GFP “infection” radically alters the look of stony corals, like the Green Jacket

Green Fluorescent Protein is one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable fluorescent colors in soft and stony corals. In some cases the GFP is expressively produced, sometimes it’s a byproduct and recently reef aquarists have observed a third phenomenon involving…

LiveAquaria’s femininus wrasse is presented in still and moving pictures

The femininus wrasse, Anampses femininus, is one of those mythical fish that you hardly ever see on display but when you see a robust, vigorous specimen, you can’t help but to be stunned by it’s exquisite beauty. One such specimen…

For the Publishing Picky

We have in our hands  the first issue of Reef Life magazine. And what a breathe of fresh air. The layout is very clean and almost Japanese inspired. You will not find an out focused picture or anything lacking white…

Are You a Coral Collector or a Coral Hoarder? 

Do you circle the dates for coral sales and frag swaps, but forget birthdays and anniversaries? Or have a frag tank filled with frags, yet there is no chance that any of these frags will make it into your display…

Mike Paletta Beginner Series: The Grand Finale

How do you write the ending for a story that isn’t finished? For the past 52 weeks, I have been writing articles designed to help newcomers to the hobby. The idea for this was not my own, but rather that…

MASNA Recognizes James Lawrence with the Pioneer Award for Publishing

James Lawrence has been chosen to receive the Posthumous Honor of 2023 MASNA Pioneer Award for Publishing. In a press release, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America said his trail-blazing work publishing countless articles and books for the enjoyment…

Has the Hobby Gotten Too Expensive? 

Let’s face it, this hobby has never been an inexpensive one. Even during the early years of the hobby, it was expensive for a number of reasons. Corals and saltwater fish have always been more expensive than their freshwater counterparts.…

Paletta on Protein Skimming

Through the years I have seen marine aquarium filtration go from under gravel filters through canister filters and then trickle filters, all producing various levels of success. But the only filtration method that truly changed filtration was when the hobby…

Solomon Island Acropora millepora Are Taking Over Unique Corals

The Solomon Islands is one of the original birthplaces of ‘fancy coral’ strains and it was the first country in the world to mariculture corals in the ocean. It’s no coincidence that the Solomon Islands is one of the promised…

Interesting Ecology Shift of Blacktail and Orangeface Butterflyfish

Saltwater fish are among some of the most colorful creatures we can keep as pets but as many species as we have access to, one notable group is a sort of ‘forbidden fruit’ when it comes to living in aquariums.…