[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Other popular Marine fish

Directory of Marine Fish

Other popular Marine fish

A number of marine fish from other diverse groups are occasionally available to aquarists. Their requirements differ widely; some predatory species need a fish-only setup, while others can be housed safely in a reef aquarium. Never be tempted to choose a fish simply by its appearance. Make sure you can identify it with certainty, not only so that you can be sure of the size it is likely to reach as an adult, but also so that you can find out about its environmental needs and whether it will be compatible with other aquarium occupants. Bear in mind that juveniles are more commonly offered than adults.

Atlantic Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus)

• ORIGINS: Widely distributed around the Caribbean region, from Florida down to the South American coast.
• SIZE Up: to 35 in (90 cm).
• DIET: Fresh and thawed meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Do not mix with smaller companions

These long, narrow-bodied fish hunt a variety of crustaceans and small fish in the wild. They can be tamed to feed from the hand, but it is difficult to wean them off live foods at first, so a supply of prepared live foods may be required. Sexing is easy, since males have a longer ray at the front of the dorsal fin. A spacious tank is needed to accommodate this species. Its smaller Indo-Pacific counterpart, A. chinensis, attains a length of only about 24 in (60 cm).

Coral Shrimpfish (Aeoliscus strigatus)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea all the way across the Pacific Ocean, as far east as Hawaii.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prefers crustaceans.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Placid, suitable for a reef aquarium.

Shrimpfish always swim vertically, usually with their heads pointing downward, and adopt a horizontal posture only when they feed. The body is protected by bony plates, and the mouth is small. Shrimpfish should be kept together in groups of four to six individuals. Male fish build a nest in which several females will lay their eggs, but successful spawning in an aquarium is unlikely.

Pine-Cone Fish (Monocentris japonica)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to southern Japan and east of Papua New Guinea.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Fresh and thawed marine foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Nonaggressive.

These fish represent a very ancient lineage that has altered little over millions of years. Pine-Cone Fish have a light-emitting organ under each eye, which may assist when hunting invertebrates at night. In the aquarium, they prefer low light levels. You may need to wean newly acquired individuals off foods such as live brine shrimp and onto similar prepared diets.

Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus)

• ORIGINS: Widely distributed throughout the IndoPacific region.
• SIZE: Up to 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Plant matter and meat-based foods, such as squid.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Generally shy but sometimes a bully.

This close relative of the Rabbitfish is difficult to establish in a new aquarium. Plenty of plant matter will initially be needed to replace the algae that forms much of its normal diet. It is best to specialize with this species, keeping just one fish with no other companions. In the wild, Moorish Idols live in shoals, but in aquariums they tend to quarrel if housed in a group. As they mature, adults develop hornlike swellings in front of their eyes.

Jack-Knife Fish (Equetus lanceolatus)

• ORIGINS: Occurs in the Caribbean, from Florida down to the coast of South America.
• SIZE: Up to 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Fresh and thawed meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Becomes more aggressive with age.

The striking appearance species. of these fish results from the upright position of the first of the two dorsal fins, with its dark stripe curving down the body to the tip of the caudal fin. This fin arrangement means that it is not a fastswimming species. Choose companions carefully, because the elaborate fins are easily damaged.

Bangaii Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)

• ORIGINS: Occurs around Indonesia’s Bangaii Islands, close to Sulawesi (formerly the Celebes).
• SIZE: 3 1⁄4 in (8 cm).
• DIET: Fresh and thawed meat-based diets.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Relatively placid.

Although they have a restricted range in the wild, the breeding habits of Bangaii Cardinalfish have allowed relatively easy creation of aquarium strains. These fish are mouth-brooders, with the male carrying the eggs until they hatch. The fry are large enough to be fed brine shrimp. Bangaiis can be kept in small groups, alongside other nonaggressive species.

Saltwater Catfish (Plotosus lineatus)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the Red Sea throughout the IndoPacific region.
• SIZE: Up to 16 in (40 cm).
• DIET: Thawed or fresh meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Highly social only when young

Think carefully before choosing this species for an aquarium. Young Saltwater Catfish, like those shown below, are social fish that must always be kept in groups. When they reach 6 in (15 cm) in length, however, they lose the distinctive white body stripes and their behavior changes; they start to prefer a more solitary lifestyle and should be kept singly. In addition, care must be taken to avoid their potentially lethal venomous fin spines.

HIDING PLACES

On the reef, just as in the aquarium, fish will make the most of whatever retreats they can find. Reef shipwrecks, for example, are rapidly colonized by a variety of species. This Giant Moray Eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) has taken up residence in a piece of piping. This unusual hideaway allows it to lurk unseen and surge out to seize passing prey, just as it would from a reef crevice. However, not all fish that approach the eel’s lair will be eaten. Some small species come in search of leftover food scraps, darting boldly close to the eel’s mouth to snatch floating morsels.

Zebra Goby (Ptereleotris zebra)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea across the Pacific, to the Ryukyu Islands; south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Small invertebrates favored.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Usually placid; adults more territorial.

A small group of Zebra Gobies can be kept in a reef aquarium, but their food needs to be carried on the current rather than lying on the bottom. These fish seek small caves where they can retreat, often sharing holes. A pair will spawn in aquarium surroundings, with the female guarding the eggs until they hatch.

Yellow-Headed Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons)

• ORIGINS: The Caribbean, from Florida and the Bahamas down to the coast of Venezuela.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Small fresh and thawed meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Shy and nonaggressive.

These beautiful fish are ideally suited to a reef aquarium, but they will not be very conspicuous since they are burrowers by nature. They hide much of their body in the substrate, adopting a vertical pose, with the yellow head coloration blending in with the sandy background and disguising their presence. They seldom move far from their burrows, so it is important to place food nearby. This is a mouth-brooding species.

Purple Fire Goby (Nemateleotris decora)

• ORIGINS: The western Pacific, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
• SIZE :3 in (7.5 cm).
• DIET: Small crustaceans.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Reasonably social.

The dorsal fin of these small fish has two parts, and they may raise the taller front portion, almost as if in a threatening gesture. They are suitable for a reef aquarium, where they will use holes in the rockwork as retreats. Do not house these fish with invertebrate predators, such as hermit crabs and bristleworms, which will prey on them at night. Feed them on brine shrimp at first, but later they can be weaned onto frozen planktonic foods.

Horrid Stonefish (Synanceia horrida)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the Red Sea throughout the Indo-Pacific region, extending east to Oceania.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Animal-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory.

The Horrid Stonefish’s appeal lies in its amazing camouflage. As an aquarium occupant, stonefish normally have to be kept on their own because of their highly predatory natures, although feeding them is quite straightforward. Great care needs to be taken when catching one of these fish or servicing its tank to avoid being injured by the stonefish’s venomous spines. The spines contain a toxin that can cause severe tissue damage.

THE PATIENT PREDATOR

The ultimate ambush experts in the marine world are stonefish, such as this Popeyed Sea Goblin (Inimicus didactylus). They spend their time lying camouflaged on the seabed, often partially buried or concealed among seaweed. The eyes, which are positioned on the top of the head to give all-around visibility, alert the stonefish to the approach of potential prey, which is snapped up by the cavernous mouth. A stonefish can swim but typically prefers to remain hidden from view. Barefoot swimmers risk being impaled on the fish’s venomous spines when wading in shallow water.

Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)

• ORIGINS: Eastern Pacific, from Java up to the Ryukyu Islands and south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
• SIZE: 3 1⁄4 in (8 cm).
• DIET: Fresh and thawed meat-based marine foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Generally placid

These unusually patterned members of the cardinalfish family are ideal for a community marine setup or a reef aquarium, since they are rarely aggressive, even toward invertebrates. However, they may occasionally disagree among themselves if they are kept in a small group. To avoid overcrowding, allow 12 in (30 cm) of tank length for every one of these fish. By introducing them all to the aquarium at the same time, you can minimize the risk of territorial disputes. Pajamas have large eyes, indicating that they tend to be most active after dark, but they will also prove lively in an aquarium during the day. Transferring them to artificial diets is usually not difficult, although they will typically refuse marine flake foods. Brine shrimp are very popular with this species, and these can also be used to rear any young that are produced. Pajama Cardinalfish are mouth-brooders.

Snowflake Moray Eel (Echidna nebulosa)

• ORIGINS: Extends from the coast of East Africa and the Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific region to Oceania.
• SIZE: 39 in (100 cm); 12 in (30 cm) in aquariums.
• DIET: Meat-based foods, fresh and thawed.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.019–1.026.
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive; do not mix with other fish

These predatory denizens of the reef will settle well in a marine aquarium. The aquarium must be securely covered to prevent escape, and a large crevice in which the eel can hide is essential. Moray eels locate food by its waterborne scent, the small eyes being an indication of their poor vision. Do not try to hand-feed these fish— they can inflict serious bites. Instead, use special tongs usually sold for offering food to snakes.

Blue-Spotted Ray (Taeniura lymma)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the Red Sea to the vicinity of southern Japan and Australia’s eastern coast.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Mainly crustaceans and mollusks.
• WATER: Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Keep separate

These fish are potentially dangerous because they have a toxic spine at the base of the tail. During any maintenance work, such as cleaning the filter, it is important to partition the aquarium in order to avoid any risk of being stung by the spine. Be sure that there are extensive open areas in the tank for swimming. These rays will spend much of their time close to the floor of the aquarium, which is where they search for food. Rays have a cartilaginous rather than a bony skeleton and no swim bladder, relying instead on their large, fatty liver to provide buoyancy.

Blue Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)

• ORIGINS: Seas around southeast Asia, extending south to Australia and north almost to Japan.
• SIZE: 48 in (120 cm); 15 in (38 cm) in aquariums.
• DIET: Live invertebrates may be needed.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.019–1.026.
• TEMPERAMENT: Will escape if aquarium is not covered.

The color of these ribbon eels alters with age and may also reflect a change in gender. They start off as black, then change to the blue form (which used to be considered as a separate species), and later become more yellow. All females change from males and are yellower overall. A ribbon eel needs rocky crevices where it can lurk. It prefers live prey, so weaning it onto prepared foods can be difficult. Initially, try waving inert foods on tongs near the eel’s lair.

[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – David Alderton (Photo by Max Gibbs)