Saltwater & Reef
The Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) | TFH Magazine
The Sunburst Butterflyfish
The sunburst butterflyfish (also known as Klein’s butterfly) is a hardy addition for most reef tanks. Learn more about this species’ history, diet, and needs.
Saltwater Starter Fish for Novices | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Splendid Species for Novice Marine Fishkeepers
Entering the world of marine fishkeeping is both fascinating and rewarding, but it might also on occasion exasperate and disappoint.
Saltwater Algae Eaters | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Algae Eaters in the Marine Aquarium
The perpetual growth of the unwanted algae in marine aquariums is one of the biggest headaches for hobbyists.
Coral Reef Rock Decorating | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rockwork in the Reef Aquarium: A How-To Guide
How rockwork is laid out and arranged affects much more than where the corals can be placed because those choices can limit how large coral colonies will grow.
Tips & Tricks for Keeping Tang Species | TFH Magazine
Tips and Tricks for Keeping Tangs
Tangs are a mainstay of the saltwater aquarium because they are attractive, long-lived, and can be found throughout the world’s tropical oceans.
Blue Tang Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Keeping the Real-Life Species from Finding Dory
Not only did Pixar’s film Finding Nemo raise the profile of marine life in mainstream culture worldwide, it also introduced many children to the exciting hobby of keeping fish.
Photographer's 6 Favorite Reef Species | TFH Magazine
An Underwater Photographer's 6 Favorite Reef Species
Photography is an expensive business at the best of times, and more so if you want to use quality equipment.
Keeping a Single-Species Marine Aquarium | TFH Magazine
Keeping a Single-Species Marine Aquarium
Since the early days of the hobby, there have been countless misleading myths related to keeping a marine aquarium.
Freshwater vs Saltwater | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Making the Freshwater to Saltwater Switch
During my first decade as an aquarium hobbyist I kept only freshwater tanks.
Hermit Crab Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
At Home with Hermit Crabs
“Tough,” “small,” “useful,” and “interesting” are four words that accurately describe the hardy group of invertebrates boasting more than 1100 species: the hermit crab of the superfamily Paguroidea.
Starting a Shark Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
So You Want to Keep a Shark
Whether you’re a diver, snorkeler, or casual swimmer, the thought of having a face-to-face encounter with a shark has crossed your mind sometime in the past.
Those Fabulous Filefish! | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Those Fabulous Filefish!
Submerged in shallow tropical waters, coral reefs are the natural habitat for a quarter of all marine species.
Aiptasia Removal Techniques | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Mix: Dealing with Aiptasia, the Prolific Pest Anemone
There are over a dozen species of relatively small anemones belonging to the genus Aiptasia, all of which are considered pests in reef aquariums.
My DIY Aquarium Experience | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Mix: Change & the Reef Aquarium Hobby
It’s hard for me to believe, but I’ve now written over 200 articles for TFH magazine.
Caribbean Coral Reefs Under Stress | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Caribbean Reefs Under Stress
I’ve been very lucky not only to be able to write about reefs in captivity, but also fortunate to be able to visit reefs in the wild.
Mimicry Examples in Reef Communities | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Mimicry in Reef Fish Communities
The coral reef fish community is characterized by its incredible diversity and long geological history.
Best Aquarium Starfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Sea Stars for the Marine Aquarium
Sea stars are interesting creatures that hail from a group of animals (echinoderms) with a fascinating lineage and remarkable biological adaptations suitable for every possible marine environment.
Fragging SPS Corals | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Guide to Fragging. Part 3: SPS Corals
I’m fortunate enough to spend several weeks a year photographing and diving on some pretty stunning coral reefs in the wild.
Snorkeling in Cuba | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Snorkeling in Cuba
Playa Pesquero is a long tourist beach of beautiful white sand set in a protected bay on the northern coast of eastern Cuba.
Fragging Aquatic Mushrooms | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Guide to Fragging. Part 2: Mushrooms
In Part 1 of my series on fragging, I touched on some of the benefits of the captive coral propagation process and how it can increase the number and types of corals you keep in your aquarium via swapping with fellow aquarists and selling coral frags.
Fragging Zoanthids | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Guide to Fragging, Part 1: Zoanthids
Frag swaps and frag sales have become common events in recent years, and it’s hard to imagine what life was like before we could easily exchange and buy coral specimens.
Discovering Fish of the Amazon | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
An Amazon Adventure
An aquatic photographer takes us on a journey deep into the jungles of the Amazon to capture images of the amazing wildlife he encounters.
Reef-Friendly Triggerfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Reef-Friendly Triggerfish
That is how people often respond to the suggestion of adding one of those fish to their prized reef aquarium.
Beautiful Red Sea Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Beauties of the Red Sea
The diversity of marine life at Sharm el Sheik on Egypt’s Red Sea coast always seems to provide something new to discover, and I spotted over 150 species on my last trip there.
Pink & Purple Saltwater Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Superb Pinks and Purples
In the final installment of his series on selecting marine fishes by color, a reefkeeper and diver lists some species that will add some pink and purple to your tank’s palette.
The Raccoon Butterflyfishes | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Raccoon Butterflyfishes: Chaetodon lunula and Chaetodon fasciatus
A marine fishkeeping expert profiles two gorgeous and hardy butterflyfishes named for their raccoon-like markings.
Pistol Shrimp & Goby Partnership | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pistol Shrimps and Gobies: Perfect Partners
An expert marine fishkeeper examines the fascinating symbiotic relationship between pistol shrimps and the gobies they partner with in the reef aquarium.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Audobon Aquarium of the Americas
A traveling public aquarium enthusiast visits New Orleans’ Audubon Aquarium, a state-of-the-art facility spotlighting the aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, with almost 600 species represented.
Aquarium Stingray Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rays in the Home Aquarium
The world-renowned reef fishes authority describes some stingrays that can be maintained in a spacious home aquarium, with tips on their captive care.
Stunning Yellow Fish and Gold Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Vivid Yellows and Gorgeous Golds
A diver, photographer, and aquarist continues his series on fishes belonging to different color groups with a look at some species found in yellow and gold hues.
The Cryptic Life of Ghost Pipefishes | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Cryptic Life of Ghost Pipefishes
A marine biologist explores the lifestyles of the mysterious and elusive ghost pipefish.
Types of Echinoderms for Small Tanks | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Going Nano: Echinoderms: Sea Stars, Brittle Stars, Sea Lilies, and Sea Cukes for Small Marine Systems
Surprising to many people is just how many spiny-skinned animals make up rocky reef fauna.
Mangroves in the Wild & Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Mangroves in the Wild and in the Home Aquarium
Salt-tolerant plants that are as unusual as they are beautiful, mangroves make an interesting and highly functional addition to a brackish or even fully marine aquarium.
Stocking Reef Invertebrates | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Marine Aquarium Basics, Part 10: Stocking Invertebrates
In the 10th installment of his series on the fundamentals of a saltwater aquarium, an expert marine fishkeeper explains how to choose the best invertebrates for your tank.
Basslets for the Coral Reef Habitat | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Shadow Dwellers: The Liopropoma Reef Basslets
The beautiful Liopropoma basslets, secreted within coral reefs in their native habitats, make fantastic additions to the reef aquarium.
Coral Reef Restoration: the Biorock Project | TFH Magazine
Coral Reef Restoration in Pemuteran: the Biorock Project
Coral reefs are in danger all over the world thanks to environmental and human factors.
Still Tanked, and Spreading the Love | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Still Tanked, and Spreading the Love
Animal Planet’s hit show, Tanked, is back for another season.
Pinnatus Batfish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Dietary Discovery May be Key to Keeping the Pinnatus Batfish
Over the last few years, some major advancements and discoveries have been made in the aquarium industry and the conservation of coral reefs, but it's a rare occasion when the two areas overlap and provide a leap forward that can dictate the fate of a species in the home aquarium, both as a species and as an individual specimen.
Best Wrasses for the Marine Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Best Wrasses for the Marine Aquarium
The wrasse family is notable for its astounding diversity and ubiquitous presence, which is what makes choosing an appropriate wrasse for your tank so challenging.
Reef Lighting | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Marine Aquarium Basics, Part 4: Lighting
The lighting used over a reef aquarium is critical to the health of the inhabitants, but not all fish and corals need the same type or amount of light.
Keeping Clownfish in an Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Book Excerpt: Clownfishes: A Guide to Their Captive Care, Breeding, and Natural History
Nemo may be the most popular clownfish, but there a large variety of clownfish species available.
The Copperband Butterflyfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Buyer Beware: The Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)
Copperband butterflyfish are all too often doomed in aquariums, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Marine Aquarium Basics: Water and Salt | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Marine Aquariun Basics, Part 1: Water and Salt
One of the biggest challenges freshwater hobbyists encounter when switching to saltwater systems is getting the water chemistry just right.
My Fish Died! The Heartbreakers | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Heartbreakers
When starting up a tank, it is essential to know which fish will thrive in your setup and, just as important, which ones won’t.
Mark Ratcliffe's 250-Gallon SPS Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
World-Class Reefing: Mark Ratcliffe's 250-Gallon SPS Tank
A large reef tank is always a sight to behold, but one that is thriving with a variety of vibrant corals and fish is absolutely stunning.
The Mosaic Boxer Crab | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Champion Fighter: The Mosaic Boxer Crab (Lybia tesselata)
If you love to observe the unique behavior of certain species, you will be ecstatic to watch a boxer crab use its symbiotic anemones to defend itself and gather food.
Hard Coral in the Reef | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Architects of the Reef
Hard corals form the backbone of any reef and come in a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Lawnmower Blenny Diet | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Uber Algae Eaters: The Lawnmower Blennies
Known for their algae-eating abilities, blennies of the genus Salarias can make outstanding reef residents provided certain basic requirements are met.
Diving in the Maldives | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Snorkeling in the Maldives
An adventurous soul took a snorkeling trip to the Maldives, where he encountered everything from peaceful aquarium fish to sharks, rays, and aggressive triggerfish.
A Visit to the Long Island Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Visit to the Long Island Aquarium
Take an armchair tour of the Long Island Aquarium and its extensive collection of species, impressive aquaculture facility, and exciting activities and tours.
Building a Heron Island Biotope | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Building a Heron Island Biotope, Part 1: Natural History of the Reef
Just like people, fish bring baggage with them when they leave their homes and live elsewhere.
Spiny Lobster Facts: Unusual Marine Inverts | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Spiny Lobsters: Unusual Marine Inverts
Rock and spiny lobsters of the genus Panulirus aren’t generally recommended for the mixed reef/invertebrate or fish-only display (with some exceptions), but given a dedicated tank and proper care, these animals are quite worthy aquarium specimens that can make fun displays.
The Naso Tang | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Naso Tang
Naso tangs are not only packed with energy and personality, but they sport great looks to boot.
Wyland Foundation Marine Conservation | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Wyland, Combining Art and Conservation
TFH sits down with famed painter and sculptor Wyland, who is renowned for his artwork depicting fantastic ocean scenes and his efforts in preserving the marine environment.
Symbioses in the Marine Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: A Look at Symbioses in the Marine Aquarium
In nature, various organisms have developed special interactions known as symbiotic relationships.
Saltwater Oddball Aquarium Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Oddballs for the Marine Aquarium
Are you looking for something different to put in your saltwater aquarium? A long-time marine aquarist has a list of some unique species that range from easy to keep and reef appropriate to some of the most challenging fish available.
Sexy Shrimp Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Keeping Sexy Shrimp
When it comes to nano tanks, small, playful residents are key, and perhaps none are more appropriate than dancing, gorgeous sexy shrimp.
Aquascaping Ideas from Fish Tank Kings | TFH Magazine
Fish Tank Kings: Living the Dream
Follow the guys at Living Color Enterprises, Inc.
Nano Reef Setup, Part 1 | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
An Aquarist's Journal: Creating a Nano Reef, Part 1: Setup
Many have been skeptical of the mini-reef movement, but one non-believer decided to try his own experiment and attained marvelous results.
Exploring the Oregon Coast Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Exploring the Oregon Coast Aquarium
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a small facility on Oregon's coast that features the seldom-seen wildlife of the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
Types of Molly Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Magnificent Mollies
There are an incredible number of mollies out there with different body colors, body shapes, and fin types.
Beginner Saltwater Fish You Should (and Shouldn't) Try | TFH Magazine
The Top 5 Marine Fish for Beginners (and 5 Species to Avoid)
When planning your first aquarium, it seems there are an overwhelming number of fish to choose from.
The Dwarf Lions | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Dwarf Lions
Being smaller than their red lion cousins, dwarf lions make more manageable additions to the average tank.
Rare Aquarium Fish: Longnose Hawkfish | TFH Magazine
The Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
A popular marine staple, the longnose hawkfish makes an excellent addition to a peaceful setup with plenty of places for it to perch and look out over its aquatic domain.
Keeping The Lemon Butterfly | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Breathtaking Butterflies
Butterflyfish have been labeled as difficult to keep, but this professional fishkeeper explains that may not be the case.
The Blue-Spotted Jawfish Opistognathus rosenblatti | TFH Magazine
A Cool Fish in More Than One Sense: The Blue-Spotted Jawfish Opistognathus rosenblatti
A cool-water fish, the blue-spotted jawfish makes a wonderful aquarium specimen for large tanks with plenty of hiding places.
The Evolution of a Coral Reef System | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Adapting to the Times: The Evolution of a Reef System
From a fish-only tank to a full-blown reef system, two marine aquarists have learned what it takes to grow both their aquarium and their hobby.
Arothron nigropunctatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Arothron nigropunctatus
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Tetrodon (Tetraodon) nigropunctatus.
Pterois volitans Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pterois volitans
Common Names: Black volitans, butterfly, common lionfish, featherfins, fire fish, lion fish, ornate butterfly cod, peacock lionfish, red firefish, red lionfish, red volitans, scorpion volitans, scorpion cod, turkey fish, zebrafish, etc.
The Atlantic Chalk Bass (Serranus tortugarum) | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Atlantic Chalk Bass Serranus tortugarum
The Atlantic chalk bass is a somewhat unknown species in the trade, but a marine fish enthusiast explains that this hardy, beautiful, and personable fish deserves more appreciation in the hobby.
Beautiful Aquariums from Tanked | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Tanked: An Aquarium Reality TV Show
An exclusive interview with the stars of Animal Planet's new program Tanked, who build some of the world's most imaginative aquarium setups.
Coral Reef Communities on the Front Lines | TFH Magazine
Corals on the Front Lines
Although aggression is typically witnessed between fishes, sessile invertebrates engage in some of the most deadly encounters on the reef.
Echidna nebulosa Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Echidna nebulosa
Range: Widespread in the Pacific.
Keeping a Leopard Wrasse | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Leopards for the Reef
Once considered difficult to keep, wrasses of the genus Macropharyngodon are good candidates for modern reef systems with plenty of hiding places and passive tankmates.
How to Start a Saltwater Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Freshwater Aquarist's Guide to Marine Aquariums
A longtime reefer provides the necessary information for fishkeepers with no marine experience to get off to a great start in the saltwater side of the hobby.
Halichoeres melanurus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Halichoeres melanurus
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Julis melanurus.
Inside Honolulu's Waikiki Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Honolulu's Waikiki Aquarium
Waikiki Aquarium, one of the oldest public aquaria, is not only a grand showcase of marine life but also a venerable institution noted for its aquatic research.
Balistoides conspicillum Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Balistoides conspicillum
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Balistes conspicillum.
The Pseudocheilinus Wrasses | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Small, but Pugnacious: The Pseudocheilinus Wrasses
Wrasses of the genus Pseudocheilinus impress with their gorgeous colors, but they can become real terrors when coupled with the wrong tankmates.
Aquarium Grouper Choices | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Groupers in the Home Aquarium
We’ve all seen them at one time or another, perhaps on television, at a public aquarium, or even at your local fish store.
Gobiodon citrinus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Gobiodon citrinus
Common Names: Blue stripe goby, citron clown goby, citron goby, clown goby, coral goby, fourbar goby, lemon coral goby, poison goby, yellow clown goby, yellow coral goby, etc.
Helfrich's Firefish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Helfrich's Firefish: A Rare Gem from a Familiar Family
If firefishes were princesses, this species would arguably be the fairest of them all thanks to its exceptional coloration and ease of care.
Creating Mediterranean Nano Saltwater Tank | TFH Magazine
A Mediterranean Nano
The Mediterranean is a vast wonder with enormous biodiversity, but one innovative Italian aquarist keeps a relatively tiny setup showcasing some of its more miniscule life forms.
Blue Damsel (Chrysiptera parasema) Species | TFH Magazine
Chrysiptera parasema
Common Names: Blue damsel, goldtail demoiselle, pale tail chromis, yellow tail blue damsel, yellow tail damsel, etc.
Raising Sergeant Major Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Raising Sergeant Majors
I have bred and raised many species of marine aquarium animals, and I am frequently asked, “What is the most difficult species you have raised?” My answer, without hesitation, is the sergeant major Abudefduf saxatilis, a type of damselfish.
Cirrhilabrus: The Fairy Wrasse | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cirrhilabrus: The Fairy Wrasses
Fairy wrasses, among the most beautiful marine fishes, are known for their vibrant colors and striking patterns.
Looking for Fish in the Gulf of Mexico | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Beneath the Waves of the Gulf of Mexico
A variety of popular aquarium specimens inhabit the Gulf Coast of the United States, a region that has faced serious threats from both natural and man-made environmental disasters in recent years.
Marble Crabs Metasesarma obesum | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Lovely New Import: Marble Crabs Metasesarma obesum
The recently imported marble crab Metasesarma obesum is a small crab that makes a good choice for terrariums.
Thomas Siodmok: a Conservation-Minded Aquarist | TFH Magazine
Hobbyist Profile: Thomas Siodmok, a Conservation-Minded Aquarist
After designing his own dream reef tank, one innovative aquarist is using it to propagate corals to help the environment.
Hymenocera picta Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Hymenocera picta
Natural Environment: These exceptionally pretty shrimp, which reach about 2 inches in length, inhabit shallow protected inshore areas and are often found among coral branches.
Arothron meleagris Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Arothron meleagris
Common Names: Golden puffer/pufferfish, guineafowl/guinea-fowl pufferfish, guineafowl blaasop, spotted puffer, velcro fish, white-spotted balloon, white-spotted puffer, yellow puffer, etc.
Mandarin Dragonet Breeding | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Breeding Mandarins
Mandarins, once considered all but impossible to keep alive, have been captive-bred by the author, who developed a protocol for their commercial production.
Lighting, Photosynthesis, and Marine Invertebrates | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Lighting, Photosynthesis, and Marine Invertebrates
Understanding how light works and the basics of the type of light required is essential for anyone looking to set up a reef aquarium.
Nobbed Sea Slug Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Phyllidia varicosa
Natural Environment: Generally found in shallow reef environments where various soft corals exist.
Rhinopias Scorpionfish Basics | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rhinopias Scorpionfish
Striking coloration and atypical looks make these predatory fish a Holy Grail for marine aquarists.
Zoanthus spp. Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Zoanthus spp.
Natural Environment: Generally found in shallow reef environments receiving intense light and swift water movement.
Caulerpa Algae Types | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Closer Look at Caulerpa: Common Aquarium Species and Their Care
Used responsibly, various macroalgae species of the genus Caulerpa can be ornamental additions to a display tank or help control the nutrient load of a large reef tank.
Agelas gracilis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Agelas gracilis
Range: Western and Indo-Pacific waters including Australia (primarily eastern Australia including the Great Barrier Reef).
Pseudanthias tuka Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pseudanthias tuka
Taxonomic Troubles: Identified at various times as Anthias tuka and Mirolabrichthys tuka.
Saltwater Fish That Eat Algae | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Algae-Eating Fishes for the Marine Aquarium
Whether you're battling a bit of hair algae on your reef or tackling a full-blown bubble algae infestation, an algae-grazing fish may provide the perfect solution.
Cup Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Mycedium elephantotus
Natural Environment: Generally inhabits shallow fore reefs to deeper areas where they become more plate-like, and often found on or near the edges of overhangs and steep drop-offs.
Breeding the Pajama Cardinalfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Breeding the Pajama Cardinalfish
Another aquarist joins the ranks of hobbyist breeders of marine fish after an unexpected spawning motivates him to find out how to raise the fry.
Colorful Reef Fish and Aggression | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Color Wars: Reef Fish and Aggression
Ever wonder why marine fish are colored so brightly? The author learns about the evolution of color in reef fish while interviewing the great ethologist Konrad Lorenz.
Flame Hawkfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Neocirrhites armatus
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original description.
Tube Anemone Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pachycerianthus fimbriatus
Natural Environment: This anemone is often found in shallow, rocky inshore areas that are subjected to gentle water currents, where mud and/or fine sand collect.
Saltwater Fish & Coral Relationship | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Putting Fish Back into the Reef Tank
I have often heard reef aquarists joke about the small amount of fish that their aquariums can house.
Seahorse Breeding Tips | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Breeding Seahorses
While captive-bred seahorses are widely available, newborn seahorses are difficult to raise at home.
Marble Starfish Basics | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Marbled or Tile Sea Stars
Starfish are generally considered difficult to keep in a reef aquarium, but those of the genus Fromia may just be an exception to the rule.
Finger Leather Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Sinularia flexibilis
Natural Environment: While this photosynthetic soft coral with long, flowing lobes can be found in a variety of different environmental areas, it is most often seen inhabiting fairly shallow areas where somewhat strong currents exist.
Acanthurus sohal Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Acanthurus sohal
Common Names: Arabian tang, majestic tang, Red Sea clown surgeonfish, sohal surgeonfish, sohal tang, soho tang, zebra tang, etc.
Holothuria edulis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Holothuria edulis
Natural Environment: This pink and black sea cucumber attains a length of about 12 inches and inhabits shallow waters: inner and outer reef flats, back reef areas, coastal lagoons, barrier reefs, sandy and muddy areas, rubble-filled patches, and seagrass beds.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore Review | TFH Magazine
The National Aquarium in Baltimore
When I was a kid, the National Aquarium in Baltimore was my favorite destination, and even though I haven’t been there for about 10 years, my recent visit reminded me why I liked it so much.
Christmas Tree Worm Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Spirobranchus sp. (probably S. corniculatus)
Natural Environment: As for the specimens shown, the branched, tentacled crowns have two spirals each, which collect food in the form of suspended particulate organic matter and phytoplankton.
Achilles Tang Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Achilles Tang Acanthurus achilles
This sleek surgeonfish carries a multitude of caretaking requirements, making it a challenging but rewarding specimen for advanced marine aquarists.
Getting Started in Reef Aquarium Hobby | TFH Magazine
Getting Started in the Reef Aquarium Hobby
Adding corals may be an intimidating endeavor, but our resident reefer breaks the process down so even novice fishkeepers can take on the challenge of keeping their own little patch of coral reef.
Dancing Shrimp Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Natural Environment: These large-eyed, nocturnal, 1½- to 2-inch shrimp inhabit shallow, rocky inshore areas and are often found in caves, under overhangs, and in crevices and holes in coastal reef structures.
Boring Sponge Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cliona vastifica
Range: Mainly found in western Pacific waters, e.
Jellyfish Feeding Problems & Solutions | TFH Magazine
Feeding Jellyfish: Problems and Solutions
Creating a proper setup for jellyfish is only one of the challenges in keeping these increasingly popular marine specimens.
A Caribbean Sea Biotope Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Caribbean Sea Biotope Aquarium
While many aquariums mix a variety of species coming from different oceans and ecosystems, a biotope aquarium is designed to replicate a specific slice of nature.
Emerald Crab Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Mithraculus (Mithrax) sculptus
Natural Environment: This large-bodied species, with sizeable forearms and claws, is usually found living on algae-covered rocky coastlines, backwater areas with algae-covered rock surfaces and rubble, and in seagrass beds.
Pictichromis paccagnellae Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pictichromis paccagnellae
Common Names: Royal dottyback, royal pesudochromis, bicolor dottyback, bicolor pseudochromis, bicolor cichlops, false gramma, etc.
Elephant Ear Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
Natural Environment: Thought to be the only species in its genus, this coral is found in shallow waters in lagoons and tidepools, often in turbid and still waters.
Harlequin Tuskfish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Hardy and Fashionable: The Harlequin Tuskfish
As if its incredible, vibrant coloration and otherworldly blue tusk-like teeth weren't enough, this unique-looking wrasse is actually hardy and acclimates well to aquarium life.
SECORE and Its Mission | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
SECORE
Coral fragging has become a popular and eco-friendly part of reefkeeping, but it does nothing to maintain the genetic diversity of captive coral stocks.
Chromis viridis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Chromis viridis
Common Names: Blue-green chromis, blue-green damsel/damselfish, blue-green puller, blue-green reef chromis, blue reef chromis, green chromis, green damsel/damselfish, green puller, green reef chromis, etc.
How Fish Get from Ocean to Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
From Reef to Retail
Although reef tanks mesmerize all and serve as windows to the ocean wild, many are unfamiliar with how it all comes together.
Moray Eel Species for the Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Morays!
Fearsome teeth, large size, and lurking behaviors make moray eels the object of both fascination and fear.
Feather Duster Aquarium Basics | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Sabellastarte indica
Inhabits suspension-rich areas with its parchment-like tube embedded in shady, sandy, and/or muddy rubble areas of lagoons and bays.
Eucidaris tribuloides Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Eucidaris tribuloides
Natural Environment: Inhabits somewhat shallow coastal environments usually no deeper than about 150 feet.
Dwarf Cuttlefish Husbandry and Breeding | TFH Magazine
Sepia bandensis Husbandry and Breeding
An alien-like look, color-changing ability, and fascinating predatory behaviors make this cuttlefish an incredible choice for marine aquaria, but its short lifespan is discouraging to some.
Hippocampus zosterae Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Hippocampus zosterae
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name, but the genus may undergo revision soon.
Marine Ich Treatment | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Marine Ich Cryptocaryon
Inarguably the scourge of marine aquaria, Cryptocaryon can quickly turn flourishing systems into lifeless crypts.
Mushroom Polyps Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rhodactis mussoides
Natural Environment: These common photosynthetic soft corals are usually found on reef slopes, bays, lagoons, boat channels, and in shallows and backwaters where turbid and more nutrient-rich waters collect.
Lima scabra Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Lima scabra
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef environments and found embedded among stones, rocks, and coral rubble.
Swimming With Sharks at the Adventure Aquarium | TFH Magazine
Swimming With Sharks! TFH Dives Into the Adventure Aquarium
Cue the Jaws theme—TFH's President and Associate Editor each jump into two epic and breathtaking exhibits at the Adventure Aquarium on the Camden, New Jersey Waterfront to dive with some of the ocean's top predators.
Keeping Marine Angelfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Angels for the Marine Aquarium
The quintessential reef animal, the angelfish, has, for years, proved difficult to keep in captivity.
Sunburst Butterflyfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Chaetodon kleinii
Common Names: Blacklip butterflyfish, blue-face butterflyfish, bluehead butterflyfish, brown butterflyfish, corallicola butterflyfish, Klein's butterflyfish, Klein's coralfish, sunburst butterflyfish, white-spotted butterflyfish, yellow-spot butterflyfish, etc.
Dragons of the Syngnathidae Family | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Dreaming of Dragons
They may not be the fire-breathing dragons of lore, but seadragons still look otherworldly enough to captivate aquarists and non-aquarists alike the world over.
Tridacna maxima Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Tridacna maxima
Natural Environment: Inhabits the shallow coral reef flat.
Hunting Saltwater Lionfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Hunting Lions in the Bahamas
Lionfish are extremely popular as aquarium inhabitants, but they are unwelcome as Bahamas’s near-perfect predatory invader.
Inside Landry's Restaurant Aquariums | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Maintaining Monster Tanks: Inside Landry's Restaurant Aquariums
Imagine being in charge of a large number of aquariums, marine and fresh, large and small, in facilities scattered around the country.
Thor amboinensis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Thor amboinensis
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coral reef environments receiving gentle to moderate water movement, where they are usually found living within the tentacles of various sea anemones.
Nautilus pompilius Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Nautilus pompilius
Natural Environment: During daylight hours, the nautilus spends its time at or near the bottom areas of deep (e.
Lantern Basslet Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Serranus baldwini
Taxonomic Troubles: There must be an interesting story here, since the original description is listed as Prionodes baldwini EVERMANN & MARSH 1899.
Dr. Alejandro Vagelli's Banggai Cardinalfishes | TFH Magazine
Dr. Alejandro Vagelli and the Banggai Cardinalfish
Dr.
Red Gorgonian Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Swiftia exserta
Natural Environment: This non-photosynthetic species is found in fairly deep (e.
The Plight of the Banggai Cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni KOUMANS 1933 | TFH Magazine
Cardinal Sin: The Plight of the Banggai Cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni KOUMANS 1933
Although the Banggai cardinalfish is beautiful and easy to keep, wild-caught specimens are no longer a responsible choice, as their collection endangers not only the fish, but perhaps also the aquarium hobby itself.
Choerodon fasciatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Choerodon fasciatus
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Lienardella fasciata.
Feather Duster Worm Facts | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Sabellastarte fallax
This sabellid worm inhabits suspension-rich lagoons and bay or backwater areas that receive gentle water movement.
Clibanarius tricolor Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Clibanarius tricolor
Natural Environment: These small crabs are found in rocky intertidal zones where they feed upon detritus and algae.
Let’s Play Darts! Marine Dartfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Let’s Play Darts! Marine Dartfish
With slender bodies and fin rays that resemble flights on a dart, as well as their tendency to dart into any available retreat at the first sign of trouble, these little marines couldn’t be more appropriately named.
Things to Know Before Buying an Octopus | TFH Magazine
Octopuses: Things to Know Before You Buy
They're renowned for their eight appendages and a propensity for squirting jet-black ink in a crisis, but there’s plenty more to know before keeping one of the intelligent and unusual octopuses in the home aquarium.
Marine Fish Tank Challenges and Triumphs | TFH Magazine
A Marine Aquarium in Progress, Part 3: Challenges and Triumphs
In the last installment, we left off with the transfer of three fishes (a longnose butterflyfish, a pearlscale butterflyfish, and a flame angelfish) from quarantine into my new 125-gallon FOWLR tank.
Spotted Hawkfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cirrhitichthys aprinus
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Cirrhites aprinus.
The Dottyback: Choose Carefully! | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Dottybacks-- Choose Carefully!
A colorful and mellow visage hides the aggressive truth—these popular fishes are some of the biggest bullies out there! If you don’t believe in fish with an ego, just wait until they start dominating tankmates twice their size.
Pillar Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Psammocora contigua
Natural Environment: This is a fairly common photosynthetic stony coral found in most shallow reef environments, especially where soft sand accumulates.
Bad Choices for Saltwater Aquariums | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Bad Choices: Saltwater Animals Commonly Offered in the Trade That Shouldn't Be
It may be for sale, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good aquarium specimen.
Herpolitha limax Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Herpolitha limax
Natural Environment: This is a fairly common elongated free-living photosynthetic stony coral that inhabits fairly shallow soft sand and coral rubble zones on reef slopes and lagoon flats, and interconnected sandy reef areas protected from strong wave motion.
How to Measure Salinity in Water | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Salinity Measurements for Marine Aquariums
Aquarists may not always strive for exact results during a typical measurement for specific gravity, but there are certain instances that do require more precision.
Gramma loreto Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Gramma loreto
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
Maze Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Meandrina meandrites
Natural Environment: This photosynthetic stony coral is usually found in reef-like environments where its colonies take on massive, columnar, or free-living forms with meandroid corallites.
Saltwater Cleaner Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cleanup in Aisle Three: Marine & Reef Janitors, Part 1
Our marine connoisseur details the pros and cons of several popular reef cleaner organisms and recommends fairly radical changes in the commonly accepted protocols for their care and stocking rates.
Closed Brain Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Platygyra lamellina
Natural Environment: This is a fairly common photosynthetic stony coral found in most reef environments, particularly on reef flats and backwater areas.
Lettuce Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pavona cactus
Natural Environment: This is a fairly common photosynthetic stony coral found in lagoons and on upper-fringing reef slopes that are somewhat protected from wave turbulence and where turbid conditions exist.
Pseudanthias squamipinnis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Serranus squamipinnis.
Selections for the Grouper Fish Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Look at Some Groupers & Hinds
Planning on keeping a grouper in that 75-gallon marine setup? Think again! Some members of the subfamily Epinephelinae grow to several feet long—find out which can be successfully kept, and what their minimum requirements are.
Odonus niger Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Odonus niger
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Xenodon (Balistes) niger.
Christmas Tree Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Studeriotes longiramosa
Natural Environment: This coral is not commonly found but is easily harvested, as it occurs in shallow to medium depths with somewhat turbid conditions having moderate water movement, where it is found firmly “rooted” in soft sand and rubble-bottom areas.
How to Avoid a Deadly Zoanthid Toxin | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Aquarium Science: Palytoxin and You: How and Why to Avoid a Deadly Zoanthid Toxin
If you've never heard of palytoxin, you need to know it's a seriously dangerous substance found in some ornamental reef polyps—read about how this toxin kills, and why you’re always better safe than sorry.
Rock Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Montipora efflorescens
Natural Environment: This photosynthetic stony coral is usually found in the clear waters along upper reef slopes and reef crests, yet is also occasionally found in lagoons at different depths and where turbid conditions exist.
Favia Moon Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Favia pallida
Natural Environment: This photosynthetic stony coral is usually found in a wide assortment of reef habitats and depths, yet is sometimes quite dominant in back-reef margins.
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish Dendrochirus brachypterus
After purchasing a fuzzy dwarf lionfish for his aquarium, the author learned quite a bit about this popular species—including the fact that they make great pets.
Red Bank Veterinary Hospital's 2000-Gallon Circular Reef | TFH Magazine
Aquariums in Architecture- A Really Big Reef Tank: Red Bank Veterinary Hospital's 2000-gallon Circular Reef
I’ve always dreamt of building a monstrous aquarium in my own home; however, facing reality, most of us with this dream realize the stakes are against us.
Scroll Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Echinophyllia aspera
Natural Environment: This is a fairly common photosynthetic stony coral found in most reef environments, especially in the lower reef slopes and fringing reef areas.
Nemateleotris magnifica Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Nemateleotris magnifica
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
Lobophyllia hemprichii Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Lobophyllia hemprichii
Natural Environment: This attractive photosynthetic stony coral is usually found in the clear waters along protected upper reef slopes and fore-reef slopes, and is sometimes found covering extensive areas, e.
Stings from the Family Scorpaenidae | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Stings of the Scorpaenids
One of the traits that make lionfish and other scorpaenids seem so exotic is their venomous spines, but before obtaining these dangerous fish, aquarists should know how to prevent and treat their stings.
Long Tentacle Plate Coral | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Heliofungia actiniformis
Natural Environment: This is a free-living photosynthetic stony coral (except for juveniles) and is usually saucer-shaped.
Ostracion cubicus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Ostracion cubicus
Common Names: Black-spotted boxfish, boxfish, cube trunkfish, cubical boxfish, polka-dot boxfish, spotted boxfish, yellow boxfish, Boston bean, etc.
Moorish Idol Care: Still a Challenge | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Still Impossible After All These Years: Keeping Moorish Idols
Beginning a story at its conclusion is usually reserved for television crime dramas or Hollywood thrillers.
Bubble Coral Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Give Your Mini-Reef a Bit of the Bubbly
Mini-reef aquarists typically start out keeping an assortment of hardy soft corals, such as leather corals, mushroom anemones, pulse corals, and zoanthid polyps.
Net-Only Fish Collection | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Net-Only Fish Collection by Indonesian Collectors
Many hobbyists are unaware that cyanide and other poisons may still be used by fish collectors to catch marine ornamentals.
How to Frag Small-Polyped Stony Corals | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Fragging Small-Polyped Stony Corals
Stony corals may have rigid skeletons, but they are by no means unbreakable.
Fish Won't Eat? Try This! | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: Hard-to-Feed Fish
The first thing every child asks when looking at a tank full of fish is, “Can I feed them?” At public aquariums, feeding demonstrations are always among the most popular attractions—especially when that demonstration involves sharks, moray eels, or other toothy carnivores.
Starting a Nano Reef | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
How to Start and Maintain a Nano Reef
TFH's inquiring editorial intern equips, sets up, and stocks a nano reef tank, gaining valuable insight into the current nano craze and learning a few key lessons along the way.
Yellow Polyps Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Parazoanthus gracilis
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef environments and usually found encrusting rock and other matter such as sponges, gorgonians, and hydroids in areas receiving moderate light and moderate water movement.
The Status of Fish in the Philippines | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Status of Fish in the Philippines: A Hobbyist's Perspective
In his travels to the Philippines, a long-time aquarium hobbyist visits local fish farms and pet shops to learn something about the current status of fish in the country.
A Warren of Righteous Rabbitfishes | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: A Warren of Righteous Rabbitfishes
Like their terrestrial namesake, the rabbitfishes of the family Siganidae are peaceful, non-aggressive grazers that spend much of their time nibbling on “greens” in their environment—algae, that is, not clover.
Cryptocentrus leptocephalus | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cynarina deshayesiana
Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.
Meat Coral Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cynarina deshayesiana
Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.
Forcipiger flavissimus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Forcipiger flavissimus
Size: 22 cm (8 to 9 inches) TL.
Carpet Anemone Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: The Carpet Anemones
Sea anemones can be very attractive and interesting additions to an aquarium, and their associations with different species of clownfishes makes them even more desirable to many marine aquarists.
Venomous Beauties: A Look at Scorpionfishes | TFH Magazine
Venomous Beauties: A Look at Scorpionfishes in the Home Aquarium
Many aquarists have long been intrigued with the beautiful and dangerous scorpionfishes, and with the proper care and guidance they can make a striking display in the home aquarium.
Snowflakes, Zebras, and Other Morays | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Salt Creep: Manageable Morays
Part of the allure of our hobby is having the opportunity to keep certain species that have a fearsome reputation.
Moray Eel Bite: Poisonous? | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Moray Eels Bite-- But Are They Poisonous?
Moray eels have been known to snap at their keepers, so learning about the prevention and treatment of their bites is essential for those who want to safely house these creatures in the home aquarium.
My Experience with a Mimic Octopus | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
My Experience with a Mimic Octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus
After taking home a rare mimic octopus for the first time, the author shares the many thrills and heartaches he experienced while getting to know this fascinating animal.
Protoreaster nodosus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Protoreaster nodosus
Natural Environment: This species is usually found on shallow sandy and muddy bottoms, and seagrass beds in lagoon and back reef areas where it is thought to feed upon sponges and other benthic invertebrates.
Is Sphyrna tiburo Suitable for Aquariums? | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Top of the Food Chain: The Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna tiburo: Is it Suitable for Home Aquariums?
For many marine hobbyists, the pinnacle of the aquarium hobby is the successful keeping of a shark.
Damselfish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Damsels in My Aquarium
Damsels are hardy, lively, and colorful marine fish, but the territorial nature of many species belies their relatively small size.
Giant Clam Placement | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Giant Clam Placement in the Aquarium
The giant clams (species of the genera Tridacna and Hippopus) should be provided with intense lighting, bathed in low to moderate currents, and maintained in water of excellent quality in order to thrive in an aquarium.
The Class Ophiuroidea | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: The Ophiuroids: Brittle Stars, Serpent Stars, and Basket Stars
There are all sorts of echinoderms, and many of them look nothing alike.
Types of Triggerfish in My Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Triggers in My Aquarium
Veteran fishkeeper Bob Goemans recalls his various experiences with the triggerfishes, with details on their varied personalities and care requirements.
A Look at Stony Coral Colonies | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: A Look at Stony Coral Colonialism and Skeletal Form
Stony corals are called “stony” because they build a variety of hard skeletons, some of which are entirely internal while others are only partially covered by living tissue.
Keeping a Pet Octopus | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
An Octopus Success
It started as a project during my senior year in high school.
Nautilus Aquarium Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Aquarium Science: Husbandry of the Nautilus: Aspects of its Biology, Behavior, and Care
A scientific look at the unusual nautiluses, including their eating habits, reproduction, and famously unique anatomy.
Cuttlefish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cuttlefish Husbandry
Considered the ultimate invertebrates by their fans, the otherworldly cuttlefish make great pets for those willing to meet their very specific needs.
Plate Coral Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Fungia scutaria
Natural Environment: This is a solitary and usually saucer-shaped photosynthetic single-polyped stony coral with a slightly raised central dome and a single central mouth.
Octopus Species I Have Known | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Octopuses I Have Known
The author recalls the many pet octopuses she has had over the years, each with their own distinct and interesting personalities.
Raising Sepia bandensis | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Raising Sepia bandensis: From Hatchling to Breeding Adult
A marine biologist with a love for cuttlefish gives an account of how she successfully raised her Sepia bandensis hatchlings to maturity.
Starting an Octopus Home Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
So You Want to Keep an Octopus…
Octopuses exhibit intriguing behavior, surprising intelligence, and incredible shape- and color-changing abilities in the aquarium—as well as tragically short lifespans.
Persnickety Pulse Coral | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: Those Persnickety Pulse Corals
This month’s “Salt Creep” topic is one near and dear to my heart—pulse corals.
A Conservative Look at Rhinopias Scorpionfishes | TFH Magazine
Top of the Food Chain: A Conservative Look at Rhinopias Scorpionfishes
Over the last 10 years or so a small group of reef scorpion fishes have become increasingly popular and highly sought after for collectors of rare and exotic marine fishes.
Cynarina lacrymalis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cynarina lacrymalis
Natural Environment: This mostly circular-in-shape photosynthetic stony coral with a single largy fleshy polyp generally inhabits outer reef slopes and drop-offs where water is sometimes quite turbulent, however without directly affecting this species.
Brackish Water Aquarium Fish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Scats and Monos Old Favorites and New Species for the Brackish-Water Aquarium
The scats (family Scatophagidae) and monos (family Monodactylidae) are two families of perciform fishes supremely adapted to life in estuaries and other shallow, coastal waters.
So Happy Together! Aquarium Mutualistic Symbiosis | TFH Magazine
The Salt Creep: So Happy Together! Symbiosis in the Marine Aquarium
Coral reefs are extremely crowded places.
Blue Coral & Pipe Organ Coral | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Two Unique Stony Corals: The Blue Coral and the Pipe Organ Coral
“True” skeleton-building corals belong to a single biological group known as the class Anthozoa and the subclass Hexacorallia.
Centropyge flavissima Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Centropyge flavissima
Range: Western and southern Indo-Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Atoll, Marquesan, Ducie, and Easter Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and Rapa.
Combtooth Blenny Bottom Dwellers | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: Combtooth Blennies: Bewitching Bottom Dwellers
The group of fishes collectively known as the blennies is far too vast and diverse in behavior and morphology to discuss in general terms within the confines of a single “Salt Creep” installment.
Types of Gobies in My Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Gobies in My Aquarium
Gobies are members of the world’s largest marine fish family, Gobiidae, which contains 212 genera with almost 2000 species.
Keeping the Emperor Snapper (Lutjanus sebae) | TFH Magazine
Top of the Food Chain: Keeping the Emperor Snapper Lutjanus sebae
Maximum size: 46 inches (116 cm), 72 pounds (32.
Cabbage Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Sinularia dura
Natural Environment: This photosynthetic soft coral is found in a variety of different environmental areas, but it usually inhabits fairly shallow areas where strong currents exist.
Why Do Tridacnid Clams Look the Way They Look? | TFH Magazine
The Reefer: Why do Tridacnids Look the Way They Look?
The tridacnid clams are usually quite beautiful, often covered in unique patterns and a broad range of colors, and I’ve wondered for a long time why they look as fancy as they do.
Neptheis (oxycorynia) fascicularis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Neptheis (oxycorynia) fascicularis
Natural Environment: This suspension feeder is found in protected areas receiving gentle water movement and usually inhabits areas on reef drop-offs and those under overhangs.
Spawning the Banggai Cardinal | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Spawning the Banggai Cardinal
While the mouthbrooding Banggai cardinals Pterapogon kauderni are easy to spawn by marine fish standards, the author’s work in progress shows that raising the fry is no cakewalk.
Royal Gramma Facts | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Grammas: True Treasures of the Caribbean
During the Golden Age of Piracy (circa 1690 to 1730), notorious, ruthless, and opportunistic seafarers such as Sir Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, and Calico Jack plied the waters of the Caribbean, raiding ships and seaport towns to plunder, pillage, and amass treasure.
The Percula Queen's Fish Collection | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Percula Queen: A Successful Woman in the Marine Ornamental Trade
In the male-dominated world of the marine ornamental fishery, Emelita Ampong, also known as Emy, stands out.
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Trachyphyllia geoffroyi and the ex-Wellsophyllia radiata
One of the most common corals offered to reef aquarists is the open brain coral Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, and for as long as I’ve been in the hobby, I’ve seen occasionally offered specimens of a different open brain coral called “wellsophyllia,” a.
Wrasses in My Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Wrasses in My Aquarium
An experienced fishkeeper's look at the various wrasses that he has encountered over the years, as well as some advice for keeping them happy and healthy in the marine aquarium.
Mandarin Fish Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Mandarin Diner
One reason mandarins are almost impossible to keep healthy is their picky feeding habits, but with fish conditioned to accept prepared foods in a special feeding station, one aquarist shows how it can be done.
Choosing Seahorse Species for the Reef | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Seahorse Reef, Part Two: Choosing Your Seahorses
In the Part 1 of this article (TFH January 2007) I wrote about how to set up a reef tank that is tailor-made for seahorses, and I discussed which corals are seahorse safe, which corals must be used with caution, and which invertebrates must be excluded altogether from a seahorse reef.
Coral Bleaching Solutions | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Clam and Coral Bleaching, Part 2: What to Do if It Occurs in Your Aquarium
There are numerous possible reasons for clams and corals to bleach, and there are a number of common ones that you can actually do something about, too.
Euphyllia ancora Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Euphyllia ancora
Natural Environment: This photosynthetic stony coral with very large fleshy polyps is found in shallow, often turbid reef environments receiving gentle wave action, where it forms large colonies, often with others in its genus.
Holacanthus ciliaris Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Holacanthus ciliaris
Range: Western Atlantic: Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil; Caribbean: Antilles and South American coast; central Atlantic: St.
Green Mandarin Dragonet Nano Reef | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Nano Mandarin
Small reef tanks have long been considered out of the question for keeping mandarins, but the author shows that, with some attention to detail, the conscientious aquarist can pull it off.
They're So Cute When They're Small | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: They're So Cute… When They're Small
Back in the late ‘90s, I spent several weeks each year helping a friend with his fledgling live-rock project down in the Florida Keys.
Reef Compatibility of Hippocampus spp. | TFH Magazine
A Seahorse Reef, Part One: Reef Compatibility of Hippocampus spp.
Cultured seahorses have become quite popular in recent years, but for reef tanks? As the author explains, they can thrive in these environments with the right setup.
Mushroom Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Discosoma coerula (blue) and Discosoma ferrugata (red)
Natural Environment: These very common polyps are sometimes called soft corals and are usually found encrusting substrates of various kinds in shallow lagoons and tidepools.
Keep Biological Controls in Balance | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Salt Creep: Keep Those Biological Controls in Balance
When you discover that an invasive organism has taken up residence in your aquarium, what is your first impulse?
The Indo-Pacific Tarpon | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Top of the Food Chain: The Indo-Pacific Tarpon Megalops cyprinoides
The purpose of this month’s “Top of the Food Chain” is to introduce a fish that’s fairly new on the predatory fishkeeping scene.
What Is Coral Bleaching? | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Reefer: Tridacnid and Coral Bleaching, Part 1: What It Is and What Causes It
Under certain adverse conditions, corals that contain symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) may become pale in color, or even turn completely white.
Acanthella cavernosa Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Acanthella cavernosa
Natural Environment: This sponge is usually found encrusting various substrates near or in caves where water currents are fairly swift.
Porites Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Porites cylindrica
Natural Environment: In the above-mentioned areas this is a commonly found photosynthetic and phytoplankton-feeding branching, column, or finger-shaped stony coral.
Goniopora stokesi Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Goniopora stokesi
Natural Environment: This normally free-living stony coral is usually found in protected lagoons having turbid water conditions.
Wimple Fish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Heniochus spp.
Range: The genus is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Australia.
Mud Snail Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Nassarius arcularius
Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.
Open Brain Coral Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Natural Environment: Initially, this photosynthetic stony coral with large fleshy polyps is attached while quite immature to hard substrates of various kinds.
Stylissa cf. flabelliformis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Stylissa cf. flabelliformis
Natural Environment: This sponge is usually found encrusting various substrates on coastal rocky shelf areas where water currents are fairly swift, and it is found with its flat side facing into the current.
Plate Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cycloseris cf. hexagonalis (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848) or Cycloseris cf. tenus (Dana 1846)
Natural Environment: This stony coral is similar in appearance to Fungia spp.
Coco Worm Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Protula magnifica
Natural Environment: This species is usually found inhabiting shady rocky regions on current-swept reef slopes, where its calcareous tube is cemented to various types of substrate.
Bubble Coral Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Plerogyra sinuosa
Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.
Beaked Coralfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Chelmon rostratus
Preferred Water Chemistry: Tropical marine.
Ricordea florida Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Ricordea florida
Natural Environment: This soft coral is usually found encrusting substrates of various kinds (rocky areas and dead coral rubble) in shallow coastal environments where currents are fairly swift.
Paracanthurus hepatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Paracanthurus hepatus
Preferred Water Chemistry: Tropical marine, 24 to 28 degrees Celsius (75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Green Clown Goby Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Gobiodon histrio
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Gobius histrio.
Coral Catfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Plotosus lineatus
Range: Extremely widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa east to Samoa, north to Japan, and south to Australia.
Violet Goby Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Gobioides broussonnetii
Range: South Carolina to Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas; along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, eastward to Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil.
Dascyllus trimaculatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Dascyllus trimaculatus
Range: Red Sea and East Africa to the islands of Oceania excluding the Hawai'ian and Marquesas Islands; north to Japan and south to Australia.
Dendrochirus brachypterus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Dendrochirus brachypterus
Range: Indo-West Pacific.
Pseudochromis fridmani Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pseudochromis fridmani
Taxonomic Troubles: None.
Longnose Hawkfish Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Oxycirrhites typus
Taxonomic Troubles: None.
Scatophagus argus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Scatophagus argus
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Chaetodon argus.
Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula) Species | TFH Magazine
Centropyge loricula
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Holacanthus loriculus; sometimes misnames Centropyge loriculus; loricula is correct.
Zebrasoma flavescens Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Zebrasoma flavescens
Taxonomic Troubles: None.
Amphiprion ocellaris Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Amphiprion ocellaris
Range: Indo-Pacific, eastern Indian Ocean, Astralasia, including Thailand, Malaysia, SIngapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and northwest Australia; found as far north as southern Japan.