Captive Bred Fish

No doubt about it, seahorses are really weird and cool. For sure, they make great aquarium subjects. Seahorses are fairly simple to keep if they are housed in the proper type of aquarium system, kept with mellow, peaceful tankmates and offered the right sort of foods. But are they worth it? That depends upon the …

Do You Really Want Seahorses? Read More »

Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae) like the orangetail damselfish have been heavily favored by marine aquarists ever since there was a thing called a marine aquarium. There are plenty of reasons for this lasting popularity. First and foremost, damsels are among the hardiest of saltwater aquarium fishes. They are usually brightly colored and remain quite small in …

A Look at the Orangetail Damselfish (Chrysiptera Parasema) Read More »

The reef aquarium hobby is not just about corals. Otherwise, it would be called the coral hobby. It is not just about fish either. If it were, it would be called the saltwater fish hobby (for some people it is that). The reef aquarium hobby is about having corals, fish, and inverts all live in …

Reef Safe Fish For Sale Read More »

When it comes to saltwater aquarium (especially those for a reef tank), there are a lot of different attributes to consider. Of course, one of the first things we look for in an “ornamental” fish species is a pleasing or striking appearance. Then, when keeping (or planning on keeping) small, timid fishes or vulnerable invertebrates, …

The Court Jester Goby: An Essential Nano Reef Fish? Read More »

Some fish are desirable for their rich personality. Others are sought for their intense coloration. Particularly amongst reef aquarists, some are valued solely for their grace. And there is hardly a reef-dwelling animal more graceful than the lyretail angelfishes (Genicanthus spp.). The lyretail angels, from the common Lamarck’s angel to the “holy grail” masked angel, …

A Look at the Swallowtail Angelfish Read More »

For a long time, blennies have been a staple of the marine aquarium fish trade. There are several reasons for their enduring popularity. To start, this sizable family is among the hardiest and most disease-resistant of all saltwater aquarium fish groups. Blennies are also quite easy to feed. They are relatively peaceful with other fish …

A Look at the Forktail Blenny Read More »

A Look at the Goldline Rabbitfish If you have worked in this industry–the ornamental fish trade–for any significant amount of time, you certainly will notice that different species, genera or even whole families of fish go in and out of style. One example of a family of marine fish that has been underrepresented (and, arguably, …

A Look at the Goldline Rabbitfish Read More »

They may look the same, but captive bred and wild-caught Green Mandarin Dragonets are different for many reasons. When it comes down to deciding which is better, the captive-bred kind is definitely it. Keep reading to find out why. Diet The biggest difference between captive-bred Green Mandarin Dragonets and specimens that are collected from the …

Captive Bred v.s. Wild Caught Green Mandarin Dragonets Read More »

The angelfish species has some of the most elegant fish to exist. These fish, however, can be massive. For example, Queen angelfish can reach 17 inches, which is not something that is wanted in the average reef tank. The alternative to this is Dwarf angels. These are a smaller, less aggressive, and more manageable version …

Coral Beauty Angelfish Read More »

Once upon a time, all of our saltwater fish, invertebrates, and corals were wild caught, there was no captive bred livestock anywhere. Hobbyists were still using compact fluorescent bulbs and tap water in their reef tanks, under gravel filters were still cutting edge technology, and most people had their fish for six to twenty four …

A More In Depth Look At Captive Bred Livestock Read More »

I should have done this! I should have done that! Throughout your experience in the saltwater aquarium and reef hobby, you will be finding yourself commonly saying these things. Maybe you did not dip your corals, or you bought the wrong additives, or maybe you added a fish without properly preparing your tank. This fish …

How to Set Up an Aquarium for a Green Mandarin Dragonet Read More »

These days, it seems that most marine aquarists are reef aquarists. And reef aquaria almost always house one or more tangs. This should seem reasonable enough, as representatives of this sizeable fish family (Acanthuridae) are found in abundance in pretty much every shallow water coral reef ecosystem on Earth. But their strong presence in the …

Cultivating Ogo and Sea Lettuce for Your Tangs Read More »

For so many aquarists, the green mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a must-have species. Its endearing personality, exquisite finnage and intense coloration rarely fail to impress. Given these highly desirable traits, it has for long been among the most popular marine aquarium fishes. Thus, many thousands of specimens of this species are sold in the …

Feeding the Mandarinfish with a Mix of Live and Prepared Foods Read More »

Hobbyists, vendors, fish breeders and, of course, the fishes are all cheering on this year’s developments in saltwater aquarium fish aquaculture. We really can say that the last five or six have been extraordinary; it’s been a nice, long winning streak where we saw more new families of fish commercially cultured than we used to …

A Big Year for Captive Bred Fish! Read More »

There is hardly a more iconic saltwater aquarium fish than yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens). We can just start out by stating the obvious; it is a real stand-out. Nothing “pops” like the bright yellow blaze of this species. Its highly laterally compressed body and pronounced snout give it an undeniably exotic, “marine” appearance. Boldly pigmented …

A Classic Improved: Aquacultured Yellow Tangs Read More »

By Nathan Peel – 2018 Writers contest award recipient! The Mandarin dragonet (also known as the mandarin goby),  is the arguably the most beautiful saltwater fish, which catches the eye of both experienced and beginner hobbyist. If you have done any research on these fish you would find that most people would agree they are …

Mandarin Dragonets for Beginners Read More »

Is There Really a Difference Between Wild-Caught and Aquacultured Marine Aquarium Livestock? These days, when it comes to aquarium livestock, marine aquarists are inundated with choice. Of course, a good deal of thought typically goes into the kinds of animals we will keep. Choice of animal species is certainly important; this not only determines the …

Is There Really a Difference Between Wild-Caught and Aquacultured Marine Aquarium Livestock? Read More »

The marine aquarium hobby looks little like it did when it first became popularized decades ago. Nowadays, it might seem as though a new fad emerges every month. Yet, a few things seem to never change. One such undying custom is the use of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) as a food for aquarium fish—freshwater and …

Enhancing the Diet of Captive Marine Animals with Live Brine Shrimp Read More »

For so many aquarists, the green mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a must-have species. Its endearing personality, exquisite finnage and intense coloration rarely fail to impress. Given these highly desirable traits, it has for long been among the most popular marine aquarium fishes. Thus, many thousands of specimens of this species are sold in the ornamental …

Feeding the Mandarin Fish Read More »

Mandarin Goby Fish Care 101: Foods and feeding are the foremost concern for any aquarist wishing to keep a marine mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus). Most critical in the diet of a mandarin is (1) constant availability of feeding opportunities and (2) food sources that are varied but primarily consist of enriched pods. If you get …

Mandarin Goby Fish Care | Using Copepods to keep a Mandarin Dragonet Read More »