A very interesting clownfish was recently brought to my attention by MJ Jones, who saw the fish labeled as “CF217X” at east coast wholesaler Carolina Aquatics, asking what I thought it was. Anyone who has become enthralled with the Anemonefish produced…
Saltwater Fish
Temporary quarantine tank can make a fascinating display
When you picture a quarantine tank for receiving and conditioning marine aquarium fish, images of a scuzzy, bare bones glass tank with salt creep all over probably come to mind first. Indeed, aquarists have treated quarantine tanks as a “necessary…
What’s in a name?
Scientists are often pretty whimsical in their own way when it comes to describing a new species for science. To the undiscerning amateur like us, we may find scientific names cumbersome, made up of an unpronounceable mass of consonants with an unearthly…
Wes Shinego documents the shallow reef life of Hawaii one instagram post at a time
Reef culture and social media may not be the likeliest of pairings, but it’s safe to say that in recent years the movement toward a more internet savvy environment has definitely taken a footing. You’re now hard pressed to find wholesalers or…
Atlantis Aquarium of Germany shows off a stunning trio of Pseudojuloides atavai
Pseudojuloides is a wonderful albeit surprisingly unpopular genus of sand dwelling wrasse that deserves more attention. Out of slightly more than a dozen members including several new and undescribed species, none is more captivating and beautiful as Pseudojuloides atavai. Hailing…
Centropyge debelius literally scrapes through 2014 by the skin of its teeth
Well what did we tell you. Didn’t we mention it’s very likely that a super cool fish will swoop in at the last minute just before the year closes to shock everyone? In what seems like a yearly tradition, 2014…
Pterois paucispinula: Mombasa lionfish is split into two species
Lionfish get a bad rap these days for a single species that is an unwelcome visitor to Caribbean reefs. But the Mombasa lionfish is now represented by two species that know where they belong geographically. Pterois paucispinula is the new species…
Reef Nuggets 4: Macropharyngodon and notes on maintaining a harem
This is the fourth installation of a running series we call Reef Nuggets, a platform in which we share informative and useful tips on reef keeping in general. In this chapter we take a look at my recount regarding the…
Ecsenius bicolor: a Beginner-Friendly Blenny with Real Character
Included in the Indo-Pacific genus Ecsenius are several interesting, beginner-friendly, generally aquarium-worthy blennies, among them the popular bicolor blenny (E. bicolor). This species’ modest size and bottom-dwelling habit also make it a great choice for smaller aquarium systems. Physical traits…
Liopropoma fasciatum takes the title of 2014’s fish of the year
At the close of each year we religiously run through the stories of months past and gather up our favourites, condensing some of the best stories from various categories for a year in review. Although it is pretty standard to put…