Tosanoides annepatrice Described from Pohnpei & Palau

Tosanoides annepatrice is the newest member of this colorful deepwater genus of anthias that come hardly a week on the heels of another new inductee, Tosanoides aphrodite. But where that species was a huge surprise due to being found in…

Sensational Tosanoides aphrodite Described from St. Paul’s Rock

Tosanoides aphrodite is a remarkable new species of anthias for a number of reasons. For starters, it’s the first member of its genus Tosanoides to be discovered outside the Pacific Ocean. Secondly this species was found at the fabled St. Paul’s…

New ocean zone added to coral “Twilight Zone”

Mesophotic, meet your new neighbor rariphotic. The deep sea Twilight Zone of coral reefs and some insanely beautiful fish has another zone names the rariphotic zone thanks to the Smithsonian Institute’s marine science team that has been studying these depths.…

Roa rumsfeldi Is A New Species Of Butterflyfish From The Philippines!

Roa rumsfledi is an exciting new species of butterflyfish from a genus that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Before today the Roa butterflyfish consisted of just four species which all have a high body profile and a pattern of alternating…

The Case Of The Missing Ctenophores

In 2015 a team from the California Academy of Science set out on a expedition to the Philippines to explore the Coral Triangle’s biological treasures. The trip was aimed at exploring the Verde Island Passage, a stretch of water between the…

Luiz’s Snapshots: Odontanthias katayamai In Pohnpei

If you’ve read Reef Builders for any length of time then you know that in order to find the rarest, most colorful and interesting fish, you have to dive deep. Like really deep. That and be Dr. Luiz Rocha or one of…

Borbonius Anthias Captive Bred By Biota Palau

Biota Palau is no stranger to being first to captive breed some popular tropical marine fish and the Borbonius anthias is the latest species to be added to their catalog. Their captive bred mandarins have revolutionized the experience of keeping…

Oblique Butterflyfish Is The Coolest Fish You’ve Never Heard Of!

The Oblique Butterflyfish, Prognathodes obliquus, is a rare species from St. Paul’s Rock in the middle of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Although few mere mortals ever make it to this extremely isolated rocky islet, thankfully super-scientists like Dr. Luiz Rocha always…

Great New Pictures of BLUE Queen Angelfish from St. Paul’s Rock

The Queen Angelfish is one of the most iconic reef fish in the Caribbean Sea. It’s appearance has some regional variation throughout its range from Florida to Brazil, but there’s one place where the queen angels put on some very…

Global Coral Restoration Project To Begin In The Caribbean

Global Coral Restoration Project With non-stop talk about the loss of coral reefs due to climate change, the Global Coral Restoration Project is a much-needed lifeboat for reefs around the world. The project which started as a partnership between SECORE International…