Because today's instalment of epithet etymology feature two slightly unorthodox fishes, we'll go ahead and make up for it by featuring two species, instead of the usual one. These are not the average fishes that a marine aquarist would encounter in their day to day...
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The flasher wrasse genus Paracheilinus gets a formal revision, along with the addition of three new species
The flasher wrasse genus Paracheilinus has never had a formal taxonomic revision, that is until now. In the latest paper published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, Gerry Allen and Mark Erdmann attempt at untangling the messy nature of this genus, and,...
Epithet etymology: Amphiprion chrysogaster, the gold bellied, double saw wielder
Today's instalment of epithet etymology aims to elucidate the literary meaning behind the Mauritian Clownfish, Amphiprion chrysogaster. Whether you're a scientist, an aquarist, a librarian or even a streetwalking pedestrian, you'll have to agree that clownfishes are...
Pomacanthid relics: Colin’s, Narcosis and Bandit Angelfishes
In gross review of the vast piscine fauna distributed around the globe, there are perhaps few families of fish that can rival the unparalleled beauty and elegance that comes with the marine angelfishes of the family Pomacanthidae. Their painterly brilliance, comical...
Macropharyngodon: A Tale of Throated Teeth
By Lemon TeaYK The family Labridae advertises a bounteous collection of species, distributed unevenly into about seventy genera, all of which are strictly marine. Wrasses, as they are known, are largely small to medium size (although some can attain gargantuan...
Epithet etymology: Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis, the diamond-tail fairy wrasse
Today on epithet etymology, we feature yet another labrid, this time from the genus Cirrhilabrus. Cirrhilabrus are small, colourful fish that are are highly deserving of their colloquial name - "fairy wrasses". Having extensively discussed about their biogeography and...
Macro Monday: Galaxea fascicularis, wolf in sheep’s clothing
Galaxea is a ubiquitous cnidarian with quite the nasty reputation. Like most other "LPS" corals, Galaxea harbour sweeper tentacles capable of extending many times their normal lengths. These are often supercharged with nematocysts, where they are utilized in turf wars...
Epithet etymology: Labroides phthirophagus, the louse-eater
Today we'll feature a new running featurette titled "epithet etymology". As the title suggests, this series will aim to elucidate the meaning behind some of the latin names that we so often see scribbled in literature. Daunting as it may seem, binomial nomenclature is...
Macro Monday: Crustacean combo
It's the start of the week (where I am), and let's face it - Mondays are the Snapples of the week. Snapple, as in the drink. Always great looking, but so meh tasting. So, like you, and the many others that find it difficult to trudge through the work week, I too am...
The Long-nosed butterflies part 2: Forcipiger
Of the butterflyfishes that have evolved long snouts in tandem with their dietary needs, none are more impressive, or quirky, than those in the genus Forcipiger. This genus boasts some of the most iconic members of the family, easily identified in the field by even...