Everyone's favorite eight-armed mollusk is having its very own day! October 8th is Octopus Day, and what better way to celebrate than
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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
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
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Keeping the Saddleback Clownfish
Every marine aquarist is well acquainted with the clownfishes (Amphiprion spp.). The most recognizable of the group are the ocellaris
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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
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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
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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
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Keeping the Purple Tang
Some fish require little introduction. Instantly recognized even by newbie fishkeepers and regarded as a high-value species by
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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