The exceedingly rare scythe butterflyfish, Prognathodes falcifer

Here is a classic Reef Builders post from October 2008 showing off one of my favorite fishes at the Denver Downtown Aquarium. ReefStock attendees will be able to see these two Prognathodes falcifer which surely represent some of the only…

The exceedingly rare scythe butterflyfish, Prognathodes falcifer

The scythe butterflyfish, Prognathodes falcifer is a rare coolwater fish which comes from the East Pacific Ocean in southern california, USA to Baja California, Mexico. Apparently, this species occur in shallower waters in the U.S. where it is not legal…

Top 5 things to see at the Birch Aquarium in San Diego

This past week we visited San Diego to give you an idea of whats to come for next year’s MACNA conference. We found lots of great local fish stores and had a wonderful tour of the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute…

Prognathodes “basabei” in serene Kyoto

Once regarded as the former capital of Japan, Kyoto relinquished its title to the anagrammatic Tokyo in 1868. Today, Kyoto is known for its serene and tranquil landscapes peppered extensively with shinto shrines, temples and historical culture. This geographical icon of…

Opulent Osaka Part 1: Makoto Matsuoka’s decade old Prognathodes collection

We just got back from a three day trip to Osaka and if you’re a fish lover, you’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled and attention focused on this page for the next week at least. Japan as…

Juvenile Scythe Butterflyfish photographed in the Catalina Islands for the first time

The Scythe Butterflyfish (Prognathodes falcifer) is a member of  the “long-nosed” butterflies from the genus Prognathodes. Many of the species are Atlantic in distribution, and all feature a pointed snout with exaggerated dorsal fin spikes. All the Prognathodes butterflies are gorgeous…

‘Fishes: East Pacific’ is a free iPhone app from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Fishes: East Pacific is a free iPhone app from the Smithsonian which is a guide to the shore fishes of the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. This fish identification guide was put together by Ross Robertson and Gerald Allen, two of…

Prognathodes obliquus and P. dichrous are two similar yet unobtainable species from the Atlantic

The Prognathodes butterflyfishes are an underrated and seldom kept group of fishes that surely deserves some quality air time. While commoner species such as P. marcellae, P. aculeatus and P. aya make it into the trade from time to time,…

ReefStock happening March 10th, 2012 at the Denver Downtown Aquarium

It’s hard to believe it’s been nine months since the last ReefStock and it’s already time to start working on the next one. When the first ReefStock was produced back in 2008 we could hardly think past an annual legacy of events…

ReefStock this Saturday at the Denver Downtown Aquarium

This Saturday March 12th Reef Builders will be presenting the fourth annual ReefStock conference. ReefStock is a fully rounded conference with lots of captive raised corals for sale, all the latest and greatest products, experienced reef aquarium speakers and an…