solomon islands

Myersina balteata is the Newest Species of Shrimp Goby from the Solomon Islands

Myersina balteata is a new species of shrimp-associated tropical goby that was just described from specimens collected in the Solomon Islands. This new species has a very distinctive color pattern which is divided by a very pronounced black vertical line,…

This is the BEST Parascolymia vitiensis we’ve ever seen!

Reef aquarium conferences like ReefStock and Reefapalooza are usually a great place to look for coral frags, but sometimes we get to see some truly stupendous coral colonies too. This past weekend’s event was a great new success for the…

2nd Annual Solomon Island Dive Fest Is Happening October 2-7

2nd Annual Solomon Island Dive Fest It’s almost here, only one month left before the start of the 2nd annual Solomon Island dive fest. If you’ve never heard of it, the Solomon’s are a group of remote island hidden away in…

Parapercis binotata, A New Species Of Sandperch From Solomon Islands

There’s tons of different species of sandperches, small bottom-dwelling tropical marine fish intriguing eyes and an inquisitive behavior. They’re small, hardy and usually pretty cheap, and today we can add one more species to the catalog of Parapercis,  Parapercis binotata is…

Blue Acropora Yongei Documented Over 20 Years by Bruce Carlson

Blue Acropora are among the most coveted corals in reef aquarium. Meanwhile, the brilliant Green Slimer Acropora yongei is one of the most common and fastest growing corals in captivity. But did you know these two types of coral have something…

Leptoseris papyracea, the other branching Lepto coral

Leptoseris is a genus of coral that has absolutely blown up in the marine aquarium hobby in the last few years. Notable efforts to collect rare and unusual strains of Leptos, especially by Fox and Worldwide, have led to more…

The Green Splash Astreopora is alive and well in captivity

When we first discovered the Green Splash Astreopora randalli growing in a turbid chalice coral reef in the Solomon Islands, we knew this coral was special. We’ve always had a special fascination for unusual corals, among them those that show…

Palauastrea ramosa is your weird coral of the week

Palauastrea ramosa is one of those bizzar-o corals that we’ve always wondered about from seeing it in books, and which has never truly enjoyed any kind of exposure in the reef aquarium scene. Thankfully, a few recent trips to the…

We tracked down the Purple Monster Acro to its original source

The Purple Monster Acropora is arguably one of the most infamous stony coral strains in the marine aquarium hobby, of all time. This particular strain of deep purple acro is the coral that kickstarted the whole idea of even having some corals that…

An ode to purple Montipora digitata in the aquarium, and in nature

Purple Montipora digitata is hands down, one of the most beautiful and colorful small polyp stony corals available for aquariums, bar none. There, we’ve said it, professed our love for a coral that no matter how many times you’ve seen…