Betta fish are fast becoming popular among aquarists. In fact, it is said bettas have overtaken the goldfish as the “ideal” fish bowl buddy for the home or office. This may be attributed to the bettas distinctly attractive colors, hardiness, and ability to thrive in smaller enclosures than most fish species. (more…)
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Star Polyps and Clavularia – The Star Of The Show
FAMILY: CLAVULARIIDAEThe terms, Star Polyps and Clavularia may be rather unfamiliar to many marine aquarists but all marinists interested in invertebrates will have come across the many species of the these delightful colonies, if they do not already own one or two. Unfortunately, the family Clavulariidae, commonly known as Star Polyps, has long been confused…
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The Micro Shrimp Tank
Most of my regular readers will already be aware that, on the whole, I do not condone small marine tanks; that is, tanks with a nett volume of less than 20 gallons (91 litres). They are usually very unstable as far as water parameters are concerned and subsequently exert considerable stress on fish and/or invertebrates.…
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Mantis Shrimp – Thumb Splitters
In the sea a number of animals have earned the reputation of being harmful. Indeed, some denizens, such as sharks, stingrays, scorpionfish, sea snakes, and some jellyfish, can be potentially dangerous to swimmers or divers. In order to survive and reproduce, many sea creatures have evolved protective mechanisms against other predators. Some inject venom through…
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Starting With Invertebrates
There's no doubt about it, a well arranged coral invertebrate aquarium can be one of the most impressive and satisfying sights you are likely to witness within the fishkeeping hobby. People seem to be drawn like a magnet to its exotic beauty and a certain disbelief that something so defying adequate description could possibly be…
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New Marinists Are Welcome
Newcomers, beginners, novices, call them what you will, are the lifeblood of our hobby. They are often confused and discouraged by the ‘rocket-science’ offered by hobbyists at the other end of the scale (and THEY were all newcomers at one time don’t forget!). This is a pity, for without fresh input, our hobby would soon…
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Cowries – The Hard Nuts
Family: Ovulidae It is probably true to say that cowries are of more value to shell collectors than to marine fishkeepers; for although they possess some attractive qualities such as the often beautiful shells, in the reef aquarium they are capable of causing considerable inconvenience. Still, they are popular with marine aquarists and I no…
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Anemones – Flowers Of The Sea
Distribution and Form These ancient animals occupy all the oceans and seas of the world and species are to be found throughout the very coldest to the very warmest regions, such is their ability to diversify and adapt, albeit over aeons of time. (more…)
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Dissolved Oxygen
It would be true to say that the majority of aquarists never test for dissolved oxygen (02). Nevertheless, oxygen is an extremely important gas and essential for the survival of the vast majority of livestock that we keep. This is, of course, most evident in fish, which draw oxygenated water in through their mouths, passing…
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Water Quality In Marine Systems
Below is a guide to what your general water quality parameters should be. Aquariums with poor water quality will cause inhabitants to become more prone to disease. Environmental Parameters Fish Only Systems temperature 24°C to 27°Csalinity 1.022 to 1.026, whatever your salinity in this range, being constant is most importantpH 8.3ammonia 0 ppm, may increase…
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Aiptasia Anemone spp – Triffid, Glass or Rock Anemones
We all know how difficult most anemones are to maintain, so what a relief to find a species not only easy to keep but quick to multiply.....WRONG! Aiptasia anemones are the proverbial wolves in sheep's clothing. They have a prodigious sting capable of killing (as a prelude to eating) small fish and even larger fish…
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Brown or Planaria Flatworms – Convolutriloba retrogemma
Question: How do you turn an aquarium brown, that was once full of colour? Answer: Introduce a few brown flatworms! As unlikely as this may sound to those who have no experience of this menace, it is alarmingly true. Although flatworms of this species are only a few millimetres in length they can reproduce both…
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Amphipods and Copepods
Amphipods are a catch-all title for tiny crustaceans generally found feeding amongst the detritus at the bottom of an aquarium, within the filters, or even on the front glass. They are easily identified as shrimp-like creatures up to one centimetre in length, half-moon in shape and grey in coloration. (more…)
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Giant Elephant Ear Polyps – Rhodactis
These sedentary creatures are often regarded as beautiful and desirable invertebrates for the reef aquarium; but beware, there can be a high price to pay! Large polyps of this nature are highly predatory on fish and crustacea. (more…)
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Mantis Shrimps and Pistol Shrimps
Like its terrestrial neighbour, The Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus spp.) is a dangerous and cunning predator. It secretes itself in holes within living rock and more often than not finds its way into the aquarium via that same route. Indeed, some consignments of living rock can be so dense with them that one can be found…
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Bristleworms Class: Polychaeta
Anyone whose hand has ever come into contact with a bristleworm will tell you that they leave fine, barbed hairs embedded in the skin, causing a rash and an irritation somewhat like a nettle. Whilst this may prove a relatively minor inconvenience to the aquarist, bristleworms are not only scavengers but predators which can damage…
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Marine Fish Foods
Frozen Foods cockle - feed to bigger fishes unless you chop it up,mussel - a bit messy, but smaller fishes will eat the scraps,gamma fish - whole fish for the larger inhabitant,shrimp brineshrimp - not very nutritious, however often a good food to wean picky feeders,mysis shrimp - more nutritious than brine, but the exoskeleton…
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Thought For Food
Coral reefs have often been referred to as 'deserts of the sea' and paradoxical as this description may seem, it is perfectly accurate. For, although teeming with an abundance and great diversity of life, nutrients are in surprisingly short supply when compared to the seas in other areas of the world. The gin-clear waters bear…
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Common Saltwater Fish Diseases
Untitled Document Common Causes Of Disease The cause of most disease in marine fishes and invertebrates is simply poor environmental factors i.e. poor water quality. On the whole marine fishes are extremely disease resistant, but when things go wrong in a marine system livestock can deteriorate rapidly. (more…)
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9 Ways To Avoid Zoonotic Illnesses Every Fishkeeper Should Know
Keeping fish is a wonderful hobby and as far as pets go, fish are pretty well-behaved. Not necessarily low-maintenance, but they won't leave your house in a mess! Fish are also pretty clean right? No chances of any infections or any other health issues to worry about right? Well if you are a responsible fish…
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Undergravel Filters
Q) How do I go about setting up a basic undergravel filter for a marine aquarium? A) Over the last ten years or so, marine filtration has advanced in leaps and bounds, leading many to believe that there is no future for the technique that sustained marine livestock for several generations.......the undergravel filter. Such beliefs are,…
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Bacteria Revealed
After all these years, it turns out that the nitrifying bacteria are not what we thought. Biological filtration is the critical filtration component in every aquarium. Whether the biological filter is live rock, trickle media, a sponge or any other substrate, the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate is necessary to keep…
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The Dark Tank!
Q) I have limited lighting over my aquarium, although the water quality is high. Is it possible to keep invertebrates that do not require high intensity lighting?A) Mention invertebrates to most aquarists and they will immediately associate them with high intensity lighting such as metal halides. In truth, there is a vast selection of invertebrates…
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Water Circulation In The Marine Aquarium
Q) How much importance should be given to water circulation in the marine aquarium?A) The 'big' topics such as filtration, lighting, feeding and stocking nearly always overshadow water circulation to such an extent that it is almost dismissed as unimportant. This a pity because good water movement within any aquarium is vital to the health…
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Replacing Evaporated Water
Q) Why does my marine aquarium appear to 'lose' water? Is it likely to be harmful to the fish and invertebrates? How can I replace it safely? A) Any body of water left open to the atmosphere will evaporate if not replaced. This can be demonstrated by wetting the back of your hand. Within a…
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