Elegant Reef - Tropical Fish Studio

10/10/2025

Lionfish are exceptionally effective hunters compared to many other predatory fish, thanks to their unique combination of stealth, speed, and specialized hunting tactics. Unlike most predators that rely on speed alone, lionfish use slow, deliberate movements to avoid alarming their prey, often cornering them with their large, fan-like pectoral fins. They strike with lightning-fast precision, using a suction-feeding method to engulf prey whole. Their lack of natural predators in non-native waters, like the Atlantic and Caribbean, gives them a major advantage over other predators, allowing them to outcompete native species and disrupt local ecosystems.

10/09/2025

Ladybugs galore! Amphipods shot with the Sony A7R V and the SMC-3. Backscatter’s MF2 strobe with snoot.

Image Kerri Bingham

10/08/2025

It’s been a while since we have shared a picture of one of the planted tanks by our registers- there’s just something about plants growing out of the water that make you stop and stare 🥹😍

10/08/2025

Odessa barbs and red glass barbs are two colorful and active freshwater fish commonly kept in home aquariums. Odessa barbs (Pethia padamya) are known for their striking appearance, with males displaying a vibrant red stripe along their bodies, especially during breeding. They are social, peaceful when kept in groups, and thrive in planted tanks. Red glass barbs, a variation of the standard glass barb, have a translucent body with a reddish hue, giving them a delicate and unique look. Like Odessa barbs, they are hardy, active swimmers that do well in community aquariums with other non-aggressive species.

10/06/2025

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘?

Alien bettas are hybrids, usually the result of crossbreeding wild betta species (like Betta smaragdina, Betta mahachaiensis, or Betta splendens).

The hybridization contributes to their unusual traits, such as:
Iridescent metallic scales
Solid dark bodies with vibrant highlights
Smooth or “solid” coloration unlike the patchy colors of traditional bettas

10/05/2025

The Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus) is a vibrant reef-dweller known for its striking purple and yellow coloration, making it a favorite among divers and aquarists alike. Native to the Western Atlantic, especially around coral reefs in the Caribbean, this wrasse family member plays a helpful ecological role—juveniles act as cleaner fish, picking parasites off larger species. Uniquely, Spanish hogfish can change s*x from female to male, a common trait in wrasses. They're also incredibly hardy and fast swimmers, darting in and out of rock crevices with ease. Despite their beauty, they can be territorial in home aquariums, so they do best with similarly bold tankmates.

10/05/2025

The weedy rhinopias (Rhinopias frondosa) is a holy grail species for any fish nerd, and I returned to shoot this guy several days in a row. He was a bit hyperactive each time, and quite deep down on the reef, but when you’re this pretty, you need to live deep to avoid the paparazzi.

As every diver knows, this magenta-red coloration stands out in my photo, but to the nekid eye, it’s exceptionally well-camouflaged. When you’re diving at any depth greater than ~20’ deep, this color/wavelength has been filtered out by the water column, so it appears the same blue/grey as everything else. My flashes produce the daylight color spectrum from just inches away, so these are the real colors that you would see if you brought it to the surface. Same goes for pretty much any of my photos that have red, orange, yellow, etc.

10/04/2025

Harlequin shrimp are stunning, reef-safe invertebrates known for their vibrant colors and striking patterns, making them a favorite among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. These shrimp are best kept in a peaceful, well-established tank with plenty of live rock for hiding. While their beauty is unmatched, they have a specialized diet and require regular feedings of starfish, particularly Asterina or chocolate chip starfish, making them best suited for experienced aquarists. Harlequin shrimp are best kept singly or as a mated pair and should not be housed with aggressive tankmates that may harm them.

10/03/2025

New freshwater and saltwater restock today! Beautiful selection of freshwater community fish and plants available!

Come visit the studio until 7pm tonight or this weekend:
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 12pm-4pm

10/03/2025

10/03/2025