Family: Pomacentridae The spawning of clownfish nearly always takes place in the late afternoon and is a delightful scene to observe. A common precursor to this and a good indication of imminent egg laying is the ritual cleaning of the chosen spawning site. Both male and female clean the site vigorously with their mouths until…
Read more
Keeping the Clown Tang | Acanthurus lineatus
The Clown Tang (Acanthurus lineatus) is one of the most striking members of the Tangs / Surgeons family (Acanthuridae), being one of the most aggressive and can be challenging to keep and care for. It is also known in the trade as the Lined Surgeon and Pyjama Tang. Sooner or later as a reef tank…
Read more
Electric Blue Hap | Sciaenochromis ahli
This is another beautiful Cichlid Electric Blue Hap (Sciaenochromis ahli) from Lake Malawi. The above specimen is an exquisite male. Females and juveniles are gray drab in comparison. Electric Blue Haps in general are more peaceful than their mbuna counterparts and should not be mixed. (more…)
Read more
Cyphotilapia frontosa
A pair of Cyphotilapia frontosa from the authors aquarium. One of the most beautiful and distinctive Cichlids of Lake Tanganyika has to be C. frontosa. There are two colour morphs of this species, a Berundi morph, which has six vertical bars and a Tanzanian morph, which has seven or even eight bars when they are…
Read more
Harlequin Tuskfish | Choerodon fasciatus
The harlequin tusk (Choerodon fasciatus) belongs to the family of wrasses. It has orange mottled bands. Each band is etched by delicate blue-violet ribbons. Anteriorly, between the orange bands is silvery-white, turning to dark grey-black posteriorly. With big protruding tiger-like fangs, the tusk looks very menacing indeed, capable of doing harm to other tank mates.…
Read more
Lyretail Grouper | Variola louti
With the opening of marine collection in the Red Sea, many organisms have become readily available which were previously too expensive for the average aquarist. It was just a few years back that a purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus), golden butterfly (Chaetodon semilarvatus), asfur angel (Arusetta asfur), or blue moon angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosas) would cost a…
Read more
Majestic/Bluegirdled Angelfish | Euxiphipops navarchus
Like most other marine angelfish this species is another true beauty. One could say that it runs in the family. Adult and juvenile Majestic Angels (Euxiphipops navarchus) also known as the Bluegirdled Angel differ greatly in coloration. This above pictured specimen has begun its transformation into the adult color pattern. A complete juvenile has no…
Read more
The Big Marine Tank
Just what constitutes a big tank? Obviously, if you've been used to keeping an 18"x12"x12" aquarium (not recommended for marines by the way) then obviously a three foot tank is going to seem relatively big. However, I would say that the realm of the truly big tank begins in the region 5'x18"x18". This represents 70…
Read more
Boxer / Coral Banded Shrimp | Stenopus hispidus
The Boxer Shrimp, also known as the Coral Banded Shrimp, is very popular amongst marine aquarists. The contrast of the red and white bands is beautiful, making this one of the most striking of shrimps. It has large pincers compared to some other shrimps of its size. It is quite aggressive in terms of not…
Read more
