Acropora echinata, captive-grown colony of the ORA Hawkins Echinata morph. A bottlebrush-type Acropora, this is a stunning color variant of a species that often appears in drab shades of brown and tan in the wild, although lavendar and pale violet forms are known. Image by Ricky Goettel from the current issue of CORAL. ORA farms in Ft. Pierce, Florida, produces frags commercially, and more information on the species can be found here: https://coral.aims.gov.au/factsheet.jsp?speciesCode=0026 

“Walt Disney Acropora”:  Acropora tenuis, a discovery by Florida-based reef aquarist Mike Biggar who used it to launch his frag-farming enterprise, https://www.bigrcorals.com. Read more about it in Acropora Rockstars by Felicia McCaulley, CORAL November/December 2018. Image: Mike Biggar/Big R Corals.

Bodianus rufus, the Spanish Hogfish, is a familiar sight to Caribbean divers and snorkelers. Adults grow up to 40 cm (16 inches) and have an appetite for almost all invertebrates found in a reef tank—except the corals. Juveniles are canary yellow with blue or purple backs. Image: Scott W. Michael.

A denizen of deep water, the rare Neptune Grouper (Cephalopholis igarashiensis) would make a spectacular display animal for a larger aquarium dedicated to predatory fishes. It can reach a total length of about 17 inches (43 cm). From CORAL July/August 2018, GOING LARGE: Hardy Bigger Fishes. Image: Scott W. Michael

Cousin of the Comet or Marine Betta, this is a juvenile Bluegill Longfin, Plesiops corallicola—a true rarity in the trade. Adults can reach 7 inches (18 cm) in length, and they display a deep rich blue pigmentation. They are safe with corals but predatory on small fishes and benthic invertebrates. This specimen was captive-bred by Biota in Palau, and US local aquarium retailers will soon have access to limited imports of this new species. Image: Matt Pedersen.

Red Dragon Acropora, Acropora carduus. Image: Joseph Caparatta, www.uniquecorals.com. From CORAL, November/December 2015, RARITIES. A deepwater species that takes on vibrant colors under reef aquarium lighting, it is reportedly easier to keep than expected. Prices of cultured small colonies have been falling from once-astronomical levels.

Rhodactis sp. corallimorpharian, sold as the “Burning Brocade” Corallimorph by ReefGen. Image by Laura Birenbaum.

Zebra or Bumblebee Mantis Shrimp, Lysiosquillina maculata. Image: Eli Fleishauer/Quality Marine.