Author's posts
Jul 01
Chromis
Colorful, active, and usually far more peaceful than many of their damselfish relatives, Chromis are among the most familiar small fish on coral reefs and in saltwater aquariums. The best-known aquarium species is the Blue-Green Chromis (Chromis viridis), whose shimmering turquoise-green body can seem to change color as it moves through reef lighting. Other Chromis …
Jul 01
Red Sea Sailfin Tang
With enormous sail-like fins, intricate stripes, orange spotting, and a commanding presence, the Red Sea Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii) is one of the most spectacular surgeonfish available to marine aquarists. Also known as the Desjardini Sailfin Tang, Desjardin’s Sailfin Tang, or Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, this species can grow surprisingly large. When its tall dorsal …
Jul 01
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
With its pearly white body, delicate black crosshatching, orange-yellow tail, and unmistakable butterflyfish profile, the Pearlscale Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus) is one of the most elegant marine fish available to saltwater aquarists. Also known as the Yellow-Tailed Butterflyfish, Crosshatch Butterflyfish, or Philippine Chevron Butterflyfish, this species comes from coral-rich waters of the western Pacific. Its graceful …
Jul 01
Bicolor Blenny
With its curious expression, habit of peeking from holes in the rockwork, and unmistakable two-tone coloration, the Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) is one of the most personable small fish available for a saltwater aquarium. The classic color form is almost exactly what the name suggests: the front half of the fish is dark blue, purple-brown, …
Jun 30
Orchid Dottyback
Few small saltwater fish deliver as much color as the Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani). Its body glows in shades of violet, magenta, and electric purple, accented by a thin black stripe running through the eye. At only a few inches long, it can add an extraordinary splash of color to a reef aquarium without requiring …
Jun 30
Copperband Butterflyfish
With its long, delicate snout, gleaming silver-white body, and bold copper-orange bands, the Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) is one of the most distinctive fish in the saltwater aquarium hobby. Its appearance is unmistakable. A dark band passes through the eye, several orange vertical bars cross the body, and a large black false eyespot near the …
Jun 29
Seahorse
Few marine animals are as instantly recognizable—or as unusual—as the seahorse. With an upright body, horse-like head, curled prehensile tail, independently moving eyes, and tiny fins that seem almost impossibly delicate, seahorses look unlike nearly every other fish in the ocean. And they are fish. Seahorses belong to the genus Hippocampus in the family Syngnathidae, …
Jun 29
Pufferfish
Round bodies, enormous eyes, tiny fluttering fins, beak-like teeth, and an almost comically curious expression make pufferfish some of the most recognizable fish in the aquarium hobby. Then there is the feature everyone knows: They puff. When seriously threatened, a pufferfish can rapidly swallow water and expand its body, making itself much larger and more …
Jun 29
Surgeonfish
Brilliant colors, nonstop swimming, graceful disk-shaped bodies, and a razor-sharp defensive spine make surgeonfish some of the most recognizable animals on coral reefs—and some of the most desirable fish in large saltwater aquariums. The family Acanthuridae includes the fishes aquarists commonly call tangs, surgeonfish, bristletooth tangs, and unicornfish. Familiar members include the bright Yellow Tang, …
Jun 29
Blue Chromis Care Guide: Tank Size, Diet, Schooling & Tank Mates
Electric blue from nose to tail, graceful in open water, and considerably more peaceful than many of its damselfish relatives, the Blue Chromis (Azurina cyanea) can be a spectacular addition to a large, established saltwater aquarium. Also called the Blue Reef Chromis or Caribbean Blue Chromis, this species is native to the western Atlantic and …
