New Species

Cryptocentrus nanus from Fiji is the first Nano Watchman Goby

Cryptocentrus nanus is a new species of watchman goby recently described from Fiji. Clocking in at a whopping two inches long when full grown, the nano watchman goby is the smallest species of what we tend to think of when…

Plectranthias ahiahiata is a New Species from Easter Island

Plectranthias ahiahiata is newest inductee to a group of fish that are among the most interesting of the rare deepwater reef fish in the aquarium hobby. Interestingly, we were treated to a preview of this new fish as soon as…

Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, the Blue Throated Fairy Wrasse Finally gets Described

Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis is the official name for a ‘new species’ of fairy wrasse that’s actually been enjoyed in the aquarium hobby for quite some time now. With some similarities with other common species like Tonozuka’s fairy wrasse and the redfin…

Arachnanthus lilith, A New Species of Tube Anemone from the Red Sea

Fish, corals and giant clams get the lion’s share of the attention in our reef tanks but there’s a whole world of interesting anemones we’ve yet to collectively get to know. Not to mention all the new species of anemones that…

Festucalex rufus is the Freakiest Little Pipefish Ever!

Festucalex rufus is a gorgeous and freaky little pipefish that was described several years ago from Papua New Guinea. More specifically, the tiny pink pipefish was discovered in the hot spot of biodiversity which is Milne Bay, home to many…

Ostichthys alamai, a New Species of Highfin Soldierfish from Japan

Soldierfish and Squirrelfish are not the most common fish seen in reef tanks but they should be as they don’t touch coral at all. Ostichthys alamai is a new member of this group, more specifically a recently described species of…

Three New Species of Rarely Seen Adelogorgia Gorgonians

Most of the new coral species that are described these days are discovered living in deep water habitats, usually where only ROVs can go. The genus Adelogorgia from the Eastern Pacific Ocean is one of those groups of Octocorals which…

Japan has a New Species of Deepwater Triplefin

Enneapterygius velatus is a new species of triplefin recently described from Japan. Coming from the deep waters of the Ryukyu Islands, the holotypes for this new fish was collected at 55 meters (180 feet) deep but it has been photographed…

New Species Of Pygmy Squid Discovered In Australia

Researchers in eastern Australia have discovered a new species pygmy squid. James Cook University’s Associate Professor Jan Strugnell, along with Dr Mandy Reid from the Australian Museum Research Institute, have officially declared the new finding, naming it Idiosepius hallami, or Hallam’s…

Urocaridella degravei, A New Species of Arrow Cleaner Shrimp

There’s an incredible diversity of tropical shrimps that live on coral reefs and a whole suite of them perform cleaning services for reef fish. We’re all very familiar with the common red line cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis but there’s a group…