The Vectra L1 DC pump that was leaked a couple of weeks ago has a little brother, the Vectra M1 pump, and both new pumps have the specs and pricing to rock the aquarium world. It was revealed today that…
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Reef Building soft coral has the thickest stony “branches”
Soft corals are called “soft corals” because they are kind of like corals, and they are primarily soft. We know that there are always exceptions to every rule in the animal kingdom, and the most notable of these in the Octocorallia soft…
2.3 Fairy Wrasses: The exquisitus complex
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus is an unusually widespread and variable species which appears to form a lineage alongside the scottorum and cyanopleura groups, with all three sharing characteristically mid-length pelvic fins. Unlike any other species of Cirrhilabrus, the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse has…
The Envelope is a touching movie about the passion for reef aquariums
“The Envelope” is a new video released by Kessil to promote their forthcoming new Kessil A700 LED fixture, but really it’s so much more than a promotional video. With only a tiny bit of product placement throughout the seven minute…
Bellissima bellus: The biology and hybridization of Genicanthus bellus
The genus Genicanthus boasts of ten medium to large angelfish species that have evolved away from the regular substrate perusing stereotype. All members of this genus are rather streamlined, being longer than they are tall. Their caudal fins are festooned with…
Stony coral taxonomy is getting all shook up & straightened out
The notion of discussing stony coral (Scleractinian) taxonomy is probably one that will elicit the blankest of stares. However, if you are hyper passionate about corals, their evolution and especially their relatedness gives us reefers insight to the care requirements,…
Monday Mystery: Majestic bluefaces abound in Bali
Pomacanthus navarchus. Pomacanthus xanthometopon. These are a few of my favorite things. But what exactly is going on in Bali right now? Apart from the smouldering volcano (Mt. Raung) spewing out ashes and trapping hapless tourists in this island paradise,…
The top 5 reasons to use an Apex Systems PMK Par Monitoring Kit
The PAR Monitoring Kit recently announced by Neptune Systems is a very intriguing new accessory that could unlock the door to learning oh so much about our aquariums. We were very thrilled to see the release of the BioTek Marine…
Shallow water Acropora globiceps looks like living crystals
We have held a soft spot for Acropora globiceps ever since the beginning of our adventures in reef and stony coral keeping. Acropora globiceps was one of the first acro frags that we ever got and grew, yet this species is…
2.2 Fairy Wrasses: The cyanopleura group
The cyanopleura group is the next collection of fairy wrasses from the second major Cirrhilabrus clade (whose member taxa share the trait of mid-length pelvic fins) and is sister to the scottorum group. In the latter, certain traits that were diagnostic to the members will be…