Exploring the Reefs of Rarotonga

Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands, and its waters house stunning aquatic species. Learn about our contributor’s adventures on this dazzling island!

Exploring the World of Nudibranchs & Other Sea Slugs

Nudibranchs are full of incredible colors and textures! Explore the author’s favorite varieties of these vibrant sea slugs and how to find them in nature.

Anatomy of a Coral Reef Ecosystem

Coral reef ecosystems are among the most dynamic, active places in the natural world. Discover the different types of reefs, how they form, and more.

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.

The Salt Creep: Large Saltwater Pufferfish for Big Tanks

Smart and fascinating to look at, saltwater pufferfish are wonderful for experienced aquarists. Learn about our marine favorites!

6 Creatures for Your Reef Tank Clean-Up crew

Looking to cut down on unwanted algae in your saltwater tank? These reef tank clean-up crew members will help get the job done!

The Reefs of West Papua: Exploring Fish from Indonesia

Waters from the province of West Papua are home to a variety of stunning aquatic species. Learn more about the best fish from Indonesia.

My Adventures Diving off Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa’s waters are home to incredible animals including sharks, octopuses, anemones, and beyond. Follow this aquarist’s adventures diving off Cape Town.

Tips & Tricks for a Beginner Saltwater Aquarium

Setting up your own beginner saltwater aquarium but don't know where to start? Explore our advice on establishing water parameters, aquascaping, and more.

Our Octopus Diving Adventures

Octopuses are among the most graceful, intelligent creatures on the planet. Explore the thrills these octopus diving partners have experienced over the years.

Reef Tank Maintenance You Should Be Doing (But Probably Aren’t)

Keeping a reef tank comes with its fair share of ongoing tasks. Learn how to keep up with skimming, lighting, and more.

Ambon Fish: The Hidden Biodiversity of a Spice Island

The waters of Maluku Ambon are among the most aquatically diverse places in the world! Learn about the Ambon fish one expert aquarist found on his journey.

Living Ghosts of the Sea: Reef Shipwreck Diving

From the ancient Peristera Wreck to the more modern SS Carnatic sinking, discover the amazing sights one TFH contributor found on a shipwreck diving adventure!

Choosing and Keeping a Pet Octopus

If you’re an aquarist looking for an exciting challenge, keeping a pet octopus can be very rewarding. Learn how to care for one of these 8-legged beauties.

Feeding Corals (and Other Inverts) In the Reef Tank

Host Anemones and Clownfishes: 3 Symbiotic Pairs

Anemones and clownfishes share a symbiotic relationship in the wild that can be reproduced in captivity. Learn about these great pairing opportunities.

A Look at the Goatfishes

Thinking about adding goatfish to your tank? We've outlined the profiles of several popular aquarium goatfishes. Learn more!

How to Build a Floating Reef Aquascape

Thinking about creating your own reef tank? Read aquarist David Notter’s tips for building a floating reef aquascape in this exclusive TFH interview.

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.

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.

Algae Eaters in the Marine Aquarium

The perpetual growth of the unwanted algae in marine aquariums is one of the biggest headaches for hobbyists.

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 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.

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.

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

Since the early days of the hobby, there have been countless misleading myths related to keeping a marine aquarium.

Making the Freshwater to Saltwater Switch

During my first decade as an aquarium hobbyist I kept only freshwater tanks.

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.

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!

Submerged in shallow tropical waters, coral reefs are the natural habitat for a quarter of all marine species.

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.

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 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 in Reef Fish Communities

The coral reef fish community is characterized by its incredible diversity and long geological history.

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.

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

Playa Pesquero is a long tourist beach of beautiful white sand set in a protected bay on the northern coast of eastern Cuba.

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.

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.

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

That is how people often respond to the suggestion of adding one of those fish to their prized reef aquarium.

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.

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: Chaetodon lunula and Chaetodon fasciatus

A marine fishkeeping expert profiles two gorgeous and hardy butterflyfishes named for their raccoon-like markings.

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 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.

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.

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

A marine biologist explores the lifestyles of the mysterious and elusive ghost pipefish.

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 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.

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.

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 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

Animal Planet’s hit show, Tanked, is back for another season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Architects of the Reef

Hard corals form the backbone of any reef and come in a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colors.

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.

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

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, Part 1: Natural History of the Reef

Just like people, fish bring baggage with them when they leave their homes and live elsewhere.

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

Naso tangs are not only packed with energy and personality, but they sport great looks to boot.

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.

The Reefer: A Look at Symbioses in the Marine Aquarium

In nature, various organisms have developed special interactions known as symbiotic relationships.

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.

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.

Fish Tank Kings: Living the Dream

Follow the guys at Living Color Enterprises, Inc.

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

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a small facility on Oregon's coast that features the seldom-seen wildlife of the Northeast Pacific Ocean.

Magnificent Mollies

There are an incredible number of mollies out there with different body colors, body shapes, and fin types.

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

Being smaller than their red lion cousins, dwarf lions make more manageable additions to the average tank.

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.

Breathtaking Butterflies

Butterflyfish have been labeled as difficult to keep, but this professional fishkeeper explains that may not be the case.

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.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Tetrodon (Tetraodon) nigropunctatus.

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

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.

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.

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

Range: Widespread in the Pacific.

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.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Julis melanurus.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Balistes conspicillum.

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.

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

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: 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.

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.

Chrysiptera parasema

Common Names: Blue damsel, goldtail demoiselle, pale tail chromis, yellow tail blue damsel, yellow tail damsel, etc.

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 Wrasses

Fairy wrasses, among the most beautiful marine fishes, are known for their vibrant colors and striking patterns.

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.

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.

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

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

Common Names: Golden puffer/pufferfish, guineafowl/guinea-fowl pufferfish, guineafowl blaasop, spotted puffer, velcro fish, white-spotted balloon, white-spotted puffer, yellow puffer, etc.

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

Understanding how light works and the basics of the type of light required is essential for anyone looking to set up a reef aquarium.

Phyllidia varicosa

Natural Environment: Generally found in shallow reef environments where various soft corals exist.

Rhinopias Scorpionfish

Striking coloration and atypical looks make these predatory fish a Holy Grail for marine aquarists.

Zoanthus spp.

Natural Environment: Generally found in shallow reef environments receiving intense light and swift water movement.

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

Range: Western and Indo-Pacific waters including Australia (primarily eastern Australia including the Great Barrier Reef).

Pseudanthias tuka

Taxonomic Troubles: Identified at various times as Anthias tuka and Mirolabrichthys tuka.

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.

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

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.

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.

Neocirrhites armatus

Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original description.

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.

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.

Breeding Seahorses

While captive-bred seahorses are widely available, newborn seahorses are difficult to raise at home.

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.

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

Common Names: Arabian tang, majestic tang, Red Sea clown surgeonfish, sohal surgeonfish, sohal tang, soho tang, zebra tang, etc.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Cliona vastifica

Range: Mainly found in western Pacific waters, e.

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

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.

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

Common Names: Royal dottyback, royal pesudochromis, bicolor dottyback, bicolor pseudochromis, bicolor cichlops, false gramma, etc.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Morays!

Fearsome teeth, large size, and lurking behaviors make moray eels the object of both fascination and fear.

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

Natural Environment: Inhabits somewhat shallow coastal environments usually no deeper than about 150 feet.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name, but the genus may undergo revision soon.

Marine Ich Cryptocaryon

Inarguably the scourge of marine aquaria, Cryptocaryon can quickly turn flourishing systems into lifeless crypts.

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

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef environments and found embedded among stones, rocks, and coral rubble.

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.

Angels for the Marine Aquarium

The quintessential reef animal, the angelfish, has, for years, proved difficult to keep in captivity.

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.

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

Natural Environment: Inhabits the shallow coral reef flat.

Hunting Lions in the Bahamas

Lionfish are extremely popular as aquarium inhabitants, but they are unwelcome as Bahamas’s near-perfect predatory invader.

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

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

Natural Environment: During daylight hours, the nautilus spends its time at or near the bottom areas of deep (e.

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 and the Banggai Cardinalfish

Dr.

Swiftia exserta

Natural Environment: This non-photosynthetic species is found in fairly deep (e.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Lienardella fasciata.

Sabellastarte fallax

This sabellid worm inhabits suspension-rich lagoons and bay or backwater areas that receive gentle water movement.

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

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.

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.

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.

Cirrhitichthys aprinus

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Cirrhites aprinus.

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.

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: 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

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.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.

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.

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.

Platygyra lamellina

Natural Environment: This is a fairly common photosynthetic stony coral found in most reef environments, particularly on reef flats and backwater areas.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Serranus squamipinnis.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Xenodon (Balistes) niger.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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

Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.

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 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.

Heliofungia actiniformis

Natural Environment: This is a free-living photosynthetic stony coral (except for juveniles) and is usually saucer-shaped.

Ostracion cubicus

Common Names: Black-spotted boxfish, boxfish, cube trunkfish, cubical boxfish, polka-dot boxfish, spotted boxfish, yellow boxfish, Boston bean, etc.

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.

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 by Indonesian Collectors

Many hobbyists are unaware that cyanide and other poisons may still be used by fish collectors to catch marine ornamentals.

The Reefer: Fragging Small-Polyped Stony Corals

Stony corals may have rigid skeletons, but they are by no means unbreakable.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

Cynarina deshayesiana

Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.

Cynarina deshayesiana

Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.

Forcipiger flavissimus

Size: 22 cm (8 to 9 inches) TL.

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 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.

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 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 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

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.

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.

Damsels in My Aquarium

Damsels are hardy, lively, and colorful marine fish, but the territorial nature of many species belies their relatively small size.

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 Reefer: The Ophiuroids: Brittle Stars, Serpent Stars, and Basket Stars

There are all sorts of echinoderms, and many of them look nothing alike.

Triggers in My Aquarium

Veteran fishkeeper Bob Goemans recalls his various experiences with the triggerfishes, with details on their varied personalities and care requirements.

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.

An Octopus Success

It started as a project during my senior year in high school.

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 Husbandry

Considered the ultimate invertebrates by their fans, the otherworldly cuttlefish make great pets for those willing to meet their very specific needs.

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.

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: 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.

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.

The Salt Creep: Those Persnickety Pulse Corals

This month’s “Salt Creep” topic is one near and dear to my heart—pulse corals.

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

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.

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.

The Salt Creep: So Happy Together! Symbiosis in the Marine Aquarium

Coral reefs are extremely crowded places.

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

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.

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.

Gobies in My Aquarium

Gobies are members of the world’s largest marine fish family, Gobiidae, which contains 212 genera with almost 2000 species.

Top of the Food Chain: Keeping the Emperor Snapper Lutjanus sebae

Maximum size: 46 inches (116 cm), 72 pounds (32.

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.

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

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

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.

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: 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Range: Western Atlantic: Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil; Caribbean: Antilles and South American coast; central Atlantic: St.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Natural Environment: This sponge is usually found encrusting various substrates near or in caves where water currents are fairly swift.

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

Natural Environment: This normally free-living stony coral is usually found in protected lagoons having turbid water conditions.

Heniochus spp.

Range: The genus is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Australia.

Nassarius arcularius

Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.

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

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.

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.

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.

Plerogyra sinuosa

Water Requirements: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alkalinity 3.

Chelmon rostratus

Preferred Water Chemistry: Tropical marine.

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

Preferred Water Chemistry: Tropical marine, 24 to 28 degrees Celsius (75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gobiodon histrio

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Gobius histrio.

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.

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

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

Range: Indo-West Pacific.

Pseudochromis fridmani

Taxonomic Troubles: None.

Oxycirrhites typus

Taxonomic Troubles: None.

Scatophagus argus

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Chaetodon argus.

Centropyge loricula

Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Holacanthus loriculus; sometimes misnames Centropyge loriculus; loricula is correct.

Zebrasoma flavescens

Taxonomic Troubles: None.

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.