When we observe the diversity of corals found in the aquarium hobby, it’s easy to think that somehow what we’re getting is a reflection of what is available in nature. By that guideline you’d think that Mycedium was somewhat rare, or…
komodo/Flores
Large colony of Lakers Scroll Turbinaria sighted in the Flores Sea
The Lakers Scroll Coral is a popular strain of Turbinaria which is enjoyed by many American reefers for its unique color and for being one of the only “domesticated” strains of Turbinaria that reef aquarists readily recognize. Being so familiar with this…
Unknown Acropora species discovered on the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition
If we had one greatest hope for the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition, it was to find some new, undescribed, and otherwise unknown species of marine life, with stony corals topping our wish list. Wouldn’t you know it, on just the…
Adventures in fluorescent photography in the Flores Sea
On our recent diving marathon during the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition, we brought with us many different tools for sampling and observing the natural reef environment. One particularly special device which we came into possession just in time for our travel…
The bubble coral shrimp, Vir philippinensis
Spending time under water, we learn so much about the animals we care about. We even discover animals that we never heard of that live among the exact same coral that we have in our tank at home. The Bubble Coral…
Ecsenius bathi, the blenny from Komodo and the Flores Sea
Among blennies the genus Ecsenius includes some of the most colorful, personable and aquarium-suitable species. Species like Midas and Bicolor blennies are part of the mainstay of marine aquarium fishes while others like Ecsenius pictus, Ecsenius tigris and Ecsenius oculus are…
Convict chalice Echinophyllia documented in its natural habitat
Convict chalice corals are specimens of Echinophyllia plating colonies with a very distinctive series of stripes running usually from the edge of the oral disc (mouth) to the colonie’s edges. The lines of convict chalice corals can be very dark, or…
Get ready for lots of exciting stories from the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition
We’re back from the Flores Sea with loads of exciting observations and documentation on the reefs of this part of Indonesia. With support from Fluval Sea and no less than nine months of planning, we succeeded in diving and surveying and…
Announcing the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition
We are proud to finally be able to share with you the announcement of the Fluval Sea Flores Expedition, a very special project that we’ve been planning for the better part of a year. Blogging from aquarium events, about happenings,…
Paracheilinus rennyae, a new flasher wrasse from Flores Indonesia
Paracheilinus rennyae is a new species of flasher wrasse recently described with a very unique and distinct outline to its profile. Looking not unlike the smooth edged Paracheilinus octotaenia from the Red Sea, Paracheilinus rennyae comes from southwestern Flores Island in the…