In the first part of this blog we’re going to look at all the fish we had in from Bali this week, and then below that, in part two, we’ll look at the Island of Bali itself. I visited Bali in 2005, and of the places I have ever been in the world it is the one that by far left the biggest impression on me. A truly spellbinding tropical paradise populated by the most friendly people on earth.

Click to see ALL FISH

Red spot dwarf cardinal (Ostorhinchus parvulus).

This is the first time we have ever had this species, and I’ve been on the lookout for them for the last 6 months or so. This tiny species of cardinalfish is easy to keep, and reaches just an inch or so at full size. This means you can have a seemingly vast shoal of these in even the smallest reef tank. Allowing you to get that true coral reef look of lots of shoaling fish, in even nano tanks. You could easily stock as many as 1 of these per litre of tank volume without problems. Allowing you to have a properly sized shoal in your nano tank. A very exciting prospect for many, and hopefully this will become one of our TOP 5 fish sold.

Juvenile Diana Hogfish

This beauty is for pest control in our coral bays. They are excellent at eliminating nuisance crabs, small mantis, flatworms, bristleworms, and a wide variety of other coral pests. However, as they are also happy to eliminate many ornamental inverts and small fish, they are less suitable for the home aquarium. This one was imported specially just for us.

Bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor).

An excellent angelfish for reef aquariums of 200 litres or more. Unusually it is one of the few dwarf angels that forms small groups or shoals in the wild. Several can be kept together (as you will often see them kept in the shop), but, to do this at home it’s best to get them all at the same time from the same tank, where we have done the work of matching them up for you. Can also be kept with most other dwarf angelfish too. One of our most popular fish species, highly recommended.

Copperband butterfly (Chelmon rostratus).

Although they used to have a reputation for being a difficult fish, in reality as long as you stick to these golden rules they are one of the easiest marine fish to keep. I would say easier than Clownfish.
1- Feed frozen mysis at least twice per day. They may eat other foods too, but, despite what else they may eat fill them up with frozen mysis at least twice a day. It is essential for roughage and vitamins etc.

2- This is where most hobbyists have problems. DO NOT add to an aquarium with any aggressive fish such as Tangs. You can add Tangs later if they are certain species, smaller than the Copperband, and added in a specific way, but, if you’ve already got Tangs don’t add one. It will get intimidated, hide, and then starve.

As long as you follow those rules, Copperbands are one of the easiest marine fish you could ever hope to keep.

Green coral goby (gobiodon Histrio).

These entertaining gobies get just 1!”. An excellent reef fish.

Convict tang (Acanthurus triostegus).

A very attractive shoaling tang that is suitable for reef tanks of 200 litres or more. You can create a shoal of different sized individuals too, as larger specimens do not bully the smaller members of the shoal. A truly excellent reef fish, and highly recommended.

Cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus).

An easily kept species providing it is fed at least twice per day using very tiny frozen food such as frozen cyclops or frozen copepods. Whilst they may pick at larger foods they are unlikely to get enough to eat unless fed a sufficient amount of very tiny food. Can be kept individually or in pairs with care. Will often spawn in aquariums. As with most wrasses a tight fitting lid is essential.

Snake pipefish (Corythoichthys intestinalis).

Our most popular pipefish, and the easiest species of pipefish to keep. Feed twice per day on frozen Mysis, or similar small frozen foods. Very sociable with it’s own species, MUST be kept in pairs or groups.

Black ray shrimp goby (Stonogobiops nematodes).

One of the more smaller shrimp Gobies. Being small they are best housed with other small peaceful fishes. Large or aggressive fish may bully them, they are only little. They can be paired up with most species of Pistol shrimp (Alpheus sp.). The shrimp goby and Pistol shrimp will then construct a little burrow and live in it together.

Both Tiger pistol shrimps, and Randall’s pistol shrimps are currently in stock.

Tangaroan shrimp goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai).

These Shrimp Gobies are very sociable, and get on well with most other small and medium shrimp goby species. They can be paired up with most species of Pistol shrimp (Alpheus sp.). The shrimp goby and Pistol shrimp will then construct a little burrow and live in it together.

Azure damsel (Chrysiptera hemicyanea).

Azure damselfish are almost always in stock at Salty Revolution. Azure damsels are a good addition to the marine aquarium, and are an easy marine fish to keep. They are brightly coloured and active reef fish, that live in groups. They are best kept in groups of 10+, which may sound like a lot of fish, but, being so small at around 1", they place very little bio-load on the aquarium, with a group of 10 Azure damsels only being in total about the same bodyweight as just one 2”-3” Angelfish or Tang. See our Salty Revolution Stocking Guide for more information on stocking your aquarium.

A fantastic looking damselfish that is far brighter in colour and less aggressive than the much more commonly seen Yellow tail blue damsels (Chrysiptera parasema). Azure damsels are a little territorial, but, will generally keep themselves to themselves and cause no trouble if kept in groups of 10+. Male Azure damsels may get to just over 1” long at full size.

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