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Live Food Culturing
Live Food Culturing Overview This is the canonical Reefapedia landing article for Live Food Culturing in the livestock taxonomy. Taxonomy Context Category path: livestock/algae/pods-and-phyto/live-food-culturing....
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Ulva (Sea Lettuce)
Ulva (Sea Lettuce) is a fast-growing macroalgae used primarily for nutrient export and food web support. It thrives with moderate–high light, moderate flow, and...
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Other Macroalgae
Other Macroalgae Overview This is the canonical Reefapedia landing article for Other Macroalgae in the livestock taxonomy. Taxonomy Context Category path: livestock/algae/macro-algae/other-macroalgae. Breadcrumb: Livestock...
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Dragon’s Tongue (Halymenia)
Dragon’s Tongue (Halymenia) is a display-friendly macroalgae that offers light nutrient export without aggressive growth. It does best in stable systems with moderate–high light,...
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Chaeto (Chaetomorpha)
Chaeto (Chaetomorpha) is a utility macroalgae used almost exclusively for nutrient export and pod habitat in refugiums. It needs strong, consistent light, good flow,...
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Caulerpa
Fast-growing macroalgae with grape-like fronds — popular in refugiums, but runners and fragments can escape and overrun display rockwork if not contained early.
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Coralline Algae
Purple-pink crust on rock and glass—nature’s seal of stability and a gorgeous backdrop.
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Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)
Bubble corals are unique LPS corals with inflated “bubble” polyps that thrive in stable tanks with low–moderate light and gentle indirect flow, plus extra...
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Acropora Red Bugs (Tegastes acroporanus)
Acropora red bugs are tiny parasitic copepods that reduce polyp extension and slow SPS growth, usually spreading through new Acropora frags.
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Montipora-Eating Nudibranch (Phestilla subodiosus)
Montipora-eating nudibranchs are camouflaged coral predators that chew Montis and lay eggs, causing “nibbled” edges and slow tissue loss.
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Waminoa Coral Flatworms (Waminoa spp.)
Waminoa are small flatworms that sit on coral tissue and can cause chronic irritation and shading, especially when populations build up.
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Acropora-Eating Flatworm (AEFW) (Amakusaplana acroporae)
AEFW are Acropora-specific coral predators that cause bite marks, poor polyp extension, and slow SPS decline, with eggs that make them hard to eliminate.
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Coral-Boring Spionid Worms (Spionidae spp.)
Spionid worms can live in coral skeleton and irritate tissue with paired feeding filaments, sometimes causing localized recession.
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Vermetid Snails (Vermetidae spp.)
Vermetid snails are tube-dwelling pests that spread on rock and frag plugs and irritate corals with sticky mucus webs.
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Vibriosis (Vibrio spp.)
Vibriosis is a bacterial disease that can cause rapid redness, ulcers, fin rot, and systemic decline in saltwater fish, and early isolation plus clean,...
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Black Ich (Paravortex spp.)
Black ich is a turbellarian parasite that shows up as pepper-like black dots on fish (often tangs) along with scratching and irritation, and it’s...
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Uronema (Uronema marinum)
Uronema is an opportunistic protozoan that can cause rapid tissue damage and red sores, especially in stressed fish like chromis, and it can spiral...
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Brooklynellosis (Brooklynella hostilis)
Brooklynella is a common clownfish-associated parasite that causes heavy mucus, rapid breathing, and fast decline. It’s often mistaken for shipping stress until the fish...
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Marine Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum)
Marine velvet is a fast-killing parasite that attacks gills and skin, often showing up as rapid breathing, hiding, and a faint “dusty” coating. Early...
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Ball Anemone
Ball anemones are hardy corallimorph hitchhikers that hide in shaded crevices and feed like tiny ambush predators. They can sting nearby corals and irritate...
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Gorilla Crabs
Gorilla/xanthid crabs are common hitchhikers that can become predators in reef tanks, often causing mystery snail and hermit losses. Because many are nocturnal and...
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Acropora Red Bugs (Tegastes acroporanus)
Acropora red bugs are tiny parasitic copepods that irritate Acropora, causing reduced polyp extension, dull color, and slowed growth. They spread easily via new...
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Mantis Shrimp (Stomatopoda)
Mantis shrimp are predatory hitchhikers that often reveal themselves through clicking sounds and disappearing snails or hermits. They’re fascinating animals, but not reef-safe in...
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Montipora-Eating Nudibranch (Phestilla subodiosus)
Montipora-eating nudibranchs are tiny coral predators that chew Montipora tissue, causing “nibbled” edges and scraped white bite patches. They hide on undersides and lay...
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Acropora-Eating Flatworm
AEFW are Acropora-specific flatworms that eat coral tissue, causing bite marks, poor polyp extension, and slow SPS decline. They spread mainly through unvetted Acropora...
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Red Planaria Flatworms
Red planaria are common nuisance flatworms that multiply quickly in low-flow, detritus-rich areas. Heavy infestations can shade and irritate corals, and large die-offs during...
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Vermetid Snails
Vermetid snails are tube-dwelling pests that spread on rock and frag plugs and feed with sticky mucus webs. Their webs can irritate corals and...
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Majano Anemone
Majano anemones are pest hitchhikers that can sting corals and spread quickly in reef tanks. Remove or control them early—once established, they’re difficult to...
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Aiptasia
Aiptasia are fast-spreading pest anemones that hitchhike into reef tanks and sting corals. Catch and control them early—once established, they’re difficult to eradicate.
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Aquarium Controllers
Aquarium controllers centralize monitoring and automation for reef systems, allowing reefkeepers to track parameters, control equipment, and respond to changes more consistently. Their real...
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Torch Coral
Torch corals are high-impact LPS corals with long flowing tentacles that thrive in stable tanks with moderate light, gentle indirect flow, and lots of...
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Elegance Coral
Elegance corals are large, fleshy LPS showpieces with long flowing tentacles that thrive in stable tanks with moderate light, gentle flow, and careful placement—plus...
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Mushroom Corals
Mushroom corals are hardy, low-light soft corals that thrive in gentle flow and stable tanks, but they can move, spread, and outcompete neighbors by...
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Duncan Coral
Duncan corals are hardy, beginner-friendly LPS corals with big flowing polyps and a strong feeding response, thriving in stable tanks with low–moderate light and...
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Candy Cane Coral
Candy cane corals are hardy, beginner-friendly LPS corals with puffy round heads that thrive in stable tanks with low–moderate light, gentle flow, and optional...
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Montipora Cap (Montipora capricornis)
Montipora capricornis is a beginner-friendly plating SPS coral that grows into dramatic shelves and scrolls under stable reef chemistry, moderate–high light, and strong turbulent...
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Red Planaria (Convolutriloba retrogemma)
Rust-Brown Flatworms / Red Planaria are common nuisance flatworms that multiply fast in low-flow areas and can irritate corals or foul the tank during...
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Predatory Oenone Worm (Oenone fulgida)
Oenone worms are hidden predators often blamed for unexplained snail losses and empty shells in reef tanks.
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Bobbit Worm (Eunice aphroditois)
Bobbit worms are rare but notorious ambush predators that hide deep in rock or sand and can cause mysterious fish and invert losses.
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Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)
Bearded fireworms are predatory, stinging polychaetes that can damage corals and eat inverts, and they’re not the “normal” bristleworm you ignore.
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Bristleworms (Eurythoe spp.)
Bristleworms are common reef hitchhikers that usually help clean detritus, but large individuals and certain species can become nuisance pests.
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Spirobid Worms (Spirorbidae spp.)
Spirorbid worms are tiny white spiral tube worms that commonly appear in reef tanks and are usually harmless hitchhikers.
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Lymphocystis (Lymphocystivirus)
Lymphocystis is a stress-linked viral condition that causes cauliflower-like nodules on fins or skin and often looks scary but is usually not deadly and...
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Marine Leeches (Piscicolidae; e.g., Trachelobdella spp.)
Marine leeches are external parasites that attach to fish and cause wounds, stress, and sometimes heavy breathing when near gills, and a visible leech...
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Skin Flukes (Benedenia spp.)
Benedenia skin flukes cause chronic scratching, mucus buildup, and stressed, faded-looking fish, and they can persist in systems without proper quarantine and follow-through.
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Eye/Skin Flukes (Neobenedenia melleni)
Neobenedenia flukes are contagious skin and eye parasites that cause flashing, excess mucus, and cloudy eyes, and they’re often missed because they look like...
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Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
Marine ich is a contagious parasite that causes white “salt grain” spots, flashing, and breathing stress in saltwater fish. It can cycle in the...
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Sebae Anemone
Sebae anemones can be great host anemones in stable, mature reefs, but many are sold stressed or bleached. Give them moderate–high light, gentle flow,...
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Carpet Anemone (Gigantea)
Gigantea carpet anemones are stunning but advanced anemones that need a large, mature, oxygen-rich tank with strong broad flow and stable parameters. They’re powerful...
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Carpet Anemone (Haddoni)
Haddoni carpet anemones are stunning sandbed centerpieces that need a large, mature, stable tank with a deep substrate, strong lighting, and gentle flow. They’re...
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Maxi-Mini Carpet Anemone
Maxi-mini carpet anemones are hardy, colorful anemones that like a sandy nook, moderate–high light, gentle flow, and regular meaty feedings. They’re extremely sticky and...
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Rock Flower Anemone
Rock Flower Anemones are colorful, mostly stay-put anemones that do best in stable tanks with gentle flow, low–moderate light, and regular small meaty feedings....
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Condylactis Anemone
Condylactis (Condy) anemones are hardy, bold centerpiece anemones that need a stable, mature reef with moderate–high light and gentle flow. They wander and sting,...
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Bubble Tip Anemone
Bubble Tip Anemones are rewarding centerpiece anemones that thrive in mature, stable reef tanks with strong, consistent lighting and moderate indirect flow. They can...
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Hydroids
Hydroids are stinging colonial polyps that hitchhike into reef tanks and can spread across plugs, racks, and rockwork. They often irritate corals and cause...
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Myrionema Hydroids
Myrionema hydroids are stinging colonial polyps that often spread around zoa mats and frag plugs, causing localized zoanthid irritation and persistent closure. They thrive...
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Christmas-Tree Hydroid
Fire/Christmas-tree hydroids are stinging Pennaria colonies that look like tiny feathery “mini trees” on plugs, racks, and sump/overflow surfaces. They can irritate corals—and sting...
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Zoanthid-Eating Nudibranch
Zoanthid-eating nudibranchs are tiny, camouflaged predators that eat zoa polyps and can wipe colonies fast. They hide in mats and lay eggs, so outbreaks...
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Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton isn’t livestock—it’s food web support. Its main value is feeding pods and filter feeders and strengthening the base of the reef ecosystem. When...
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Amphipods
Amphipods are beneficial micro-crustaceans that support reef stability by recycling waste and serving as natural live food for fish. They thrive in tanks with...