Category Archives: Something’s Fishy Here

Aquarium-Keeping as Arts and Crafts

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Susan Spann

During my years as a reef aquarium keeper, I’ve learned a few interesting things about arts and crafts … as well as what happens when you forget that corals are animals (not plants…). I’m sharing those adventures today at The … Continue reading →

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Change is a Constant … in Life and on the Reef

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Susan Spann

Four decades of life has taught me many lessons. Among them: I don’t like change. Not a good position for a debut author, but there it is. Over the last eighteen months, I’ve learned to embrace change, and even to … Continue reading →

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Colonial Corals on the Move

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Susan Spann

Most corals live in colonies. In some species, the individual animals conjoin themselves in a single mass: While others live as collections of separate polyps joined at the bases. Palythoas (like the coral pictured above) and zoanthid species are among … Continue reading →

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The Reef in Review, April 2013

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Susan Spann

Last month I started a new feature: -  the Month in Review, Reef Edition. And so, with no further ado, let’s take a look at what happened in April, 2013: The best shot of the month goes to Cyg & … Continue reading →

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Dancers of the Reef

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Susan Spann

Seahorses mate in mid-water, during an elaborate mating “dance” that can last for several hours before the transfer of eggs takes place. The male and female swim together both to bond and also to coordinate their movements so the female … Continue reading →

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Life at a (Turbocharged) Snail’s Pace

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Susan Spann

Many people consider snails a pest, but in the reefkeeping world snails fill a vital role. I have many different species of snails in my aquarium, each of which has a different “job” with regard to cleaning up the reef. … Continue reading →

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The Original Ghillie Suit

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Susan Spann

In the wild, seahorses are masters of disguise. Their ability to change color – and even shift the patterns on their plated skins – enables them to lie in wait for prey. Since seahorses have no real defenses (and few … Continue reading →

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Facehuggers on the Reef

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Susan Spann

Last weekend I went to the fish store and came home with a pair of little porcelain crabs (Neopetrolisthes maculata). Sometimes called “squat lobsters” due to their elongated chelipeds (aka “the legs with the claws or pincers on them”), porcelain … Continue reading →

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Everyone Likes the Sun

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Susan Spann

When you keep hermits, you have to keep a few empty shells around for the crabs to examine and use. Some hermits change shells more often than others – some shift only when growth requires a move, while others swap … Continue reading →

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Little Fish, Big Fish ….

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Susan Spann

Every little fish…. Grows up to become a big fish …. And sometimes a younger fish has to help an older fish out for a little while. Such is the situation with me this week. Try not to be crabby … Continue reading →

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