Roa is a seldom seen and poorly known genus of butterflyfish. With only four taxonomically described species, the genus has just about as many undescribed ones! In other words, of all the known Roa butterflyfishes to exist, at least half are not assigned with taxonomic nomenclature! As with many [...]
The coral reefs of Hawaii are some of the most thoroughly explored and surveyed in the world, which makes it all the more surprising that a recent trip to Kure Atoll, at the northern tip of the archipelago, revealed the presence of three undescribed species. The NOAA sponsored study during which [...]
There are somewhere around 88 recognized species of Chaetodon butterflyfish swimming around the coral reefs of the world, which makes it quite challenging when it comes to keeping track of all this biodiversity. Systems for classifying this mess have varied considerably over the years, with upwards [...]
The distinctive deepwater butterflyfishes of the genus Prognathodes have been in the news recently with the exciting rediscovery of the enigmatic P. guyotensis, but, in general, this is one group that doesn’t get much attention from the average aquarist. While these fishes are often attractively [...]
The NOAA Okeanos Explorer‘s live feed broadcast has resulted in an amazing display of unity amongst aquarists and scientists from all corners of the globe, as they gather together as a single entity to appreciate what the deep reefs of Guam and the Marianas have to offer. Over the last [...]
The genus Prognathodes is perhaps the most phylogenetically intractable of the long-nosed butterflyfishes. Unlike Chelmon and Forcipiger, Prognathodes is highly speciose, with a majority of its members having a great affinity for deep waters, far removed from the usual habitat of the former two [...]