From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of marine aquarium fish species commonly available in the aquarium trade. It is not a completely comprehensive list; certain rare specimens may sometimes be available commercially yet not be listed here. A brief section on each, with additional links is provided.
These big beauties are luridly coloured and very interesting to watch, but not for the faint hearted aquarist. They need large aquariums and should not be kept in groups. Two angels might be kept in the same aquarium provided it is a large aquarium, they are properly acclimated as juveniles, and they are have very different colouring and body shape. However, because all Angelfish have essentially the same diet, mixing them is a feat that should be left to only advanced keepers. None are reef safe, and a potential owner should be aware that they need to have plenty of vegetable matter in their diet. They undergo major changes in colouration while maturing, and unless specified given descriptions are for adult specimens.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Bellus Angelfish |
Genicanthus bellus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Light blue all over. Exhibits strong sexual dimorphism- females have wide black bands, males' bands are orange. Max size 18 cm (7"). |
Blue Angelfish |
Holacanthus bermudensis |
No |
Moderate |
Blue Angelfish has an overall aqua hue with a yellow shimmer and yellow edges on the fins and scales. The Blue Angelfish does not have the striking blue crown or other blue highlights of the Queen Angelfish. Max size 45 cm (18"). |
Cortez Angelfish |
Pomacanthus zonipectus |
No |
Moderate |
Darkly hued with yellow stripes. Max size 46 cm (18"). |
Emperor Angelfish |
Pomacanthus imperator |
No |
Moderate |
Juveniles are black with blue-white spiraling; Adults are blue with yellow stripes, accented with white and black and a blue mask. Max size 40 cm (16"). |
French Angelfish |
Pomacanthus paru |
No |
Difficult |
Juveniles are black with 3 yellow vertically running stripes, may also display blue on pelvic fins. Adults lard black with with white vertical stripes. Max size 41 cm (16"). |
Gray Angelfish |
Pomacanthus arcuatus |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Light grey with dark spots and bluish/grey mask over face. Closely related to French Angelfish. Max size 60 cm (26"). |
Half-Moon Angelfish |
Pomacanthus maculosus |
No |
Easy |
Blue with yellow splotch-like marking on side. Max size 50 cm (20"). |
Koran Angelfish |
Pomacanthus semicirculatus |
No |
Moderate |
Grey towards the face, becoming a navy blue towards the caudal fin with striking irridescent blue accents throughout. Max size 40 cm (15"). |
Majestic Angelfish |
Pomacanthus navarchus |
No |
Difficult |
Yellow sides and back, transitioning to blue towards the base of the caudal fin and face, with a bright blue streak across the chin. Max size 28 cm (11"). |
Passer (King) Angelfish |
Holacanthus passer |
No |
Moderate |
Very dark blue with yellow caudal fin and distinctive white stripe. Max size 36 cm (14"). |
Queen Angelfish |
Holacanthus ciliaris |
No |
Moderate |
Tan coloured with bright orange caudal fin and neon blue outlined fins. Max size 45 cm (17"). |
Royal Angelfish |
Pygoplites diacanthus |
No |
Expert |
Orange and blue striped with dark blue dorsal fin and lemon yellow caudal fin. Max size 25 cm (10"). |
Japanese Swallow Angelfish |
Genicanthus semifasciatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Black and tan striped back with yellow blaze beginning at the mouth and tapering off towards the centre of the side, with light blueish grey underside. Has distinctively shaped tail resembling that of a swallow. Max size 21 cm (8"). |
Although Dwarf Angelfish are smaller and generally more manageable than their larger counterparts, they still have some specific care requirements. They are omnivores, but plenty of vegetable matter, preferably in the form of macroalgae, should be provided for their grazing pleasure. Their suitability for reef tanks is hotly debated, so add at your own risk. The only possible exception to this is the Flame Angelfish, which is generally considered safe. However, for obvious reasons it should not be put into tanks with expensive decorative macroalgae.
Flame Angelfish, a popular aquarium species.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Coral beauty Angelfish |
Centropyge bispinosus |
With Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
Reddish body with blue back and orange fins. Max size 10 cm (4") |
Eibli Angelfish |
Centropyge eibli |
With Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
Tan coloured body with vertical brown stripes and large distinctive black splotch covering the back of the fish, including the caudal fin. Max size 15 cm (6") |
Flame Angelfish |
Centropyge loricula |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Vivid orange-red with vertical black stripes and blue patches toward the end of the dorsal and anal fins. Max size 15 cm (6"). |
Orange-back Angelfish |
Centropyge acanthops |
With Caution |
Moderate |
Dark blue with golden yellow blaze running from the face down the dorsal fin, with a colourless caudal fin. Max size 8 cm (3"). |
Half-black Angelfish |
Centropyge vroliki |
With Caution |
Difficult |
Anterior is gray to pearly white with orange accent around eye, posterior is deep black. Max size 12 cm (4") |
Herald's Angelfish |
Centropyge heraldi |
With Caution |
Moderate |
Completely lemon yellow, with a brown marking around the eye. Max size 10 cm (4") |
Lemonpeel Angelfish |
Centropyge flavissima |
With Caution |
Difficult |
Bright yellow with distinctive dark semicircle by operculum. Max size 14 cm (5") |
Barred Angelfish |
Centropyge multifasciata |
With Caution |
Difficult |
White fish with vertical black stripes. (Or is it a black fish with vertical white stripes?) Max size 12 cm (4"). |
Potter's Angelfish |
Centropyge potteri |
With Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
Similarly coloured to the Coral Beauty, but with a blue body and reddish fins. Max size 10 cm (4") |
Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish |
Centropyge argi |
With Caution |
Moderate |
Blue colored body with an orange yellow head. Max size 8 cm (3"). |
Rusty Angelfish |
Centropyge ferrugata |
With Caution |
Difficult |
Tan coloured body with dark spots and a reddish tint around the anal fin. Max size 10 cm (4"). |
Although Anthias resemble damsels in shape and size, the two should never be confused. Where damsels are the goats of the Saltwater world, Anthias (also called "Fairy Basslets") are finicky and many starve to death in captivity. In the wild, they eat zooplankton, and will not accept anything but in the aquarium. They also need to be fed nearly constantly, three times a day at least. The best way to ensure the health and longevity of an Anthias is to attach a refugium where you can grow copepods to "drip" into the display tank. Unlike many other saltwater aquarium inhabitants, they can be kept in groups.
Male Yellowstripe Anthias
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Bartlett's anthias |
Pseudanthias bartlettorum |
Yes |
Difficult |
Back and face light yellow, underside pink with a swallowtail-shaped caudal fin. Max size 9 cm (3"). |
Bicolor Anthias |
Pseudanthias bicolor |
Yes |
Difficult |
Similarly shaped and coloured to to Bartlett's Anthias, but with a slightly more rounded back. Max size 13 cm (5"). |
Cooper's Anthias |
Pseudanthias cooperi |
Yes |
Difficult |
Orange back and finnage with white patch below the mouth running down toward the anal fin with pink sides. Max size 14 cm (5"). |
Diadem Anthias |
Pseudanthias parvirostris |
Yes |
Difficult |
Pink fish with yellow streak on top of head running along the lateral line. Caudal fin is red with yellow tips. Max size 7 cm (2"). |
Orangehead Anthias |
Pseudanthias heemstrai |
Yes |
Difficult |
Pink underside with orange back and mask, dark red splotch on caudal fin, along with iridescent blue anal and pelvic fins. Max size 13 cm (5"). |
Redbar Anthias |
Pseudanthias rubrizonatus |
Yes |
Difficult |
Tannish-pink with a single vertical red stripe and a dorsal fin with the skin between the rays pulled back like on a lionfish. Max size 12 cm (4"). |
Lyretail Anthias |
Pseudanthias squamipinnis |
Yes |
Difficult |
Also known as Sea Goldie. Orange with lyre-shaped caudal fin. Max size 15 cm (6"). |
Squareback anthias |
Pseudanthias pleurotaenia |
Yes |
Difficult |
Red back and pink underside with distinctive blue square shaped marking and blue fins. Max size 20 cm (7"). |
Stocky Anthias |
Pseudanthias hypselosoma |
Yes |
Difficult |
Orange back with cream colored underside. As its name suggests, slightly stockier than other Anthias. Max size 19 cm (7"). |
Threadfin Anthias |
Pseudanthias huchtii |
Yes |
Difficult |
Olive green with black caudal fin and red stripe running from the eye to the pectoral fin. Max size 12 cm (4"). |
In this exceedingly large group of fish, few are considered proper aquarium inhabitants, for various reasons including diet and size. Be aware that Basses vary greatly from species to species, and do appropriate research before purchasing a specimen. Many unsuspecting hobbyists bring home cute little specimens of popular aquarium fish such as the Lyretail Grouper, only to realize several months later that they don't have the resources to care for a meter-long that may cost hundreds of dollars a month to feed.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Blue Dot Grouper |
Cephalopholis argus |
No |
Moderate |
Deep black to tan fish with blue spots throughout. Max size 50 cm (20"). |
Blue Line Grouper |
Cephalopholis formosa |
No |
Moderate |
Dark tan with horizontal blue stripes that aren't particularly straight. The caudal fin has more of these stripes, and they radiate from the base of the fin out to the tips. Max size 34 cm (13") |
Chalk Bass |
Serranus tortugarum |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Blue iridescent body with distinctive black topside that is interrupted by small vertical blue stripes. Max size 8 cm (3"). |
Golden Stripe Soapfish |
Grammistes sexlineatus |
No |
Moderate |
Chocolate brown with light yellow horizontal stripes. Similar in patterning to C. argus (with exception to the coloration). Max size 30 cm (11") |
Harlequin Bass |
Serranus tigrinus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Very striking black and white checkerboard pattern all over, with very long tapering nose. Max size 29 cm (11") |
Leaflip Grouper |
Pogonoperca punctata |
No |
Moderate |
Sports a large, hinged mouth and is tan with little spots. Has brown triangle shaped markings down the spine. Max size 35 cm (13"). |
Miniatus Grouper |
Cephalopholis miniatus |
No |
Moderate |
Orange to red with large blue spots throughout. Max size 45 cm (18"). |
Panther Grouper |
Cromileptes altivelis |
No |
Difficult |
Gorgeous pure white fish with black spots and a distinctive "hump" on the head, leading to a popular common name, "Humpback Grouper". Max size 75 cm (30"). |
Painted Comber |
Serranus scriba |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Large fish with classic Bass body, Silvery in colour with vertical tan stripes and a blue underside. Max size 36 cm (14"). |
Red Flag Grouper |
Cephalopholis urodeta |
No |
Moderate |
Very similar to C. miniatus, but the caudal fin is dark. Max size 28 cm (11"). |
Lyretail Grouper |
Variola louti |
No |
Moderate |
Silver back changing to red around the underside, darkening toward the caudal fin, which is lyre-shaped with neon green edging. Max size 80 cm (31"). |
Spotted Grouper |
Epinephelus summana |
No |
Moderate |
Dark black fish with many light green spots all over body, increasing in number toward the posterior. Max size 52 cm (20"). |
Basslets and Assessors are small, long bodied fish strongly resembling Anthias. Their care requirements, however, are closer to those of damsels. They should be kept individually, and generally not with other fish of similar shape and colour. Feeding is easy: they will generally eat any meaty foods offered. Good water quality should be maintained at all times.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Black Cap Gramma |
Gramma melacara |
Yes |
Moderate |
Purple with a black mask beginning at the mouth and ending at the base of the dorsal fin. Max size 6 cm (2"). |
Blue Assesor |
Assessor macneilli |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Entirely navy blue with white edging of the dorsal fin. Max size 7 cm (3"). |
Royal Gramma |
Gramma loreto |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Purple head and anterior, abruptly changing to yellow about halfway down the body. Has black marking through eye and another on the dorsal fin. Do not confuse with the Brazilian Gramma or the Bicolor Dottyback. Max size 5 cm (2"). |
Brazilian Gramma |
Gramma brasiliensis |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Very similar to the royal gramma, however the change from purple to yellow occurs farther down the body and the black markings are absent. Max size 6 cm (2"). |
Yellow Assessor |
Assessor flavissimus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Bright lemon yellow with peach fringing of the dorsal fin and around the eye. Max size 7 cm (3"). |
Batfish are gorgeous and striking fish that are not common in aquaria for one major reason: they get huge. A two or three hundred gallon tank is needed for one, minimum, and larger is better. They start out as tiny, manageable-looking cuties, which often fools aquarists into purchasing them for their small aquariums. However they quickly grow to gargantuan proportions, and require large amounts of food as well as space, so beware. They are not reef safe and should be fed plenty of large meaty foods. Batfish change greatly as they grow, however the potential aquarist is most likely to see them in their juvenile form, so that is the description of the colouration here. They all have generally the same body shape: disk-like with tall dorsal and anal fins, similar to a Freshwater Angelfish.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Orbiculate Batfish |
Platax orbicularis |
No |
Difficult |
Brown with generally random black markings resembling a rotting leaf. Max size 50 cm (20"). |
Dusky Batfish |
Platax pinnatus |
No |
Difficult |
Dark black body completely edged by distinctive yellow. 45 cm (17"). |
Teira Batfish |
Platax teira |
No |
Difficult |
Silver with black fins and a black stripe across the face. Max size 70 cm (27"). |
Blennies are popular aquarium fish, and for good reason. They are peaceful, colorful, and many are downright helpful. For example, the aptly named Lawnmower Blenny will keep your green algae well trimmed and presentable. With the exception of Fang Blennies, Blennies are totally reef safe- in fact a reef environment is really best for them because they can be shy and the intricate rockwork of a reef provides ample hiding spaces. They are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet of frozen or live foods and plant matter. Blennies don't have teeth or functional jaw, so food must be big enough for them to swallow whole.
Blennies are often confused with Gobies, but there is an easy way to tell the difference. Blennies have a single dorsal fin that runs down the length of their bodies- gobies only have one.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Spinyhead Blenny |
Acanthemblemaria spinosa |
Yes |
Moderate |
Brown checkered body with distinctive yellow frills on head. Max size 2 cm. |
Bicolor Blenny |
Ecsenius bicolor |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Characterized by the striking contrast of a blue head and upper torso followed by a yellow orange lower torso. Max size 11 cm. |
Blackline Fang Blenny |
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Yellow bodied with bright blue mask and dark black line running from the eye to the caudal fin. Max size 9 cm. |
Bundoon Blenny |
Meiacanthus bundoon |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Black with lighter patch over caudal fin. Very distinctive swallowtail caudal fin. Max size 8 cm. |
Canary Fang Blenny |
Meiacanthus oualanensis |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Similarly shaped to M. bundoon, but canary yellow. Max size 5 cm. |
Lawnmower Blenny |
Salarias fasciatus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Tan and brown striped and spotted with iridescence. Max size 14 cm. |
Midas Blenny |
Ecsenius midas |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Although often seen yellow, this fish has the ability to change its color to match the surroundings. It has a very distinctive swallowtail shaped caudal fin. Max size 13 cm. |
Red Lip Blenny |
Ophioblennius atlanticus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Black to grayish yellow with red patch over mouth. Max size 19 cm. |
Red Sea Mimic Blenny |
Ecsenius gravieri |
|
Moderate |
Sky blue anterior fading to yellow towards the tail, with a black stripe running the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Max size 8 cm. |
Sailfin Blenny |
Emblemaria pandionis |
Yes |
Moderate |
Very similar to S. fasciatus but slightly darker and with a much larger dorsal fin. Max size 5 cm. |
Tail Spot Blenny |
Ecsenius stigmatura |
Yes |
Moderate |
Drab tan all over with dark spot at the base of the caudal fin and a light yellow line through eye. Max size 6 cm. |
Two-Spot Blenny |
Ecsenius bimaculatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
The top half of this fish is black towards the front and fades to white closer to the tail. The bottom half is white with two distinctive black spots right under the pectoral fins. Max size 4.5 cm. |
Diamond Blenny |
Malacoctenus boehlkei |
Yes |
Moderate |
Gray with black splotches, and a yellow mask. Shaped more like hawkfish than a blenny. Max size 6.5 cm. |
Convict Blenny |
Pholidichthys leucotaenia |
Yes |
Moderate |
Black eel-shaped body with a distinctive white stripe running down the body. Adults are yellow and black striped. Max size 34 cm. |
Members of the family Tetraodontidae, Boxfish, Puffers and their cousins Cowfishes and Porcupinefishes have the distinction of being the "last" fish- the most recent to evolve. Some of their ancestors crawled up on land and eventually became frogs, lizards, and everything else, including Humans, that currently walk the terrestrial world. If that isn't fascinating enough for you, Boxfish and Puffers are very also personable and quirky pets, for the prepared.
They are not thought of as an ordinary aquarium tank mate, but are quickly gaining popularity. They do pose a hazard in the community tank however. They are capable of releasing a very powerful toxin which can kill other fish and in some cases, the boxfish itself. They generally only use it when threatened or dying, but can become disturbed easily with aggressive tank mates or overcrowded aquarium. Generally they are reef safe, though they will pick at invertebrates if not fed well enough.
Many people think puffed up Pufferfish, like in the picture, are cute, but an owner should never subject their pet to this as they are often unable to expel the air should they be out of the water. To prevent this, never remove a puffer from the water.
Puffed up D. holocanthus.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Helmet Cowfish |
Tetrasomus gibbosus |
Caution |
Expert |
Tan with dark speckles and brown spots at the base of the caudal fin. Max size 30 cm. |
Longhorn Cowfish |
Lactoria cornuta |
Caution |
Expert |
Grayish tan with very distinctive "horns" near the eyes and under the caudal fin. Max size 46 cm. |
Yellow Boxfish |
Ostracion cubicus |
Caution |
Expert |
Usually seen as a juvenile, bright yellow with little black spots. When it reaches maturity it is gray with yellow lines and pink lips. Max size 45 cm. |
Scribbled Boxfish |
Ostracion solorensis |
Caution |
Moderate |
Dark navy blue with iridescent "scribbling" and spots. Max size 12 cm. |
Dogface Pufferfish |
Arothron nigropunctatus |
Caution |
Moderate |
Tan with a brown mask over eyes and other over mouth. Also has yellow markings on the pectoral and dorsal fins. Max size 33 cm. |
Porcupine Pufferfish |
Diodon holocanthus |
No |
Moderate |
Tan with slightly darker spots throughout and very conspicuous spines that lay flat against the body. When puffed up, the spikes stand up and make the fish completely inedible. Max 50 cm. |
Spotfin Porcupinefish |
Diodon hystrix |
No |
Moderate |
White and covered in small black spots. Max size 91 cm. |
Sharpnose Pufferfish |
Canthigaster rostrata |
Caution |
Difficult |
Cream, with reddish purple topside and underside, and yellow on the caudal fin. Max size 12 cm. |
Valentine Pufferfish |
Canthigaster valentini |
Caution |
Moderate |
Tan with giraffe-like spots and dark brown markings that resemble saddles over the back. Has distinctive bright green eyes. Max size 11 cm. |
Butterflyfish, when properly cared for, can make beautiful and distinctive additions to fish only marine aquariums. Often large and usually not suited for those with smaller aquariums, nor those of the faint of heart. Nevertheless, when fed a varied diet and kept in pristine conditions, Butterflyfish will usually thrive. That is, if you choose the right species. With Butterflyfish, usually a fish is going to survive, or it's not. Many species simply cannot be kept in captivity, and potential keepers must take care to only purchase those species that have a fighting chance. Also, be very picky about which specimen you choose- any sign of mishandling should be taken as a red flag.
The following species are relatively hardy and an experienced aquarist should have no trouble with them, so long as they are diligent.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Copperbanded Butterflyfish |
Chelmon rostratus |
Caution |
Difficult |
Silver with black edged gold stripes, a long nose, and a black eyespot on the dorsal fin. Max size 20 cm. |
Bannerfish |
Heniochus diphreutes |
No |
Moderate |
Sometimes referred to as the "Poor Man's Moorish Idol" because of the resemblance. White and black striped with yellow caudal fin and a dorsal fin that forms a long, thin banner. Max size 21 cm. |
Longnose Butterflyfish |
Forcipiger flavissimus |
No |
Moderate |
From the pectoral fins forward, black above the eye and silver below, with an exceptionally mouth. Past the pectoral fins, bright yellow with an eyespot on the anal fin. Max size 22 cm. |
Raccoon Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon lunula |
No |
Moderate |
Very distinctive and complexly colored. Is mostly yellow with a darker saddle and a black and white mask. Max size 20 cm. |
Redback Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon paucifasciatus |
No |
Moderate |
White with black stripes that form chevrons on the side and a bright red patch on the posterior. Max size 14 cm. |
Merten's Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon mertensii |
No |
Moderate |
White with fuzzy black stripes and a yellow posterior. Also has a black line through the eye. Max size 12.5 cm. |
Teardrop Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon unimaculatus |
No |
Moderate |
Completely yellow with the exception of black stripes at the base of the caudal fin and through the eye, and an eyespot directly below the dorsal fin. Max size 20 cm. |
Latticed Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon rafflesii |
No |
Moderate |
Very similar to C. unimaculatus, but with scales that are brighter than the body, forming a lattice-like pattern, and lacking the eyespot. Max size 18 cm. |
Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon ulietensis |
No |
Moderate |
Silver with two dark saddles over the body (plus a dark mask) and yellow dorsal and caudal fins. Max size 15 cm. |
Sickle Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon falcula |
No |
Moderate |
Often confused with C. ulietensis, but easily distinguished. The saddles are wedge shaped rather than stripes and don't reach the underside. Overall more yellow coloring. Max size 20 cm. |
Threadfin Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon auriga |
No |
Moderate |
White anterior with thin black stripes at 45 and 120 degree angles from the head. Posterior is yellow, but with a black wedge shape where the stripes meet the yellow coloring. Max size 23 cm. |
Tinker's Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon tinkeri |
No |
Moderate |
White with small black spots, a yellow mask, and a black dorsal fin. Max size 15 cm. |
Masked Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon semilarvatus |
No |
Moderate |
Bright lemon yellow with subtle vertical orange stripes and a black splotch behind the eye. Max size 23 cm. |
One of the few groups of shoaling fish commonly available to marine aquarists, Cardinalfish are nocturnal and tend to be quite shy. They require meaty foods and will often not take prepared foods such as flakes and tablets. For the best chance of success, keep a wide variety of frozen foods on hand. In the event of a hunger strike, they will almost always take adult brine shrimp. As far as other care requirements they are similar to damsels: not picky. So long as they are properly acclimated, they tolerate a wide range of parameters. Watch the ammonia/nitrite, as they are particularly sensitive to these chemicals.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef |
Care Level |
Description |
Banggai Cardinal |
Pterapogon kauderni |
Yes |
Moderate |
Black and silver striped with very tall fins and many white spots. Max size 8 cm. |
Flamefish |
Apogon maculatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Bright red with black spots at the base of the caudal fin, under the second dorsal fin, and on the operculum. Max size 11 cm. |
Orange-Striped Cardinalfish |
Apogon cyanosoma |
Yes |
Moderate |
Light yellow with iridescent yellow horizontal stripes. Max size 8 cm. |
Pajama Cardinalfish |
Sphaeramia nematoptera |
Yes |
Moderate |
This fish displays three distinct color bands: the first, stretching from the nose to base of the first dorsal fin, is a tannish peach. The second, a thin band which runs down the center of the fish, is chocolate brown, and the posterior of the fish is white with brown spots. Max size 8.5 cm. |
Ringtailed Cardinalfish |
Apogon aureus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Yellow body with a black stripe (ring) at the base of the caudal fin and iridescent blue streaks across the eye. Max size 14.5 cm. |
Blackstripe Cardinalfish |
Apogon nigrofasciatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Body completely covered in horizontal yellow and black stripes, with red fins. Max size 10 cm. |
Ochre-Striped Cardinalfish |
Apogon compressus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Almost identical to A. nigrofasticus, but with blue eyes. Max size 12 cm. |
Chromis are perhaps the ultimate reef fish. Generally peaceful, most species are easy to take care of and quite colorful. Like anthias, they will school, but in many cases this tendency disappears as they age. They are, nevertheless, at least ambivalent with their own species, as well as completely reef safe. Like Damsels and Anemonefish, their close cousins, Chromis are omnivores and will accept most foods offered. A flake staple is usually sufficient, but for best color and health supplement with frozen and live foods when possible.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Black and Gold Chromis |
Neoglyphidodon nigroris |
Yes |
Difficult |
Mostly silver, but with a large patch of yellow around the caudal fin and a distinct black line on the operculum. Max size 13 cm. |
Half and Half Chromis |
Chromis iomelas |
Yes |
Moderate |
Completely black from the middle of the dorsal fin to the nose, completely white from the middle of the dorsal fin to the end of the caudal fin. Max size 8 cm. |
Black bar Chromis |
Chromis retrofasciata |
Yes |
Moderate |
Yellowish with bright blue iridescent pelvic fins and a distinct black bar at the base of the caudal fin. Max size 4 cm. |
Blue Chromis |
Chromis cyaneus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Bright blue all over, although lighter toward the front. Max size 15 cm. |
Green Chromis |
Chromis viridis |
Yes |
Easy |
Generally bluish green, but some specimens may be spring green. Max size 8 cm. |
Limbaughi Chromis |
Chromis limbaughi |
Yes |
Easy |
Dark navy blue with bright yellow spot that covers the dorsal fin and much of the posterior. Max size 10 cm. |
Spiny Chromis |
Acanthochromis polyacanthus |
Yes |
Easy |
Dark chocolate brown, slightly lighter around the pectoral fins. Max size 14 cm. |
Sunshine Chromis |
Chromis insolatus |
Yes |
Easy |
Rather drab tannish-orange throughout. Max size 16 cm. |
Damselfish |
Chromis chromis |
Yes |
Easy |
Completely black. Despite the name, this is actually a chromis, in fact, it is the chromis. Max size 25 cm. |
Clownfish, more technically known as Anemonefish, are the classic aquarium fish. Both hardy and attractive, they are perhaps best known for their symbiotic relationship with Sea Anemones, a relative of coral. In the wild, Anemonefish are always found with a host, leading many potential keepers to believe that an anemone is necessary to keep them. Anemonefish are easy to keep, but their cnidarian counterparts are inordinately finicky and need high light levels, and luckily Anemonefish will thrive without them. Aquarists often find that Anemonefish will host in other things, from corals and Feather Duster Worms to powerheads and other equipment. Anemonefish care is identical to that of Damselfish, as they are actually very closely related.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Max Size |
Cinnamon Anemonefish |
Amphiprion melanopus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Dark orange body becoming black towards the caudal fin, with a bright white stripe running from the front of the dorsal fin to the pectoral fins and golden colored fins. |
12 cm (4.72 in) |
Clarkii Anemonefish |
Amphiprion clarkii |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Black or dark brown with bright yellow finnage and two thick white stripes running perpendicular to the body. |
15 cm (5.9 in) |
False Percula |
Amphiprion ocellaris |
Yes |
Easy |
Bright orange or yellow body with white stripes. Fins are orange, rimmed with black. A. ocellaris from northern Australia are black. |
11 cm (4.3 in) |
Maroon Clownfish |
Premnas biaculeatus |
Caution |
Easy |
Maroon to bright red with three very thin white stripes. |
17 cm (6.7 in) |
Percula Clown |
Amphiprion percula |
Yes |
Easy |
Nearly identical to A. ocellaris, but the white stripes are edged with black. |
11 cm (4.3 in) |
Pink Skunk Anemonefish |
Amphiprion perideraion |
Yes |
Moderate |
Pink to orange body with one white stripe over the operculum and another running from the tip of the snout, along the back to the dorsal fin. All fins are white. |
10 cm (3.9 in) |
Tomato Clownfish |
Amphiprion frenatus |
Yes |
Easy |
Bright red with a single white stripe running from the front of the dorsal fin to the bottom of the head. |
14 cm (5.1 in) |
Saddleback Anemonefish |
Amphiprion polymnus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Similar to A. ocellaris and percula, but the second stripe does not extend the full with of the body and instead resembles a saddle. |
13 cm (5.1 in) |
Sebae Anemonefish |
Amphiprion sebae |
Yes |
Moderate |
Black or dark brown body from above the pectoral fin, yellow below. Has two white stripes, the second resembling that of A. polymnus. |
16 cm ( in) |
All Damselfish can be considered reef-safe, sometimes excluding larger, more aggressive Dascyllus varieties. Some Damselfish will host in anemones like clownfish. Most Damselfish are aggressive and difficult to catch once you put them in an aquarium.
Damselfish change gender as they grow larger and older. Small damselfish are ungendered. Eventually, they become males if no males prevent them from doing so. 1 or sometimes 2 males live with a female and guard over the eggs. Females are the largest fish and dominant over the males and juveniles. They will not allow other females into an area they have claimed as their territory without a fight. They may not allow new males or juveniles, either. Aggression increases with each change.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Azure Damsel |
Chrysiptera hemicyanea |
Yes |
Easy |
A beautiful fish with neon blue on its body and a gold underside and caudal fin. Easy to care for and does best on a good diet. |
Blue damsel |
Chrysiptera cyanea |
Yes |
Easy |
An orange tail indicates breeding success. The males have orange on their tails while the females do not. This fish is hardy and aggressive. |
Blue and gold damsel |
Pomacentrus coelestis |
Yes |
|
|
Blue velvet damsel |
Paraglyphidodon oxyodon |
Yes |
|
|
Bluefin damsel |
Neoglyphidodon melas |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Domino damsel |
Dascyllus trimaculatus |
Yes |
Easy |
also known as the three spot damsel, this fish is easy to care for, but is also very aggressive. The fish is black except for three distinct white spots that fade as the fish ages. |
Fiji blue devil damsel |
Chrysiptera taupou |
Yes |
Easy |
This striking blue damsel is one of the most popular beginner fish. Like other damsels, it is very hardy, and very aggressive when mature. |
Four stripe damsel |
Dascyllus melanurus |
Yes |
Easy |
The four stripe damsel is a perfect beginner marine fish as it is very hardy. This fish is highly territorial and is best suited for a semi-aggressive to aggressive tank. |
Garibaldi damsel |
Hypsypops rubicunda |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
These are temperate fish and require cooler water. They are much larger than most other damsels. |
Honey head damsel |
Dischistodus prosopotaenia |
Yes |
|
|
Jewel damsel |
Microspathodon chrysurus |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Lemon / yellow damsel |
Pomacentrus moluccensis |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Marginated damsel |
Dascyllus marginatus |
Yes |
Easy |
The marginated damsel is noted for blue fins as well as the yellow head and white body. This fish is hardy like most damsels and is also highly aggressive when mature. |
Neon damsel |
Pomacentrus alleni |
Yes |
|
|
Orangetail damsel |
Chrysipetra cyanea |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Pink smith damsel |
Pomacentrus smithi |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Sergeant major damsel |
Abudefduf saxatilis |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Springer's damsel |
Chrysiptera springeri |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Stark's damsel |
Chrysiptera starcki |
Yes |
Easy |
|
Talbots damsel |
Chrysiptera talboti |
Yes |
Moderate This damselfish is somewhat a little more delicate than other. It does best in small groups in large tanks with good water quality and an SG of 1.026. Feed on a good diet for best results. Fairly peaceful. |
Three stripe damsel |
Dascyllus aruanus |
Yes |
Easy |
Highly aggressive and territorial. Will harass fish many times its size. Best kept in an aggressive/semi-aggressive tank. |
Tuxedo damsel |
Chrysiptera tricincta |
Yes |
|
|
Two Stripe Damsel |
Dascyllus reticulatus |
Yes |
Easy |
the two stripe damsel is a very hardy fish. This fish is perfect for the beginner marine aquarist, as it can tolerate substandard water quality. This fish is highly aggressive, and requires many hiding places. |
Yellow damsel |
Amblyglyphidodon aureus |
Yes |
|
|
Yellowtail dascyllus |
Dascyllus flavicauda |
Yes |
|
|
Yellowtail damsel |
Chrysiptera parasema |
Yes |
Easy |
The yellowtail damsel possess an all blue body with a striking yellow tail. This damsel is a good beginner fish as it is very hardy and can tolerate substandard water quality. This damsel is also less aggressive that some other damsel species. |
Dragonets are often mis-categorized as gobies or blennies by fish sellers. They are bottom-dwelling fish that constantly hunt tiny invertebrates for food. Most starve to death in a marine aquarium unless you provide a refugium or place for the invertebrates to reproduce safely without any fish being able to reach them.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Mandarinfish |
Synchiropus splendidus |
Yes |
Difficult |
A brightly colored member of the dragonet family. Eats only copepods and will die in captivity without an adequate supply, which can only be had in very large, well established reef tanks |
Red scooter blenny |
Synchiropus stellatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Not a true blenny. Often only eats live copepods and amphipods. |
Scooter blenny |
Synchiropus ocellatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Not a true blenny. Often only eats live copepods and amphipods. |
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Golden moray eel |
Gymnothorax miliaris |
May eat fish and shrimp |
Easy to moderate |
|
Snowflake eel |
Echidna nebulosa |
May eat shrimp if underfed |
Easy |
A pebble-tooth moray that generally eats crustaceans and similar. |
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Fantail orange filefish |
Pervagor spilosoma |
No |
Easy |
|
Colored filefish |
Pervagor melanocephalus |
Caution |
Easy |
|
Tassle filefish |
Chaetoderma pencilligera |
Caution |
Easy |
|
Clown filefish |
Cantherhines dumerili |
Caution |
Easy |
|
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Diamond goby |
|
Yes |
Easy |
"sleeper gobies"; borrow and sift sand constantly; very good algea eaters; 6-8" |
Black clown goby |
Gobiodon acicularis |
Mostly |
Moderate |
Similar to Yellow clown goby, but black |
Citron clown goby |
Gobiodon citrinus |
Mostly |
Moderate |
Can grow to up tp 3 inches in length |
Engineer goby |
Pholidichthys leucotaenia |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
small burrowing goby |
Green banded goby |
Gobiosoma multifasciatum |
Yes |
Moderate |
small burrowing goby with green vertical stripes |
Red headed goby |
Gobiosoma puncticulatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
A small goby that can clean like the neon goby but is easily frightened. Often said to 'disappear' in a larger tank, as it never swims out into view. |
Neon goby |
Gobiosoma oceanops |
Yes |
Easy |
A Caribbean cleaner species that sometimes eats larger parasites from other fish. |
Yellow Watchman goby |
Cryptocentrus cinctus |
Yes |
Moderate |
A species of "watchman" or "shrimp" goby that can form a symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp |
Yashia goby |
Stonogobiops yasha |
Yes |
? |
A species of "watchman" or "shrimp" goby that will form a symbiotic relationship with the red and white banded pistol shrimp, Alpheus randalli. |
Yellow clown goby |
Gobiodon okinawae |
Yes |
Moderate |
small yellow fish that likes branching corals |
Attractive and relatively small, Hawkfish make excellent additions to fish only or FOWLR aquariums. With extreme caution taken, they could be kept in reef aquariums, but because of their propensity to eat small ornamental shrimps and other mobile invertabrates (usually leaving sessile invertabrates alone) they are not considered reef safe. Lacking a swim bladder, Hawkfish can often be found resting in crevices of rocks or among the branches of corals or gregonians. Hawkfish are easy to care for and not picky at all about water quality. A varied diet, including spirulina and small meaty foods like Mysis is recommended.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Max Size |
Arc eye hawkfish |
Paracirrhites arcatus |
No |
Moderate |
Brown to yellow body with reddish dorsal fin, distinctive white caudal fin, and small semi-circle marking behind eye. |
20 cm (7.9 in) |
Flame hawkfish |
Neocirrhites armatus |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Striking red body with black on fin tips and yellow lips. |
9 cm (3.5 in) |
Longnose hawkfish |
Oxycirrhites typus |
No |
Moderate |
White with red lattice-like markings resembling a grid. Nose is elongated and tissue between the spines of the dorsal fin is missing. |
13 cm (5.1 in) |
Spotted hawkfish |
Cirrhitichthys aprinus |
No |
Easy to Moderate |
Bright red with distinctive diamond shaped markings down back, becoming darker towards the topside of body. |
12.5 cm (5 in) |
Jawfish are burrowers and require a sandy substrate of sufficient depth.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Black cap jawfish |
Opistognathus lonchurus |
Caution |
Moderate |
Requires a 30 gallon tank and 3 inch substrate. Tank should remain tightly lidded. May eat small shrimp. |
Dusky jawfish |
Opistognathus whitehurstii |
Caution |
Moderate |
Requires a 30 gallon tank and 3 inch sand substrate. Tank should remain tightly lidded. |
Yellowhead jawfish |
Opistognathus aurifrons |
Caution |
Moderate |
Requires a 30 gallon tank and 5 to 7 inch soft substrate. Tank should remain tightly lidded. |
Lionfish have venomous spines and should be treated with caution.
A captive
P. radiata with an advanced case of
HLLE.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Max Size |
Colored Volitan Lionfish |
Pterois russelli |
Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
|
|
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish |
Dendrochirus brachypterus |
Caution |
Moderate |
|
|
Volitan Lionfish |
Pterois volitans |
Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
Semi-aggressive; carnivore; Can grow up to 38 cm in length in captivity |
|
Clearfin Lionfish |
Pterois radiata |
Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
Dark body with thin white stripes. Fins are long and there is little "webbing" between the spines. |
24 cm |
Luna Lionfish |
Pterois lunulata |
Caution |
Easy to Moderate |
White bodied with dark stripes and relatively webbed fins. |
35 cm |
(can be killed by stinging corals and anemones)
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Australian multicolor pseudochromis |
Ogilbyina novaehollandiae |
|
Moderate |
|
Blue flavivertex pseudochromis |
Pseudochromis flavivertex |
|
Moderate |
|
Neon pseudochromis, Arabian dottyback or neon dottyback |
Pseudochromis aldabraensis |
|
Moderate |
|
Bicolor pseudochromis |
Pseudochromis paccagnallae |
|
Easy to Moderate |
resembles royal gramma in coloration. The bicolor pseudochromis is semi-aggressive and will defend its territory against fish several times its size. This fish is fairly hardy, and is a good beginner fish. |
Purple stripe pseudochromis or diadema basslet |
Pseudochromis diadema |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Indigo dottyback |
Pseudochromis sankeyi |
|
Moderate |
|
Fridmani pseudochromis or Orchid dottyback |
Pseudochromis fridmani |
|
Easy to Moderate |
community fish does well in most aquariums. is not nearly as aggressive as other dottybacks. |
Sailfin pseudochromis |
Pseudochromis veliferus |
|
Moderate |
|
Splendid pseudochromis |
Pseudochromis splendens |
|
Moderate |
|
Springeri pseudochromis |
Pseudochromis springeri |
|
Moderate |
|
Strawberry pseudochromis or purple psuedochromis |
Pseudochromis porphyreu |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Foxface |
Siganus vulpinus |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Magnificent foxface |
Siganus magnificus |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Rabbitfish |
Siganus spp. |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
It takes a special aquarist to maintain these delicate beauties. A potential keeper must be dedicated and willing to throw artistic creativity to the winds- as what seahorses need isn't always beautiful. They require taller tanks, live/frozen food, and many hitching posts, as well as very peaceful tankmates. In fact, beginners would be well-advised not to mix seahorses with any other species until they have more experience.
Seahorses found in stores are generally Captive Bred, but occasionally one might find a Wild Caught specimen. WC Seahorses should only be purchased by Seahorse experts who are going to breed them, as they tend to be finicky and most are endangered in the wild. CB Seahorses.
One of the main upshots of Seahorses is that many species stay small and can (in fact, some should) be kept in smaller tanks, making them idea for aquarists who are pressed for space or money.
Seahorses are among the few popular marine aquarium species that can be temperate. Species vary in their temperature requirement, so here an extra category has been added.
TR=Tropical ST=Sub-Tropical TM=Temperate
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Temp. |
Care Level |
Description |
Brazillian Seahorse |
H. reidi |
Caution |
ST |
Difficult |
Usually bright yellow, with a particularly long snout. Max size 17 cm. |
Spotted Seahorse |
H. kuda |
Caution |
TR |
Difficult |
Generally yellow, but can also range from tan to dark black. Max size 30 cm. |
Great Seahorse |
H.kelloggi |
Caution |
ST |
Difficult |
Light tan, with some darker specimens. Max size 28 cm. |
Pot-Bellied Seahorse |
H.abdominalis |
Caution |
TM |
Difficult |
Light colored with dark spots and a large abdomen. Max size 35 cm. |
Pygmy Seahorse |
H. bargibanti |
Caution |
TR |
Difficult |
White with pink (occasionally yellow) knobby protrusions. Max size 2.4 cm. |
Short-Snouted Seahorse |
H. breviceps |
Caution |
TM |
Difficult |
Grayish to tan with short snout and a spiny head. Max size 15 cm. |
Tiger Tail Seahorse |
H. comes |
Caution |
TR |
Difficult |
Varying colors with dark striped tail. Max size 18 cm. |
Lined Seahorse |
H. erectus |
Caution |
ST |
Difficult |
Dark colored with ligher belly and white ridges. Max size 19 cm. |
White's Seahorse |
H. whitei |
Caution |
TM |
Difficult |
Fuller bodied with a comparatively larger head. Max size 13 cm. |
Dwarf Seahorse |
H. zosterae |
Caution |
ST |
Difficult |
Similar to H. reidi but much smaller. Max size 5 cm. |
Thorny Seahorse |
H. histrix |
Caution |
TR |
Difficult |
Varying colors with distinctive spines all over body. Max size 17 cm. |
Tangs generally feed on algae, though there are a few carnivorous species. Most tangs will not tolerate other fish the same color and/or shape as them. They have a spine on their tails that can cut open other fish and unprotected hands. All tangs should be given plenty of swimming room and few tolerate a tank of less than 175 cm or 6 feet long.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Achilles tang |
Acanthurus achilles |
Yes |
Difficult |
|
Atlantic blue tang |
Acanthurus coeruleus |
Yes |
Moderate |
|
Blonde naso tang |
Naso lituratus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Bristletooth tang |
Ctenochaetus striatus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Chocolate tang |
Acanthurus pyroferus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Desjardini tang |
Zebrasoma desjardinii |
Yes |
Moderate |
|
Eibli mimic tang |
Acanthurus tristis |
Yes |
Moderate |
|
Hippo tang |
Paracanthurus hepatus |
Yes |
Moderate |
Very prone to Cryptocaryon irritans. More tolerant of other tangs than most other species. |
Kole tang |
Ctenochaetus strigosus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Mimic tang |
Acanthurus pyroferus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Naso tang |
Naso lituratus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Powder blue tang |
Acunthurus leucosternon |
Yes |
Moderate |
|
Purple tang |
Zebrasoma xanthurus |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Sailfin tang |
Zebrasoma veliferum |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Scopas tang |
Zebrasoma scopas |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
Similar to the yellow tang in shape and feeding. |
Yellow tang |
Zebrasoma flavescens |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
The yellow tang requires ample swimming room and plenty of algae to graze on. The tang will not tolerate another of its kind unless there is ample space for each tang to have their own terriotry. The tang requires high oxygen levels. |
Though often categorized as Gobies, Tilefish are a separate species.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Blue-headed tilefish |
Hoplolatilus starki |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Purple tilefish |
Hoplolatilus purpureus |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
Skunk tilefish |
Hoplolatilus marcosi |
|
Easy to Moderate |
|
While they are generally considered monsters that will chomp invertebrates, many will actually make great reef fish.
Some wrasse species are aggressive towards small fish and invertebrates.
Common name |
Taxonomy |
Reef safe |
Care Level |
Description |
Carpenter's fairy wrasse |
Paracheilinus carpenteri |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Moderate |
|
Eight line wrasse |
Pseudocheilinus octotaenia |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Exquisite fairy wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Difficult |
|
Fine-spotted fairy wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus punctatus |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Difficult |
|
Four line wrasse |
Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Greenback fairy wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus scottorum |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Difficult |
|
Harlequin tusk |
Choerodon fasciata |
Generally, yes, but may eat shrimps |
Moderate |
|
Multicolor velvet wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Moderate |
|
Potter's wrasse |
Macropharyngodon geoffroyi |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Difficult |
|
Red-head fairy wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus solorensis |
Yes; feeds on tiny organisms |
Difficult |
|
Six line wrasse |
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia |
Yes |
Easy to Moderate |
small purple fish with six dark horizontal lines |
Rhomboid Fairy Wrasse |
Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis |
Yes |
Moderate |
Medium sized (~5" max) Golden body with purple horizontal stripes on head |
[edit] See also
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[edit] References