The crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) eats corals. Local populations of this creature can reach plague proportions. When this occurs, entire reefs can be left nearly devastated. In some cases, 40-90% of a reef may be devoured in a single event. Marine...
The totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) is a marine drum (Family Sciaenidae) that occurs throughout the northern half of the Gulf of California. At one time, this fish was quite abundant. Then, due to years of overfishing, its numbers dwindled. Now listed on CITES, the IUCN...
For long, coelacanths were known to science only from the fossil record and were believed to have gone extinct during the Cretaceous Period. Then, in 1938, a specimen of an extant coelacanth species (Latimeria chalumnae) was discovered among the catch of a South...
A research team led by Dr. Rick Bruintjes (University of Bristol) has uncovered an interesting reproductive strategy used by subordinate males of certain cichlid species. The team’s work focuses on Neolamprologus of Lake Tanganyika. Neolamprologus often occur in...
The distinctive motion observed in members of the family Xeniidae has for long amazed marine aquarists and marine biologists alike. Arguably, a sizable colony of vigorously pulsating xenia polyps is an exceptionally beautiful sight to behold. However, the reason that...
Over the last few decades, coral reefs have been in decline. It is clear that mass coral bleaching events (during which corals expel their endosymbiotic algae, or zooxanthellae) have contributed greatly to this loss. However, biologists have not been able to explain...
The results of two studies conducted under Richard Broughton (University of Oklahoma) provide tremendous insight into the evolutionary history of most, if not all, fish species. Relying on old-fashioned comparative morphology as well as advanced genetic analysis, the...
As far as aquarists may be concerned, the skunk shrimp or cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) is the quintessential “reef safe” crustacean; it not only exhibits minimal interspecific aggression, but it also “cleans” (hence, one of its common names) by feeding on the...
Rays of the genus Potamotrygon, the river stingrays, are among the most extraordinary animals that are available to the freshwater aquarist. They are also among the most challenging to keep.…
There probably are few aquarium fish that are as beautiful, interesting and distinctive as the freshwater stingrays. They are typically the center of attention in any public or private exhibitry that they are displayed in.…