Fish For Your Salt Water Tank
By Douglas DuHamel
Here is a short description of the main fish that are most popular in the salt-water aquarium. I hope that this information will be of some interest for the beginner starting into the salt-water aquarium.
Blennies and Gobies are small elongated fish that live on the sea bottom and are easily mistaken for each other. Blennies have a continuous dorsal fin divided into the anterior and posterior, no scales and are mucus covered. Gobies have small scales and two dorsal fins. Both have usually bright color schemes and are very pleasant fish. Jawfish fish usually burrow and can be very skittish, a deep substrate is need for their burrowing habits.
Damselfish are amazing animals and very personable. Most Clowns will use a host such as a "bubble tip" anemone but can become very aggressive when established in a system for a period of time. Clowns are born neither male nor female. When they reach adulthood, the largest becomes the female. They should be kept in pairs and never mixed unless they are in a very large system. They will accept a great variety of foods and are usually very hardy. Damsels have many of the same characteristics of Clowns but can be kept in a group and will "school" together at times. Damsels can also become very aggressive in an established system.
Angels are one of the most majestic fish in the oceans. Their variety of bold colors and personalities make them a favorite of many marine caretakers. They can be very aggressive especially with their own genus and should be kept singly. The key to Angel success is a large system with lots of room and a variety of foods. Many Angels feed on corals so care should be taken when placing them in a reef tank. Although mainly vegetarian, a protein-based food should be given from time to time. Most Pacific Angels look completely different as juveniles then they do as adults.
Puffers have personalities that many people have referred to as "dog" like. There have been many stories of people talking of their Puffers following their finger around the tank or always coming to the surface when they come close to the tank. Puffers will nip at all corals and should not be kept in a reef tank. They may be aggressive to small inhabitants in the tank.
Tangs are some of the most beautiful fish to be kept in a marine system. They make excellent algae eaters for a reef system and can be kept with other species of its genus as long as there is 3 or more. They can be very territorial and should be feed actively to avoid aggression.
Triggers are an extremely hearty, intelligent and outgoing marine fish. They will greedily consume all types of food. They can be very antagonistic and care should be taken before adding them with other fish.
Lion Fish are remarkable creatures to observe in captivity. Their slow, almost vertical posture and lightning quick flash for food make then fun to watch. CAUTION: Lion Fish are venomous and a sting from their dorsal or lateral spines can result in a painful experience. Extreme care should be taken when working in a tank that houses a Lion Fish. Their diet is strictly carnivorous and should be fed freeze-dried krill, feeders or larger meaty food every other day.
Eels are an interesting inhabitant for some marine systems. These creatures can be kept very happily in a tank with other fish. Feeding of shrimp/krill at least two times per week keeps them satisfied and they will usually leave its tank mates alone. They can be kept in a reef system but care must be taken so that an accidental rockslide doesn't happen by their slipping through the reef. Care should also be taken in feeding and handling of the tank, their bite can be quite nasty.
Shrimp for a marine system are small scavengers that serve the purpose of cleaning and at the same time are an enjoyment to watch. Peppermint Shrimp will eat aptaisa from a reef system and Cleaner Shrimp will set up "cleaning stations" for other fish to swim by and have any parasites removed from them.
Starfish are detrius eaters and work as cleaner for substrate. It is an amazing site to feed and watch as they come crawling out to enjoy a meal. They are very compatible with one another.
Snails work well in a marine system for cleaning. Larger Snails can, at times, knock over rock and bulldoze corals. Caution should be taken on the size of Snails you put in your tank. An ample supply is needed for any marine system, depending on the amount of gallons.
Live Rock is the basis for any reef but can also be used in a fish-only system for hiding spots. With additives such as calcium, Live Rock will take on brilliant hues of purple, orange and blue. Many animals that live in a reef system require Live Rock for feeding and shelter.
No matter what you put in your salt-water tank, you will be impressed with the brilliant colors and interesting shapes. Be sure to plan your tank carefully in order to avoid the placement of incompatible fish. Saltwater tanks do require a lot more care than freshwater but the reward of watching the movement of these unusual and colorful creatures is worth it!
About the Author:
I have been in the tropical fish/aquarium hobby for the past 44 years. Over the years, I have bred over 300 species of tropical fish ranging from the common guppy to the most exotic African cichlids.
Over the past 15 years, I've raised and tamed various breeds of birds from tiny finches to large parrots. Just like a new parent, I've been up all hours of the night hand-feeding baby birds.
It gives me great pleasure to educate up and coming young people in the hobby. Of course, any age can reap the benefits of the aquatic atmosphere!
I would say that the most fulfilling aspect of raising birds is to take very tame birds to hospitals and let the patients interact with these fascinating creatures.
I live on the west coast of Canada with my collection of tanks, 3 cats, a dog and a fine lady. Besides my aquarium hobby, I enjoy playing chess and browsing the Internet to keep myself updated on "fishy" things.
Douglas may be contacted by email at Doug@lovethemfins.com.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
