KaiTheFishGuy
457 Articles0 Comments

Kai is a systematic ichthyologist at The Australian Museum, Sydney. His research interests combine the use of cutting-edge next generation sequencing techniques with traditional methods of morphology to better understand the evolutionary history of coral reef fishes. He is a legacy ReefBuilders contributor, having previously written close to give hundred articles under his pseudonym LemonTYK.

Tony Vargas’ Cirrhilabrus brunneus: a diabolical looking fairy wrasse

Our very own Tony Vargas recently scored with a most unusual lab rid. The unusually colored fairy wrasse appears to be C. brunneus, a species recently described and previously thought to be a dark color form of Cirrhilabrus lunatus, which…

Intimate spawning of Wetmorella nigropinnata caught on tape

For many reef enthusiasts, watching their inhabitants grow and mature in their mini reefs makes the hobby all the more rewarding and gratifying. Fish are more often than not, the essence of a living reef and is what brings life…

A BlueHarbor treat: Meiacanthus kamoharai and Valenciennea bellae

Meiacanthus kamoharai is quite possibly the most beautiful of the fang blennies. Unlike most Meiacanthus, the kamohara fang blenny ditches the stripey dress code that is associated with many in this genus.  Instead, a silver vein runs along its jet black…

Unknown scribbled face Pseudojuloides lands at Greenwich Aquaria

Pseudojuloides is a beautiful genus that gets quality air time here at ReefBuilders. This group of wrasses do not get as much love as they should, and are often overshadowed by their hardier and more forgiving Cirrhilabrus cousins. Though small,…

Intimate video of Easter Island shows off its rare endemics in full HD

Easter Island is a semi-mythical destination with an eerie zen like atmosphere surrounding it and its lionised Moai statues. The same is to be said under its waters, where a few highly prized and endemic fish reside. In this intimate…

Awesome Fish Spotlight: Pseudanthias bimaculatus

Awesome Fish Spotlight is a new mini series which will feature beautiful fish that have been well maintained and groomed by their loving aquarist owners. Today’s random fish highlight features a splendid male Pseudanthias bimaculatus by Singaporean reefer Randy. Commonly…

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…

Photoblepharon palpebratus is a unique glowing oddball for your deepwater biotope

The flashlight fishes are a very unique group of light emitting fish that are not often seen in the trade. These fishes are well known for the photophores (light emitting organ) found below the eye, which harbours bioluminescent bacteria, allowing…

Cairns Marine churns out another stunning Bodianus paraleucosticticus from the Coral Sea

Bodianus paraleucosticticus is a gorgeous hogfish that is far too scarce in the trade. The five-striped hogfish is layered in alternating stripes of salmon pink and white, gradually fading to yellow as it reaches the base and tail region. All hogfishes…

David Saxby’s jaw dropping private aquarium gets a much needed 2013 update

David Saxby has arguably, one of the most crazily decked out impressive home aquarium anywhere in the world, been going a long time too. The huge 1,200 gallon tank is a chunk of reef stashed away in his own home. While…