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James W. Fatherree
  • James W. Fatherree

    James has been an aquarium hobbyist since childhood, and has been keeping marine aquariums for over thirty years. He is also an avid diver, and has spent many days on the reefs of Australia, the Bahamas, Egypt, Fiji, Florida, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, and Tonga. Many years ago, he also managed a large retail aquarium store, owned and operated an aquarium design, installation, and maintenance business, and spent a summer working as a diver/collector for an aquarium livestock wholesaler in Florida. James has also published over 450 articles with photographs in various aquarium and dive magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and has written and illustrated a half-dozen books on the topics of reef organisms and marine aquariums. He has given over 50 presentations at aquarium society meetings and conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, as well.Aside from his lifelong aquatic interests and experiences, James served as an Army paratrooper, and earned degrees in Geology from Mississippi State University and the University of South Florida, with a specialization in invertebrate paleontology. He is currently a Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida.

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Recent Content

On the Giant Clams: Tridacna noae and T. ningaloo

On the Giant Clams: Tridacna noae and T. ningaloo

Jan 6, 2016 |

Tnoaeningaloo2.jpg

When Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium (Fatherree, 2006) was published, seven species of giant clam had been imported for the US reef aquarium hobby. However, since that time T. mbalavuana has been imported in small numbers, and three new species have been described.…

Look at Trachyphyllia geoffroyi: the Open Brain Coral

Look at Trachyphyllia geoffroyi: the Open Brain Coral

Mar 16, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree, M. Sc. One of the most common corals offered to reef aquarists is the open brain coral, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, which is an exceptionally hardy species. These most commonly come in various mixes of fluorescent shades of green and red, with some...

The Basics of Giant Clam Biology and Care

The Basics of Giant Clam Biology and Care

Mar 16, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree The giant clams are called giants for a reason-- a record holding specimen had a shell that was over four feet in length. There are several species called giant clams though, and the smallest of them can only grow to about six inches. In...

The Hawkfishes

The Hawkfishes

Mar 16, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. There are several species of hawkfishes available to hobbyists that can be great additions to marine aquariums. In general, they're quite hardy, easy to care for and attractive. Most are colorful and covered with spots, stripes, and/or...

An Introduction to Tunicates

An Introduction to Tunicates

Mar 16, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. Of the wide variety of invertebrate organisms available to hobbyists, the tunicates are some of the least frequently seen for sale. Many are very colorful, looking like some sort of odd coral or sponge, and they're very common in reef...

A Look at the Macroalgae Caulerpa

A Look at the Macroalgae Caulerpa

Mar 16, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree Of all the various kinds of macroalgae that can be added to a marine aquarium, the most common are the species belonging to the genus Caulerpa. Many of these species are attractive and fast growing, are inexpensive, and can even be useful in some...

A Look at the Plate Corals

A Look at the Plate Corals

Mar 15, 2015 |

By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. Sometimes called the disc or mushroom corals, the plate corals are regularly offered to folks in the hobby. Many are brightly colored, or at least neat looking, and they tend to be quite hardy, too. So, plate corals can be great additions...