By Simon Garratt Firstly, let me just pass on my sincerest thanks to both Randy Donowitz and Jonathan Hale for allowing me the privilege of writing for such an esteemed source. I’m sure many of you will be sitting there saying, “Simon who?” So to fill in the gaps, I’m...

By Simon Garratt I will say right now that I have absolutely no intention whatsoever of shouting about how we should all be making our reefs out of fake live rock to save the environment. Or at least I didn’t when I started writing this article; let’s just see how it...

By Simon Garratt There are some fish that simply epitomise the coral reef and even a non-hobbyist can easily run off at least two common names (or cartoon names) when asked to name two fish from the reef environment. Pixar’s creations aside, The Lionfish will usually...

By Simon Garratt If you have ever seen the film ‘Final Destination’ you will appreciate what I’m about to say. Running a reef tank can be like playing tag with the Grim Reaper. No matter how many times you dodge the metaphorical bullet, sooner or later he’s gonna...

By Simon Garratt There are a few remarkable facts that I’m about to show you in connection with the coral reef surrounding the tiny Island of Velidhu in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldivian Republic. Ask any marine biologist that specialises in the coral reef...

By Simon Garratt Ah, the delights of all expenses paid international first class air travel. Savouring the extra legroom. Food that doesn’t resemble something you’d buy in a pet store--all washed down with a glass of fine champagne, whilst being tucked in for an...

By Simon Garratt Leopard Wrasses of the Genus Macropharyngodon Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Osteichthyes Suborder: Telostei Order: Perciformes Family: Labridae Subfamily: Corinae Genera: Macropharyngodon (Bleeker 1862) Species: M. bipartitus (smith...