Awesome Fish Spotlight: Cirrhilabrus roseafascia from the Coral Sea

Among the two dozen or so most commonly encountered fairy wrasses, the elusive rose banded fairy wrasse, Cirrhilabrus roseafascia is not among them. This species is a relative newcomer to the documented fairy wrasse group, having only been described in 1982.…

Top 5 reasons why we love MACNA

The Marine Aquarium Conference of North America is a yearly event buzzing with a cornucopia of reef related awesomeness. For some, it’s an annual tradition, for others, a pilgrimage. Regardless, MACNA presents its attendees with an exuberant atmosphere of fun and…

My musings from MACNA

As usual MACNA meant so many corals and friends and equipment but so little time. Due to family commitments I was only able to spend Saturday in DC at MACNA, but it was a well-spent 8 hours. As usual, the…

Plectranthias bennetti, a new species of anthiine from the Coral Sea

The anthiine genus Plectranthias contains over fifty species of small to medium sized benthic, reef dwelling species. With the exception of P. garrupellus in the Western Atlantic, the genus is restricted to the Indo-Pacific region. Most species are small, highly secretive, and…

An insight into documentary film making with Richard Fitzpatrick

The best things in life often come unscripted and unplanned, brought upon by sweet serendipitous moments that take you by surprise. While visiting Cairns Marine earlier this month, we were treated to an enchanting encounter with one of documentary filmmaking’s…

So, you glow in the dark? That don’t impress me much

Coral fluorescence is a magical phenomenon that is well documented, studied, and exploited by all who enjoy it. Fluorescence is an emission of light at a different wavelength from which was absorbed, and this causes a visible glow. Excitation however dies…

Opinion: I love Chromis leucura

I like damselfish. I like Chromis even more. But if there’s one Chromis that I love, it’s Chromis leucura. Chromis leucura is a diminutive species that is often found in small groups along deep reef walls and ledges ranging from…

Do you even Chromis viridis? How well do you know your damsels?

Chromis viridis is an evergreen staple of the reef aquarium paradigm. Its ubiquity in the field is reflected almost equally in the trade, and the species plays host to a veritable plethora of hobbyists both novice and pro. The specific…

A new range extension for Chaetodon burgessi in the Coral Sea

The family Chaetodontidae is well represented by ten genera. Of which, the most populous Chaetodon is home to several subgenera, one of which is the eternally fascinating Roaops. This small subgenus comprises of five handsome species, including the dapper, monochromatic Chaetodon…

2.3 Fairy Wrasses: The exquisitus complex

Cirrhilabrus exquisitus is an unusually widespread and variable species which appears to form a lineage alongside the scottorum and cyanopleura groups, with all three sharing characteristically mid-length pelvic fins. Unlike any other species of Cirrhilabrus, the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse has…