Blane Perun 
Aquarium lighting this multi-tier reef system was perhaps the most time consuming, but also the most fun and rewarding from the standpoint of knowledge. Overall, aquarium lighting is a very controversial issue, with a multitude of products the consumer seeking aquarium lighting often finds himself or herself confused. I had some experience with aquarium lighting,
Two main factors should be considered when setting up reef aquarium water: the salinity and water movement. The first step is getting the chemical balance correct to mimic natural salt water, known as NSW among reef aquarium owners. If you are converting freshwater to saltwater using a sea salt mix, look on the label to make
When setting up your reef tank, there are number of basic requirements and other additional reef aquarium supplies to consider when putting together your tank. First, consider the required equipment and essential components. Naturally, the first thing you need is an aquarium or tank in the size and style you desire. Reef aquariums usually come
I knew right from the start, the marine reef aquariums would have to be custom made along with the stands. For the cost, I figured I can go with all glass, and began looking for a local aquarium builder. As far as the stands, I just went with a simple wood structure, covered with flat
Understanding the chemical make-up of sea salt choices for salt water reef tank aquariums is complex. The bottom line is that you want to choose a salt that is as close to natural sea water (NSW) as possible. In addition, sea salts come in a number of measurements that can be tough to understand. An
Proper lighting is very important for the health and growth of corals in a reef aquarium. Technology in reef aquarium lighting has advanced a great deal and it is not difficult to find the right system for your reef aquarium environment. The reason lighting is so important in reef aquariums is because of photosynthesis. Coral
Through the years of operating the reef aquarium, I gained some insight on a variety of subjects. Live sand for one; I had acquired most of my sand prior to the availability of Southdown Play Sand. I spent a significant amount on the substrate which is Aragonite from Carib Sea. Looking back I would have
Many species of fish can be used in a reef aquarium tank. The most common fish found in an aquarium tank are centropyge (angelfish), amphiprion (clownfish), dragonnettes, mandarinfish, gobies, tangs or surgenonfish, among others. The common rule of thumb when integrating fish into a reef aquarium is to understand that reef tank creatures are survivors
In the early 90’s, I recently moved from an apartment to a house. After three years of my reef aquarium being more of a hobby, I wanted to create something breathtaking. My past two years had been dedicated to a 40 long reef aquarium, with about 35 fish and 40 pieces of coral ranging from
Aquascaping is creating interesting aquarium structures with live rock, the next most impressive attribute of the tank is positioning of the specimens, which is second to their requirements of lighting and current. Before I place any live coral in the reef aquarium permanently with marine epoxy, I first experimented with the live coral attempting to
Unlike our typical display reef aquariums, the living reefs are made up of specific zones and have many creatures indigenous to them & sometimes spend their lives there The concept of zonation is fairly well accepted within the research community. Most corals (but not all) are more abundant and more successful inspecific areas of the
Aside from lighting demand for the reef aquarium, the basic setup was not all that complicated. My original design for the reef aquarium equipment was a bit underpowered and I found myself having to add additional aquarium pumps and wave making devices. Every one of the all glass aquarium tanks were drilled andhad a small
Acanthastrea are some of the most mis-identified corals in the reef. These corals have been misidentified by hobbyists and merchants alike for many years. Acanthastrea is a relatively large genus in the family Mussidae, and contains roughly 12-15 species. Acanthastrea are not easy to distinguish from species in several other genera, and even families, of
The red blastomussa is not much different than the green with the exception of lighting. Maintaining intense red coloration would require a bit more light as the blue end of the spectrum, not enough and the coral will look more brown. Red is very common color for the blasto, but it is more of a
The green blasto is no different then the red, just less common. Both are rare hard coral found in the Indonesian and Pacific Oceans. They are far more common in low laying reefs in Bali, Tonga and Jakarta. Green blastomussa are sometimes mislabeled as a Green Pipe Coral- the two are used interchangeably in some
The blastomussa wellsi is one of two species of blastomussa found in the deep waters of Indo-West Pacific oceans, usually around fringing reefs or submerged patch reefs. A common acronym to see used in describing the blastomussa wellsi is LPS, which stands for Large Polyped Stony Coral. While they are common within their natural environments,
Blastomussa corals consist of two different species- the smaller polyped blastomussa wellsi, and the larger, fleshier polyped blastomussa merletti.Both are terrific LPS corals for beginners and make an excellent addition to any aquarium. It is not uncommon to hear the blastomussa merletti referred to as Pineapple Coral, Branched Cup Coral, or Blasto. In its natural
The blastomussa is extremely sensitive to light; care requires understanding even slight variations to the regular levels of light are enough to agitate the coral significantly. When light is too strong, the heat can cause the polyps tissue to recede, when water flow is too strong the colony can not expand. It is unavoidable that
The blastomussa is a hard coral species of the Micromussa genus that populates the waters of the Indo-Pacific region, and is also known as a Blasto Coral, Pineapple Coral or Branched Cup Coral. Most can be found on deeper reef slopes where the position provides an excellent shield from rough wave conditions and other environmental
I obtained this colony by chance in or around 2001. In addition I have a matching zoanthids colony, as to where I believe this to be Palythoa or Protopalythoa. After about 1 year the specimen began coloring up and I sold off about 15 Palythoa fragments for $25-$35 dollars each. The colony at that time
Discovering the World of Zoanthids: A Journey into Marine Splendor Zoanthids, a fascinating and diverse group of colonial marine invertebrates, captivate enthusiasts and scientists alike. These organisms, belonging to the order Zoantharia, are known for their vibrant colors and unique patterns, making them a popular choice for reef aquariums. In this article, we’ll delve into
#10 Andros Island Andros, the greatest island of the Bahamas, is residence to the third biggest barrier reef on earth. At only over 230 kilometers (140 miles) long, the isle reef supplies numerous chances to find undersea life in its most fantastic. The shoreline side of the reef is peaceful, serene, and semi-deep (about 2.5
The Raja Ampat coral reefs are one of the places on Earth hosting the highest biodiversity. Consider that only the hard coral species here are ten times more numerous than those in the whole Caribbean region. Raja Ampat (Four Kings) are an archipelago with more than 1,500 islets, surrounding five main islands (Misool, Salawati, Batanta,
The Mahé coral reefs are, definitely, one of the most important attractions of the Seychelles. 27 km long and 8 km wide, the granitic island of Mahé is the largest and most populous in the entire archipelago. Well-known for its beautiful beaches and lagoons, the island is also surrounded by various reefs, growing on the
Little Cayman coral reefs are one of the most popular scuba diving locations in the Carribean. Part of the Cayman archipelago, Little Cayman is the smallest of the three islands, 16 km long and 2 km wide, with an elevation below 12 m, and has a permanent population that does not exceed 170 people. With
Taveuni coral reefs are located around the island of Taveuni, the third largest in Fiji, part of Cakaudrove Province. Most of its underwater attractions lie to the east (in the 6.5 km-wide Somosomo Strait, separating Taveuni from Vanua Levu), to the north and in the Vuna Lagoon in the south. The famous Rainbow and Vuna
Boracay is a small and beautiful island in the Philippines, located near Panay Island, a lovely beach destination and surrounded by the already famous Boracay coral reefs. Unfortunately, according to scientists, the coral reefs in Boracay are in an alarming condition and need urgent rehabilitation and protection. For the moment, these coral colonies need to
Situated just off the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is a well-known destinations for scuba-diving and snorkel diving. The submerged world around Cozumel was found by Jacques Cousteau in 1959 who called it-one of the finest diving places on earth. Since that time Cozumel has changed into a Nationwide Marine Park to defend the fragile balance of
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the largest coral colony in the Caribbean, lying just offshore, a favorite place for snorkelers and divers, the right spot to watch colorful corals and rich marine life. The crystal clear waters of the beautiful bays in Roatán area are home to amazing coral reefs. Aquatic life here is extremely
Koh Tao, actually Turtle Island, is a tiny island situated close to the eastern shoreline of the gulf of siam. Around 7000 new divers get qualified on Koh Tao each year making it-one of the most well-known spots on earth to learn how to dive plus a popular draws in Siam. Dive round the isle
The Dutch Caribbean Island is located east of Aruba, at eighty-six miles, and offers tourists all over the world the unique occasion of admiring the pristine Bonaire coral reefs and perhaps one of the most impressive fish populations that you could find in the Caribbean. Coral populations in Bonaire are well developed on a submarine
The anemone crab, also known as porcelain crab, is among the most fragile, yet most resilient little creatures that live in and around coral reefs. They derive their name from their symbiotic existence with sea anemone, a polyp that lives attached to the sea bed or hard surfaces in the shallow waters of coral reefs.
The Acropora is one of the six families of corals that dominate today’s reefs, both in terms of diversity – being in fact the most diverse family of corals in the ocean – and in terms of numbers. This species has been around for over 60 million years, but in the past decades their numbers
Birds Nest Coral, also known as Seriatopora Birds Nest, Needle, Finger or Brush Coral, is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral found in Tonga, Indonesia, the western Pacific region, the Central Pacific region, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. These are very delicate but beautiful corals, and birds nest coral care by experienced aquarists
Pink birdsnest coral, also commonly known as Brush coral or even by its taxonomic classification Seriatopora Hysterix, is a common sight among the coral reef ecosystem. These corals get their pink hue from a combination of water nutrients, available light, and adaptability to the environment. Unhealthy corals that are bombarded by the growth of excess
Birdsnest coral is the common name for Seriatopora Hysterix, but few people know that the closely related green birdsnest coral is, in fact, a separate species, Seriatopora Caliendrum. This type of birdsnest coral is easily distinguishable from Hysterix by its coloration, which spans the spectrum between a creamy beige and bright, neon green. There are
The birdsnest coral, also known by the taxonomic classification Seriatopora Hysterix part of a group that is broadly categorized as small polyp stony corals. An individual coral is actually comprised of hundreds of thousands of individual, genetically identical polyps that work together to keep the coral colony thriving in the shallow waters it calls home.
Seriatopora corals, also commonly known as thin birdsnest corals, are a colorful type of coral widely distributed from the African edge of the Indian Ocean all the way to the central Pacific zone. The seriotopora family of corals is a very common sight among these reefs and forms a major element of the coral population
Anyone who has ever visited a coral reef has inevitably been struck by the diversity, beauty, and richness surrounding it. Coral reefs are known to cover only one percent of the whole ocean floor, but they are credited to support about 25 percent of the aquatic flora and fauna, which means about 4,000 species of
I knew what I wanted to do was a bit beyond my capacity, so I found a local guy who worked with Acrylic and had some shelves built to spec and holes drilled so many inches apart. Below you can see one set of shelves, two in all. They are cut in a fashion to
Building shelving for this and my last coral farm was what I felt to be an evolutionary step with regards to care and productivity. Previous to having employed any organizational methods, I merely grew on rose bud vases, also called floral picks. I just wedged a fragmented coral in the opening and plopped the pick
Both of these lighting fixtures went in December of 2002 and were removed by February 2003. To my amazement I was still not able to achieve the striking color I once had with Zoanthus in my previous system under 175w Metal Halides. The strip light would have, however the distance required to keep a fluorescent
One of the most controversial issues that have plagued me and many others in this hobby is lighting. My intention from the beginning, was to create a farm run on natural light. From what I had read this could be done in North America, but first having seen other operations first hand, they too were
The next endeavor that I am still working on is the Wave2k from the company Wave2k. This device is also shown in the section graphic above. I am excited about the Wave2k’s potential to keep particles in suspension, specifically food particles, Zooplankton and Phytoplankton. I am setting up a Mono Specific tank consisting of Gorgonian
One of the largest problems with my old grow system that I plan to overcome this time around is water movement. In the past I had employed the use of powerheads mainly because they are readily available and inexpensive. I was never satisfied with the results from powerheads. Actually, I don’t think that many people
First you do not want contaminants in the water of your reef system. Secondly if you are setting up a new tank, there is no reason you should end up with a milky white mixture in the first place. Since I had the time, I wanted to demonstrate the right and wrong way to fill
My next step for all of the systems was to create some type of substrate. Well if you read the previous section on installing the grow tanks you will see I mentioned using deep sand beds. On my first farm set up, which was a series of grow out systems off a main tank I
Right away you can see the amount of surface area has improved a bit, in addition you will notice these tanks are simply tapered in and not actually stepped, which increases the gallons for the same tank, by floor space. Another attribute I like was these tanks had a lower profile than the Rubbermaid’s did,
After Tile, Epoxy Paint, and Poly Board were complete, the fun could finally begin. Now was the time to prepare installing the systems, little did I know the work that would be involved. After spending months measuring the room from every angle I was certain I could install 6 independent systems with sumps and this
This concrete cutting wheel and blade were a fairly expensive rental and certainly is not a precision finishing tool, but a necessary step to cut the remaining portion of the window frame to make way for the door. The below photos highlight the vault ceiling and the shelf reserved for ballast and recessed lighting. In
The next concern was which material to use for covering the walls. As I stated previously I had a small system in an enclosed room, for about 6 years. I controlled the humidity by closing sliding glass doors, I learned that even green board eventually broke down in this environment and I needed something a
After the finishing work was complete on the interior it was time to move onto the next phase which was preparing the room for the special environmental attributes it would be facing for years to come. All of my decisions on products were based on both cost effectiveness and reflectivity. My first step was to
On the bottom left photo you can see at first the addition fell short of the end of the house. I changed the design on the fly and tapered the end to stay in accordance with the variance in the backyard. The minor change gave me an extra 30 square feet. After the footer and
This was the first construction project I had undergone as an addition to a previous structure. I have had more than my share of remodeling, but had no idea of what I was in for as far as the township was concerned. After completing my drawings I had a survey done of the property and
The Fascinating World of Saron Shrimp: An In-Depth Guide Saron Shrimp, also known scientifically as Saron marmoratus, are captivating marine creatures that have become popular in the aquarium hobby. These shrimp, with their striking patterns and interesting behaviors, add a unique touch to any marine setup. In this article, we will explore the various aspects
The Fascinating World of the Peppermint Shrimp Peppermint shrimp, scientifically known as Lysmata wurdemanni, are captivating creatures that have become a popular choice among marine aquarium enthusiasts. Known for their striking red and white coloration and their beneficial role in maintaining reef tank health, these shrimp are more than just a pretty addition to an
The Astonishing World of the Mantis Shrimp The mantis shrimp, scientifically known as Stomatopoda, is a marine crustacean that captures the fascination of both scientists and marine enthusiasts. Known for its vibrant colors and powerful claws, the mantis shrimp is a creature of many wonders. This article delves into the intriguing life of the mantis
Microprosthema Semilaeve, also known as the Lima shrimp or the lima boxer shrimp, is a very tiny decapod crustacean with large frontal claws and a bright red carapace hue. The Lima shrimp is not as well known or popular as its cousins the harlequin shrimp or sexy shrimp, but is very well adapted to its
The rather small harlequin shrimp is named after its highly exotic and unusual coloring. It rarely exceeds two inches in length, making it one of the smaller carnivorous shrimp of the sea. The number of ways in which this particular shrimp is unusual does not end with the bright, fauvist coloring, though. Its diet and
Lysmata Debelius, otherwise known by such names as the fire shrimp, blood shrimp or scarlet cleaner shrimp, is a small shrimp (not often growing beyond 3 cm in length) that populates the tropical indo-pacific zone spreading from India’s western waters to the eastern edge of the Philippines. It is often found at depths between 10-28
Cleaner shrimp is a broad category of crustaceans that refers to any decapod that lives off a symbiotic relationship cleaning other fish of parasites and necrotic material. There are hundreds of individual species that are widely grouped into three taxonomic families: Palaemonidae, Hippolytidae, and Stenopodidae. Each of these families is biologically unique but they fulfill
The camel shrimp, also known as the camelback shrimp or dancing shrimp, is a small saltwater shrimp known for its friendly demeanor towards other creatures and its unique coloring. The shrimp is a detritus-eating bottom feeder that is most active at night. It carries the taxonomic classification of Rhynchocinetes Uritai, which places it outside the
The banded coral shrimp, first described in 1811 and given the binomial name of Stenopus Hispidus, is not actually a shrimp at all, but a very similar looking decapod crustacean that lives in tropical reef zones. It is small (around 6cm in length on average) and easily identified by a distinctive red and white striped
An overwhelming majority of cleaner shrimp found in warm, tropical waters are part of a broad category known as anemone shrimp. These are shrimp that make their living through a symbiotic relationship with sea anemone. Anemones are unique underwater predators gifted with stinging tentacles that these particular shrimp have adapted immunity towards. In return for
The porcelain crab is one of the most widespread species of crustaceans around the world. Also known as anemone crabs due to their symbiotic existence with poisonous sea anemones, these tiny creatures live in almost continuous hiding, between mussels and under stones, but however shy they are, when they feel threatened, they use their claws
Hermit crabs form a class of more than 1100 different species. Though they are very social creatures, they derive their name from the fact that their bodies lack proper protection in the abdominal zone, making them very vulnerable and causing them to prefer hiding in well-protected places. Hermit crabs are decapods, which means that they
Hermit Crabs are biologically known as crustaceans belonging to Paguroidea family. Differing from the real crabs, these Hermit crabs possess vulnerable soft abdomens, and to protect their bodies, they use shells abandoned by other aquatic animals, like snails, and live in the shells of these organisms. Precisely for this reason they are called hermit crabs.
Crabs are water-dwelling crustaceans distinguished by 5 pairs of legs and categorized into two major groups: true crabs, also called brachyurans and false crabs called anomurans. The main difference between the two groups is to be found in the number of leg pairs used for walking: true crabs use four pairs of legs for this
Crabs are crustaceans which are also known as decapods. They have a very hard shell known as carapace. Crabs are found everywhere in the world, with its 6800 species spread length and breadth of the globe. They are the most sought after seafood. Crabs possess a good mating ritual and use their communication method to
Callinectes sapidus, also known as blue claw crabs, are among the most widespread and most graceful creatures that live among corals. Characterized by adaptability, these blue-colored predators can be found in freshwaters with 0 salinity and in highly saline waters alike, but their resistance and resilience are not the only features that make them so
Arrow crabs are among the strangest-looking animals from among all reef dwellers. Living in the relatively shallow waters of coral reefs, 10-30 feet in depth, arrow crabs are among the most widespread of all invertebrates, often found in the close proximity of anemonae. The crab has eight very thin, long legs – often as long
The coral reef located in the proximity of the US Virgin Islands is very different from the classic coral colonies, being a combination between these and the roots of a mangrove forest. A lot of coral varieties that are not specific to the so-called “mangrove reef” found here excellent conditions for living and multiplying. The
The British Virgin Islands Coral Reefs – An Amazing Multitude of Shapes and Colors The British Virgin Islands are considered a tropical paradise, a place where people come not only to relax, but also to admire the astonishing view the coral reef in the area, with its vivid colors and numerous populations of aquatic creatures
The coral colonies forming the reef near the islands of Turks and Caicos are known not only for the beauty of the landscape they form, but also for being the habitat of many species of sea life. The Amazing Coral Gardens The coral formations here extend close to the shore, a characteristic specific to the
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines islands are famous not only as an exotic vacation destination, but also for the coral reef situated on their leeward side. This is one of the places where an extremely rare coral variety, the black coral, can be found. The waters in the area are also the home of
The coral reef situated at a close distance of the St. Lucia Island is a place of a breathtaking beauty, where numerous species of aquatic creatures have excellent living conditions. A lot of young, soft coral colonies, modeled as stag horns and elk horns, populate the area. This is the best indicator that the reef
Part of the great Caribbean reef system, the coral colonies located in the proximity of the St. Kitts and Nevis peninsula shape the marine landscape here and host a wide range of fish and other sea life species. Astonishingly Beautiful Corals and Rich Vegetation One of the things this reef is famous for is the
The reefs along the Nicaragua islands of Big Corn and Little Corn never cease to give the marine biologists and divers who explore them new reasons to feel overwhelmed by the beauty of this submarine world and the great number of creatures populating it. Sea fans, the most commonly known variety of soft corals, can
The coral reefs surrounding the little volcanic island of Montserrat offer a unique view, with tens of coral varieties creating an amazingly beautiful landscape. The Marvelous Corals The boulders created by the eruption of one of the volcanoes situated here are covered with hardened corals of all shapes and sizes, pillar corals, star and brain
Part of the great Mesoamerican Reef, the coral colonies of Mexico are situated on the northern extremity of the Pacific Ocean, providing excellent living conditions for a wide range of marine life species and fascinating people with the amazing way they shape the undersea landscape. The most important reef colonies here are: Cerebros, Calbo Pumo,
The Martinique coral reef is famous among amateur divers and marine biologists alike, drawing them like a magnet every year. The Spectacular View of the Coral Gardens The coral varieties here come in many colors, from pale and bright red to yellow, orange and even white and green. Pillar corals can be often observed on
For the daring explorers of the underwater universe, who want to come face to face with this mysterious world and unveil its secrets, the coral reefs in Key West are a continuous source of pleasant surprises. Situated at a distance of about 7 miles from the mainland, the system is formed of more than 110
The sunny beaches and the easygoing atmosphere are not the only things that made Jamaica one of the most popular destinations for exotic vacations, as the coral reefs surrounding the island attract thousands of people who want to find out more about these spectacular formations as well. Bluff Point and Savanna Le Mar are just
Part of the Great Barrier Reef of the Caribbean, the coral colonies located near the islands of Roatan and Utila, under the administration of Honduras, offer a lot of study material to marine biologists, professionals and amateurs alike. Magnificent Coral Colonies What makes this reef remarkable is that it is one of the few places
The island of Guadalupe, situated at the western extremity of Mexico, is famous for being surrounded by one of the oldest coral reefs in the world. The Magical Garden of the Sea One of the characteristics of the reef here is that it is mainly formed of old, hardened corals that take spectacular shapes. Pillar
The coral formations near the island of Grenada are the perfect combination of luxuriant vegetation and an incredible variety of marine creatures. The Splendor of the Coral Colonies The pillar corals are one of the coral varieties that can be often seen here, along with the delicate formations of soft corals, having the shape of
The coral reef situated near the group of small islands known under the name of Dutch Antilles offers those who come here the great opportunity to come close to the wonders of the aquatic world. The Magnificence of Coral Colonies The fringing reef here reaches the shore. It is formed mainly of young, soft coral
With the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique as neighbors, Dominica is one of the places in the Caribbean Sea where the amazing beauty of the coral reefs remained unspoiled, the calcareous formations sheltering a truly impressive number of fish and other marine creatures. The Paradise of Whales and Dolphins The Champagne Reef is the perfect
One of the many things Cuba is known for is the splendid colony of corals located at about 50 miles distance from the mainland. The breathtaking beauty of the landscape left Columbus in such awe that he decided to name the place “Garden of the Queen”, as a homage to Queen Isabella of Spain. In
An absolutely spectacular reef surrounds the Cayman Islands, the common name for the Grand and the Little Cayman, providing the best living conditions for numerous varieties of invertebrates, fish and other sea creatures. The Splendid Corals and the Luxuriant Vegetation Both hard and soft coral colonies can be noticed here, the shapes varying from elk
An Excellent Opportunity to Find Out More about the Interesting Aquatic World Among all the reefs in the Atlantic, those of Bermuda have a special place, because they are positioned at the northern extremity of the ocean. The formations present a lot of particularities that makes them an interesting study object for those who are
The coral reefs in Belize, sheltering a great variety of marine life species, are protected by the authorities by being included in the natural sea reservations in the area. One of the reefs in this situation is Ambergris Cay, the natural border of two marine parks, Hol Chan and Bacalar Chico. In two of its
Located at the southern extremity of the Caribbean Sea, the island of Barbados is known for the great number of coral reefs surrounding it. These formations offer a lot of study material for the professional and amateur marine biologists, a wide variety of sea creatures living here. The most important of them are Dottins Reef,
The Caribbean Bahamas archipelago is the location of the greatest section of the Great Barrier Reef, a place of an almost unreal beauty, teeming with sea creatures and fish of all kinds. A Submarine Paradise Made of Corals While, in most of the cases, the reefs are only of fringed, barrier or atoll type, the
Getting Close to the Coral Reefs in Anguilla – An Amazing Experience Every year, an impressive number of people passionate about diving and marine life come to Anguilla in order to explore its marvelous coral reefs. If you belong to this category, the most fascinating places you can visit are Angel Reef, Shoal Bay Reef,
Coral reefs form a majestic world of biodiversity that we can spend all our lives exploring without fully understanding the intricacy of its dynamic, changing ecosystem and how it relates to marine life in general. The coral reef food web is an important part of what makes coral reefs “tick” consisting of the major food
Coral reefs are among the most special and most interesting habitats to explore, coral reef animals stunning with their diversity and colorfulness. Fish, sharks, shrimps, urchins, eels and many-many more live and strive among the corals, some reefs hosting as many as 3,500 different species. Coral reefs are popular places because they provide food and
Coral reefs are among the most complex, complicated and most varied ecosystems on Earth and we would like to dedicate our article to presenting a few of the most important and most interesting coral reef facts to shed light about how these systems thrive and survive. Coral reefs can be categorized into three major groups:
In conventional modern usage of the terms, buccaneers are often equated with pirates, although by historical convention the terms are quite separate. Buccaneers were pirates of a specific variety. Notably, they consisted of larger crews that were apt to attack small coastal towns in the Caribbean rather than intercontinental shipping. They also usually held some
Unfortunately sea turtle rescue is necessary because of human beings. Humans are responsible for the destruction of their habitat through polluting the oceans and destruction of their nesting beaches with development along the coastlines. These magnificent creatures have managed to survive over 100 million years and yet human actions have caused a dangerous decline in
Throughout history there have been reported sightings of various giant sea turtle. Many such reports have been obvious hoaxes, yet some seem plausible, if somewhat exaggerated. One such report of a sighting was noted in 1883 by Captain Augustus Hall. Hall wrote of encountering a turtle of 40 feet long and 30 feet wide, with
Sea turtles are among the most ancient animals on Earth — they have survived five mass extinctions and navigated the world’s oceans for over 110 million years. There are seven living species, all threatened or endangered, displaying remarkable behaviors that continue to surprise researchers. Here are the most important and surprising facts about sea turtles.
There are baby sea turtles found in all of the oceans of the world with the only exception being the Arctic ocean and any polar ocean waters. While they are found in all oceans, they are by far the most at risk of all of the sea turtles based on their size and lack of experience
Woodes Rogers was born in England, most likely in the year 1679. He was born into an affluent family of seafarers and merchants and became head of the family business in his mid-twenties, after the death of his father. He later became the captain of privateer ship on expedition against the Spanish and was appointed
The Scottish sailor William Kidd is a controversial figure that was either one of the most ruthless pirates of his generation, or an unjustly prosecuted privateer who became vilified by the populace. Having been contracted as a privateer and pirate hunter, his control of the crew lapsed and he became responsible for numerous acts of
Known as a hero to the English and El Draque (The Dragon) to the Spanish against whom he fought, 16th century Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake is one of the most illustrious characters in maritime history. He is known for being the second man to circumnavigate the entire world, as well one of the richest
There are only two known women to be convicted of piracy in the first decades of the 18th century, during what has since been called the golden age of piracy. Mary Read was one of these women and the only one known to have disguised herself as a man. This disguise did not last her
Henry Every was an incredibly famous pirate who was active for a very short period of time in the late 17th century. Contemporaries called him The King Of Pirates, in no small part for his place as the richest pirate in the world of his time, and the fact that he was one of the
Grace O’Malley was an Irish heiress who inherited and ran her father’s large trading company in the 16th century. She has become a folklore figure in her native Ireland, where she is sometimes called “The Sea Queen Of Connacht”. Under her leadership, the O’Malley shipping business became something of a feudal warlordship that challenged the
Edward Low was an infamous English pirate most active between the years of 1721 and 1724. He was born into poverty and spent most of his young life as a thief. After moving to Boston, Massachusetts, as a young man, he joined a pirate crew and began seizing ships and cargo in the waters between
Sao Feng, among the principal villains of the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End film, relies on fantasy and details about Cheung Po Tsai. Cheung was a notorious pirate, usually understood as a result of a legend about his concealed treasure in Cheung Po Tsai Cave-In Cheung Chau Island. Cheung Po Tsai (actually means
Calico Jack was an infamous pirate active towards the end of the golden age of piracy, whose two most important claims to fame are the adoption of the Jolly Roger pirate’s flag, (whose black background with a skull and crossed sabers motif has served to represent pirates even to the present day) and the adoption
If the number of vessels taken is any measure of a pirate’s success during the golden age of sail, Bartholomew Roberts tops the list. This Welshman, born in 1682, took more than 400 ships during his three years as a pirate off the coast of the Americas and West Africa. He is known to have
While the swashbuckling bravado that the word pirate brings to mind in contemporary usage rarely applies easily to women, there were several very influential female pirates during the golden age of sail. The 1702 Irish-born Anne Bonny was one of them. Many of the details of her life are lost to time, but she is
Privateers, also known as Corsairs, were a unique class of oceangoing vessel during the golden age of sail. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, there was a great demand, especially by smaller countries, to enlist the help of independent warships that did not require the larger investment of naval academy training and ship building that
Exploring the Enigmatic Squid Introduction The squid, a fascinating and enigmatic marine creature, has captivated the imagination of scientists and enthusiasts alike. With its unique anatomy, incredible adaptability, and diverse species, the squid offers a wealth of intriguing information. This article delves into various aspects of squid life, from their anatomy and behavior to their
Snails are a group of mollusks that belong to the class Gastropoda. While there are many types of gastropods that live in other types of habitats such as land or fresh water, there are many that inhabit the marine environment. While there are also marine gastropods without shells, they are often referred to as sea
Sea slugs aren’t actually a particular group of animals, as the name is often used for a variety of marine sea snails of different phylogeny. What they share in common is the fact that they appear not to have an outer shell, as some either shed it before maturing, while others have an internal shell.
The sea apple is a common name for colorful, round sea cucumbers in the genera Pseudocolochirus and Paracucumaria. They are predominantly found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, where they feed by filtering the water of plankton and other nutrient sources. Sea apples use their tentacles to attract and capture plankton, which they then glean off the
Scientists from the Stanford University as well as the University of California at Santa Cruz have recently discovered off the coast of Hawaii what might be the oldest coral reef on Earth. The colony is formed of a species of black coral and it is estimated that the oldest of these creatures are more than
Coral reefs create some of the most interesting marine habitats on earth, contributing to a rich biodiversity as well as a home to many species of plants and animals. But corals must reproduce in order to keep the colonies growing, so here are the main types of coral reef reproduction that you may not know
Coral reefs have survived for thousands of years through natural change and environmental catastrophes. Today, however, it seems that, with the dawn of human technological evolution and development, coral reef formations have had a lot to suffer. Although commonly affected by hurricanes and storms, as well as small scale climate change and temperature fluctuations, coral