Trigger Systems line of Ruby sumps, for large reef aquariums

Trigger systems has released a relatively new line of sumps. The Ruby line which can be used as either a berlin or refugium setup includes 4″ diameter filter socks and up to 3 probe holder positions. The “ruby” comes from…

Clean-up Crew, and Their Role in the Reef Aquarium

As mentioned in last week’s article algae and how to manage it is still the biggest problem/concern of many hobbyists both new and old. I would love to say that if everything is kept in balance and nutrients are kept…

Rhodactis bryoides: The shroom that thought it was an anemone!

Thanks to our friend and colleague Joe Rowlett’s book Indo-Pacific Corals new insights were provided on many different coral families. One new development I found particularly interesting concerns the taxonomy of corallimoprh since not much new work has been done…

Circled Dragonet Collected for the First Time in 6 Years

The circled dragonet is a very unique species of tropical reef fish that has the distinction of being one of the rarest species of this group which is rarely seen by divers, and more seldomly collected in the aquarium hobby.…

Cherry Blossom Acropora rosaria is an Immortal Classic

While exploring inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef with our friends from Ultra Coral Australia, we came across many times a popular aquarium coral: The Cherry Blossom Acropora rosaria and were really astonished by its beauty and diversity. Nic…

13 Creatures To Photograph At The Murex Bangka House Reef

Murex Bangka House Reef Guests staying at the Bangka Island hotel are in for a treat. The Murex house reef is only a fin toss away from the shore and full of interesting creatures to photograph. And regardless of where…

Paul B’s Unique Perspective on Keeping Mandarins

Hobby pioneer Paul “Paul B” Baldassano is not your grandfather’s reefkeeper (though he is old enough to be your grandfather!). In fact, Paul B’s perspective on just about any aspect of the marine aquarium hobby is quite distinct from anyone…

Cirrhilabrus rubeus & C. africanus Are The Two Newest Species of Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus africanus and C. rubeus are the two newest species of fairy wrasses that have been added to this quickly growing genus of reef fish. Descriptions of fairy wrasse species have been fairly frequent the last couple years, but today…

3.4 Fairy Wrasses: The filamentosus group

The filamentosus group presents the reader with a collection of familiar, aquarium-friendly species, many of which are exuberantly colored and morphologically quirky. Despite some superficial differences in colors and fin shapes, the overall morphology strongly implies that this is the…

3.1 Fairy Wrasses: The rubrimarginatus group

The rubrimarginatus group is home to some of the most well-known (and well-loved) of the Fairy Wrasses. The group can be divided rather equally into two clades, each with their own separate diagnostic features. The males attain fairly large sizes,…