Oxymanthus benneti, also known as Anneissia bennetti, is a large feather star species characterized by its numerous feathery arms (31-120) used for filter-feeding. These arms, with their finger-like pinnules, trap food particles like detritus, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from the water column. A defining feature is its large, thick centrodorsal (body) with long, robust cirri (3-4.5 cm) used for attachment and later for elevation when free-living. These cirri help distinguish it from similar species.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Size and Appearance:
Oxymanthus benneti is one of the larger feather star species, reaching up to 30 cm in diameter.
Feeding:
They are filter feeders, capturing suspended food particles with their numerous feathery arms.
Arms and Pinnules:
The arms are equipped with many pinnules, which are finger-like projections that increase the surface area for trapping food.
Centrodorsal and Cirri:
The body (centrodorsal) is large and thick, with long, robust cirri used for initially attaching to a substrate and later for elevation and movement.
Life Cycle:
They begin life attached to a stalk, but become free-living as adults, using their cirri to position themselves for feeding.
Symbiosis:
Oxymanthus benneti is known to host various species of polychaete worms, offering them shelter, food, and protection in a commensalistic relationship.
Ophiolepis superba, also known as the banded brittle star or spotted snake starfish, is a marine invertebrate characterized by its distinctive color pattern and relatively short arms. It typically has a beige to pale yellow-orange base color with a striking pattern of black or purple on the disc and bands on the arms. The arms are smooth due to tiny spines, and the disc is covered with larger plates surrounded by a single row of smaller plates.
Key Features:
Size:
Disc diameter can reach up to 3 cm, with arm lengths up to 9 cm. Some sources indicate a total size of up to 25 cm.
Coloration:
Beige to pale yellow-orange with a pattern of black or purple on the disc and bands on the arms.
Arm Structure:
Short, relatively smooth arms due to small lateral spines.
Habitat:
Found in lower littoral zones and deeper waters, often under rocks and among coral, including coastal and deeper reef areas.
Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Indies, Australia, and the South Pacific Islands.
Behavior:
Solitary and spends much of its time hidden, particularly during the day, among rocks and corals. It is an omnivore with carnivorous tendencies, feeding on detritus and carrion.
The Heffernan's Starfish, scientifically known as Celerina heffernani, is a species of marine echinoderm in the family Ophidiasteridae. It is characterized by its slender, tapering arms, and a body covered in small, granular plates. Specifically, it can be distinguished from similar species like Fromia monilis by the presence of short, distinct spikes along the arm groove. The abactinal surface (upper side) of the starfish is covered in small plates, ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm in diameter, and these plates are densely covered in granules.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance: Celerina heffernani has five long, slender arms that taper gradually.
Size: The rays (arms) can be approximately 40 mm long, with a central disc radius of about 7 mm.
Plates and Granules: The upper surface is covered in small plates, which are densely granular. Some of the larger plates are convex and more prominent than the smaller surrounding plates.
Superomarginal Plates: These plates run along the sides of the arms and are arranged in an irregular series, with alternating larger and smaller plates. The larger ones are strongly convex, while the smaller ones are almost flat.
Habitat: This starfish is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region.
Distinguishing Features: The presence of distinct spikes along the arm groove is a key characteristic that helps differentiate it from Fromia monilis.
Other Names: It's also known as the Pebbled Sea Star.
The "Purple Porcelain Crab," Petrolisthes sp., is a small, flat-bodied crab with a distinctive coloration, known for its vibrant purple hues and the ability to detach its claws when threatened. These crabs are found in tropical oceans and are popular additions to reef aquariums due to their peaceful nature and reef-safe qualities.
Physical Characteristics:
Size:
The carapace (body shell) can grow up to 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) wide.
Shape:
They have a flattened, rounded body, well-suited for hiding in crevices and under rocks.
Coloration:
While often reddish-brown or blueish-grey, they are known for their vibrant purple claws and markings on the body. The claws (chelipeds) are disproportionately large and may have a blueish hue, particularly at the joints (knuckles).
Claws:
They possess large claws that are easily detachable as a defense mechanism.
Legs:
They have four pairs of walking legs, with the fifth pair being reduced and tucked under the abdomen.
Antennae:
Long antennae are located beside the eyes.
Behavior and Ecology:
Habitat:
They are typically found on rocky substrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones.
Feeding:
Petrolisthes sp. are filter feeders, using specialized limbs near their mouths to capture plankton and other small particles from the water. They may also scavenge for food and are known to feed on "marine snow" and micro-invertebrates.
Defense:
They are known for autotomy, the ability to detach limbs, especially claws, when threatened.
Reef Safe:
They are generally considered reef safe and pose no threat to other inhabitants of a reef aquarium.
Social Behavior:
They often live in pairs or small groups.
In Aquariums:
Tank Setup: They do well in aquariums with plenty of live rock for hiding and feeding.
Water Parameters: Maintain stable water parameters suitable for a marine aquarium.
Feeding: Supplement their filter feeding with meaty foods, such as small pieces of fish or shrimp, and plankton-based foods.
Saron neglectus, also known as the Eyespot Shrimp, Green Marble Shrimp, or Spotted Marbled Shrimp, is a small shrimp species found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. They are known for their striking green or reddish bodies with white bands on their legs and claw arms. These nocturnal creatures inhabit coral reef environments, often among corals or in rubble areas, and are typically no deeper than 12 meters. They are omnivores, with a particular fondness for coral polyps.
Key characteristics:
Appearance: Green or reddish body with white bands on legs and claws.
Size: Typically about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long.
Habitat: Coral reefs, rubble areas, typically not deeper than 12 meters (40 feet).
Diet: Omnivore, with a preference for coral polyps.
Behavior: Nocturnal, can change color to blend with their surroundings.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males have longer foreclaws than females, sometimes as long as their bodies.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific Ocean, from the Red Sea to Hawaii.
Other Names: Eyespot Shrimp, Green Marble Shrimp, Spotted Marbled Shrimp.
Aquarium Suitability: Can be kept in home aquariums, but may eat coral polyps
The Ornate Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon ornatus) is a colorful marine fish known for its intricate patterns and vibrant coloration. Adults typically display a mix of browns, yellows, and whites, with darker lines resembling a leopard's spots, hence the name. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males generally larger and more brightly colored than females.
Physical Characteristics:
Coloration: Adults have a reddish head, thorax, and abdomen with greenish-yellow bands and spots. The body is mostly covered in blackish shading. Males tend to be darker than females.
Spots and Lines: The distinctive "leopard" pattern is formed by darker lines on a lighter background.
Size: They typically reach a length of around 10-13 cm.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males are generally larger and more brightly colored than females.
Other notable features:
They inhabit lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs, often in areas with mixed sand, rubble, and coral.
They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Sri Lanka, western Australia, and Indonesia.
They are collected for the aquarium trade.
They are considered reef safe, but may consume small crustaceans and other invertebrates.
They require a sandy substrate to bury themselves in at night.
The Ocellated dragonet (Synchiropus ocellatus) is a small, colorful fish with a distinctive diamond-shaped body when viewed from above, and is known for its unique way of moving along the substrate using its pectoral fins. It typically grows to about 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) in length. Males are generally more brightly colored than females and have a large, sail-like dorsal fin, often orange at the base. The body is mottled with brown and white, sometimes with red highlights, and features a pattern of stripes or spots.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
The fish has a mottled brown and white body, sometimes with red highlights. It has a large, boxy head and a diamond-shaped body when viewed from above.
Size:
It reaches a maximum length of about 8 centimeters (3.1 inches).
Coloration:
Males are generally more colorful than females, with a bright orange dorsal fin base. They also have a distinctive pattern of stripes or spots on their body.
Locomotion:
The Ocellated dragonet uses its pectoral fins to shuffle along the substrate, rather than swimming in a typical fish-like manner.
Habitat:
They are found in shallow waters, particularly on sandy areas of reefs and in tide pools.
Diet:
They are micropredators, feeding on small benthic invertebrates and zooplankton.
Aquarium Care:
In aquarium settings, they are known to be reef-safe, hardy, and stay small, making them popular with aquarists. However, they require a well-established aquarium with a constant supply of live zooplankton or other small foods, as they cannot eat large meals at once.
he Halichoeres chrysus, commonly known as the yellow wrasse or canary wrasse, is a bright yellow fish with a thin, elongate body and a terminal mouth. Males and females exhibit different color patterns and markings, particularly on the dorsal fin. Juvenile and immature females have two black spots on their dorsal fin, while mature males typically have only one.
Detailed Description:
Overall Appearance:
The fish is predominantly bright yellow with variations in color based on age and sex.
Head and Thorax:
The head and thorax are yellow-orange, with irregular pale green bands on the head.
Dorsal Fin:
Males have a prominent black spot, often rimmed with white, at the beginning of the dorsal fin. Smaller males may have a second spot on the soft dorsal fin. Mature females also have a second black spot on the middle of the dorsal fin, and juveniles may have a third blackish spot near the tail.
Other Features:
A small spot is also present behind the eye. The tail fins are transparent.
Size:
This species can grow up to 12 cm in length.
Habitat:
They are found in tropical Indo-Pacific regions, often in reef environments with sand and rubble.
Aquarium Keeping:
Yellow wrasses are popular in the aquarium trade, known for their vibrant color and ability to control pests like flatworms. They require a tank of at least 50 gallons, a sandy substrate, and good water quality.
The Amphiprion percula, commonly known as the orange clownfish or percula clownfish, is a small, brightly colored marine fish characterized by its orange body and three distinctive white bands outlined in black. These bands are located behind the eyes, in the middle of the body (often with a forward-bulging section), and near the tail. The fins are also edged with black. They are often confused with the similar-looking Amphiprion ocellaris, but can be distinguished by the number of dorsal fin spines (10 in A. percula vs. 11 in A. ocellaris) and the thickness of the black outlining on the white bands.
Key Characteristics:
Coloration: Bright orange body with three white bands edged in black.
Bands: The first band is behind the eyes, the second in the middle of the body, and the third near the tail.
Size: Can grow up to 11 cm (4.3 inches) in length.
Dorsal Fin Spines: Typically 10.
Symbiotic Relationship: Lives in a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, providing protection and receiving a safe habitat.
Social Structure: Organized in size-based hierarchies within anemones.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger than males.
Premnas epigramma, commonly known as the Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish, is a designer variant of the Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish (Premnas sp. epigrammata). It is characterized by its unique coloration, transitioning from a juvenile white body with maroon fins and face to a vibrant yellow adult with maroon extremities. These clownfish are known to be relatively easy to care for and can be kept in pairs, with the larger fish automatically becoming female in the absence of a pre-existing female.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Juvenile Gold Nugget Maroons have a white body with maroon fins and face. As they mature, yellow coloration develops, eventually covering most of the body, with maroon remaining on the extremities.
Size:
They are among the largest clownfish species, reaching a maximum size of around 15cm.
Temperament:
They are generally semi-aggressive, particularly towards other fish when defending their anemone or territory.
Reef Compatibility:
They are compatible with reef aquariums.
Origin:
They are found in the waters around Indonesia.
Diet:
They are omnivorous and will readily accept a variety of foods including pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods.
Anemone Relationship:
While they don't require an anemone to survive, they will readily host with various types, including Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor).
Breeding:
They are known to breed in captivity, and the dominant fish in a pair will become female if needed.
The ocellaris clownfish, or Amphiprion ocellaris, is a vibrant marine fish known for its striking orange body, three white bands, and black outlines. These fish, also called false percula clownfish or common clownfish, form a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones, using their mucus-covered skin to avoid being stung by the anemone's tentacles.
Physical Characteristics:
Color: Primarily bright orange with three distinct white bands.
Bands: The white bands are usually outlined in black. The middle band often has a rounded bulge in the middle.
Size: Typically grow to about 3-5 inches (8-11 cm) in length.
Fins: Black markings on the fins, particularly the dorsal fin, are common.
Other Notable Features:
Symbiotic Relationship:
They have a mutually beneficial relationship with sea anemones, living among their tentacles for protection from predators.
Protective Mucus:
A special layer of mucus on their skin protects them from the anemone's stinging cells.
Protandrous Hermaphrodites:
All begin life as males and can change to females as they mature, with the largest fish in a group typically being female.
Regional Variations:
While typically orange, some can be darker red-orange or even black with white bands, depending on their location.
The Sixline Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, is a small, vibrant fish with a distinctive appearance. It is characterized by its six orange or yellow stripes running horizontally along a blue or violet body. It also has a small, dark "eyespot" on the upper base of its tail fin (caudal fin) and blue stripes along the base of its anal fin and on its pelvic fin. It typically reaches a maximum length of about 10 centimeters (3.9 inches).
Key characteristics:
Coloration: Violet or blue body with six horizontal orange or yellow stripes.
Size: Maximum length of about 10 cm (3.9 inches).
Caudal fin: Has a small, dark "eyespot" on the upper part of the base.
Fins: Blue stripe along the base of the anal fin and a blue streak on the pelvic fin.
Eyes: Red eyes.
Habitat: Found in seaward reefs among coral branches and in clear coastal waters, typically in shallow areas.
Behavior: Generally shy, often staying close to coral branches for protection.
The Sixline Wrasse is a popular choice for reef aquariums due to its small size, vibrant colors, and relatively peaceful temperament, although it can show aggression towards smaller crustaceans and other wrasses. They are also known to feed on flatworms and pyramid snails.
