Advanced Aquarist
Sea urchins see with their feet
Sea urchins lack eyes, but can see with their tentacle-like tube feet instead, previous research has indicated. Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have tested their vision in a new study, and shown that while sea urchins have fairly low resolution vision -- it is good enough to fulfil their basic needs.
Time lapse of Acropora growth
Even fast-growing corals such as SPS only lay down millimeters of growth per day. The only way to see their growth "in action" is many weeks of photography stitched together in a time-lapse. Peter Kragh has done exactly this and shares his results.
A new invention safely brings deep-water fishes to surface
Fishes collected from deep waters require time-consuming decompression to bring them to the surface healthy and alive. Now a new invention called SubCAS - designed and first built by Matt Wandell! - allows divers to to safely and efficiently surface fishes within a pressurized chamber.
An Amazon Aquarium at Amazon.com
With the support of the world's largest ecommerce website, aquarium systems designer Tenji Aquarium has built some of the world's most remarkable aquatic exhibits we've laid eyes on.
The BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Project
The BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Project aims to create the first multilingual interactive mobile app to help aquarists recreate habitats as close to nature as possible.
The ultimate vacation destination for reef lovers?
How would you like to vacation in the Maldives ... living UNDERWATER with the corals and reef fishes? This dream vacation can be yours for the reasonable cost of only $50,000. PER NIGHT.
The blue-throated fairy wrasse: a new species
At a cursory glance, we tend to lump similar-looking reef fish into a monolithic species and chalk up differences as variants. But upon closer examination, we are finding sufficient distinction to satisfy the description of a new species. Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis is a case in point.
Schooling fish expend less energy due to flow dynamics
We all know fish school for defense against predators. Schooling also enhances foraging success and increases success in finding a mate. Now new advanced hydrodynamic modeling proves that schooling also increases swimming efficiency.
Hypnotizing coral time-lapse
Technology is awesome! It is allowing us to view corals in ways we could not have imagined just a couple of decades ago. After over 50 hours of shooting and editing, Elite Reef Denver composed this mesmerizing time-lapse of some of the most popular corals.
New fun fact: Corals can produce omega-3 fatty acids
The generally held principle is that animals get their omega-3 fatty acids from plants and microbes (algae and bacteria), but new research has found that some marine animals such as corals, worms, and molluscs can also produce omega-3!
A new, slender Aussie rainbow fish species
Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus is a new species of rainbowfish described from an apparently-isolated population in the Daintree rainforest in northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Microbe populations in saltwater aquariums highly dynamic
In closed systems without water changes, scientists hypothesized that microbial composition would stabilize and become relatively homogeneous and static. However, a new, first-of-its-kind 14-month study of Gerogia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit tells a different story.
Hermit crabs that blanket themselves with anemones instead of shells
Just about every hermit crab species seeks mobile shelter within empty shells. Not blanket-hermit crabs. These oddball crustaceans have developed a special relationship with anemones where anemeones directly wrap around their bodies like ... well, blankets. Five new species - discovered in 1888! - have just been described.
Forecasting the fate of corals
Many of us concerned about climate change's effect on corals have wondered how long corals might survive rising ocean temperatures. Researchers studying Acropora millepora believe this SPS can adapt to 100 to 250 years of rising sea temperatures due to how common they are. Common = genetic diversity = adaption. Rarer corals are not likely to adapt as well.
Massive 9-foot Amazon driftwood hardscape
Readers know Advanced Aquarist loves reporting science. Sadly, we have seen a precipitous decline in the number of aquatic-related studies published over the past couple of years. Fortunately, aquarists are still creating amazing aquariums that inspire.
