Mutual Relations / The editorial of the November/December 2025 issue of CORAL Magazine makes a groundbreaking call regarding the hobby: “Don’t Kill the Unwanted Immediately!”
Editor Marc Levenson pushes back against the growing “destroy the unknown” panic on forums. He notes that beginners are missing out on the excitement of the fantastic hitchhikers—such as chitins and tube worms—that live rock brought twenty years ago, due to sterile aquarium starts.
Levenson emphasizes that even what we label as “nuisance” has a balancing role in the ecosystem, adding that incorrect AI information is fueling this panic. He illustrates nature’s complex interdependence with the example of Metabiosis—the scientific term for the relationship between a Hermit Crab and a Snail—to show this intricate mutual reliance.
Reef Vision
Remembering Lou Ekus (1955–2025)
Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025 issue dedicates a special section to the memory of Tropic Marin USA founder Lou Ekus. His wife, Leslie Ekus, explains that Lou was not just a businessman; he was a multifaceted genius—a Prosthetist, a media trainer for chefs, and a BBQ chef.
Leslie says Lou still talked to clients on the phone while he was undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer.
Reefstock Comes to Las Vegas
The conference, which brought together hobbyists, covered a variety of topics, from Sanjay Joshi’s remarkable recovery plan after a tank accident to coral diseases. Editor Marc Levenson also featured an incredible discovery in his article: Pitho crabs (Pitho mirabilis). He learned that these Caribbean natives are far more effective algae eaters than Emerald crabs.
Quality Marine Achieves American Humane Certifi ed™
Pet Provider Distinction
Quality Marine is making industry history by earning the prestigious American Humane Certified™ Pet Provider certification for animal welfare on September 16, 2025. Marc Levenson’s review noted that this certification is awarded by the established American Humane Society, which is distinct from the activist group Humane World for Animals (formerly HSUS).
QM raised the bar on transparency by voluntarily opening its facilities to inspection. Already compliant with MAC and OATA standards, the company used this certification to demonstrate its strict commitment to biosecurity and climate control. Kevin Kohen stated that they aim to provide assurance to their customers and urge other companies to do the same.
Reef Visions
Reef Vision episode, by Matt Pedersen, introduces six of the hobby’s most sought-after new creatures. Derek Hopkins of 1 Reef Wholesale reports that the electric green and yellow Cosmic Zoanthid Hornet, originating in Taiwan, is now available.
Among the species featured are Quality Marine‘s rare genetically diverse Aberrant Vagabond Butterflyfish and the rainbow-hued Solomon Island Rainbow Mille SPS coral, truly magnificent. These new specimens on display demonstrate the remarkable progress the hobby has made in its pursuit of genetic diversity and color.
Feature Articles
Interrelationships In The Reef And Aquarium
Dr. Dieter Brockmann’s article examined the dynamic mutual relationships in reefs and saltwater aquariums. He highlighted the fragility of the coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis, stating that increasing temperatures are turning coral reefs into algal reefs and affecting fish populations through a chain reaction.
Brockmann notes that corals fight in the aquarium using supertendinous tentacles, and we utilize predators to control Aiptasia. However, he also points out that an organism’s natural feeding behavior—such as the Copperband Butterflyfish eating clams/mussels—is often viewed negatively by aquarists. In summary, Brockmann emphasizes that judging a relationship as friendly or hostile depends entirely on the aquarist’s perspective.
Interrelationships: The social network of coral reefs
Daniel Knop’s paper examines the reef ecosystem as a complex social network that extends beyond simple symbioses. Knop notes that the clownfish/anemone relationship was later found to be mutually beneficial. In one intriguing example, polyps stolen by a soft coral crab allowed the crab to reproduce involuntarily even after the exchange of consent, thus introducing a mutualistic dimension to the relationship.
He also suggests that pathogens like the White Spot Parasite (Cryptokaryon) may even act as population regulators in the natural environment. Knop believes that many of the problems in aquariums stem from a lack of natural stabilizers.
Coral Reef Network: Disturbances With Fatal Consequences
This article, penned by Dr. Dieter Brockmann, reported that the web of life in coral reefs is under a fatal threat due to anthropogenic factors. The article stated that the coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis at the heart of the holobiont is obligatory, and that zooxanthellae clades provide either heat tolerance (Clade D) or a growth advantage (Clade C1).
Brockmann notes that rising temperatures and ocean acidification (pH dropping below 7.7) are rapidly reducing reef diversity. Studies in Papua New Guinea have shown a significant decline in complex coral and juvenile coral populations as pH drops. He recommends that aquarists using calcium reactors maintain a pH consistently above 8.0.
Protective Relationship: Anemonefi sh/Anemone
According to Dr. Dieter Brockmann’s article, the clownfish/anemone relationship is a mutualistic partnership. The fish are protected by the anemone’s stinging tentacles, while the anemones are protected from predators by the fish’s territorial defenses. Recent field studies have shown that clownfish actively provide their anemones with important nutrients, thus promoting growth.
Brockmann explains that the fish avoid stings by coating themselves with a protective glycoprotein layer similar to an anemone’s mucus. While these are specific to certain anemone species in nature, we sometimes observe anemone fish in aquariums lacking natural hosts choosing alternative hosts, such as LPS corals.
Christmas Tree Worms Of The Genus Spirobranchus: Biology And Care
Malcolm Gray Levison’s article in the Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025 issue examined one of the species I’m most curious about: the strikingly colorful Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus). It stated that these 42 species of annelid worms could be used as biological indicators of coral reef health. Biologically, a diverse and small-sized microalgae diet is also said to be critical to the success of larval development.
The article notes that the worms prefer large coral species like Porites for protection, but that host specificity is low. It notes that the relationship between S. giganteus and corals shifts from commensalism to mutualism as the worms pursue the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish. While easy to care for in an aquarium, it emphasizes their need for suitable currents and small-particle food.
Corals And Their Commensal Hitchhikers
Daniel Knop’s article explains the importance of commensal invertebrates (crabs, brittle stars) in corals and why they are disappearing from the aquarium hobby. Knop argues that even seemingly parasitic organisms can benefit corals by repelling predators. The author believes these “hitchhikers” should be protected, emphasizing their disappearance due to prophylactic dips and fish in the transport chain.
To me, this perspective reflects that of older generations like us who asked, ‘What gifts came with the new coral?’ and by emphasizing the value of symbiotic life, it provides a valuable contrast to the current ‘sterile aquarium‘ approach, where aquarists no longer expect the gift from the coral itself when they purchase a new coral, but from the local business from which they purchased it.
Here Be Dragons: Underwater Riches Of Komodo Island
Alex Rose recounts his explorations of the marine world around Komodo Island, Indonesia, alongside ocean pioneers like Dr. Sylvia Earle, in August 2024. The author notes that Komodo reefs are even more fascinating than the island’s famous Komodo dragons.
During the voyage, Rose also observes Bali’s pollution problems, and in her dives, Rose mentions close encounters with Reef Manta Rays, the unique Cannibal Rock reef dominated by non-photosynthetic life, and Whale Sharks. Her journey concludes with the flight of thousands of Sunda Flying Foxes at sunset, and she recommends Komodo as an indispensable diving destination.
You can find all the details of this journey in Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025.
Departments
Clown Triggerfish
Dr. Dieter Brockmann describes the natural distribution of the Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum), its maximum length of 50 cm (20 in), and how it got its name “trigger,” which I learned from this article. Unlike the Giant Triggerfish, this fish lays its eggs in coarse sand nests in reef crevices, and the parents aggressively protect their young. The author warns against impulse purchases because, while the fry are curious and intelligent, they grow quickly and are not suitable for aquariums smaller than 250 gallons (946 liters).
It is almost unnecessary to mention that the fish is only suitable for large, richly structured fish-only aquariums due to its aggressive nature and tendency to eat invertebrates. Those who wish to learn more about the Clown Triggerfish can find this comprehensive guide in the Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025 issue.
So We Got A New Clownfish! Amphiprion Ohiensis, And The Related Blue Stripe Anemonefishes
This comprehensive article by Matt Pedersen (which may be the longest article he has read in CORAL magazine), recounts the story of the newly described Polynesian Anemonefish, Amphiprion maohiensis (a new species). Pedersen presents a personal perspective, blending the genetic separation process of the A. chrysopterus complex with the career challenges faced by scientists like Dr. O’Donnell. Relying on Dr. Johns’s explanations about the genomic cost revolution, Pedersen emphasizes that scientific taxonomy is now technologically more accessible.
Pedersen’s interviews highlight the conservation challenges of this isolated species (an estimated 600–700 individuals on Moorea) and Dr. Beldade’s findings regarding the BOFFFF Hypothesis¹. Blue-Striped Clowns are historically problematic for the aquarium hobby due to their size and sensitivity. The author concludes the article by drawing attention to the irony that even captive breeding solutions (e.g., the Raising Nemo project) fail to find buyers in the trade because the market focuses on ‘designer clownfish’ due to high production costs (over $11 per fish).
Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine The November/December 2025 issue doesn’t include “Aquarium Portrait” one of my most eagerly anticipated series. Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about a new and wonderful aquarium in the next issue.
CORAL Magazine is one of the world’s leading print publications for the saltwater aquarium industry. If you’d like to subscribe and read all the content, you can start your subscription here. Previous issue: The Cycle / CORAL Magazine September/October 2025. We’re eagerly awaiting the next issue.
Cover Photo: N Akvaryum
Source:
- Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025 / Last Access Date: 29.10.2025 / / https://www.coralmagazine.com/
If you have read the Mutual Relations / CORAL Magazine November/December 2025 issue, share your opinions and evaluations about this issue with us and other aquarists in the comment section below.
Whether you are a novice hobbyist or an experienced aquarist, feel free to open your own thread in the Aquarium Forum and ask your questions if you need help, advice, or guidance. We are here for you and will be happy to help.
- Dr. Ricardo Beldade’s study shows that Big Old Fat Fertile Female Fish (BOFFFF) successfully recruit their offspring back into the same population more effectively than others. This means that conservation efforts can now focus on the most reproductive individuals who produce the most successful larvae, instead of the entire population. This heralds a shift in strategy to the individual level within conservation biology. ↩︎
