by AquaNerd | Feb 1, 2018 | Eye Candy, Invertebrates, Science
Rock Flower Anemones have become widely popular in the reef aquarium hobby. They are available in a myriad of vibrant, contrasting color combinations. They are considered to be one of the easiest anemone species to care for in the home aquarium, making them a great choice for beginner or advanced aquarists. They only reach about 4″ in size so they are even ideal for aquariums as small as 5 gallons. Prices typically range from $35.00 to $100.00 but I’ve seen one seller try and fetch $1800.00 for an extraordinarily beautiful specimen at one of the trade shows we attended. Sometimes referred to as a Rock Flower Anemone (RFA) or Red Bearded Anemone, there are actually 11 distinct species of Rock Flower Anemones which include: Phymanthus crucifer (Red Beaded Anemone) by AquaNerd | Jan 23, 2018 | Fish, Industry
It’s been a few months (almost) since Sea & Reef introduced it’s latest designer clownfish; the Black Storm. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the Black Storm Clownfish. However, we are looking forward to receiving a pair of them next week. The Black Storm may become our new favorite clownfish and the Mocha Storm a very close second. Mocha Storm Clownfish The Mocha Storm was created by pairing a Black Storm Clownfish with a bright orange Ocellaris. The resulting offspring display the characteristic white pattern of a Black Storm with mocha coloration. Sea and Reef describes the brown color of the Mocha as a perfect blend of orange glow and “freshly brewed coffee brown”. If you are looking for remarkable contrasting colors in a clownfish, with by AquaNerd | Aug 13, 2016 | Fish, Invertebrates, Reef, Science
Wrasses are one of the most common fish in the aquarium trade but did you know that there are over 600 species of identified Wrasses within 82 genera; making Wrasses one of the largest fish families. Typically, wrasses are small in size with most maturing to under 8 inches long. However, some such as the Humphead wrasse can grow to over 8 feet in length! While most wrasses are efficient carnivores, typically feed on small invertebrates, the Humphead feeds on mollusks, reef fish and sea urchins. Some have even been known to eat poisonous sea hares, boxfish and crown-of-thorns starfish. Featured Image Credit: www.diving-dave.co.uk/ Wrasses are generally bottom dwellers, found primarily on rocky coral reefs or sandy bottoms and grass bottoms. Many species are by AquaNerd | Jul 17, 2016 | Fish, Reef, Science
Scopas Tangs, also known as the Brown Scopas Tangs are typically yellowish in the dorsal area while more brown ventrally as the colors gradually get darker towards the tail. The body is covered with fine, intricate, light blue markings and the tail is a solid brown color with a highlighted blue edge as seen above courtesy of Live Aquaria. Scopas Tangs are typically collected in size from 1 1/2″ – 3 1/4″ to as large 5 1/4″ to 6 1/4″. Juveniles are a little more attractive than adult specimens as they display larger dorsal and posterior fins and a slightly purplish body color. Scopas tangs prefer larger aquariums and it is recommended that they be kept in 110 gallon aquariums or larger. Like many tangs, they are aggressive towards their own by AquaNerd | May 3, 2016 | Fish, Reef, Science
Petco, parent company to Drs. Foster & Smith and Live Aquaria reached out to us to see if we wouldn’t mind introducing their new freshwater fish compatibility guide to our readers. Below is the guide link and some comments from Petco. “Think about all the elements you need to have a successful, healthy aquarium: clean water, the right amount of food, accents for the fish—and, of course, a combination of compatible fish. Yes, just like the ocean, not all fish like each other. Put together a bad combination and you’ll end up with unhealthy or dead fish. Bad fish partners can increase stress and create an environment that’s unpredictable. That ability to swim together—or lack thereof—extends not only to fish
