and enabling them to take their rightful place as productive and valued members of Australian society.
They run awesome raffles a few times a year with great prizes! Check out their website and see how you can help by clicking their logo! We are always in the raffle, we will win the prize one day! 😉
Everyone knows what these guys do. We sponsor a cool kid is Laos, who is doing great in school (and judging by his school work, trying much harder than I did!) Keep it up Phick!
Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia
In 2013, one of our dearest customers sadly passed away from a form of motor neurone disease. Science will find a cure for this one day but needs both dedicated scientists and funds to do this. They have the scientists.
MND Australia works in collaboration with the state MND associateions to help Australians impaced by MND live better for longer. They provide trusted information and raise awareness to promote the best possible care and support. They play an authoritative role in shaping government policies to empower the MND community. Every research project fnded by MND Australia has been scrutinised and endoresed by their committee of experts to ensure that our supporters donations fund only the best research.
The Fish Works donates $50 per month to the research arm of the MND. We encourage you to visit teir website to see if there is any way you can contribute too.
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontiéres) is the world’s leading independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid. Every day, more than 24,000 field staff members provide assistance to people caught in crisis throughout the world. They have offices in 19 countries supporting these teams, including our office in Sydney. Every year around one hundred Australians and New Zealanders are sent to and supported in the field by Doctors Without Borders Australia.
We believe that providing free medical treatment in some of the world’s most dangerous and desperate places is such a worthwhile cause because so many innocent people get caught up in these places and are in need of medical treatment due to the actions of others.
A life saved is a friend for life. The Fish Works donates $50 per month to this most important of initiatives.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 428(V). The Agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and to find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
We contribute $50 per month to this agency that is more stretched than ever, due to the ongoing wars and political climate of our times and the human cost that comes with this…
