Help defend the aquarium hobby by joining & supporting PIJAC

PIJAC, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council is an important group doing very valuable work for the pet and aquarium industry. Whether you are a fish store owner, aquarium maintenance tech, and no matter if your “involvement” in the aquarium…

Fisheye Aquaculture Releases first captive-bred French Grunts

Late last year we shared with you “Grunt Breeding 101“, Rising Tide’s compendium of breeding the various Haemulon species. In an excellent example of putting Rising Tide’s R&D to practical use, Fisheye Aquaculture announced today what is believed to be…

A Step-by-Step Guide to Mixing Saltwater

The foundation of any saltwater aquarium is, of course, the salt water itself, and through your time in this wonderful hobby, you’ll be mixing up plenty of it! You’ll need it when you first fill your aquarium and quarantine tank,…

How to Pick the Perfect Place for Your New Saltwater Aquarium

When setting up a new saltwater aquarium, a lot of thought must be given to the aquatic environment inside the tank. But equally important is the environment the tank itself will occupy—its location in your home. There are many factors…

Red Sea Showstopper: Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)

When it comes to vivid coloration, the purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) is arguably in a class all by itself. This resplendent Red Sea showstopper has won a special place in Chris’s heart and, given appropriate housing, tankmates, and nutrition, might…

Getting to the Bottom of Aquarium Sand and other Substrates

The choice of substrate—the material placed on the bottom of the tank—for a saltwater aquarium is one of many areas in our hobby that generate confusion and disagreement. Ask 10 hobbyists which type and depth of substrate they would recommend,…

4 Reasons to Start with a Bigger Saltwater Tank

Many beginner saltwater aquarium hobbyists are tempted to “get their feet wet” with a small system, assuming it will require a correspondingly small investment of time, effort, and income to maintain. Then, the thinking goes, after nurturing their aquarium-husbandry skills…

From the Archives: How to appease the aquarium gods

The gods of coral reef aquariums are wrathful. They do not appreciate any display of confidence, comfort, or excitement for the hobby. You must respect them to succeed in this hobby. Here are some rules I have learned to follow…

Guide to Choosing Healthy Saltwater Fish at your LFS

A healthy, thriving community of saltwater fish begins with the judicious selection of specimens at your LFS. While not every potential health problem or disease will be evident to the naked eye, cautious appraisal of all prospective specimens for health…

Research Your New Saltwater Aquarium. Don’t Gamble with Success!

You’ve, no doubt, heard the old saying, “Nothing succeeds like success.” Nowhere is this adage more true than in the saltwater aquarium hobby. Trust us when we say that learning the fundamentals of saltwater aquarium keeping before heading to your…