Ret Talbot
Ret Talbot joined Suite 101 in December 2007, and he is now the feature writer for saltwater fish—a topic in which he is both personally and professionally engaged on a daily basis.
As a professional, full-time freelance writer, Ret writes extensively for a variety of audiences in the marine aquarium industry, and he is the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Saltwater Aquarium (September 2009). A regular contributor to saltwater aquarium hobby magazines like Tropical Fish Hobbyist and CORAL, Ret also writes a regular column called “Ret Talbot Live! Marine Crossroads: Where Science, Ecology & Hobby Meet” for Microcosm Aquarium Explorer, a website with more than 7,000 pages of content created by an international team of leading aquarium authors, marine biologists, underwater photographers, and tropical naturalists. His thoughts on the marine aquarium hobby can also be found at Saltwater Sense, a blog presented by Saltwaterfish.com, and at The Reef Tank, where he is a featured blogger focused on the industry behind the hobby.
When he isn’t writing about saltwater aquarium fishes, he’s often fly fishing in either salt- or freshwater and writing about conservation issues related to angling and healthy fisheries. He has worked as a fly fishing guide in the Yukon Territory, the Rocky Mountain West and along some of the best trout creeks in New England and the mid-Atlantic. His fly fishing articles have appeared in national magazines such as Fly Fisherman, Shallow Water Angler and Fur, Fish, Game.
Ret received his undergraduate degree in creative writing and literature from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) under the tutelage of poet Sue Standing, and he then went on to earn an advanced degree in writing from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) where he was fortunate to work with novelist, short story writer and poet Brian McCabe. A sucker for academia, Ret has taught creative writing and United States literature at both the secondary school and university levels for more than a decade, where he has created award-winning experiential curricula combining interdisciplinary education, scientific research and mountaineering.
When not writing or teaching, Ret can be found pursuing any of a number of outdoor pursuits ranging from surfing to climbing. A mountaineering instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School, he has guided and climbed around the world includingas first cents in Norway, Scotland and Alaska and extensive climbing and guiding in the Andes, the Alps and throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Ret and his wife Karen—a published illustrator—split their time between Laguna Beach, California and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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Latest Articles
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Swallowtail Hawkfish Make Excellent Saltwater Aquarium Fish
Beautiful, behaviorally-interesting and relatively inexpensive, this brightly colored hawkfish is an excellent choice for just about any marine aquarium.
Jun 18, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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Keeping Purple Tangs in the Tropical Saltwater Aquarium
The purple tang is one of the more stunning tangs. Although it may have a reputation for being harder-to-keep, even the novice aquarist can have success.
May 30, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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Pairing Clownfish in a Tropical Saltwater Aquarium
Two mature, unpaired clownfish added to a saltwater aquarium may fight to the death. Pairing clownfish in the aquarium is, however, possible. Here's how.
May 15, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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The Horn-Nosed Boxfish in the Tropical Saltwater Aquarium
Boxfishes are some of the most interesting fishes available to marine aquarium hobbyists, and the horn-nosed boxfish is one of the best for a peaceful tank.
May 1, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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The Blue Spotted Sand-Diver in a Tropical Saltwater Aquarium
A new fish is showing up in the saltwater aquarium world; while it's not for everyone, the blue spotted sand-diver is a stunning addition to the right tank.
Apr 23, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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The Spotted Surgeonfish for Algae Control
The spotted surgeonfish, also called the yelloweye kole tang, is a fantastic fish for a tropical reef tank, especially since this fish is so adept at algae control.
Feb 11, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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Seagrass Filefish in a Tropical Marine Aquarium
Perfect for the biological control of pest glass anemones in a reef tank, the seagrass filefish also makes a fantastic addition to a tropical seagrass biotope aquarium.
Jan 31, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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Tahiti Butterflyfish for Aiptasia Control
The Tahiti Butterflyfish is an excellent choice for the reef aquarist battling a pest anemone infestation. Hardy, beautiful and reef compatible, this is a fantastic fish.
Jan 31, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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California Native Red Willow in Laguna Canyon
The red willow is found throughout the western United States, and it is a common species seen by hikers in Southern California where it grows along canyon bottoms.
Jan 16, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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Oaks Commonly Seen While Hiking in California
In many parts of California, oak trees are a regular part of the scenery when hiking. Here are three species of oaks commonly seen while hiking in Laguna Canyon.
Jan 11, 2010
- Ret Talbot
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