Tag: hardy saltwater fish
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Fairy Wrasse Care: Cirrhilabrus spp.
Fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus spp.) sport some of the best color patterns in the saltwater fish kingdom. Throw in personalities MUCH bigger than their size, and aquarists trip over themselves to obtain these “Holy Grail” species. They’re not the most difficult wrasses to manage, either, making them cheery additions to reef tanks. Table of Contents: Fairy…
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5 Starter Fish Every Saltwater Hobbyist Should Avoid
What’s the best part of setting up a saltwater aquarium? Picking our you fish! And while you have the entire ocean (okay, not the ENTIRE ocean) to choose from, some fish make better starter fish than others. Because if you’ve never managed a marine tank before, you could find yourself struggling to meet the demands of…
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Squirrelfish Care: Family Holocentridae
Squirrelfish (Family Holocentridae) get their name from their enormous, shiny black eyes. A nocturnal group, those round eyes come in handy when searching for food in low-light levels. And they happen to make them a charming addition to most reef aquariums. But – like the furry mammal they’re named for – squirrelfish come with some…
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Panther Grouper Care: Cromileptes altivelis
Panther groupers (Cromileptes altivelis) lure in plenty of aquarists. They look stunning in their dalmatian coats of white and black. And when fish stores stock them, they seem harmless enough. Of course, no one mentions those spotted groupers are juveniles. If you haven’t done your homework, you quickly find yourself struggling to keep up as…
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Gem Tang Care: Zebrasoma gemmatum
The Gem Tang (Zebrasoma gemmatum) holds the honor in the tang world as fetching the highest prices. Even juveniles command four digits. They may not be the flashiest members of the tang family, but they’re still stunning to behold. And if you’re going to spend THAT much on one of these gems (no pun intended), you’ll…
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Blue-Spotted Jawfish Care: Opistognathus rosenblatti
Blue-Spotted Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) are curious members of the jawfish community. Their unique coloration makes them appealing to aquarists, as does the jawfish burrowing behavior. However, these vibrant little fish aren’t for just anyone. If you’re not prepared to handle their particular care needs, they may need to remain a “pipe dream.” Table of Contents:…
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Longnose Hawkfish Care: Oxycirrhites typus
Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) make the perfect addition to any marine tank with their unique method of perching and bright colors. They’re intelligent fish with bundles of energy and lots of personality – provided you have plenty of room. Because while these saltwater hunters may not reach impressive lengths, they DO perform incredible acrobatics. Table…
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Sailfin Tang Care: Zebrasoma veliferum
Sailfin Tangs (Zebrasoma veliferum) combine beauty, personality, and size into the perfect reef tank addition. They aren’t quite as aggressive as other members in the tang family, though they WILL establish their territories. Best of all, they’re a little easier to track down, and they WON’T break your piggy bank if you’ve lost your heart…
