Most aquarists are familiar with the coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), a hobby classic thanks to its stunning candy cane stripes. But did you know that the genus Stenopus contains eleven species in total, some of which are also available in the aquarium trade?...
The first time I spotted a Urocaridella shrimp was on a toasty Thai reef. I was hovering above a group of highly photogenic camel shrimp, snapping away on my camera, when I noticed one of them was not like the others… at all. It hovered a few inches above the...
Now here’s a critter with a story! Once used as currency, cowries are now popular additions to our aquariums. But you’ll have to choose wisely if you’d like to keep one: many cowries either eat your corals or starve in captivity. Sometimes both. Why? And which cowrie...
Raise your hand if you’ve ever turned on your tank lights in the morning only to find one of your fish stone dead. Now raise the other hand if the “deceased” was magically resurrected within five minutes, swimming around and begging for food as if it didn’t just...
Looking for a gift for the saltwater aquarium lover in your life? Most gift guides mention items like algae scrubbers and quirky tank ornaments, but aquarists usually have those basics covered—and anyway, most prefer picking their own tank decor and tools. Getting...
In part one of my double Glassware For Reefs feature, we had a look at lily pipes: delicate glass accessories that haven't caught on much with reef keepers yet, but that I think could make our tanks all the nicer to look at. In said post, we established that pretty...
As reefers, most of us are in an odd gray area between maximalism and minimalism. Our favorite gaudy corals and flashy fish certainly don't scream "less is more". When it comes to equipment, despite our best attempts, the home reef is littered with wave makers,...
For us aquarists, peeking over at our tank often results in a case of "light's on, nobody's home". Many of our favorite critters are shy or nocturnal, preferring to spend the day wedged into safe crevices. Some only come out at night. But did you know there's a way...
Ever sat in front of your tank squinting, trying and failing to ascertain whether that blotch on your Acropora is a parasitic flatworm or just discoloration? Or maybe trying to take a photo of your favorite coral, only for it to turn out looking like you used a potato...
Did you know that some 3D prints are 100% aquarium-safe? If you've got a 3D printer at home, a whole world of aquarium possibilities just opened up. From algae scrapers to castle decorations: you can print it all. All you need to know is the right filament to use and...