The Past, Present, and Future of Torch Corals, Euphyllia glabrescens

Known for their dazzling colors, swaying tentacles, and propensity to sting nearby corals, the Torch Coral, Euphyllia glabrescens, has been a staple of the reef aquarium hobby for decades. And given the continuous discovery of new varieties, this species will…

Continuing A Reef Show Tradition With Chris Meckley

Chris Meckley, the owner of ACI Aquaculture, and I have different levels of experience in the reefkeeping hobby. Therefore, it’s fair to say that his preferences for corals may differ from mine. However, I always enjoy the opportunity to compare…

How to Manage Reef Tank Pests

Typically when starting a new project we only see the positive aspects and every task is filled with excitement and anticipation. For instance, when setting up a new garden in the Spring, we cultivate the soil, plant the seeds fertilize…

How to Properly Place Corals in a New Reef Tank

The difference between a successful reef tank and one that fails is often a matter of the little details. One of these little details that cannot be overlooked is proper coral placement. With a new tank, you basically have a…

Which Corals to Add to a New Tank

There are many fun aspects to setting up a new tank, from planning and getting the equipment and then on to aquascaping the tank. But to me, the most fun aspect is selecting and adding the corals. This is when the…

Five Mobile Invertebrates To Avoid

Many mobile inverts like crabs, shrimp, and snails can make great clean-up-crew, while others can eat corals and even fish. Here are five mobile invertebrates to leave out of your reef aquarium. Blue Starfish The Blue starfish, Linckia laevigata, is…

Off timing coral spawning spotted in South Sulawesi

How much do we really know about corals? The answer is: Not so much, actually. While the general rule for coral spawning is a few days after the full moon, 2 hours after sunset, just before the water temperature high…

Crazy Ludicrous Chalice in the wild!

Once in a while, you come across a coral during a dive, and you can’t not share it with everyone. This was the case during an exploration dive in the south of Sumba. Exposed, high swell, cold up-wellings, everyone was…

The Five Best SPS Corals For Beginners

Small Polyp Stony Corals are some of the most popular aquarium corals, and the most populous on natural reefs, famed for their spiky branches, flat tables, or swirling plates. Not all SPS corals are the same, however, or as easy…

Flower Bomb is a Newly Released Tabling Acro from Top Shelf Aquatics

This coral was originally imported from Australia and hand-picked as a pale, small mini colony with loads of potential. I have hand-picked many pieces from various suppliers throughout the years but this one really stood out as something that could…