Reefapalooza

After years of hearing about Reefapalooza, my husband and I finally made it to the show in Orlando this weekend. Not only was this my first Reefapalooza, it was my very first aquarium event. I still haven't even been to a frag swap. It was a super fun event, so many beautiful corals. I want them all!

5. The Beautiful Scoly Wall

I have seen succulent walls, but never a scoly wall. It was like a living piece of art. I would love to try this in our tank. Unfortunately, scolys are slow eaters. With all the fish and inverts in our tank, they would likely starve. Still, this clever setup sparked ideas for future coral displays in our tank.

4. The Red Cookie Biscuit Starfish

Yes that is really its name. There are some crazy starfish names out there, like chocolate chip starfish. I can't help but wondering if the namers have an unhealthy relationship with baked goods!

These starfish looked incredible in photos, but in person they were even more amazing. Good news - they are reef safe! Bad news - they are not safe from my asterina eating Harlequin shrimp (more on these beautiful and deadly creatures later). So it was a look but don't buy moment. Perhaps it is just as well because some of the prettier starfish we had, like the purple Linckia starfish, seem to starve in the tank and it is just awful to watch.

3. The OG Bounce Mushroom

I just love the OG Bounce mushroom. I had no idea coral could be so beautiful. It literally looks like a piece of opal the way it catches the light. And it is one of the first corals my husband got me. We affectionally nicknamed it "Cheeto-puff" because of its bright orange puffs. Despite being rare, the OG Bounce was everywhere at Reefapalooza. Prices were steep, with some going for $5,000.

OG Bounce Mushrooms as big as my hand at Reefapalooza

My beloved Cheeto-puff RIP.

2. The Micro Tank

One of the coolest things at the show was the miniature reef tank by PNW Custom. It seems to be intended for the hobbyist who simply cannot be without a reef tank regardless of the time or place. It's ostensibly meant to sit on an office desk. But I did see someone walking the show wearing this around his neck with coral and fish! Pretty darn cool, and I won't lie I want one for next year.

1. The Mythical White Tang

Is it a white tang, an albino tang, or a slightly aberrant yellow tang? I’m not entirely sure what it was, but it did have a jaw dropping price tag - $40,000.