A dozen years ago, I wrote about my first successful full soft tissue fusion in two strains of Acanthastrea echinata. Since that time many more have taken up the challenge (or stumbled upon it by accident.) It was exciting to be the first to kick of this wave of...
This cute little robot grabbed my attention immediately. First off, it's a robot. Second, it's in the shape of an octopus. And third, the movement in this 3D-printed soft body is powered by hydrogen peroxide, just about my favorite chemical compound. My dreams of...
Upon arrival in St Martin 10 years ago, I dove into the water and stayed there for five hours. It was the first time that I had ever seen coral in the wild; I discovered more coral, fish, fanworms, and urchins every few feet - animals and creatures that I had only...
Today was our “Coral Avengers” team’s first full day in Grand Case; joining me on this trip are my colleagues from Fishlife Aquariums and GE research scientist Dr. Michael Gerdes. Every trip to St. Martin is a whirlwind of meetings and activities as we develop our...
Tomorrow, Saturday March 4, will be a big day for yours truly. I will be speaking at the Frag Farmers Market at E.O. Smith High School, as well displaying a large selection of my latest corals at a booth throughout the day. The coral swap and sale is in Storrs, CT,...
There are some long-term coral partnerships that unfailingly work out time and again, while other coral closely placed together don't get along at all. Finding relationships that work can be tricky - place the wrong coral together and they will compete and fight,...
This is an exciting hobby and profession to be a part of. The smartest people I know are continually surprised and dumbfounded by the new discoveries that are constantly made, and all the questions that are yet to be answered. I am fascinated by the variability in...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cvLBB22EZCQ I can't seem to keep my hands dry. When I'm not at ReefGen(or playing music), I moonlight at the Suffolk County Community College Marine Lab, run by former MASNA Aquarist of the Year, Professor Todd Gardner. I feel so lucky to...
When I was new to the reef hobby, I encountered a vendor with morals. I was fascinated with Pipe Organ coral (Tubipora musica) and wanted to purchase one. I was promptly educated that this coral, much like Goniopora at that time, was impossible to keep. I respected...
"My Kingdom for a Pair of Boots!" The refrain is the same from people throughout the aquatics industry; our saltwater work environment is hell on footwear. Over the years, I have destroyed countless pairs of boots, and, while there are a few tricks to reducing the...