The Peppermint Angelfish that won the world over

Despite the Peppermint Angelfish’s (Paracentropyge boylei) recent meteoric debut in the mainstream aquarium trade, it’s status as an iconic book fish has hardly been relinquished. Familiarity has not made us jaded with the clinquant beauty of this incredible species. In fact, it’s a…

The elusive Ogilbyina salvati appears at Quality Marine

Ogilbyina is a genus of dotty backs endemics to the Australian-Melanesian subregions of Oceania. The genus is easily diagnosed by having a triangular patch of teeth on their vomer, as well as having a more anteriorly placed dorsal fin. The…

10 innovations of the MindStream Aquarium Monitor

Being the reef aquarium technophiles that we are, we couldn’t spend a whole day at the offices of MindStream R&D without becoming smitten with what this device is, how it works, and what makes it work. If you thought the…

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…

Aquascaping visionary Takashi Amano dies at age 61

Takashi Amano, founder of Aqua Design Amano, creator of the Nature Aquarium concept and visual aquatics master passed away earlier this week at the age of 61. The news of Takashi Amano’s passing is causing quite a shake up of…

A closer look at the design and applications of Modular Artificial Reef concept

In April we wrote about Alex Goad and his award winning Modular Artificial Reef (MARS) design. The more we read about MARS and the not for profit design studio Reef Design Lab we got thinking about the applications to marine aquariums…

A fly/spy on the wall at Cairns Marine – Part 1

The heaven and earth contrast between home aquarists and public aquarists have succeeded in fissuring the marine aquarium paradigm in more ways than one. While both industrial scenes are unified by the prevailing love of marine life, the industrial aspects and technical rigmarole…

What’s Wrong with This (Reef Tank) Picture?

Right now, I’m gazing at a magazine ad featuring the image of a reef tank, and the one word that comes to mind is “magnificent.” I’m sure you’ve seen one like it before, but allow me to describe it to…

We tracked down the Purple Monster Acro to its original source

The Purple Monster Acropora is arguably one of the most infamous stony coral strains in the marine aquarium hobby, of all time. This particular strain of deep purple acro is the coral that kickstarted the whole idea of even having some corals that…