One of the true piscine treasures hailing from the Caribbean is the royal gramma, a.k.a. the fairy basslet (Gramma loreto). Not only is this little gem a real showstopper aesthetically speaking, but it’s also a hardy, beginner-friendly, and generally very…
6 Tips for Choosing the Right-Sized Tank for Saltwater Fish
Have you ever noticed that species profiles written about marine fish almost always include a recommended minimum tank size for the species? Have you also noticed that tank-size recommendations for the same species can vary wildly from one author, dealer,…
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi: Practically Perfect Open Brain Coral
“Open brain coral” is a common name applied to a wide variety of coral species belonging to several different genera. But if you ask my opinion (well, even if you don’t, I’m going to offer it anyway), Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is…
BGA Battle Plan: Controlling Cyanobacteria in Saltwater Aquariums
You’re relaxing in front of your saltwater aquarium, enjoying the beautiful undersea vista you’ve created when you notice a few red, algae-like patches on your live rock that weren’t there before. You reach into the tank and give one of…
Odonus niger: A Toothy but (usually) Nonviolent Trigger
Say “triggerfish” to a group of experienced salties, and you’re apt to evoke bloodcurdling memories of once-kept triggers massacring fellow fish, shredding sessile invertebrates, mangling submerged equipment, toppling rockwork, or even biting the hand that feeds them. Let’s face it,…
Freshwater Dip: Help Prevent External Parasites in 4 Steps
All my fish are infected with ich! Now what do I do? This is the all-too-common lament of impatient hobbyists who habitually introduce new fish to an established aquarium without a period of quarantine and other preventive measures. They may…
Acclimating Saltwater Fish in 10 Easy Steps
Contrary to popular misconception, introducing a new fish to a saltwater aquarium is not a simple matter of floating the shipping bag in the tank for 15 or 20 minutes and then releasing the fish into its new home. Sure,…
South Africa 2013 Aquarium Expo: Reef Builders will be there
Marine Aquariums South Africa and Tropical Aquariums SA are jointly putting together the largest aquarium conference of the year, the South Africa 2013 Aquarium Expo. Being a fully fledged aquarium conference the 2013 Expo will feature a wide range of…
A Guide to Routine Marine Aquarium Maintenance
There’s no question that a saltwater aquarium requires a significant amount of maintenance if the fish and invertebrates it contains are to remain healthy and their life-support system is to continue functioning efficiently for the long term. But that doesn’t…
How to Arrange a Vacation Sitter for Your Saltwater Aquarium
You’re getting ready to depart on a well-deserved summer vacation, and everything is falling into place nicely. You’ve purchased airline tickets, made all your hotel reservations, and packed everything you could possibly need at your travel destination. You’ve even made…