Pulse corals (e.g., Xenia and Heteroxenia spp.) are among the more enigmatic sessile invertebrates. Many hobbyists and non-hobbyists alike find their rhythmic, hypnotic pulsing behavior fascinating and relaxing to observe, but precisely why they pulse the way they do has…
Search Results For: Green Star Polyp
Dampia pocilloporaeformis is a soft coral that prefers the company of SPS
Dampia is a very unique soft coral which has held a very special place in our hearts since the first time we ever saw one. There is only one species in the genus, Dampia pocilloporaeformis, which as its name implies,…
Zoanthids vs Palythoa Identification
Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of different Palys and Zoas. In that same time, there were varieties we confidently called Palythoa and others Zoanthids. For example, I can easily point to a Palythoa grandis and say for sure that…
Zoanthids: Tough as Nails but Powerfully Potent
They belong to genera with names like Zoanthus, Parazoanthus, and Palythoa. They’re sometimes called sea mats, button polyps, or colonial anemones. Reef hobbyists commonly refer to them as “zoas.” Whatever name you apply to them, the zoanthids (family Zoanthidae) enjoy…
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi: Practically Perfect Open Brain Coral
“Open brain coral” is a common name applied to a wide variety of coral species belonging to several different genera. But if you ask my opinion (well, even if you don’t, I’m going to offer it anyway), Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is…
The Perfect Beginner SPS Coral: Seriatopora (Bird’s nest)
If ever one is looking to get into small polyp stony (SPS) corals but is hesitant because of the challenges associated with them, consider an SPS coral from the genus Seriatopora. Seriatopora corals, commonly referred to as bird’s nest corals,…
Fiji Hypercolor Zoanthids have a wild range of colors
Eye Catching Coral just sent over some pictures of a Fiji Zoanthid discovered with wildly colored tentacles. Like the Hypercolor shirts from the nineties, these Fiji Zoanthids have an indeterminate color pattern which extends from the mouth, to the oral disc…
Predatory Ricordea yuma comes to life in time lapse feeding video
We are graced today with a second exceptional marine aquarium video, this time featuring a Ricordea chomping on some pelleted coral food. We’ve all seen videos of LPS corals mowing down pelleted food, Scolies are exceptionally fun to do this with since…
Tubastraea micrantha, the Black Sun, is the most majestic Azoox coral
Tubastraea micrantha, often referred to as the black sun coral is a really cool species of azoox LPS coral. Stunning bushy growth forms, black color, and large often fluorescent green polyps really make the black sun coral like something you wouldn’t see…
Acropora suharsonoi – one of the most beautiful and unique deepwater Acro species
We are delighted to welcome Leo den Breejen as the latest addition to our lineup of international contributors. Leo is the creator of such famed aquascapes as the Formosa Forest and Apogon Reef and he’ll be dropping from time to…
