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Livestock Management

Saltwater aquaria offer opportunities to have some fun with--and test our skills in--many different areas. For example, we are chemists of sorts when we test and manipulate water parameters. We are engineers and technicians when we build/operate equipment. We are artists when we aquascape. But across the board, the one reason that we all really love to keep aquaria is to keep animals. Thus, one’s biggest role as an aquarist is as a zoologist and zookeeper. Properly managing aquarium livestock (especially reef aquarium livestock) itself requires a head for many hats. Though we collectively refer to ourselves as mere hobbyists, the typical reef aquarist is of a pretty impressive cut of cloth. With relatively meager resources, no formal training in marine biology or aquacultural technology, little direct assistance and oftentimes very, very little time, aquarists pull off seemingly impossible feats like breeding/rearing rare fish species, cultivating corals, etc. And, these successes never arise from lucky accident; rather, they are the fruit of calculated livestock management. Yes, livestock management involves handling. But it also entails so much more. To start, managing a community of captive reef animals requires planning (and lots of it). In the very least, after some forethought as to what sort of environment the aquarium will provide, the aquarist should carefully select (based on thorough research) aquarium species based on suitability for that environment. Then, almost as importantly, the keeper should plan the order in which each animal will be added to the system. Even so, one should know in advance everything they’ll need to know about the animal before acquiring it. Examples of issues include special requirements regarding acclimation or quarantine, diet, placement, special sensitivities, etc. In this this section you will learn how to prepare for and care for your valuable collection of animals.

32 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!

How Aquaculture of Pseudochromis is Helping to Protect Indo-Pacific Coral Reefs

We are looking at our oceans and the impact our hobby has made on them. No matter where you are, we are all ultimately sharing a planet
Read More about How Aquaculture of Pseudochromis is Helping to Protect Indo-Pacific Coral Reefs

Keeping the Saddleback Clownfish

Every marine aquarist is well acquainted with the clownfishes (Amphiprion spp.). The most recognizable of the group are the ocellaris
Read More about Keeping the Saddleback Clownfish

Keeping the Frogfish

The marine aquarium hobby has been dominated by corals--reef tanks--for quite a while now. As a consequence, over time, aquarists have
Read More about Keeping the Frogfish

5 Tips for Increasing Aquarium Fish Compatibility

You purchased only the very best aquarium filtration equipment. You tested the water every other day. You feed top-shelf foods. You did
Read More about 5 Tips for Increasing Aquarium Fish Compatibility

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

Keeping the Purple Tang

Some fish require little introduction. Instantly recognized even by newbie fishkeepers and regarded as a high-value species by
Read More about Keeping the Purple Tang

An Overview of the Filefishes

In the Age of the Reef Tank, many cool (but not reef-safe) saltwater fish families that were once extremely population are now relative
Read More about An Overview of the Filefishes

3 Saltwater Aquarium Pests

There are a few things that any hobbyist dreads finding in their aquarium. Aquarium pests can appear out of nowhere and can spread like
Read More about 3 Saltwater Aquarium Pests

4 Tangs For Beginners

Tangs are very common in larger aquariums because of their constant movement along with their stunning color. That being said, no tang
Read More about 4 Tangs For Beginners

The brave and helpful cleaner shrimp in the mouth of a fish!

3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium

Symbiotic relationships are perhaps the most amazing thing that occurs in marine environments. While there are some that you can
Read More about 3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium

A very Funny name for a very unique invertebrates

3 Unique Invertebrates

There are many types of invertebrates in the marine aquarium trade and typically you will see the same 10-20 types. However, this
Read More about 3 Unique Invertebrates

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

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

The electric light show of a fairy wrasse

4 Underrated Saltwater Fish

When looking at fish for beginners, you are usually going to see the same fish recommended repeatedly. This list is for the people who
Read More about 4 Underrated Saltwater Fish

What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?

There are many different species of clownfish to choose from! Some look very different from others. Some are hardier than others. And,
Read More about What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?

a Beautiful Scopas Tang

5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters

When it comes to your clean-up crew in your saltwater aquarium, you usually will think of snails, crabs and starfish. However, there
Read More about 5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters

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

The remarkable Lionfish

The Lionfish and Responsible Aquarium Keeping

Lionfishes are among the most captivating and notorious fish in this industry. While a number of lionfish species are available--in
Read More about The Lionfish and Responsible Aquarium Keeping

Diamond Gobies make a great beginner fish

3 Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Fish

When you first set up your aquarium the first thing that comes to your mind is "What are good beginner fish?” Before jumping to that,
Read More about 3 Beginner Saltwater Aquarium Fish

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