Expert care
Dwarf seahorse
Hippocampus zosterae
The smallest seahorse: a dedicated tiny tank and live food every single day.
- Minimum
- 5g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Species checks
Starter reef species, with compatibility math.
Not just care cards. Each page connects tank minimums, maturity gates, aggression, reef safety, and bioload back to the planner before a stocking mistake gets expensive.
Fish
Fish stocking checks
46 checks
Beginner care
Neon goby
Elacatinus oceanops
Small hardy reef-safe goby that suits peaceful nano and community reefs.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.5
Research links
Beginner care
Yellow clown goby
Gobiodon okinawae
Tiny nano-friendly goby when coral-perching risk is acceptable.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.5
Research links
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Beginner care
Black ocellaris clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Hardy clownfish variant with the same planning constraints as standard ocellaris.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 1.4
Research links
Beginner care
Ocellaris clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Hardy first fish with strong personality and excellent reef compatibility.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 1.4
Research links
Beginner care
Ocellaris clownfish pair
Amphiprion ocellaris
A classic first stocking plan when the tank is at least 20 gallons and future additions are peaceful.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 2.6
Research links
Beginner care
Percula clownfish
Amphiprion percula
Beginner-friendly clownfish choice when stocking order accounts for territorial behavior.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 1.3
Research links
Beginner care
Pink streaked wrasse
Pseudocheilinops ataenia
Small peaceful wrasse option for covered nano and mid-size reefs.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
Beginner care
Purple firefish
Nemateleotris decora
Peaceful, beautiful, and excellent for covered beginner tanks.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
Beginner care
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
Small, useful grazer with enough character for nano and mid-size reefs.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
Expert care
Warty frogfish
Antennarius maculatus
A camouflaged ambush hunter for a small dedicated tank.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 1.5
Intermediate care
Yasha goby
Stonogobiops yasha
Small peaceful goby best planned with calm tankmates and secure cover.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Research links
Beginner care
Yellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
Hardy bottom-dweller that can pair with pistol shrimp.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.9
Research links
Beginner care
Azure damselfish
Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Hardy and bright, but only beginner-friendly when aggression is planned.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1
Research links
Expert care
Banded pipefish
Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus
Elegant slow feeder for a mature, peaceful tank.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Beginner care
Banggai cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
Calm, striking first fish that suits peaceful community reefs.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1
Research links
Expert care
Dragonface pipefish
Corythoichthys sp.
Bottom-grazing pipefish for mature reefs with plenty of pods.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Intermediate care
Flame hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
Bold reef fish for tanks where shrimp risk and assertive behavior are acceptable.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.3
Research links
Beginner care
Green chromis
Chromis viridis
Peaceful schooling-looking fish, but group dynamics are less simple than beginners expect.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1
Research links
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Beginner care
Lawnmower blenny
Salarias fasciatus
Useful grazer when the tank can support herbivore feeding beyond nuisance algae.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.2
Research links
Expert care
Lined seahorse
Hippocampus erectus
Captive-bred seahorses thrive in a calm, species-only tank with daily frozen feeding.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1
Beginner care
Midas blenny
Ecsenius midas
Active, personable reef fish that fits peaceful mid-size reefs.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Orchid dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani
Colorful reef-safe fish that needs a confident stocking order and rockwork retreats.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.1
Research links
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Beginner care
Royal gramma
Gramma loreto
A classic hardy reef fish for adding color without a large tank.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.2
Research links
Intermediate care
Six line wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Useful and active, but best added after peaceful fish are settled.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.2
Research links
Intermediate care
Valentini puffer
Canthigaster valentini
Charming small puffer for a fish-only tank.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.5
Beginner care
Yellowtail damselfish
Chrysiptera parasema
Durable reef fish that can work when territorial behavior is respected.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1
Research links
Intermediate care
Carpenter's flasher wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri
Peaceful display wrasse for covered reefs with calm tankmates and open water.
- Minimum
- 40g
- Bioload
- 1
Research links
Intermediate care
Dwarf fuzzy lionfish
Dendrochirus brachypterus
Compact lionfish for a tank of larger, calm fish and no shrimp.
- Minimum
- 40g
- Bioload
- 3.5
Intermediate care
Diamond watchman goby
Valenciennea puellaris
Sand-sifting goby for mature tanks with enough footprint and covered tops.
- Minimum
- 50g
- Bioload
- 1.4
Research links
Intermediate care
Snowflake moray eel
Echidna nebulosa
Hardy, personable eel for a fish-only or coral tank without shrimp.
- Minimum
- 50g
- Bioload
- 4
Intermediate care
Yellow coris wrasse
Halichoeres chrysus
Bright active wrasse that fits mature covered reefs better than small new tanks.
- Minimum
- 50g
- Bioload
- 1.4
Research links
Beginner care
Engineer goby
Pholidichthys leucotaenia
Hardy tunnel-digger that reshapes your sand bed.
- Minimum
- 55g
- Bioload
- 2
Intermediate care
Melanurus wrasse
Halichoeres melanurus
Useful active wrasse for larger covered reefs where invert risk is acceptable.
- Minimum
- 55g
- Bioload
- 1.5
Research links
Beginner care
Coral beauty angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Hardy, colorful dwarf angel with a small coral-nipping risk.
- Minimum
- 70g
- Bioload
- 2
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Intermediate care
Flame angelfish
Centropyge loricula
High-color fish with real reef-caution risk around fleshy corals.
- Minimum
- 70g
- Bioload
- 2
Research links
Expert care
Green mandarin dragonet
Synchiropus splendidus
A dream fish for mature systems, not a first livestock purchase.
- Minimum
- 75g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
Intermediate care
Kole tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus
Grazing tang for realistic 75g+ systems with oxygenation and swimming lanes.
- Minimum
- 75g
- Bioload
- 2.6
Research links
Intermediate care
Tomini tang
Ctenochaetus tominiensis
Smaller tang choice for properly sized mid-large reefs, not nano systems.
- Minimum
- 75g
- Bioload
- 2.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Yellow tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Iconic algae grazer, but only when tank length and long-term space are realistic.
- Minimum
- 75g
- Bioload
- 3
Research links
Expert care
Copperband butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Expert-only fish that should not be bought as a beginner pest-control shortcut.
- Minimum
- 100g
- Bioload
- 2.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Foxface rabbitfish
Siganus vulpinus
Algae grazer for large reefs where coral-nipping and adult size are acceptable risks.
- Minimum
- 100g
- Bioload
- 3.2
Research links
Intermediate care
Purple tang
Zebrasoma xanthurum
Beautiful large-system fish that should be planned late and with aggression margin.
- Minimum
- 100g
- Bioload
- 3
Research links
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Intermediate care
Blue hippo tang
Paracanthurus hepatus
Popular but commonly under-housed; treat as a large-system fish.
- Minimum
- 125g
- Bioload
- 4
Research links
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Expert care
Powder blue tang
Acanthurus leucosternon
Avoid for most beginners; this tang magnifies quarantine, space, and stability mistakes.
- Minimum
- 125g
- Bioload
- 3.4
Research links
Expert care
Achilles tang
Acanthurus achilles
Demanding large-system tang that should be treated as an expert livestock plan.
- Minimum
- 180g
- Bioload
- 3.8
Research links
Coral
Coral placement checks
26 checks
Beginner care
Green star polyps
Pachyclavularia spp.
Hardy movement coral that should be planned like a contained garden bed.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Kenya tree coral
Capnella sp.
Forgiving soft coral that can become weedy in nutrient-rich beginner tanks.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Mushroom coral
Discosoma/Rhodactis spp.
Forgiving low-light coral that suits beginner and nano reef plans.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Pulsing xenia
Xenia sp.
Iconic beginner soft coral, best isolated if the keeper does not want it everywhere.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Ricordea mushroom
Ricordea florida
Colorful mushroom relative that is easy and slow-growing.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Beginner care
Zoanthids
Zoanthus spp.
Colorful beginner soft coral, best isolated where spreading is welcome.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Acan coral
Micromussa lordhowensis
Colorful LPS for calmer zones in stable beginner-to-mixed reefs.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Beginner care
Blastomussa coral
Blastomussa sp.
Forgiving fleshy LPS for calm lower-light areas of beginner reefs.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Bubble coral
Plerogyra sinuosa
Big translucent bubbles; an easy LPS coral with a sting.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Beginner care
Candy cane coral
Caulastrea furcata
Beginner-friendly LPS when alkalinity is stable and flow is indirect.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
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Beginner care
Duncan coral
Duncanopsammia axifuga
Forgiving LPS that is easier than many showpiece fleshy corals.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Research links
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Intermediate care
Hammer coral
Euphyllia/Fimbriaphyllia spp.
Classic movement LPS that wants moderate light, indirect flow, and elbow room.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.5
Research links
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Beginner care
Toadstool leather coral
Sarcophyton sp.
Hardy centerpiece soft coral for beginner reefs with room for growth.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Intermediate care
Birdsnest coral
Seriatopora sp.
Often a first SPS step, but still not a new-tank coral.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Chalice coral
Echinophyllia sp.
Attractive plating LPS best kept in stable lower-flow zones with room.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Favites brain coral
Favites sp.
Hardy brain coral when placed with room for aggression and steady parameters.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Frogspawn coral
Euphyllia divisa
Popular flowing LPS that needs space, moderate light, and stable alkalinity.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Research links
Intermediate care
Goniopora (flowerpot coral)
Goniopora sp.
Flowerpot coral: aquacultured colonies in a mature, fed tank.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Intermediate care
Montipora
Montipora spp.
Often the first SPS step, but still needs a stable reef system.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Montipora digitata
Montipora digitata
Relatively approachable SPS for stable tanks with strong light and varied flow.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Pocillopora coral
Pocillopora sp.
Branching SPS for stable mixed or SPS reefs with high-flow zones.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Red montipora capricornis
Montipora capricornis
Readable SPS growth form that needs room, light, flow, and stable alkalinity.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Stylophora coral
Stylophora sp.
Hardier SPS candidate for tanks that already prove stability.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Torch coral
Euphyllia glabrescens
High-impact LPS, but placement space matters as much as light.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Research links
Expert care
Acropora
Acropora spp.
The SPS benchmark: beautiful, demanding, and unforgiving of unstable systems.
- Minimum
- 40g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Invert
Invertebrate compatibility checks
29 checks
Beginner care
Astrea snail
Astrea sp.
Common algae-grazing snail for beginner cleanup crews.
- Minimum
- 5g
- Bioload
- 0.05
Research links
Beginner care
Cerith snail
Cerithium sp.
Small cleanup crew snail for film algae and detritus support.
- Minimum
- 5g
- Bioload
- 0.05
Research links
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Beginner care
Sexy shrimp
Thor amboinensis
Tiny nano invert for peaceful tanks without predatory fish.
- Minimum
- 5g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Beginner care
Blue leg hermit crab
Clibanarius tricolor
Useful cleanup crew crab when stocked lightly with spare shells.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Intermediate care
Feather duster worm
Sabellastarte sp.
A living feather crown that filters the water, as long as you feed it.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Expert care
Harlequin shrimp
Hymenocera picta
Stunning pair-forming shrimp with one very specific diet.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Beginner care
Nassarius snail
Nassarius spp.
Sandbed scavenger that helps consume uneaten food.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Beginner care
Peppermint shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni
Useful small shrimp when compatibility and feeding behavior are considered.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
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Intermediate care
Rock flower anemone
Phymanthus crucifer
More nano-friendly anemone option than bubble tips, but not first-week livestock.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Research links
Beginner care
Scarlet hermit crab
Paguristes cadenati
Common cleanup crew hermit that works best in modest numbers.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Beginner care
Tiger pistol shrimp
Alpheus bellulus
The goby's roommate, famous for its click and its burrow.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Beginner care
Trochus snail
Trochus spp.
Useful algae grazer and a sensible early cleanup-crew choice.
- Minimum
- 10g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Beginner care
Coral banded shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Hardy, striking shrimp; keep it solo.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Beginner care
Emerald crab
Mithraculus sculptus
Algae-eating crab that should be added for a specific job, not as a default package item.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.2
Research links
Beginner care
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Showy cleaner shrimp for peaceful reefs with careful acclimation.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Beginner care
Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Popular reef-safe shrimp for stable tanks without shrimp-eating predators.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Beginner care
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Popular reef-safe cleaner and scavenger for stable cycled tanks.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Beginner care
Turbo snail
Turbo sp.
Strong algae grazer that needs enough food and secured aquascape/frags.
- Minimum
- 20g
- Bioload
- 0.1
Research links
Expert care
Atlantic pygmy octopus
Octopus joubini
Fascinating and short-lived; needs a sealed species-only tank.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.5
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Intermediate care
Bubble tip anemone
Entacmaea quadricolor
Common host anemone, but it belongs in mature systems with guarded pumps.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
Beginner care
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Useful sandbed grazer for tanks large enough to support it.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Peacock mantis shrimp
Odontodactylus scyllarus
A showpiece predator for its own tank: colorful, smart and destructive.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 1.2
Intermediate care
Tiger tail sea cucumber
Holothuria hilla
Sand cleaner for mature tanks with protected pump intakes.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.4
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Intermediate care
Tuxedo urchin
Mespilia globulus
Smaller urchin grazer for mature reefs with enough algae film.
- Minimum
- 30g
- Bioload
- 0.3
Research links
Intermediate care
Pincushion urchin
Lytechinus variegatus
Excellent grazer for mature tanks where frags and rockwork are secured.
- Minimum
- 40g
- Bioload
- 0.4
Research links
Expert care
Maxima clam
Tridacna maxima
Demanding photosynthetic clam for mature, stable, high-light reefs.
- Minimum
- 50g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Research links
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Intermediate care
Serpent starfish
Ophioderma sp.
Scavenger for mature reefs where size, feeding, and tankmate risk are understood.
- Minimum
- 50g
- Bioload
- 0.5
Research links
Intermediate care
Derasa clam
Tridacna derasa
Hardier clam option, but adult size and stability requirements are real.
- Minimum
- 75g
- Bioload
- 0.8
Research links
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Expert care
Sand sifting starfish
Astropecten polycanthus
Commonly sold but frequently inappropriate for young starter reefs.
- Minimum
- 100g
- Bioload
- 0.6
Research links