Erythropodium taoyuanensis, a New Soft Coral Discovered in Taiwan

Erythropodium taoyuanensis is a new species of encrusting octocoral that was discovered from algal bed of Taiwan in the west Pacific Ocean. The newly described octocoral from Taiwan is not much a looker as far as corals go being what…

New species of green star polyps, Briareum cylindricum

Star polyps, green star polyps, brown star polyps, whatever you call them, are one group of corals that we don’t appreciate nearly enough. Nine out of ten reefers couldn’t tell you the scientific name of this important aquarium coral, or…

Corals Gone Wild: Don’t Let Encrusting Polyps Take Over Your Tank!

I have a confession to make. When I mention my 75-gallon “reef tank” in my posts here at Saltwater Smarts, I’m not being entirely truthful in my terminology. When I first set up the tank almost 14 years ago and…

Incredible red Goniopora going strong after three years and multiple fragging

Gonioporas are gorgeous and ubiquitous, and almost every reefer has encountered them at some point in time. Many of them come in crazy colors such as Red, Green and even Blue. Yet they are considered one of the tougher LPS…