Reefs Magazine always drops a great issue right before MACNA and this year is no different.  The new issue, available free online, includes the following articles:   

• Scott Michael – Do You Believe in Fairies?
• James W. Fatherree – The Basics of Giant Clam Biology and Care
• Paul Whitby – Pest Free Reefkeeping
• Richard Aspinall – The Art of Underwater Photography
• Richard Ross – Skeptical Reefkeeping 6 – Communication
• Amanda Davidson – Horseshoe Crab Migration: Two Fables

  You can view the new issue at Reefs Magazine, and of course it is available for free on your iOS devices via the Reefs App.

 The first captive-bred candy bass, Liopropoma carmabi, has finally reached market size and is headed to Dynasty Marine today – and it only took 9 months! Continue reading →

A television crew from the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (known as NHK in Japan) has documented the origin of mysterious marine ‘crop circles’ that were discovered recently by photographer Yoji Ookata on a routine dive near the island of Amami Oshima. The intricate pattern of these circles is visible in the sand, distinguished by “hills and valleys,” and was positively identified as being sculpted by a small puffer fish. Image courtesy of thisiscolossal.com Using a single fin, the fish carves out the circular shape in the sand over the course of a day or so in order to attract a mate. Once a mate is found and eggs are laid in the center of the circle, the sculpture’s ridges further function as a “natural buffer to ocean currents that protect the delicate offspring.” This discovery is the first of its kind and points to the complexities of ocean ecology, which we have only just begun to uncover. Read more here!

 Eric Cheng is known to many of our readers for his incredible award winning underwater photography that seems to transcend your typical macros and fisheyes.  Talk at Google, a regular speaking session with some of the most inventive and creative artists and developers that Google can attract, recently featured Eric’s work and gave him time to explain some of the challenges involved in capturing these indescribable photos.  Many of them are otherworldly, appearing to be from another planet to most viewers.  But our readers will clearly identify with the work as we know these animals up close.  If you are a photog or just like eye candy, be sure to check out the video.  Be sure to check out the “Most Fun You Can Have With A Pig” image, our personal favorite.

Additional details on MACNA 25 are trickling in.  The host club is FMAS and it will be held in Fort Lauderdale on August 30th – Sept 1st 2013.  Put it on your calendar NOW!