Percnon gibbesi, commonly known as the Sally Lightfoot Crab or Nimble Spray Crab, is a marine crab species characterized by its very flat, thin, and wide carapace (shell). It has a distinctive red to brown coloration, sometimes with fine green marbling, and legs with yellow rings at the joints. Adults can reach a carapace width of about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches). They are known for their agility and speed, especially in their natural rocky habitat.
Physical Characteristics:
Carapace: Flat and thin, with a width of about 30mm.
Coloration: Varies from red to brown, sometimes with green marbling.
Legs: Long and flattened, with yellow rings at the joints.
Spines: Each of the five pairs of walking legs has a row of spines along the leading edge.
Habitat and Behavior:
Percnon gibbesi is native to the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the Mediterranean.
It is commonly found in rocky, intertidal and subtidal zones, often hiding under rocks and in crevices.
They are known for their scavenging behavior, feeding on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.
While generally reef-safe, larger individuals can become aggressive and may prey on small fish and other invertebrates
The Gold Neon Goby, also known as the Yellow Prow Goby or Yellowstripe Cleaning Goby, is a small, peaceful, and vibrant saltwater fish prized for its coloration and cleaning behavior. It typically has a yellow head and lower body, with a black dorsal body and a gold horizontal stripe. These gobies are relatively small, reaching about 2 inches in length, and are known for their reef-safe nature and ability to thrive in nano and community reef tanks.
Key characteristics and care:
Appearance: A slender body with a bright gold stripe running horizontally, often along a black background.
Size: Reaches about 2 inches in length.
Temperament: Generally peaceful, but can be territorial with their own kind, especially in smaller aquariums.
Reef Safe: Yes, suitable for reef tanks.
Cleaning Behavior: They are known to pick parasites off of other fish, making them a valuable addition to a tank.
Tank Size: A 10-gallon tank or larger is recommended.
Diet: They are carnivores, feeding on small organisms, frozen foods, and may also feed on parasites from other fish.
Habitat: Found in the wild on coral reefs and rocky areas.
Breeding: May spawn in aquariums, laying eggs in crevices or shells.
Compatibility: Best kept singly or in mated pairs, unless the aquarium is very large, due to potential aggression towards their own kind.
In summary, the Gold Neon Goby is a beautiful and beneficial addition to a saltwater aquarium, known for its striking appearance, peaceful nature, and cleaning behavior.
The Elacatinus oceanops, commonly known as the neon goby, is a small, colorful reef fish known for its symbiotic cleaning behavior. It features a bright blue stripe along its body, bordered by black stripes, and a white or pale belly. They grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and are found in the tropical Western Atlantic, from Florida to Belize.
Appearance:
Coloration: A distinctive neon blue stripe runs horizontally along the body, bordered above and below by black stripes. The belly is typically white or pale.
Size: They reach a maximum length of about 5 cm (2 inches).
Shape: Elongated body typical of gobies.
Behavior:
Cleaner Fish:
Neon gobies are known for their cleaning behavior, removing parasites and dead skin from larger fish.
Symbiotic Relationship:
This cleaning activity is a symbiotic relationship, benefiting both the goby (food source) and the larger fish (parasite removal).
Reef Dwelling:
They are commonly found on coral reefs and rocky substrates, often associated with coral heads.
Aquarium Trade:
They are popular in the aquarium trade due to their vibrant coloration and beneficial cleaning behavior.
Habitat and Range:
Western Atlantic: Found in the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic, from Florida to Belize.
Depth: They inhabit depths ranging from 1 to 45 meters (3.3 to 147.6 ft).
Reefs and Rocks: They are typically found on coral reefs and rocky substrates.
Care in Aquariums:
Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons (60 liters) is recommended for a pair.
Water Parameters: Stable water conditions with temperatures between 24°C and 28°C are crucial.
Tank Setup: Live rock for hiding and ample swimming space are important.
Feeding: They are omnivores, feeding on small crustaceans, plankton, and prepared foods (frozen or pellet).
Feeding Frequency: Multiple small feedings per day are ideal to meet their nutritional needs.
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS), also known as chalice corals, found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. These corals are colonial and foliaceous, with thin, often plate-like or encrusting colonies. They are popular in reef aquariums due to their relatively easy care and various color variations.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
Echinophyllia corals have a flat, encrusting growth habit, forming thin plates or laminae. They can have a central corallite or widely spaced radial corallites.
Color:
They come in various colors, including gray-blue, green, brown, and red.
Habitat:
They prefer sheltered reef environments, especially lower reef slopes and vertical surfaces.
Care in Aquariums:
Echinophyllia corals thrive in moderately lit aquariums with low to moderate current and are sensitive to high levels of phosphate, according to Whitecorals.com.
Scientific Classification:
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals, often sold under the name "Chalice Coral" due to their distinct shape and difficulty in precise species differentiation, according to Whitecorals.com.
Similarities:
Echinophyllia corals can resemble Oxypora, but Echinophyllia species tend to have more prominent central corallites.
Key Species:
Echinophyllia aspera (Flat Lettuce Coral): A common and encrusting type of chalice coral.
Echinophyllia echinata: Similar in appearance to Echinomorpha nishihirai, featuring a prominent central corallite.
Echinophyllia echinoporoides: Characterized by small, immersed corallites and exsert costae.
Echinophyllia patula: Distinguishable by its thin laminae with widely spaced, irregular corallites.
Echinophyllia tarae: Has a distinctive paliform crown and a compact, spongy columella.
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS), also known as chalice corals, found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. These corals are colonial and foliaceous, with thin, often plate-like or encrusting colonies. They are popular in reef aquariums due to their relatively easy care and various color variations.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
Echinophyllia corals have a flat, encrusting growth habit, forming thin plates or laminae. They can have a central corallite or widely spaced radial corallites.
Color:
They come in various colors, including gray-blue, green, brown, and red.
Habitat:
They prefer sheltered reef environments, especially lower reef slopes and vertical surfaces.
Care in Aquariums:
Echinophyllia corals thrive in moderately lit aquariums with low to moderate current and are sensitive to high levels of phosphate, according to Whitecorals.com.
Scientific Classification:
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals, often sold under the name "Chalice Coral" due to their distinct shape and difficulty in precise species differentiation, according to Whitecorals.com.
Similarities:
Echinophyllia corals can resemble Oxypora, but Echinophyllia species tend to have more prominent central corallites.
Key Species:
Echinophyllia aspera (Flat Lettuce Coral): A common and encrusting type of chalice coral.
Echinophyllia echinata: Similar in appearance to Echinomorpha nishihirai, featuring a prominent central corallite.
Echinophyllia echinoporoides: Characterized by small, immersed corallites and exsert costae.
Echinophyllia patula: Distinguishable by its thin laminae with widely spaced, irregular corallites.
Echinophyllia tarae: Has a distinctive paliform crown and a compact, spongy columella.
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS), also known as chalice corals, found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. These corals are colonial and foliaceous, with thin, often plate-like or encrusting colonies. They are popular in reef aquariums due to their relatively easy care and various color variations.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
Echinophyllia corals have a flat, encrusting growth habit, forming thin plates or laminae. They can have a central corallite or widely spaced radial corallites.
Color:
They come in various colors, including gray-blue, green, brown, and red.
Habitat:
They prefer sheltered reef environments, especially lower reef slopes and vertical surfaces.
Care in Aquariums:
Echinophyllia corals thrive in moderately lit aquariums with low to moderate current and are sensitive to high levels of phosphate, according to Whitecorals.com.
Scientific Classification:
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals, often sold under the name "Chalice Coral" due to their distinct shape and difficulty in precise species differentiation, according to Whitecorals.com.
Similarities:
Echinophyllia corals can resemble Oxypora, but Echinophyllia species tend to have more prominent central corallites.
Key Species:
Echinophyllia aspera (Flat Lettuce Coral): A common and encrusting type of chalice coral.
Echinophyllia echinata: Similar in appearance to Echinomorpha nishihirai, featuring a prominent central corallite.
Echinophyllia echinoporoides: Characterized by small, immersed corallites and exsert costae.
Echinophyllia patula: Distinguishable by its thin laminae with widely spaced, irregular corallites.
Echinophyllia tarae: Has a distinctive paliform crown and a compact, spongy columella.
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS), also known as chalice corals, found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea. These corals are colonial and foliaceous, with thin, often plate-like or encrusting colonies. They are popular in reef aquariums due to their relatively easy care and various color variations.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Appearance:
Echinophyllia corals have a flat, encrusting growth habit, forming thin plates or laminae. They can have a central corallite or widely spaced radial corallites.
Color:
They come in various colors, including gray-blue, green, brown, and red.
Habitat:
They prefer sheltered reef environments, especially lower reef slopes and vertical surfaces.
Care in Aquariums:
Echinophyllia corals thrive in moderately lit aquariums with low to moderate current and are sensitive to high levels of phosphate
Scientific Classification:
Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals, often sold under the name "Chalice Coral" due to their distinct shape and difficulty in precise species differentiation
Similarities:
Echinophyllia corals can resemble Oxypora, but Echinophyllia species tend to have more prominent central corallites.
Key Species:
Echinophyllia aspera (Flat Lettuce Coral): A common and encrusting type of chalice coral.
Echinophyllia echinata: Similar in appearance to Echinomorpha nishihirai, featuring a prominent central corallite.
Echinophyllia echinoporoides: Characterized by small, immersed corallites and exsert costae.
Echinophyllia patula: Distinguishable by its thin laminae with widely spaced, irregular corallites.
Echinophyllia tarae: Has a distinctive paliform crown and a compact, spongy columella.
Fox coral, also known as Nemenzophyllia turbida, is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral. It's a peaceful coral with no visible tentacles, making it easy to maintain and suitable for both novice and experienced reef aquarists. Fox corals thrive in moderate lighting and low water movement, and benefit from the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements in the water.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Fox corals have a unique appearance with large, fleshy polyps that can extend significantly during the day. They lack visible tentacles and have a pale green or tan color.
Care:
Fox corals are relatively easy to care for, requiring moderate lighting, low water flow, and regular additions of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements.
Feeding:
They can benefit from additional food like micro-plankton or brine shrimp.
Fragility:
The fox coral's skeleton is quite fragile and needs to be handled with care.
Compatibility:
Fox corals are generally peaceful and don't typically pose a threat to other corals
Price per head
Euphyllia paradivisa, commonly called branching frogspawn coral, is a species of large-polyped stony coral native to the Indo-Pacific. It's known for its branching structure, where numerous polyps, each with large, hammer-shaped tentacles, extend from the main stem. These polyps typically display a pale greenish-grey or pink coloration, with lighter tentacle tips.
Here's a more detailed look:
Appearance:
Euphyllia paradivisa has a branching structure, resembling a small, delicate tree with multiple polyps. The polyps themselves are large and have tentacles with distinctive, hammer-shaped tips.
Coloration:
The coral's base color is often a pale greenish-grey, but it can also exhibit pink or even bicolor variations with purple tips and green stems. The tentacle tips are generally lighter than the main body of the polyp.
Habitat:
These corals are found in shallow reef environments, particularly in areas protected from strong wave action.
Care:
Euphyllia paradivisa is a popular species in the marine aquarium hobby, but it requires stable water parameters and moderate water flow. They are generally considered moderate to easy to keep, especially when provided with adequate light and a stable environment.
Fluorescence:
Many Euphyllia paradivisa corals on rockcorals.de exhibit fluorescence, particularly when illuminated with blue-dominated light.
Price per one Head
Euphyllia divisa, commonly called Frogspawn Coral, is a large-polyped stony coral known for its distinctive appearance with tentacles resembling a hammer or torch. It's native to the Indo-Pacific region and is a popular choice for marine aquariums due to its vibrant colors and unique beauty. Frogspawn corals are known for being easy to keep and can thrive under moderate to high light levels.
Key Characteristics:
Appearance: Large polyps with tentacles resembling a hammer or torch.
Color: Exhibits a range of colors including brown, green, pink, and yellow.
Habitat: Found in shallow, turbid environments and often attached to vertical surfaces.
Feeding: Feeds on light, solid foods like Mysis shrimp, and frozen foods like brine shrimp.
Care: Requires moderate to high light, medium water flow, and supplemental feeding.
Aggression: Can be aggressive towards neighboring corals, so adequate spacing is needed in the aquarium.
Conservation Status: Listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN.
Acropora corals are hard corals characterized by their branched or tabular morphology, fast growth rate, and high morphological plasticity. They are a vital functional group in coral reefs, creating complex habitats and covering hectares of reef surface.
Here's a more detailed look:
Key Characteristics:
Growth Pattern:
Acropora corals grow in colonies, with branches formed by axial and radial polyps.
Habitat:
They are typically found in shallow, clear, unpolluted water with ample light, temperature above 20°C, and constant salinity.
Morphology:
Their colonies can take on various forms, including arborescent (tree-like), table-like, corymbose (cushion-like), digitate (finger-like), hispidose, and encrusting.
Importance:
Acropora corals are crucial for building the structure of coral reefs and providing habitats for a variety of marine life.
Factors Affecting Acropora:
Water Quality: Clear, unpolluted water is essential for growth and survival.
Lighting: They require ample light for their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) to photosynthesize.
Temperature: Optimal temperatures above 20°C are needed.
Salinity: Constant salinity levels are important.
Price per one polyp
Euphyllia glabrescens, commonly known as Torch Coral, is a large-polyp stony coral characterized by its long, tubular polyps with knob-like tips and a range of colors, often bicolored with contrasting tentacle tips. These corals are colonial, with corallites (individual coral units) spaced apart and having thin, sharp-edged walls.
Key features of Euphyllia glabrescens:
Appearance:
Long, tubular polyps resembling a torch, with a variety of colors including brown, green, pink, and fluorescent shades.
Colony Structure:
Phaceloid (corallites arranged in a branching pattern), with corallites 20-30 mm in diameter and spaced 15-30 mm apart.
Tentacles:
Large, tubular tentacles with knob-like tips.
Color:
Can be found in various colors, often with contrasting colors on the tentacles and polyp tips.
Care:
Suitable for intermediate-level reef keepers, requiring stable water parameters, moderate to high lighting, and moderate water flow.
Feeding:
While they can photosynthesize, they benefit from supplemental feeding with small meaty foods like zooplankton or coral-specific foods.
Aggression:
Can have sweeper tentacles that may harm neighboring corals, so they should be placed away from other corals.
Compatibility:
Clownfish often use torch corals as their home
