Quantity

• Indicates the planned number to be included in the final aquarium plan

Size

• The size indicated is the common adult expected size in aquaria (not its overall potential max in the wild)

• Only the single most appropriate measurement is utilized (length, height, diameter) - not a range of multiple dimensions

Care

• 🟢 Easy = "Set & Forget" (tolerant of wide ranges in light, flow, and nutrients; recovers easily from mistakes; great for beginners)

• 🔵 Moderate = "Benefits From Steady Care" (prefers stable conditions; benefits from target feeding or flow/light tuning; common in mixed reefs)

• 🟡 Challenging = "Specialized Care Required" (sensitive to changes; needs specific light, flow, and feeding; prone to stress, pests, or decline) 

• 🔴 Expert = "Demands Near-Perfect Conditions" (needs precise water quality, specialized feeding, and active maintenance to survive)

Reef Safe

Fish & Inverts Predation Risk

• ✅ Yes = Generally considered reef safe in all but the most unusual scenarios

• ❌ No = Commonly considered not reef safe

• ⚠️ Caution = Reef risk is on a per-individual basis, or conditional/situational basis - ie: stress / underfed / opportunistic / etc.

MacroAlgae Sexual Risk

• ✅ Low Risk = Rarely goes sexual unless severely stressed (Perennial, stable)

• ⚠️ Moderate Risk = Can go sexual under certain conditions or with maturity (Perennial/Annual)

• 🔥 High Risk = Known to frequently go sexual as part of life cycle (Annual, prone)

Feeding Type

• 🥩 Carnivore = Eats other animals, such as fish, shrimp, or worms

• 🌿 Herbivore = Grazes on algae, plants, or macroalgae

• 🍽️ Omnivore = Consumes both plant and animal matter

• 💩 Detritivore = Specializes in consuming detritus and decomposing material

• 🗑️ Scavenger = Primary feeding behavior is scavenging for leftover food or decaying organic matter

• ☀️ Photosynthetic = Derives energy from light via symbiotic algae or pigments (not included for macroalgaes as they are all photosynthetic)

• 😎 Multivore = Combines photosynthesis with animal-based feeding (e.g., some corals or clams)

Palatability (For MacroAlgae)

• 😋 Tasty = Herbivores are likely to regularly consume this macroalgae as part of their diet.

• 🤢 Yucky = Herbivores don't usually consume (or never consume) this macroalgae as part of their diet.

Temperament

For Fish / Invertebrates:

• Peaceful = Safe in community tanks; rarely shows aggression.

• Semi-Aggressive = Generally calm, but may chase or nip, especially at similar species.

• Aggressive = Likely to harass, injure, or kill tankmates - particularly those of similar size, shape, or behavior.

• Shy = Avoids confrontation, stresses easily, and often hides. Needs calm & plenty of cover.

• Nocturnal = Most active at night or in low light. Often hidden during the day.

• Territorial = Claims and defends a space, cave, or burrow. Will chase away intruders.

• Social = Prefers the company of others. Thrives in schools, groups, or bonded pairs.

• Solitary = Prefers isolation. Largely ignores tankmates but may attack similar species.

• Shell-Competitive = Generally peaceful, but may become aggressive to claim another shell.

 For Corals / Anemones / Sponges / Macroalgae:

• Passive = No meaningful stinging, chemical allelopathy, or encroachment. (incidental stinging, chems, or growth are ignored)

• Stinging = Known for exhibiting moderate but notable stinging behavior

• Aggressive Sting = Severe meaningful space required to protect neighbors from intense stinging

• Chemical = Known for exhibiting moderate but notable allelopathy 

• Extreme Chems = Exhibits severe / problematic levels of allelopathy

• Encroaching = Notable growth that could inhibit other corals

• Invasive = Weed-like / overwhelming growth

• Toxic = Harmful to humans, but not to other corals/fish/etc (eg: Zoanthids)

• Fragile = Particularly delicate to aggression by neighbors (eg: Acropora)

Growth Rate (For Reef & MacroAlgae)

• Slow =  (Corals/Sponges/Anemones: <.5"/yr | Macroalgae: <30%/yr)

• Moderate = (Corals/Sponges/Anemones: .5"-1.5"/yr | Macroalgae: 30%-100%/yr)

• Fast = (Corals/Sponges/Anemones: 1.5"-3"/yr | Macroalgae: 100%-300%/yr)

• Weed = (Corals/Sponges/Anemones: <3"/yr | Macroalgae: >300%/yr or doubling in <4-6 wks)

Origin

• Indicates geographical region most-likely to find the species in the wild

Lifespan

• Indicates a range under normal conditions (In Aquaria)

• Perennial = Can live indefinitely with proper pruning and tank conditions.

• Annual = May die back seasonally or after reproduction, though it can be regrown.

Bioload

• 🅐 Low = Tiny-bodied (under 2-3 inches), low individual waste output, low to moderate activity, low oxygen demand.

• 🅒 Medium = Moderate size (approx 3-6 inches), moderate waste production, moderate activity level, modest territory needs.

• 🅔 High = Large fish (over 6-7 inches), high waste output, strong swimming or large territorial needs, significant oxygen demand.

🅑/🅓 Class fish are "borderline" and so their inches will be split-accounted between the two adjacent classes (as they could reasonably be allocated under either).

Assuming ~275 Gallon Tank, Moderate Bioload Targets are: 137.5" A-Class (1" per ~2 Gallons) + 92" C-Class (1" per ~3 Gallons) + 55" E-Class (1" per ~5 Gallons)

Rarity

• 🥉 Common = everyday workhorses and aquarium staples

• 🥈 Premium = desirable, charismatic, or slightly less common species

• 🥇 Specialty = truly unique or conversation pieces that seasoned hobbyists admire

• 💎 Rare = the “holy grails” that spark real excitement and bragging rights

Pest Control

• 🦠 Nuisance Algae = Hair, Turf, Bubble, Derbesia, Bryopsis

• 🫟 Surface Algae = Film, Diatoms, Microalgae, Biofilm

• 🌱 Aiptasia = Aiptasia, Majano

• 🐛 Worms = Flatworms, Bristleworms, Small Polychaetes

• 🪶 Feather Dusters = Feather Dusters, Fan Worms, Tube Worms

• 🪳 Pods = Copepods, Amphipods, Isopods

• 🐞 Red Bugs = Red Bugs

• 🐌 Snails = Parasitic Snails, Pyramid Snails, Nudibranchs

• 🦐 Shrimp = Small Mantis Shrimp

• 🪼 Hydroids = Hydroids

• 💩 Detritus = Detritus, Left-Over Food

• 🧼 Parasites = Parasites, Bacteria, Protozoa, Cyanobacteria, Slime, Dead Tissue

• 🧽 Sponges = Encrusting Sponges, Ball Sponges, Fast-Growing Filter Feeders

Location

• Upper = Most likely to be found or spend their time in the upper ⅓ of the tank (consisting mostly of open water).

• Middle = Most likely to be found or spend their time in the middle ⅓ of the tank (consisting mostly of rockwork and caves).

• Lower = Most likely to be found or spend their time in the lower ⅓ of the tank (consisting mostly of the sandbed and lower rockwork).

• All = Only indicated if the entirety of the aquarium is fully explored with regularity.

Habitat

• Open Water = Freely swims in the water column, often in the upper or middle zones

• Rockwork = Lives among or perches on rocks, often weaving through arches/crevices

• Sandbed = Stays on or burrows into the substrate at the bottom of the tank

• Corals = Rests on, attaches to, or interacts closely with coral structures

• Anemone = Lives in or among anemones, often forming symbiotic relationships

• Caves = Seeks shelter in shaded, enclosed rock or coral formations

• Burrow = Digs and resides in tunnels or holes, usually in sand or rubble zones

Swimming Style

• 🟦 Cruisers = Constant swimmers that roam the open water column, often in long, purposeful laps. They rarely stop moving and thrive in tanks with open space & steady flow.

• 🟩 Explorers = Agile and curious swimmers that weave through rockwork and corals. Often darting or gliding in bursts, they stay active without patrolling open zones.

• 🟨 Hoverers = Suspended mid-water with minimal movement, often in a fixed position or gentle drift. These fish typically hover near caves, ledges, or open water pockets.

• 🟫 Perchers = Stationary dwellers that rest on rock, sand, or coral. Their movement is minimal, often watching the world from a single spot before slowly shifting to another.

• ⬛ Burrowers = Substrate-dwellers that dig or inhabit tunnels, caves, or sandy dens. They rely on burrows for shelter and exhibit short-range movement near their home base.

Currents

• Low = Gentle, slow-moving water with minimal turbulence. Often found in sheltered zones, lagoons, or behind dense rockwork. Debris settles easily in these areas.

• Low-Moderate = Soft, steady flow with occasional gentle pulses. Creates mild circulation without kicking up substrate or detritus.

• Moderate = Consistent, directional water movement that carries food and waste efficiently across the tank. Typical of open reef slopes or mid-depth zones.

• Moderate-High = Brisk, dynamic flow with alternating or converging currents. Water movement is strong enough to sway polyps and keep particulates suspended.

• High = Intense, turbulent flow with rapid water movement and constant agitation. Found in reef crest zones or directly beneath powerheads and surge outlets.

Lighting

• Low = Dim lighting with minimal PAR, often in shaded regions, overhangs, or deeper tank zones. Produces soft ambient illumination with limited photosynthetic intensity.

• Low-Moderate = Subdued but steady light. Offers partial exposure to daylight cycles, often filtered through rockwork or macroalgae.

• Moderate = Balanced, full-spectrum lighting that mimics natural reef conditions. Suitable for mid-depth areas with consistent but not overpowering intensity.

• Moderate-High = Bright light with elevated PAR, typically used for supporting photosynthetic growth near the upper half of the tank. Clear, unobstructed exposure to primary fixtures.

• High = Intense, focused lighting with very high PAR output. Found directly under LED hotspots, halide bulbs, or shallow reef-style setups. Minimal shadowing; strong radiant exposure.

• PAR #-# = For corals, sponges, & macroalgae, specific values for PAR ranges are provided.

Stocking Phases

• First = Newly cycled tank, best suited for clean-up crew and the most hardy or tolerant species—establishing the initial biological foundation.

• Early = Initial biological stability underway. Best for peaceful, low-impact, community-safe species that adapt easily to new setups.

• Middle = Tank is now stable, with social hierarchies beginning to form. Suitable for semi-territorial species or those sensitive to early instability.

• Late = The tank is mature, with abundant pods, film algae, and microfauna. Ready for parameter-sensitive or territorial species.

• Final = Fully established system. Reserved for the most challenging, parameter-sensitive, aggressive, dominant, or space-sensitive species.

Notes:

• For Size, Care, Reef-Safe, Feeding Type, Palatability, Growth Rate, Location, Currents, Lighting, and Stocking Phase, only the SINGLE, most-appropriate, value per category is shown.  For clarity: No multi-selections like "Slow-Moderate growth" or "Middle-Lower location".

• For Temperament & Habitat,  multiple selections may be shown but only if it is extremely appropriate to list both. eg: "Shy/Nocturnal" or "Corals & Caves", "Chemical / Invasive"

• For PAR & Lifespan, multiple values will be used in the form of a range: #-#

• The stocking phase selected only indicates generally appropriate time to be added (all else equal). Certain tank mates may necessitate an earlier or later actual stocking.

• Any PAR values indicated are "In Display Tank" values (not "In Refugium" values) - except for the Chaetomorpha which will only exist in Refugium.

• For reef safety, please consider corals, clams, and small inverts - NOT anemones, sponges, & tunicates.