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Difficult Livestock

There are so many gorgeous and readily available marine ornamental fish species: Royal grammas, coral beauty angels, blue tangs, and so many more… Same with corals and other invertebrates. All of the best qualities in an aquarium animal, right? Sometimes not! Especially after successfully keeping aquaria for years, some hobbyists find themselves falling for the beguiling flirtation of difficult livestock. Yes, difficult, as in hard to keep. Even when they have to go great lengths to acquire the specimen (rarity appeals), or even when the species isn’t exactly colorful or showy by conventional standards. Before you judge such an aquarist as a show-off, or just plain nuts, consider this: They might simply be engaged in that which is arguably the most noble aim among us, the pursuit of ultimate challenge. Oh, so sounds a little more… evocative now? Even exhilarating, maybe? Then perhaps you too are ready for your first big trial as an advanced hobbyist. No need to go about looking for that one special species; it will find you, perchance when and where you least expect it. But when it happens, you will know. What does this manner of obsession look like in practice? Lots of research. More research. Very likely building a species tank. Maybe a little more research. At least some trouble actually locating a source for the animal. Then… that special moment when you finally take it to your home aquarium. The unboxing. Hereafter it is revealed whether you or not you have the requisite skills. If you’ve opted to chase a high-maintenance species, you might truly be put to the test. When you get lucky, you likely will be patting yourself on the back; when things don’t work out, you might shrug the whole experience off as “not meant to be.” Either way, as a lover of difficult livestock, you’ll be back on the hunt in short time. In this section, you will learn how to keep all varieties of difficult livestock, whether highly sensitive to water quality, finicky/specialized eaters or requiring special living conditions.

19 Posts

AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

Everyone's favorite eight-armed mollusk is having its very own day! October 8th is Octopus Day, and what better way to celebrate than
Read More about AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

Keeping the Pinnatus Batfish

The pinnatus, or pinnate, batfish (Platax pinnatus) is instantly recognizable (at least as a juvenile), not just for its attractive
Read More about Keeping the Pinnatus Batfish

Feeding Your NPS Aquarium

Photosynthetic corals dominate natural, shallow tropical coral reefs. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that they are so
Read More about Feeding Your NPS Aquarium

A green spot Mandarin

Quarantining Your Mandarin Fish

If you have even worked at the retail or wholesale end of the aquarium fish industry--even for just a week--you are probably keenly
Read More about Quarantining Your Mandarin Fish

5 Fish for the Refugium

For a lot of people, a refugium is an opportunity to keep an “extra” tank. This doesn’t necessarily mean more of the same; in fact, the
Read More about 5 Fish for the Refugium

A Look at the Goatfishes

On account of their huge adult sizes, there are a few fish families that should be pretty much restricted to public aquaria (we’ll just
Read More about A Look at the Goatfishes

Blue Hypnea: The Next Hot Refugium Macro?

Though it sells out quickly when available, blue hypnea is out there for the grabs. And it’s well worth it for those that cater to its
Read More about Blue Hypnea: The Next Hot Refugium Macro?

Tridacna Clams are a beautiful addition to any marine tank!

Keeping the Derasa Clam

Just about any reef aquarist will, at some point, wish to keep tridacnid clams in their system. Their colors rival those of any coral.
Read More about Keeping the Derasa Clam

Natural Water Quality Management for Non-Photosynthetic Reef Aquaria

There was once a time when zooxanthellate corals (especially SPS corals) were considered impossible to keep in captivity. Then
Read More about Natural Water Quality Management for Non-Photosynthetic Reef Aquaria

3 Oddball Saltwater Fish

Sure, clownfish and damsels are cool… But you may be looking to add something that isn't seen much in the hobby. One thing to keep in
Read More about 3 Oddball Saltwater Fish

3 Most Expensive Saltwater Fish

Certain fish species are considered to be "Holy Grails" in the marine aquarium hobby. These are hardly ever seen in tanks around the
Read More about 3 Most Expensive Saltwater Fish

Zoas are a beautiful addition to any reef

Knowing the Zoanthid

The zoanthid is one of the most stunning yet simplistic coral-like animals in this hobby. It can come in any color combination that you
Read More about Knowing the Zoanthid

A remarkable long tentacled jellyfsh

Are You Ready to Keep Jellyfish?

There have been a few times that I've been asked how to care for jellyfish. And, long story short, it's complicated! In this short
Read More about Are You Ready to Keep Jellyfish?

Humuhumu triggerfish

3 Monster Saltwater Fish

Just like on the freshwater side, which has its big arowanas, catfish, pacus, etc., there is a niche for “monster” fishkeeping amongst
Read More about 3 Monster Saltwater Fish

A baby green mandarin goby

An Overview of the Mandarin Goby

The BIOTA mandarin goby (or mandarin dragonet) is one of the most vibrant and sought after fish in this hobby. There are actually two
Read More about An Overview of the Mandarin Goby

A beautiful colony of sponges and feather dusters and worms.

Keeping Tube Worms

Undoubtedly, reef aquaria wouldn’t be much without corals. But sometimes it’s those odd noncoral invertebrates that really grab
Read More about Keeping Tube Worms

A Beautiful Maxima Clam

3 Tips for Keeping Maxima Clams

For a couple of decades now, tridacnid or “giant” clams (genera Tridacna and Hippopus) have been regarded as the cherries on top of any
Read More about 3 Tips for Keeping Maxima Clams

A seahorse close up!

Do You Really Want Seahorses?

No doubt about it, sea horses are really weird and cool. For sure, they make great aquarium subjects. Seahorses are fairly simple to
Read More about Do You Really Want Seahorses?

Harlequin shrimp are incredible hunters!

A Look at the Harlequin Shrimp

It is probably safe to say that the majority of aquarists (especially marine aquarists) are initially awestruck by the visual impact
Read More about A Look at the Harlequin Shrimp

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