A pair of closely related sand-sifting gobies have been described from opposite ends of the Coral Triangle. The new taxa belong to the increasingly diverse genus Amblygobius, whose bulky members occur in habitats dominated by sand, silt and mud, eeking a living by...
The jawfish family has grown a bit more diverse with the description of a new species, Opistognathus ensiferus, discovered off the southeastern coast of India. This small fish, known from just a single male specimen measuring 61mm, is a bit innocuous at first glance,...
The holiday season is here, and if you're still tracking down that perfect gift for the gentlemanly aquarist in your life, you're in luck. I've scoured the internets to find the very best in aquatic-themed neckware. With one of these dapper ties, they'll be dressed to...
A particularly obscure and uncommon Caribbean fish popped up last night on LiveAquaria. Evocatively known as the Pugjaw Wormfish, this cryptic and well-camouflaged fellow may not get the average aquarist’s heart a-racing, but it’s a fascinating species in its own...
A recently published study is helping to shed some light upon a fascinating and poorly understood evolutionary puzzle concerning a group of familiar reef fishes. Within the hugely diverse genus Amphiprion, there is a distinctive lineage formed from species that have a...
Hemiscyllium is a small genus of benthic sharks with nine recognized species, most of which are uncommonly encountered, both in the wild and in captivity. But, despite this rarity, these fishes are popular in the aquarium trade thanks to their small size, ornate...
One of the most mysterious and infrequently seen species of large, tropical pufferfish—Arothron multilineatus—was recently collected for the aquarium trade. There’s a good chance that this species, which was described only in March of this year, has never been kept in...
The first ever American Cichlid Association Fish Competition took place at this year's Aquatic Experience. Dozens of specimens competed in the event, and, with a grand prize of $500, the competition was stiff. A diverse assemblage of species was represented, including...
For me, the highlight of Aquatic Experience 2016 was the 1st International Shrimp Competition, presented by the World Pet Association. This grueling event brought together crustaceans from across the globe, each vying for the title of World's Sexiest Shrimp. The...
Aquatic Experience is back again, and I've journeyed deep into the underbelly of suburban Chicago to document the sights and sounds from this year's event. In this first installment, I'll highlight some of the more interesting saltwater livestock I came across. Sadly,...