Anemones are a saltwater invertebrate found in oceans across the world, from the Artic to the East Coastal Regions bordering our very own state. Anemones are essentially one giant polyp attached to a foot, known as a pedal disk, which the anemone uses to keep itself attached to a rock, hard substrate or even sand….
Triggerfish are a saltwater semi-aggressive aquarium fish that live on the reefs in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are best recognized by their sleek angular body with brush strokes of color ranging from the Black and Blue of the Niger Trigger (Odonus niger) to striking yellow and black in the king of…
Zoanthids are a type of matting polyp native to coral reefs and marine environments. Being a less demanding coral it is often seen as a great starter coral with colors ranging from muted to the bright and extravagant colors often seen in display aquariums. The Zoanthid consists of a mat, or stolon, which keeps the…
Planted freshwater aquariums can be very low maintenance and the perfect environment for many of our aquatic pets. There are many different methods and products available to the aquatic plant keeper. No matter the particulars, growing aquarium plants is easy if you follow three golden rules to success. Most importantly, use strong regular light. One…
The ocean contains a plethora of aquatic creatures. Some of the most prominent critters which scour the reef are the hardshelled crabs. Crabs can be found in all stratae of the worlds oceans, as well as some freshwater habitats. Species range from the iconic king crab (Paralithodes californiensis) known for it’s excellent flavor, to crabs…
The common Angelfish, Pterophylum scalare, is a species of tropical cichlid found in both the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The Angelfish lives up to its name with their long, flowing fins and elegant delta of a body. Coloration ranges from the relatively dull wild variations to modern, fancy bred “Koi” patterns. There…
There are many different types of Saltwater shrimp, A favorite among Saltwater hobbyist is the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Even those unfamiliar to the hobby have seen pictures of the Cleaner Shrimp using his white antenna to advertise his cleaning services to passing fish. This symbiotic relationship with reef inhabitants provides nutrients for the…
The Harlequin Rasbora (Rasbora heteromorpha) is a small fish, which is a member of the Cyprinidae family. The Harlequin Rasbora is described as being differently shaped (heteromorpha translating from Greek “differently shaped”) as compared to other members of the Rasbora family. This striking Rasbora with its reddish copper body and trademarked triangular black silhouette towards…
The Betta fish (Betta splendens) is a type of Gourami that live in the rice patty fields of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. While in the wild these subtropical fish live in a extreme variance of temperatures, they do best no lower then 70 degrees. Unlike most fish, the Betta does not breath through their…
The Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a freshwater species originating in east Asia. It was one of the first fish in the world to be domesticated by humans some one thousand years ago. The Goldfish comes in many variety’s due to selective breeding. After centuries of domestication many types have been developed. These fish…
