Reefs and Reptiles

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles we will be talking about Halocaridina rubra or the Hawaiian Red Shrimp - aka Volcano Shrimp and Opae ula.  This is without a doubt the EASIEST PET you will ever keep.  I cannot stress this enough.  Hawaiian Red Shrimp are an aquarists dream.   They are wonderful little creatures that eat the bacterial film that grows in rocks.  There is no feeding involved.  There are no pumps, no lights, no water flow requirements.  I've only changed the water in my 5 gallon shrimp tank one time in 2 years.  Interested?  I bet you are, listen to learn more about these amazing creatures from Hawaii.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles I will be going over our latest snorkeling adventure.  If you'd like to get a book that has pictures of a lot of the fish that I talk about on the podcast, check out John Hoover's book, The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes.You can purchase that book here - https://amzn.to/3A2AJxv

In today's episode I am going to talk about what I saw snorkeling in Puako, Hawaii.  The Big Island has some of the best snorkeling in the state of Hawaii.  I am hoping that anyone thinking of coming to Hawaii to see marine life will learn more about what to expect underwater.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles we will be talking about the Honey Gourami or Trichogaster chuna.  Honey or Sunset Gournami make great additions to peaceful community freshwater aquariums.  The males have stunning coloration and can be the star of your tank.  

This is the final episode of Reefs & Reptiles Season 1.  What if you could communicate with your pets?  What if we could "talk" to whales?  How would that shape our view, not only as pet keepers, but also as citizens of the planet earth?  In this episode, I'm going to explore that topic.  It is a little "out there" but I do think that communicating with animals will be the next big breakthrough for humans.  Scientists are working on understanding the codas (series of clicks) that sperm whales use to communicate with each other.  If we were able to speak with them, it could be the kind of breakthrough that causes a paradigm shift in the way we think about our planet.  I am hopeful that one day we will be able to better understand the organisms that our policies and decisions impact.  I think understanding animals better would cause us to take better care of them and of the planet.

In today's episode of Reefs and Reptiles, we will be talking about Snowflake Eels (Echidna nebulosa).  I will be going over what it is like to keep these eels in an aquarium and I will also touch on what it is like to observe them here in Hawaii.  Snowflake eels typically like to eat crustaceans and they have conical teeth to help them do so.  One thing you must keep in mind if you do decide to get a snowflake eel is to make sure you have a good lid on your tank, as eels are escape artists, much like snakes.  

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I will talking about my observations over the 1st year of my 29 gallon planted aquarium.  I will also talk about the use the fertilizers in planted tanks.  My advice to new planted tank keepers is to be patient.  Let the "set up" phase of your tank last as long as possible.  It is more fun to have reasons to go back to the fish store over a long period of time than it is to stock a tank all at once.  Part of the fun of aquariums is tinkering and taking your time gives you more chances to do that.  Amazon Affiliate Links to products mentioned in this podcast:OSMOCOTE PLUS fertilizer - https://amzn.to/3P0FVHACAPSULES EXPRESS size 00 - https://amzn.to/3P6qJIO

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles I will be talking about "alotl" Axolotls.  You might "axolotl" questions about Axolotls and I'm here to help.  I have 2 GFP (green fluorescent protein) axolotls and they are great.  I would highly recommend axolotls to anyone interested in amphibians.  The most important aspect of keeping Axolotls happy is keeping their water cool.  I mention some products that can help with that, here are links to the water chillers I recommend on Amazon:Active Aqua Chiller - https://amzn.to/3oDOY5IHamilton Aqua Euro Chiller - https://amzn.to/3uF0SAfHere is the Axolotl Pellet Food that my Axolotls like - https://amzn.to/3JedqT6Using these links helps out the Reefs and Reptiles Podcast, thanks!

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I will discuss the idea of giving and empty aquarium or terrarium as a gift for the fish / reptile fanatic in your life.  An empty fish tank is like a blank canvas for an artist.  When I see an empty tank the possibilities of what it could turn into make my brain run wild.  I love the idea of bringing an ecosystem to life.  I'll give some different ideas for what your friend or significant other could do with this blank slate.  Part of the fun of this is just gifting the empty tank and seeing what the person does with it.  Will they stick with what they know, or branch out and try something different.  Some of the most compelling set ups I have seen don't have any animals in them at all, they are just plants or in the case of saltwater, simply corals.  The point is, the gift of an empty aquarium provides an opportunity to be creative, and that process is something that many of us love and enjoy.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I am going over the dreaded Water Changes!  If you are going to have a successful aquarium, you need to do regular water changes.  There have been some game changers that have allowed me to keep more fish tanks than I normally would be able to handle.  Those game changers center around making water changes easier to do.  Below is a list of items I use to make my water changes easier.  These are Amazon Affiliate links that help Reefs and Reptiles out if you use them.  Brute 32 Gallon Trash Can - https://amzn.to/31i8HzzBrute 20 Gallon Trash Can - https://amzn.to/3ps2YPp Trash Can Dolly - https://amzn.to/31jtXF910ft Braided Hose - https://amzn.to/3xSPWyr840 Gallon Pump - https://amzn.to/3xYiSoH Fritz Water Conditioner - https://amzn.to/3xPQ2XF Python Pro Clean Small - https://amzn.to/31rp6SfPython Pro Clean Large - https://amzn.to/3pnRAnY Bridal Veil Material - https://amzn.to/3pjzXFI Ryobi Temp Gun - https://amzn.to/31uXsDC Instant Ocean - https://amzn.to/3xO2jMc 660 GPH Water Pump for Mixing - https://amzn.to/3poXIMB Fluval Heater - https://amzn.to/3DjFIIj

In this episode of Reef and Reptiles we will be discussing some of the items needed for Fritz's new baby ball python.  Fritz has a 10 gallon aquarium so he wants to set it up for his future baby ball python.  Fritz plans to buy his substrate from THE BIO DUDE, so I'll talk about all of the other items that Fritz will need in order to set up his tank for his new buddy.We will talk about, heating, screen lids, lighting, a few other considerations.Amazon Affiliate Links to Products Mentioned in this Episode:ZOOMED HEATINGPAD - https://amzn.to/3ImvmLRFoil Tape - https://amzn.to/3d5npw510 Gallon Screen Cover - https://amzn.to/3o85gnvScreen Clips - https://amzn.to/3odlkEyBN LINK Reptile Thermostat - https://amzn.to/3d8JTw5LED Light - https://amzn.to/31fZd7sFeeding Tongs - https://amzn.to/3I8qw4D

In today's episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I'll be discussing my fish tanks and ponds.  I currently have about 7 different types of tanks and ponds and some are going well and other need a lot of work.  My pea puffer 20 gallon long tank in particular needs help.  This tank has no balance, and as a result it is covered in algae.  I am going to try and remedy this problem by putting my pea puffers in a 40 gallon breeder tank.  I am also moving my ocellaris clownfish into a 40 gallon breeder tank.  The take away from this episode is to "pace yourself" - as fish and reptile keepers we have a tendency to accumulate a lot of "pets" in a short amount of time.  With work, family and other responsibilities it gets hard to take care of many pets at once.  My advice to everyone is to slow down.   Take your time putting together a new tank and add the pets (fish or reptiles) last.  Let the plants or corals take hold and grow out before adding any organisms.  This will lead to longer term success.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles we will be speaking with my friend Fritz.  Fritz wants a snake and after thinking it through, he is really interested in Ball Pythons.  We will talk about things to consider for a first time ball python keeper.  I'll talk to Fritz about morphs, breeders, caging, feeding and many other topics.  This episode is great for anyone that has been thinking about getting a ball python.  Hopefully we will be able to keep up with Fritz on his journey to joining our reptile community.  I'm looking forward to providing updates as he gets closer to getting his pet snake!

This episode of Reefs and Reptiles is a walk down memory lane with my mom.  When I was a kid my dad bought a 48 gallon Oceanic fish tank for my mom for their anniversary.  Little did I know that this fish tank would shape my life in a very profound way.  I have memories of going to the local pet store and picking out new fish.  In hindsight, it was clear that no one involved in this endeavor knew what they were doing.  The fish store employees showed my mom how to mix salt and water in a bucket and that was about it.  In this tank we kept a Clown Triggerfish, a Picasso Triggerfish, a Naso Tang, a butterfly fish (not sure which one to this day), a Domino damselfish, a Yellow-tailed damselfish, a Volitan Lionfish, a Snowflake Eel, a black and Striped Eel catfish (don't see them much today), and an Percula clownfish.  There may have been a few other members of this tank, but it was so long ago I can't remember.  If you haven't guessed yet, this tank didn't work, and we struggled to keep all the inhabitants alive.  Looking back, I wish we had known more and had received better advice from the fish store employees, but I believe this store had just started keeping saltwater fish themselves and didn't know much more than we did.  At the end of the day while I am sad that the fish didn't live longer, this tank did spark my life long love of marine fish tanks.  My hope is that sharing this experience will help you all see how far we have come and also caution people against "diving right in" and getting too many fish right away (spoiler alert, it doesn't work!)

In today's episode we will be talking about Panther Chameleons.  Pather Chameleons are true show stopping pets.  Their colors are out of this world.  If you are looking for a pet that you can have in your living room in a nice planted terrarium, this reptile may be for you.   I'll go over cage set ups and other considerations that you should keep in mind before getting a Panther Chameleon.  Ultimately these reptiles are one of the coolest pets you can have, and if you are willing to set up a high quality natural environment for one, you should definitely do it!

In this episode we will be talking about the Green Spotted Puffer - Tetraodon Nigroviridis.  While these puffers are usually sold as freshwater fish, they do require brackish or full saltwater in order to live full healthy lives.  My Green Spotted Puffer is named Arnold, and I'll be giving you insight into how I keep Arnold and some of the "friends" that he lives with.  Green Spotted Puffers give you all the character and personality of a puffer in a bright green and small package.  They really are a wonderful pet fish and are definitely worth looking into.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles we will be talking about lessons I've learned over the past 2 years starting freshwater planted tanks.  I'll go over hardscape thoughts and ideas on substrates.  I even talk about which plants I'd buy and which ones I'd wait to buy until after I had more experience.  If you are thinking about starting a planted tank or if you are fairly new to the planted tank world this episode is for you.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles we will be discussing Leopard Geckos.  Leopard Geckos make amazing first time reptile pets.  The hardest part about keeping a Leopard Gecko is keeping the bugs that they need to eat.  As long as you are willing to gut load crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms, you will be off to a good start with your geckos.  We will talk about feeding leos and cage set ups that they will enjoy.  Leopard Geckos are one of my favorite reptiles, they are so popular because they are so wonderful.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles, we explore the exciting world of Nano Reef Tanks.  For me this is any tank under 75 gallons, although I tend to focus on tanks 40 gallons or less.  We will talk about coral selection, equipment, and tank size.  I will give you all of the insights I have on LPS, SPS, and soft corals- which ones worked well for me and which ones never seemed to be happy.  After this episode you should have more confidence setting up and Nano Reef.  It does take forethought and planning, but if you are dedicated you can make it happen and the results can be stunning!

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles we will be talking about Betta splendens, otherwise known as the Siamese Fighting Fish.  The biggest take away from this episode is that while Bettas are typically sold in deli cup sized containers, they do so much better in larger aquariums.  I believe that because fish stores typically present Bettas in these small containers, consumers get the impression that Bettas like being in small fish bowls.  Bettas like to swim around and appreciate space and warm water.  We will go over basic needs of Bettas and talk about potential Betta tank mates.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles, we are going to talk about one of the easiest reptile pets to take care of, the crested gecko.  Crested Geckos are very special geckos, having thought to be extinct until the mid 90's when they were rediscovered on the island chain of New Caledonia.  If you are a first time reptile keeper, cresteds make a good first reptile pet.  They are easy to house and feed and require little day to day maintenance.  I'll talk about the basics of crested gecko care along with the basics of housing them in a bioactive terrarium.  I recommend that crested live in a terrarium with living plants.    If this sounds good to you, then join me for a deeper dive into the world of the Crested Gecko.

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles, I will be reviewing one of my favorite books of all time, The Empty Ocean by Richard Ellis.  This book was published in 2003, but its contents are still as relevant today as they were back then.  Richard walks the reader through many subjects including declining fisheries and organisms that have gone extinct under the watch of human eyes.  I have always enjoyed Richard's writing style, his books are easy to read and you feel like you learned a lot after reading them.   I will go over some of the highlights of Richard's book to give you a glimpse at the remarkable research that Richard has done.  This is a must read for any wildlife warrior.

In this episode of Reef & Reptiles, I'll give a run down of easy freshwater plants.  All of the plants I mention are available at aquariumcoop.com - Freshwater Planted tanks are a new venture for me, and so the advise I give is from a novice approach to plant care.  There have been a few plants that have given me fits and I mention those as well.  Some of plants we will go over in include, cyptocorynes, amazon swords, anubias, monte carlo, java moss, java fern, vallisneria, pogostemon stellatus octopus,  and a few more. 

In this episode of Reefs & Reptiles, I go over my experience breeding ball pythons.  In 2012, I got my first male het pied ball python.  A few months later, I got 2 female 66% het pied ball pythons and the wheels in my head started turning.  Could I create my own piebald python?  Well it took about 5 years, but the results were amazing and it ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life!

In today's episode of Reefs and Reptiles, we will be talking about Pea Puffers.  Pea Puffers are amazing little freshwater fish that can be a very rewarding pet.  While these puffers exhibit many of the same traits as a saltwater pufferfish, they come in a very manageable size and they stay in freshwater their entire lives.  This makes water changes much easier!  Pea Puffers have a lot to offer and if you don't know about them or having been thinking about getting them this episode is for you.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I will be giving an update on my clownfishes' battle with brooklynella.  The good news is that using Seachem Metroplex, my clownfish are now cured!  I'll go over things I learned and other observations from battling brooklynella.  A special thanks goes out to Humble fish and the Humble.fish community.  Check them out if your saltwater fish is ill, they can give you great advice and help you identify what is wrong.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles I talk about Hawaiian reef fish and the importance of keeping them in Hawaii.  There have been a few articles out there asking people to email the Hawaiian government to allow people to collect and export Hawaiian reef fish for the aquarium hobby.  After living in Hawaii for 2 years, I've come to know many local reefs and I would say that they are far from thriving.  My view is that the reefs need all the fish they can get to stave off the influx algae due to coral deaths.   I realize this opinion won't be shared with many in our hobby, but I do think that the more we protect our reefs the more sustainable and enjoyable keeping saltwater fish at home can be.  Aquaculture is the future and the more dollars we spend on fish that are aquacultured, the more fish we can keep in our struggling oceans.  If you'd like to email the Hawaiian government to protect marine fish and keep them in Hawaii, please email - Blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles, I am going to give you all the recent events that unfolded to my pair of Ocellaris clownfish.  They were doing great for about a month and then I noticed some discoloration on the white bands of one of the clownfish.  I give a day to day account of what is was like to try and first identify what was wrong with the clownfish and then treat them.  I ended up coming to the conclusion, with the help of Humblefish and his friends that my clownfish had "Brook." Brooklynella hostilis or Brook for short,  also known as "Clownfish Disease" is a rather nasty ciliate parasite that can quickly take over your marine fish.   My hope is that this episode can help those that might think their fish have Brooklynella.   I can say that over the past couple weeks I've found that freshwater dips of a duration around 5 minutes did seem to help the brook infestation.  Ultimately the dips were a stop gap until I got more appropriate medication, in this case Seachem Metroplex.  As you will hear in the episode I do think that dosing Ich-X initially helped to keep the Brook at bay while I waited for the Metroplex to arrive.

In this episode we will be covering the Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi).  Neon Tetras are some of most beautiful fish in the world.  Match a school of neon tetras to a planted aquarium and you have a breathtaking scene that you will enjoy immensely.  We will go over the water parameters that neon tetras like and cover other topics regarding their care.   If you are thinking about getting some neon tetras this episode is a good intro to what it takes to keep them.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles we will be focusing on feeding ball pythons (Python regius).  Most ball pythons in captivity are fed rats and we will focus on what size prey to feed your ball python and where to get your rats.  We will also talk about tips and tricks for feeding picky ball pythons.

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles we will be focusing on caging and substrate choices for ball pythons (Python regius).  We'll go over some tips for sprucing up a regular aquarium using insulation boards.  We will also talk about larger plastic cages that are popular from brands like Animal Plastics.   It is important with ball pythons to create a thermal gradient inside their home.  This episode talks about ways to create that thermal gradient using heat pads, heat tape, and digital thermostat controllers that allow you to adjust the heat.  Lastly, we also talk about bioactive terrariums for ball pythons. 

In this episode of Reefs and Reptiles we will be focusing on the natural history of the ball python (Python regius).  Ball Pythons come from countries in West Africa.  Many ball pythons are exported from the countries of Benin, Togo, and Ghana.  Ball pythons are part of the Boidae family which includes boa constrictors and other pythons.  This is the first episode in a ball python series, in future episodes we will be focusing more on ball python husbandry.

In this episode, we are going over the basics of setting up a saltwater aquarium.  This episode is meant to give a beginner aquarists points to consider before buying a fish tank.  Topics include, biological filtration, mechanical filtration, chemical filtration, lighting, tank size, and water changes.  When setting up a saltwater tank, figuring out how you plan to do water changes is an important consideration.  We also will go over the basics of nitrification.  We recommend reading Martin Moe's Marine Aquarium Handbook to get a complete picture of setting up your first saltwater aquarium.

In this episode we will be covering the Lemon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis).  Lemon Tetras are an easy freshwater fish species to keep and make an excellent beginner fish for those new to freshwater fish tanks.  If you're thinking about keeping Lemon Tetras or if you are hearing about them for the first time now, this episode will give you some insight on the requirements for keeping Lemon Tetras.