Striped Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)

The Striped Sailfin Tang or Zebrasoma veliferum is just one of the many different species of saltwater fish from the Acanthuridae family of Tangs and Surgeons.  This fish has an unusually large dorsal and anal fin with a brown, yellow and white striped body.  Their tails are a bright yellow with blue highlights. Striped Sailfin Tang are found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, in and around reefs.  Sometimes they are referred to simply as the Sailfin Tang or the Pacific Sailfin Tang.  

Like other Tangs, they are quite poplar in an aquarium setting and are considered to be peaceful unless around larger fish.  These fish should be fed a variety of greens and protein foods.  They are also considered to be bold grazers.  Striped Sailfin Tang can grow to about 15" (380mm) in length and require a large aquarium of at least 180 gallons with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025.  You can check out the Stiped Sailfin Tang swimming in the video below.  Can you name all the species in the video?  

If you have any additional information about the Striped Sailfin Tang including care tips, please leave us a comment below.

Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto)

The Royal Gramma or Gramma loreto is just one of three known species of saltwater fish in the Grammidae family. The Royal Gramma is a cave-dwelling fish that is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. These fish grow to about 5" (130mm) in length and are made up of a beautiful combination of purple and yellow.

Royal Gramma are sometimes kept in an aquarium setting, but do not get along very well with others when kept in small aquariums. They do best in a large tank with many soft corals and hiding spots. The Royal Gramma should be gradually exposed to brighter lights. It can be fed a variety of foods included flake food as well as frozen and live marine foods.

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Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

The Striped Mullet or Mugil cephalus is a fish from the Mugilidae family which consists of about 70 different species.  Striped Mullet fish are bluish gray or green along the back with silver on the sides and a white underbelly.  They have a series of black horizontal bars that run down their bodies with a small mouth and blunt nose.

Also known as the Black Mullet, Sea Mullet and Fatback, this fish can grow to about 3' in length and and weigh up to 12lbs.  These fish can survive in both freshwater and saltwater and are found in the Pacific Ocean and many warm seas throughout the world.

Striped Mullet are schooling fish that are often seen leaping out of the water.  These fish will ingest mud from the bottom and work it through their gill rakers and teeth, filtering out the plant and animal material and spitting out the rest.  They are said to have gizzard-like stomachs for grinding food up.  You can check out a large group of Striped Mullet in the video below.      

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Blind Shark (Brachaelurus waddi)

Blind Shark (Brachaelurus waddi) is one of the two species of Carpet Sharks from the Brachaeluridae family. Despite their name, these sharks are not blind, but instead get their name from the fact that they tend to close their eyes when outside of water.

Blind Sharks are found off the Eastern coast of Australia in waters of up to 460' (140 m). These sharks are nocturnal feeders and are often found in seagrass beds or around rocky formations. They will normally dine on any and all invertebrates and a variety of bony fishes. This species can live for up to 18 hours out of water, allowing it to survive being stranded by the outgoing tide.

Like other sharks they are ovoviviparous and normally give birth during the summer months.  They will produce a litter of up to eight pups.  You can check out the Blind Shark in action in the video below...



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Majestic Snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus)

The Majestic Snapper or Symphorichthys spilurus is a beautiful saltwater fish from the Lutjanidae family of Snappers.  They can be easily identified by their extremely long dorsal and anal fins.  They also have horizontal blue and yellow stripes that run down their bodies.  Another distinguishing characteristic of this species of Snapper is a black blotch that is found near their tail and two black bars crossing their heads.

Majestic Snappers are found in the Pacific ocean and can grow to about 12" in length.  They make a very good aquarium fish due to their peaceful temperament and brightly colored bodies.  Like other Snappers, they are carnivores that should be fed a variety of meaty foods. These fish are very fast growers and should be kept in a large aquarium of at least 180 gallons.  They are also known as Hifin Snapper, Blue-lined Sea Bream and the Sailfin Snapper.  You can check out the Majestic Snapper in the Pacific Ocean in the video below.


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Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris)

The Hickory Shad or Alosa mediocris is a fish that can survive both freshwater and saltwater from the Clupeidae family of Herring.  It goes by a few different names including Fall Herring, Bonejack, Shad Herring and the Freshwater Taylor.  These fish are long and slender reaching about 2' in length and weighing up to 6lbs.  This fish has an oblique mouth and a lower jaw that sticks out further then its upper jaw.   

The Hickory Shad spends the majority of its life in the ocean.  Once it matures it returns to the freshwater streams and rivers in which it was born to spawn in the spring and summer months.  Once these fish hatch they will often make their way to the sea in the fall and early winter.   You can learn a bit more about Hickory Shad in the video below.


They are found exclusively on the Atlantic coast of North America and is often found in schools.  They will feed on small fish, squid, fish eggs, crustaceans and crabs.  If you have any additional information about the Hickory Shad please leave us a comment below.