Category Archive for "Saltwater Topics"

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…)

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…)

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…)

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Looking For Healthy Livestock

Q) What points should I bear in mind when looking for healthy livestock?R. Messina, Florence, Italy.A) Apart from a bargain, everyone is looking for livestock in the peak of health. By purchasing strong and vibrant animals, the marinist gains a distinct advantage in that his/her charges will already be ready to survive the rigours of…

Livestock Euthanasia – A Taboo Subject?

Q) I have never been sure of the best way to dispatch ailing livestock. There seem to be many differing opinions on the subject. Which techniques are best? David Wallace, Surrey, United Kingdom. A) The whole subject of livestock euthanasia has always been a sensitive one, creating very little regular and open discussion but nevertheless…

Cure Nuisance Algae

Q) My marine aquarium has been plagued by slime and hair algae almost from the day I started stocking up. What steps can I take to get rid of it? It spoils the whole appearance of the showtank. C. Crawford, Washington DC, USA. A) I have long since lost count of the number of marine…

Calcium Reactors

Q) Is it absolutely necessary to have a calcium reactor in my reef aquarium?John Sullivan, Maldon, Essex. England.A) It really depends on what type of livestock predominates. Soft corals and anemones for example do not have a calcareous skeleton and have little need for high calcium levels. Consequently, they tend to do very well in…

Marine Hobbyist Beginner FAQs

Q1) Is marine fishkeeping difficult? A) There is no straight yes or no to this question but It need not be difficult if approached in the right way. As with other pet hobbies, a certain amount of preparation is required before investing in costly hardware and livestock. Read books on the subject. Go to your…

Marine Equipment Overview

One of the joys of marine fishkeeping has to be the ability to up-grade a system at any time using one, or a combination, of new pieces of equipment. Not only does this have the effect of improving the environment of expensive livestock but it also brings about a certain self-satisfaction knowing that your pets…

Craving Caves – Marine Aquarium Decor

One of the greatest pleasures of marine fishkeeping has always been to replicate as accurately as possible the authentic environment of a particular range of livestock, thus enjoying perfectly natural behaviour. Depriving fish and invertebrates of a similar environment from which they were collected can create stress, leading to strange behaviour patterns, disease, and in…

Working Together To Keep Coral Reefs Alive

Dear Friends of CORAL, There is plenty of bad news about coral reefs this year, but here is some good news. After years of work by lots of different organizations and individuals, President Clinton has issued an Executive Order creating the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve, the single largest nature reserve ever established in…

Category Archives: Saltwater Topics
Saltwater Topics covers Marine Fish and Invertebrate Compatibility, filtration and equipment, feeding and marine aquarium fish diseases as well as zoonotic illnesses transferred from fish to fishkeeper and much more…