Researchers have disproven the secondary outbreak hypothesis in the Central Pacific. One of the greatest biological threats to tropical coral reefs can be a population outbreak of crown-of-thorns (COT) sea stars (Acanthaster planci). Outbreaks can consume live corals over large areas, a change that can promote algal growth and alter reef fish populations.

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Source: CharlotteObserver
February 20, 2012

"While the world worries and debates about increased levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, a more insidious and perhaps irreversible change threatens the oceans.

Like the air we breathe, oceans also represent a dumping ground for the gases released when human beings burn fossil fuels. Marine waters have absorbed approximately half of the carbon dioxide released from industrialization, and the resulting phenomenon is ocean acidification.

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Jonathan Amos
Source: BBC
February 19, 2012

"A UK scientist studying volcanic vents in the ocean says they hold a grave warning for future marine ecosystems.

These vents have naturally acidified waters that hint at how our seas might change if atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.

They are conditions that would make it harder for corals and similar organisms to make the hard parts in their bodies.

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The Tuna Blue A350 LED light from Kessil is a larger version of the A150w LED aquarium spotlight which probably builds on the foundations of the h350 LED grow light. Following on the wide success of the Kessil A150w LED, we expect that the new A350 LED light will have the same form factor and [...]

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Source: UnderwaterTimes
February 18, 2012

"In a delicate operation at sea, healthy staghorn coral were transplanted Friday to a threatened reef off the Broward County coast by researchers at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center and its internal National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI).

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium recently opened its transformed “Open Sea Gallery” giving visitors some of the old familiar favorites along with new exhibits and perspectives and this great video showcases the exhibit exquisitely. On Vimeo, producer Yasmin Mawaz-Khan shared a great video The Open Sea Gallery showcasing the amazing renovation. The million gallon aquarium is still the focal point but new additions [...]

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PO4X4 is one of the newer phosphate removers on the aquarium market which has the added bonus of being able to be regenerated and reused. Sometimes it can take a while for home reefers to notice the relative performance of such high grade granular ferric oxide (GFO) and phosphate removers such as ROWA and PO4X4. [...]

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As mentioned recently regarding hybrids, species belonging in the same genus or complex often hybridize in the wild. The same is applied for the three members of the subgenus Euxiphipops in the Pomacanthus genus. P. navarchus, P. xanthometopon and P. sextriatus; more commonly known as the majestic, blueface and six bar angelfish. Hybrids between P. navarchus and P. xanthometopon have been documented in the wild, [...]

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