Fish Species

Sharks

2008-05-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

Sharks! Does this name bring a sense of fear in your mind? Or you just get excited by hearing the name. Today I am going to tell you each and everything about sharks; from their body structure, to eating habits, to myths and facts associated with them. So let’s begin with something general about them.

Sharks are the members of Chondricythyes class that have full cartilaginous skeleton and a streamlined body. Rays and skates also belong to the same class, so sharks are very close relative of rays and skates. Shockingly most of them relate to rays more rather than other sharks. They like all other fishes, respire through gills and not through lungs as mammals do. Sharks have canine teethes which are not attached to the jaw, rather are embedded in the skin. Their teeth are the most surprised beauty that God have given to them. Sharks physical structure is quite varying. Sharks can be too small just 22 centimeters long such as pygmy shark or can be too large up to 13 meters like white shark. Until now, more than 360 species of the sharks have been discovered. The most notable of all is Bull Shark.

Sharks Physical Structure:
They have cartilaginous skeleton which is very light and quite flexible than bone. This helps sharks in swimming under water and covering long distances easily. Their skin is often guarded against parasites and other damages because of dermal denticles covering. All sharks have streamlined bodies though few of them have broad fins at the end. So like other fish species they also swim swiftly though they have bulky bodies.

Sharks teethes are not attached to the jaw but they are rooted into the flesh of the mouth. This may be because they need more piercing power when attacking their prey. Interesting fact about sharks teethes is that on an average, single shark can loose 30,000 teeth in a lifetime. Sharks have tails that give them speed and acceleration. The structure of the tail varies from shark to shark. Shape of the tail gives shark the ability to survive and prey in different environments.

Sharks respire through gill slits that are located just next to head before the pectoral fin. They also have spiracle, a modified gill, right above the head though which they intake water while respiring. This spiracle plays important role for the bottom dwelling sharks where the oxygen concentration in the water is quite less. Sharks eyes are covered with a tissue called tapetum lucidum that made them perfect for marine environment. Sharks life span may be from 20 to 30 years.

Sharks Eating Habits and Reproduction:
Sharks are carnivore. They can eat anything from small fishes, crabs, turtles, large fishes, and even other small sharks. They prey in groups whether they are preying on the top of the water or at the bottom. Their technique to attack may vary from species to specie. Some sharks swathe their prey and then kill the weak ones while other sharks prey using hidden attack technique. But one thing is common to all of them. They are aggressive. Yes and this aggressiveness have even encouraged them to humans too. Sharks have olfactory glands that let them sense even a one part million of blood in the water. They do have hearing power too.
Reproduction in shark is very rarely observed. While some sharks reproduce by curling around the female shark whereas other shark the big ones often mate swimming parallel to each other. One can easily distinguish between male shark and female shark. Males have modified pelvic. Males attract females by biting them. Sharks produce pups either directly or safeguard them using egg cases unlike eggs laid down by other fishes. Sharks can even mate without the need of any male partner.

This all told about their structure, eating habits and reproduction, let’s know move towards some rumors associated with them. In direct words, sharks don’t prey humans though few shark species are dangerous for humans. They don’t like to feed on humans. So then what about the stories associated with the sharks attacking the humans? Sharks attacks on us only if they feel being trapped or when someone comes their way. Usually sea-divers and water surfers are the victims of shark’s attacks. Sharks like to ride on high tides and hence often attacks surfers coming their way. We people often think that white sharks are the deadliest underwater creatures but some divers had reported to go as close as to them without a fear of being getting hit by white sharks though few precautions are needed.

So get yourself out of the false stories associated with sharks and show your respect towards them. Shark killing has been increased in past 50 years. Even some of the shark species have gone extinct. This is the time to save them and protect them. They are of huge importance to us and nature. Nature has created every creature with pre-defined goals and we should co-operate with nature as much as possible. That’s it!

Banded Goby Fish

2008-05-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Gobiidae
Binomial name: Amblygobius phalaena

Banded Goby (Amblygobius phalaena) is a tropical fish species that belongs to the Gobiidae family. Banded Goby has a broad distribution throughout the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region and has been recorded from the Cocos-Keeling Islands, Marquesas and French Polynesia across to Australia and southern Japan. This species is best identified by the 5 white-edged grey body bars and the black spot on the first dorsal fin. The body of Banded Goby can be white to pale yellow in colouration however dark variations with brown colouration can be found. Banded Goby is generally found on reef flats and sheltered coral reefs to depths of 20 metres. Banded Goby grows to a maximum length of approximately 15cm.

In the aquarium, Banded Goby fish prefer peaceful surroundings with numerous hiding places. When kept in a tank with large active fish, they may hide most of the time and may not get enough to eat. Banded Goby is the most easily maintained and is also the best substrate sifter. It is generally a good feeder, accepting most types of foods. There is a prominent ocellus (glossary) on the first dorsal fin and a black spot at the upper caudal fin base of the Banded Goby fish. The dorsal spines are 7 in number with 14 dorsal soft rays. There is only 1 anal spine with 14 anal soft rays. Banded Gobies are usually seen swimming just above the bottom in areas of sand, silt or sparse seagrass.

Banded Goby fish prefer live foods such as brine shrimp, mysid shrimp, and amphipods however they may adapt to eating frozen foods that are chopped up finely enough to be swallowed whole. Some Banded Gobies may also sift sand through their gill rakers to trap small substrate dwelling invertebrates. They will supplement their diets by eating filamentous algae however a strict diet of algae alone will not keep them alive for very long.

It is believed that the Banded Goby is a sequential hermaphrodite which means that it can function both as a male and a female however it can't fertilize its own eggs. The eggs have often been found in aquariums, even with only one specimen in the tank. The Banded Goby fish lay the eggs in small caves and will tend them when fertilized until they hatch.

Banded Goby species require high quality water with temperature ranging between 72 and 78 degree Fahrenheit, specific gravity ranging from 1.020 to 1.025 and ph not less than 8.1 and also not more than 8.4. Banded Goby fish tends to be non-aggressive toward other species and will not bother any invertebrates, which makes them excellent candidates for the reef aquarium. The only problem Banded Goby may have in large reef tanks that lack filamentous algae is getting enough to eat.

Banded Goby is known from the Indo-Pacific. In Australia Banded Goby occurs from south-western, around the tropical north and south to central New South Wales; Philippines to the Society Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to southern Australia (including Lord Howe Island) and Rapa Island.

Bar Goby

2008-05-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Microdesmidae
Binomial name: Ptereleotris zebra

Bar Goby a peaceful fish is a member of the family Microdesmidae, which are referred to as dartfishes, close relatives of the popular Firefish. It is light green with pink bars on the body, a pink blotch on the gill cover and blue lines on the head. Bar Goby should be kept with less aggressive tankmates in an aquarium with numerous places to hide.

Bar Goby is often reluctant to come out of hiding for a week or two, but once it is fully acclimated it will swim about the tank without reservation. These gobies are rarely aggressive towards other fishes, and can be kept in small groups in the aquarium.

Bar Goby is a peaceful little fish that can make a good addition to a great variety of marine aquariums. Once you have seen the Bar Goby, it will be quite easy to understand it is a favorite fish among many marine enthusiasts.

Bar Gobies get along well in groups or pairs, and act peacefully when combined with other species. If the group of Bar Gobies is to be kept, they should be introduced simultaneously. Bar Gobies are considered to be ideal for reef tanks, and many are also kept in peaceful fish-only aquariums. They should be provided with a soft or sandy patch of substrate or rubble into which they can burrow. They also prefer some sort of current present in their aquarium.

Bar Goby usually grows to about four inches (ten centimeters) long at maturity. Over the elongated body are a number of vertical bars. These are orange to pink in shade, and each is edged in a bluish to purple hue. The rest of the fish is a pale green to silver color.
Both the head and body of the Bar Goby are light green. Its attractive slender body has numerous vertical, evenly-spaced thin orange stripes displaying an intricate pattern.

Bar Goby can be shy in the beginning and eventually come out and be friendly. All over metallic green body with contrasting colored stripes makes this timid but beautiful dither fish an excellent choice for a reef.

A 20 gallon aquarium is appropriate for a pair of Bar Gobies. The temperature between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH value of 8.3 or 8.4 are appropriate for Bar Gobies. The specific gravity should remain between 1.020 and 1.025. For a fish-only enclosure, values between 1.020 and 1.023 are appropriate. However, invertebrates require higher specific gravities.

In an aquarium with these animals, the appropriate specific gravity would fall between 1.023 and 1.025. Plenty of hiding places, and a soft sandy substrate should be provided for Bar Gobies. Bar Gobies should be kept in pairs or groups and generally get along well with other fish, which they will clean. Bar Gobies should be offered foodstuff small enough to fit in their mouths. Often, mysis shrimp or brine shrimp are appropriate food for them. Care should be taken to prevent this fish from jumping out of the aquarium as they have been known to do.

The meaty diet of the Bar Goby should include fresh or frozen seafood and brine and mysid shrimp. The Bar Goby is a low maintenance fish. Bar Goby are one of the first and only members of this family to spawn in captivity

The nearby rock and rubble zones serve as protection. It is in conjunction with the rocks that these earns the nickname 'Dartfish.' When danger looms nearby, these fish quickly retreat, or dart, into the rocks. In addition to using the 'dart holes' when danger approaches, these fish will also use them for overnight protection. These 'dart holes' are either burrows within the rock structure or, in most cases, burrows within the sand.

Juveniles of Bar Goby fish are found in groups, sometimes up 200 or more individuals, but most of them will usually pair-up with a mate once they reach maturity.. The groups or pairs will hover from two to six feet above their rock patch and capture zooplankton as it drifts past. They will travel several feet from their security boltholes, but return promptly after snatching their intended morsel from the water column.

Bar gobies are found in Indo-Pacific Ocean from Red Sea and islands in the western Indian Ocean to the Line and Marquesan Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef; Mariana and Marshall Islands in Micronesia.
Unfortunately or say their bad luck, Bar Goby disappeared December 2001
It is now presumed extinct.

Arc-Eye Hawkfish

2008-05-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cirrhitidae
Binomial name: Paracirrhites arcatus

Arc Eye Hawkfish, also known as Arc-Eyed Hawkfish or Ring eye Hawkfish, has an orange-colored body with a white horizontal barred on the back half. The operculum and eyes have the most distinctive markings, with an alternating blue and bright orange pattern. Arc Eye Hawkfish has a horseshoe-shaped mark behind the eye that consists of three thin lines. There are three orange bands on a light blue area on the operculum. A white to pink stripe is often present along the lateral line on the rear of the fish. Each dorsal fin spine is tipped with cirrus. This species grows to 14 cm in length.

Arc Eyed Hawkfish is about two inches (5 cm) in length. As with other hawkfish, such as the Falco's hawkfish, it has a voyeuristic nature. Lacking a swim bladder, the Arc Eye Hawkfish spend most of their time perched on corals, watching for prey, interrupted by an occasional sudden dash to another nearby vantage point. Arc Eye Hawkfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 71 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.3 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.023 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

A 30 gallon or larger aquarium provides a good environment for these Arc Eye Hawkfishes. It should be the last fish introduced into the tank community. It becomes very territorial, and will harass new additions to the tank including other hawkfish and larger fish. If placed in a reef aquarium, Arc Eye Hawkfish will eat crabs, shrimp, anemones, and smaller fish. Arc-Eye Hawkfish can be identified by the arc of colors behind its eye; despite multiple possibilities for its body colors, that arc is unchanging. Arc-Eye Hawkfish forms territorial harems, with one male defending a territory with multiple females and juveniles.

Arc eye Hawkfish, like other congeners, has multiple color Emorphs whose relative abundances vary greatly among geographic locations. Arc Eye Hawkfish occurs on coral reefs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, Arc Eye Hawkfish is known from central to north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef south to northern New South Wales.

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby

2008-05-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Stonogobiops species

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby fish is a lovely fish that is a wonderful addition to the passive community tank. If startled, this fish will occasionally bury under the sand.
Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby require a plenty of hiding places and a sand bottom. They are usually found living with the red and white banded snapping shrimp, Alpheus randalli.
The Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby is small fish, usually around 3/4"-1.5". It usually grow up to 3 inches.This fish generally will come to you at 1 to 2 inches.

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby may sometimes attempt jump out. They need places to burrow and they prefer presence of substrate. Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby is known to be one of the watchman family that will share its burrow with a pistol shrimp. Yasha Hase Goby pairs particularly well with the red and white striped 'Randalls' Pistol Shrimp.
Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby prefers a tank of at least 20 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Yasha Shrimp Goby do well in aquarium with temperature not exceeding 78 degree Fahrenheit, also not less than 72 degree Fahrenheit. The specific gravity should be kept between 1.020 and 1.025. The pHvalue should also lie between 8.1 and 8.4 points.
Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby is one of the most often purchased Shrimp Goby for aquariums. This species adapts well to aquarium life and has even spawned in reef aquariums. Only male-female Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby pairs should be put in the same (especially small) tank as these Gobies will attack other Shrimp Gobies.

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby should do fine in most setups but may get eaten by larger, more aggressive tank mates. They do like to hide a lot and live rock should help make them feel secure. Some have reported that this fish has jumped from the tank so a good tight fitting aquarium hood with no escape points is needed. You may be able to keep mated pairs but it is not advisable to keep more than a mated pair of the Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby in smaller tanks. They may fight over territory with other goby species.

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby is not very picky when it comes to fish food and should accept most foods that are given to them. Try to give them a varied diet of live, frozen, freeze-dried and vitamin-enriched flake foods. Make sure they are getting their share around feeding time. Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby seem to be very resistant to most saltwater fish disease but they still need proper pre-cautions and a quarantine tank should be used before introducing them into main tank. After they've been in quarantine for two weeks or so and you notice no signs of illness, slowly place them into your display tank.

Yasha Hase Shrimp Goby is distributed in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean in Indonesia, Phillipines, Australia and in carribean islands.

Clown Goby Fish

2008-05-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Gobiodon okinawae

Clown Goby also known as the Okinawa goby or Yellow coral goby is a member of the goby family native to the western Pacific from southern Japan to the southern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. As the name implies, they are bright yellow in color, save for a whitish patch on each cheek. Equally bright as their coloration is their personality; Clown Goby fishes are valued additions to reef aquaria, with a reputation for being friendly and entertaining. Clown Goby is often found in and about both hard and soft corals. This fish is a very bright yellow with an equally electric personality.

Clown Goby requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium preferably with branching coral. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fishes, but will fight with its own kind in a smaller aquarium. Therefore, it is best if kept with other docile species. Clown Goby have a generally fusiform shape with seven dorsal spines, ten soft dorsal rays, one anal spine, and nine anal soft rays. At maturity they can reach a length of 3.5 cm. Clown Goby is known to successfully spawn in an aquarium, laying eggs that sink into the coral branches where they are protected.

Clown Goby fishes are not generally aggressive, though they can actively protect their territory against their own kind. The primary defense of Clown Goby against predators is poisonous, bitter mucus on their skin that makes them unpalatable. Clown Goby inhabits the coral reefs of sheltered lagoons. Unlike most gobies, which are burrowers, Clown Goby roost in the outer branches of acropora (staghorn) corals, in groups of five to fifteen individuals. The diet of the Clown Goby should consist of a variety of brine shrimp, frozen mysid shrimp, table shrimp, and frozen food preparations for carnivores. If housed in a reef aquarium with live branching corals, Clown Goby will need to be fed once a day. If housed in an aquarium without substrate, it will require several feedings per day.

The Clown Gobies are opportunistic feeders, not hunters. The typical eating behavior is to wait for food to come into range, at which point they dart out to grab it and then immediately return to their roost. Clown Goby is popular with aquarists and is generally considered to be reef safe. Clown Goby is especially suited to nano reef tanks because of its small size, and the ability of the aquarist to closely monitor its health. Because of territorial issues with their own kind in the small confines of a tank, they are best kept singly or as a breeding pair.

Many Clown Gobies become accustomed to their keepers, recognize their presence, and seem to beg for food. Additionally, when perching in a favorite location, they seem to do a "fish dance" where they wiggle back and forth in an undulating motion while waving their fins. Many of the Clown Goby fishes arrive at retailers in emaciated condition and are slow or finicky eaters. Clown Gobies often starve in the presence of more voracious feeders, such as wrasse. Care must be taken to ensure they start eating within one or two days of acquisition.

Clown Goby fishes start life as females, and are bi-directional protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that when paired up, if necessary, one changes sex to form a breeding pair. In the case of two female Clown Gobies forming a pair, the larger of the two becomes male, and in the case of two males, the smaller changes sex to become female. The only time a male Clown Goby is smaller than a female is when a small male is placed in the same coral as a large female. Clown Goby fishes lays eggs in circular bands around coral branches in masses of up to a thousand. The male will immediately fertilize them and guard until hatching. The eggs hatch about five days later. At about day 33, the fry undergo metamorphosis and begin to settle. The coloration can be seen at about day 40.

Orange Diamond Goby

2008-05-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Valenciennea puellaris

Orange Diamond Goby is a cream/white colored fish with several lateral rows of orange spots along its entire body. It also has several lateral rows of iridescent blue spots from the pectoral fins to the mouth. Its underside is a plain cream/white color. Orange Diamond Goby has an elongated body, long, blunt head, and high-set eyes.
They do not have a swim bladder. This is why they spend most of their time in a still position. Swimming will be brief and jerky.

Orange Diamond Goby can grow to 6 to 7 inches (17 cm). In the home aquarium, the Orange Diamond Goby shares the job of maintaining your substrate. Constantly sifting through the sand to find food or make a burrow, the Goby turns over the sand bed and prevents algae from covering the surface. The work of the Orange Diamond Goby also prevents detritus from accumulating and forming dead spots in your sand bed and from the sand becoming packed down.

Orange Diamond Goby will not spray sand all over the rocks or corals but you may, however, have to flatten your sand bed every now and then when the Goby has made it look like sand dunes in the desert Gobies live in holes either found or dug in the sand. Orange Diamond Goby will tolerate moderate to bright lighting but it need some dimly light areas to retreat to. The fish will typically chase after food in the water column but will never get too far from the safety of their burrow.

Orange Diamond Goby is peaceful and will not bother other fishes or invertebrates. They will do well in a community tank. Orange Diamond Goby may rest upon corals and clams. Most corals will tolerate this, but Tridacnid clams and gorgonians are especially sensitive. The coral or clam may not expand fully and would then begin suffering from lack of light, etc. Orange Diamond Goby can share a burrow with a mate. They may also share a burrow with another Goby of the same or a similar species. They may establish territories but the territories will be small.

Spawning in the Orange Diamond Goby takes place in burrows or caves. The eggs are guarded by the male. After hatching, the larvae drift into the plankton to develop. They will migrate back to the sea floor as juveniles. Orange Diamond Goby is primarily carnivores. It will sift the sand through its gills looking for worms and small crustaceans. They are known to accept brineshrimp. They can also be offered mysis shrimp, finely chopped meat and fish. Live and frozen foods should be given. It is frequently reported that Orange Diamond Goby starves to death due to a lack of food in the substrate.

Orange Diamond Goby fish is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. In the wild, Orange Diamond Goby fish will inhabit the sandy areas of a clear lagoon and seaward reefs. They are usually found in pairs and use burrows as a refuge. The burrows will be shallow (only a few centimeters) and made under large pieces of rubble. Orange Diamond Goby fish has also been found on dark volcanic sand such as what is found in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the northern Mariana Island.

Red Headed Goby Fish

2008-05-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Gobiosoma puncticulatus

Red Headed Goby is an attractive small and slim fish. The head being red with black line running straight from the body with one iridescent black stripe along the bottom of its body and a white belly, it is easily identified. They have a life span of about one to two years. Red Headed Goby is ideal first fish for the new marine hobbyists as they will pick off parasites and dead tissue from other fishes.

If you are looking for marine breed to try your hand at, the premier Red Headed Goby is a prime candidate. It has been tank-bred and reared in commercial quantities for years.
Red Headed Goby species parents are small and may be maintained easily in a twenty gallon system. They pair and spawn readily and regularly, with demersal (bottom) eggs, and parental care. The individual Red Headed Goby may be sexed with practice and close observation. The males are cone-shaped and pointed at the tip; the females are generally only visible near spawning and are short and rounded at the tip.

Red Headed Goby can spawn and rear their young on most anything solid. The fry are raised on unicellular plankton. The young are fully developed in a month; which seems fast until you realize their full lifespan is but a year or two. Red Headed Goby is extremely hardy and a great beginner marine fish. It gets along great in a community aquarium or reef aquarium. It is very beneficial for its tank mates. It is a true cleaner goby and will pick off cryptocaryon and other parasites from them, as well as dead tissue. A prime candidate for breeding, this little fish is a ready breeder and has been bred by both hobbyists and commercially for years.

Red Headed Goby is relatively non-aggressive, except to their species. They will engage in high speed chases around the tank, but these appear to be mostly harmless affairs. Each Red Headed Goby will stake out their own territory if more than one is kept in a tank. They will frequently setup a cleaning station where the larger fish will come when they want the Gobies attention. The larger fish will signal their desire to be cleaned by assuming a tilted posture, spreading their fins or with a color change as can be seen in the picture of the Achilles Tang being cleaned above.

In their natural environment, Red Headed Goby are seen singly, in pairs, and also in groups of 30 or more. A good community fish, Red Headed Goby are generally not aggressive except to members of their own species, unless they are a mated pair. They will set up and defend territories if there is more than one. Red Headed Goby is easy to keep. They can be kept in either a community fish aquarium or a reef. But as they are coral reef inhabitants, they do enjoy live rock to hide in and to feel comfortable.

Red Headed Goby is carnivorous, feeding on parasitic crustacea in its natural environment. They require daily feeding and though they will get some of their nourishment from cleaning parasites off of their tankmates, this will need to be supplemented. They will readily accept small meaty foods, frozen foods, and tablets. Red Headed Goby is found in the western Central Atlantic, primarily in the coral reefs of Florida, USA and southward to Belize. They are often found in moderately shallow areas at about 40" (1 m), but they also inhabits depths down to 132 feet (40 m).

Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby

2008-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Amblyeleotris guttata

Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby, also known as the Spotted Prawn Goby or Orange Spotted Goby, was first discovered in the Western Pacific in 1938 by Flower. Its body is white with orange spots outlined in brown. It has the ability to form symbiotic partnerships with nearly blind alpheid shrimp. It provides a watchful eye while the shrimp digs a burrow for them to share. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby is one of the most attractive shrimp-goby species, and is also relatively common in the marine fish trade. The body is covered with orange spots, the pelvic fins are black and the belly is also dark.

Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby fishes are well suited for aquarium life. They are not aggressive, except possibly towards conspecifics or towards other bottom-dwelling fishes, except for those that try to enter their preferred hiding place. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby require suitable hiding places and they may jump out of an open aquarium when startled. So always a covered aquarium is preferred. If the aquarium is not pre-covered, use lid to cover it otherwise they will jump out of the tank. Like all other shrimp fishes, Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby also shares a burrow with one or more snapping shrimp (Alpheus spp.).

Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby fish is usually small, typically around 1"-1.5" These fishes generally will come to you at 2 to 3 inches. This is a hardy fish and may act peacefully towards other fishes in the same tank. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby is a low maintenance fish. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby is best suited for aquariums that are 30 gallons or larger which have adequate hiding places along with ample swimming space. The aquarium should have a tight-fitting lid to prevent it from jumping out. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby adapts well to reef aquariums, although it does pose a possible threat to small, delicate ornamental shrimp. It prefers a bed of fine sand and loose coral rubble to sift through.

Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby requires a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C) and natural diet consisting mainly of benthic invertebrate. They requires a meaty diet i.e. enriched brine shrimp, mysis, finely chopped fish or shrimp flesh, with one or two feedings per day. They should not be housed with aggressive fishes such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes. The small sinking enriched shrimp meal pellets are an excellent way of keeping the Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby well fed. They form symbiotic partnerships with nearly blind alpheid shrimps, yet does not need a shrimp partner to survive. This bottom dwelling animal should have a course substrate and some rubble to move around as desired.

It is possible for the Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby to spawn successfully while in the aquarium. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby diet should consist of a variety of fresh or frozen mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and table shrimp. It should be fed at least twice per day. Orange Spotted Shrimp Goby is found in Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea.

Ladder Glider Goby

2008-05-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Valenciennea sexguttata

Ladder Glider Goby, also known as the Sixspot Sleeper Goby, Ladder Goby, or Sleeper Blue Dot Goby, has a white body with bright blue spots under the eyes and mouth. In order to successfully care for Ladder Glider Goby fish, it should be housed in a 50 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached populated refugium. It rarely will become aggressive towards other fishes, but is territorial, and will fight with its own species unless they are a mated pair.

Ladder Glider Goby is suitable for a reef aquarium but may eat small, delicate shrimps. It requires a tank with a live sand and coral rubble substrate for burrowing. It should be housed with other peaceful fishes and can be kept as a single specimen or as a mated pair. Ladder Glider Goby is considered reef safe and is also a nice addition to communities of peaceful fishes. They have been known to jump from their aquariums, so it is a good idea to keep a lid on their enclosures. When provided with a thick layer of substrate, the Ladder Glider Goby will often burrow. This natural behavior should be encouraged with the use of loose substrates that are neither too fine nor shard-edged.

Ladder Glider Goby grows up to 6 inches.These fish generally will come to you at 2 to 3 inches. Ladder Glider is a low maintenance fish. Ladder Glider Goby require a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C). They are a sand sifter, picking up large mouthfuls of sand and expelling it through the gill covers, sifting out anything edible. They also take a wide variety of frozen or flake food. Small sinking enriched shrimp meal pellets are an excellent way of keeping them well fed. Some Ladder Glider Gobies seem to waste away no matter how well fed, which could be a sign of intestinal worms. These fishes are burrow dwellers, and will normally seek protection under low overhanging rocks or actually burrow underneath rock to form a secure home.

Ladder Glider Goby should be housed in aquariums with a sandbed of at least two inches in depth and not housed with aggressive fishes such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or aggressive angelfishes. Usually, Ladder Glider Goby starve to death in closed systems unless there are few competitors for their food supply or they may simply jump out of the aquarium. Even though they mate for life in the wild, pairs can form in the closed system. Ladder Glider Goby should be maintained in pairs if at all possible.

Ladder Glider Goby feeds off the bottom as it sifts through the sand eating mouthfuls of substrate and the food that lives within the sand. The diet should include a variety of live and frozen brine shrimp, mysid shrimp, live black worms, and prepared foods for carnivores, and it should be fed frequently. Ladder Glider Gobies are found in Indo-Pacific Ocean, in Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and East Africa to Somoa, north to Ryukyu Islands and south the Queensland Australia.

Hi Fin Red Banded Goby

2008-05-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Stonogobiops nematodes

Hi Fin Red Banded Goby is also referred to as the Striped Goby, or the Blackray Shrimp Goby. The body has a silver-white coloration with a yellow face and very distinct dark diagonal stripes across the body. They are a wonderful fish for a passive fish only or reef aquarium, and may form a symbiotic relationship with a pistol shrimp. Hi Fin Red Banded Goby grows up to 4 inches.These fishes generally will come to you 1 - 2.5 inches.

Hi Fin Red Banded Goby may sometimes attempt to jump out. As such they needs places to burrow. They prefer presence of substrate. Hi Fin Red Banded Goby is hearty; accepts most foods. Hi Fin Red Banded Goby is passive and compatible with same or like species. It is a good reef fish. Hi Fin Red Banded Goby is known to be one of the watchman family that will share its burrow with a pistol shrimp. Hi Fin Goby pairs particularly well with the red and white striped 'Randalls' Pistol Shrimp.

The ideal environment for the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby is an aquarium of at least 10 gallons with plenty of live rock and a sand bed. It is not aggressive towards other shrimp gobies and may even share a burrow with another species. Being territorial, Hi Fin Red Banded Goby may occasionally quarrel with conspecifics if kept together, or if the tank is too small.

It is possible for the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby to spawn successfully in an aquarium. Hi Fin Banded Goby makes an excellent "Nano Fish" and does well in any peaceful reef aquarium. It will pair with a variety of pistol shrimps. This unique symbiotic relationship is quite interesting to observe. Hi Fin Red Banded Goby serves as lookout while the nearly blind shrimp keeps their burrow dug out and tidy. When kept together the shrimp will build a burrow for both the goby and itself.

Do not keep the Hi Fin Red Banded Goby with hawkfish, sand perches, or aggressive dottybacks which may pick on it. This goby is best added before larger more aggressive gobies. Hi Fin Banded Goby will spend most of it’s time in close proximity to the burrow allowing the, nearly blind, shrimp to keep an antenna on the goby. When the goby senses danger, both it and the shrimp will retreat into the burrow.

Hi Fin Banded Goby is generally peaceful and shy. One of the best ways to bring this fish out a lot in the aquarium is to introduce it in the beginning and add several types of fish that swim in the open water column. This provides the fish with a sense of security, as well as smaller tanks. Hi Fin Banded Goby should certainly be kept with smaller fish and not at all with any larger, carnivorous or aggressive fish.

The diet of the Hi Fin Banded Goby should consist of mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and chopped table shrimp. It needs to be fed at least two times per day. When first added to the aquarium it may not eat for several days, but will usually acclimate and begin eating. Hi Fin Banded Goby is found in the water regions of Indian Ocean in Indonesia, Maldives, and Coasts of India and in Pacific Ocean.

Helfrich's Firefish Goby

2008-05-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name : Nemateleotris helfrichi

Helfrich's Firefish is a member of the family Microdesmidae, which are often referred to as firefishes or dartfishes. This rare species has a bright pink light front half, a lighter pink rear half, a yellow area on its head and pink and yellow on the fins. It is recommended only for the highly experienced aquarist with a well-established reef, because it is more delicate than the other species of firefishes.

Do not attempt the Helfrich's Firefish if your aquarium runs warm or if you have any remotely boisterous fishes. This fish cannot tolerate either. It will ignore its tankmates, with the possible exception of other firefish species. Helfrich's Firefish has a very mild personality, and it will be picked on by more pugnacious fishes. Helfrich's Firefish can jump from open tanks.

Helfrich’s Firefish is often more expensive than its other species because other fishes are abundant in Indonesia and the Philippines where they are plentiful and labor is cheap. Helfrich's Firefish is not found in these areas, and is not plentiful in areas where it is collected. It has a limited range in nature, and is found only in deep water. Helfrich's Firefish grows up to 3 inches.These fish generally will come to you 2 - 4 inches. Helfrich's Firefish prefers a tank of at least 20 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Helfrich Firefish goby is timid and will require peaceful tank mates. It likes plenty of places to hide and is suitable for most reef settings. This fish will fight with it's own genus and tends to jump when stressed. Helfrich's Firefish can not tolerate warm temperatures. Helfrich's Firefish is the deepest-dwelling species of the genus, rarely found in less than 40 m. They are imported to America predominantly from the Marshall Islands/Micronesia, and have a small adult size of 2-3" (6 cm). This exquisite little fish is hardy once established, and fairly tolerant of conspecifics, but demands the most peaceful tankmates. They are easily intimidated into starvation and are best reserved, perhaps, for a biotope or species-specific display.

Helfrich's Firefish can usually be found over hard, open bottoms and rubble patches at the base of the reef. In the wild the Helfrich's Firefish feeds on zooplankton. It has a tendancy to twitch its long dorsal fin back and forth. In aquarium, the Helfrich's Firefish is peaceful fish that usually inhabit the middle level of the tank unlike other gobies. They have a specialized swim bladders that allows them to float in one place without a lot of effort. Helfrich's Firefish as a group tends to be very shy and should be supplied with many dark cave that they can duck into when they feel threatened

Helfrich's Firefish are shy feeders that will usually accept flake food, brine shrimp, and just about anything else that drifts by their little hideout. However they will not feed from the bottom of the tank. In the wild they feed on plankton, fish larvae, and small crustaceans.

Green Clown Goby

2008-05-04T01:25:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Gobiodon atrangulatus

The Green Clown Goby, also known as the Earspot Coral Goby is common within the reefs of the Indo Pacific, found usually among soft and hard coral colonies. They are a small stocky shaped fish with a very large head for their size. There are many different color variations, and this species is a yellowish to greenish-tan color with orange vertical stripes on its head. The Green Clown Goby is a peaceful fish that makes a magnificent totaling to a reef aquarium containing colonies of polyp corals, as they enjoy swimming and hiding amongst the polyps.

The Green Clown Goby requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium preferably with branching coral. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but will fight with its own species in smaller tanks. Therefore, it is best if it is kept with other docile species.
The Green Clown Goby grows up to 1.5 inches.These fishes generally will come to you in 1to 2.5 inches.

The Green Clown Gobies are known to successfully spawn in an aquarium, laying eggs that sink into the coral branches where they are protected. The Green Clown Goby should be housed as a single specimen or as a mated pair, unless they are kept in a larger tank where a small group can be housed, and should be with other peaceful species.

Like the Yellow Clown Goby, the Green Clown goby is a peaceful addition to any reef with caution. Normally found living among soft and hard coral colonies, the Green Clown Gobies make their nests by tearing the covering off acropora colonies. Luckily they rarely cause much damage but if you only have one small acropora sp. you might want to rethink this fish.

The Green Clown Goby is a perfect fish for any sized reef especially nanos because they stay nice and small. They do not swim much around the tank but instead look for a spot to perch and watch what's going on. The Green Clown Goby will often perch among the branches of SPS corals but can decide to rest on other types as well. They rarely do any real harm to the corals. They can be tough to feed but only because of the size of their mouths. The Green Clown Goby will readily accept any type of marine foods you offer as long as they are small enough to get down. In very small tanks they can possibly be aggressive towards other clown gobies, but some will pair up.

The Green Clown Goby is a low maintenance fish. They normally require good water condions like temperature ranging between 72 and 78 degree Fahrenheit. This temperature is suited perfect for the Green Clown Goby in aquarium. The specific gravity lying between 1.020 and 1.025, like other saltwater fishes, is required for them and the pH should range from 8.1 to 8.4 points.

It is common for Green Clown Goby to spawn in an aquarium but the caution should be exercised if the aquarium contains Acropora sp. or similar SPS corals. They will lay their eggs on the underside of the coral's branch, which will cause tissue recession in that area of the coral. However, under good conditions, the coral will regenerate the lost tissue.

The diet of the Green Clown Goby should consist of a variety of brine shrimp, frozen mysid shrimp, table shrimp, and frozen food preparations for carnivores. If housed in a reef tank with live branching corals, it needs to be fed once a day. If housed in a tank without substrate, it will require several feedings per day. The Green Clown Gobies are found in Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Golden Head Sleeper

2008-05-04T01:20:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Valencienna strigata

The Golden Head Sleeper is known by many names including the Pennant Glider, Yellowheaded or Blueband, Bluestreak Goby. Its head is yellow-gold with a sapphire-blue stripe below the eyes, and the rest of the body is off-white.

One of the most popular Sleeper Gobies kept in captivity; the Golden Head Sleeper Goby is quite amazing. With its pale metallic hue and its interesting habits, this fish can make a beautiful addition to many aquariums.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby is considered reef safe and is also a nice addition to communities of peaceful fish. They have been known to jump from their aquariums, so it is a good idea to keep a lid on their enclosures. When provided with a thick layer of substrate, the Golden Head Sleeper Goby will often burrow. This natural behavior should be encouraged with the use of loose substrates that are neither too fine, nor too heavy nor sharp-edged.

In the wild, Gold Head Sleeper Gobies are often noted in pairs near the mouths of their burrows. These Gobies eat small organisms, fish eggs, and fish, which they are able to sift from mouthfuls of sand. They will scoop up mouthfuls of sand and sift it through their gills. They are most commonly found in sand or rubble flats in clear lagoons or seaward reefs.

At maturity, Golden Head Sleeper Gobies measure up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length. Their bodies are whitish silver and their fins are nearly transparent. The head of the Golden Head Sleeper Goby is, as the name implies, a metallic gold or yellow.
Golden Head Sleeper Gobies are found in Indo Pacific regions and from eastern Africa through the Tuamoto Islands. They are one of the more commonly seen Sleeper Gobies in the pet trade.

To be successfully cared for, Golden Head Sleeper should be housed in a 50 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached populated refugium. A well-sealed canopy should be provided. It rarely will become aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair.
For a single Golden Head Sleeper Goby, a covered aquarium of about 30 gallons is being appropriate.

Most Golden Head Sleeper Gobies will thrive in temperatures between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 26 degrees Celsius) with a pH value of 8.3 or 8.4. The specific gravity should remain between 1.020 and 1.025. In a fish-only aquarium, 1.020 to 1.023 is the most acceptable range. However, in an aquarium with invertebrates, the specific gravity should measure between 1.023 and 1.025 for the health of those animals. A thick layer of substrate and plenty of hiding places should be provided. Golden Head Sleeper Gobies normally get along well with other peaceful fish and invertebrates. They may not tolerate members of their own species.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby feeds nearly continuously and this regime should be simulated in captivity by providing a substrate of a size that allows this fish to sift it for food. A diet of small protein items should be offered to Golden Head Sleeper Gobies.

Though it is said that Golden Head Sleeper Gobies have been bred in captivity, no detailed information is available. Because of the difficulty involved in the captive breeding of these fish, the majority of specimens in the pet trade are wild caught.

The Golden Head Sleeper Goby can actually be quite a hard worker and will keep the sand well sifted and clean. It takes large mouthfuls of sand and sifts through it eating small invertebrates and expelling the cleaned sand out of its gills. This goby likes to work together in pairs. One alone usually gets lonely and groups will often fight, unless introduced to a large aquarium. They are rarely aggressive towards other fish, except other sleeper gobies, such as the Orangespot Diamond Goby. They will do best in a reef aquarium with passive fishes.

The Golden Head Sleeper Gobies are found in Indian and Pacific Ocean.

Firefish Goby

2008-05-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Nemateleotris magnifica

The Firefish Goby is a magnificent little fish that's perfect for reef tanks. This fish has a white forebody and a "fiery" rearbody that is colored in a mix of red colors. The Firefish Goby also has an elongated first dorsal spine that "jumps" up and down. This little fish has lot of personality and should be kept in a tank with lots of rockwork. The Firefish Goby likes crevices, caves, and overhangs where they can "hang" in place. These fishes prefer to be kept in pairs and do well in the home aquarium.

The Firefish Gobies are great for reef tanks and will accept most fish foods.These fishes are good jumpers, so precautions should be taken to secure openings at the top of the aquarium. In the wild, Firefish Goby is usually found in groups hovering over the reef, harvesting planktonic food that drifts by in the current. Each Firefish Goby will have a "bolt-hole," which it quickly ducks into when threatened.

Firefish Goby has always been one of the more popular fish in the marine hobby. There are two, closely-related fish species, the Flame (Purple) Firefish, N. decora and the rarely seen N. helfrichi.

A beautiful addition to any peaceful reef aquarium, the Firefish Goby is quite docile and should not bother its tank-mates except for other firefish. It is best kept either singly or as a pair. They require several hiding places for it to retreat. It is advised to keep a lid on the aquarium because the Firefish Goby is likely to try to jump out.

The Firefish Goby grows up to 3 inches.These fishes generally will come to you 2 - 4 inches. The Firefish Goby is slightly timid but will become bolder with time. It likes plenty of places to hide and is suitable for most reef settings. This fish will fight with its own genus and tends to jump.

Hobbyists who use a halide system with an open top should construct a Plexiglas "edge" around the trim, at least 10" tall. Firefish Goby is generally not aggressive towards other fish except those of its own species; a mated pair can live peacefully. The Firefish Goby prefers moderate lighting conditions, with a moderate current passing over the reef.
Along with algae and zooplankton growing in the tank, the diet of the Firefish Goby should consist of finely chopped small crustaceans, vitamin-enriched brine fish (live or frozen), mysid shrimp, and prepared foods.

The Firefish Goby is a low maintenance fish.This is a hardy fish. .
The Firefish Goby is found in the entire water region of Indo-Pacific Ocean. These extent from Srilanka to Maldives, Australia to Phillipines and the Ryoku islands.

Citron Clown Goby

2008-05-04T01:11:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animala
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Gobiidae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Binomial Name: Gobiodon citrinus

The Citron Clown Goby, also sometimes referred to as the Citrin or Clown Goby, is a small yellow fish with blue vertical lines around the eyes and gills, and a blue horizontal line along the dorsal fin.

Citron Clown Goby fish is full of personality. They make great nano fish. They are the largest of the clown gobies. The only problem with this fish and other species in its genus, is that they can be hard to get feeding. Citron Clown Goby in general come into the trade malnourished, and can sometimes die within a month. That is the only reason that makes them difficult. The Citron Clown Goby typically don't do well in large tanks, because its hard to get to them, or they get lost.

The Citron Clown Goby requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium and prefers branched corals, often resting on them for hours at a time. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but will fight with its own kind in smaller tanks. It is best if it is kept with other docile species.

The Citron Clown Goby will spawn while in the aquarium, laying eggs that sink into the coral branches where they are protected, however, the young have rarely been reared successfully. The Citron Clown Goby grows up to 2 inches.. The Citron Clown Goby is a carnivore and likes to eat brine & mysid shrimp and other meaty treats. The Citron Clown Goby is a low maintenance fish and may act peacefully toward other fish.

The Citron Clown Goby require high quality water with temperature varying between 72 and 78 degree Fahrenheit. The specific gravity should be kept between 1.020 and 1.025 points and the pH value should remain between 8.1 and 8.4 points. The diet of the Citron Goby should consist of a variety of brine shrimp, frozen mysid shrimp, and table shrimp. Once acclimated, some will accept frozen food preparations for carnivores. If housed in a reef tank, it needs to be fed once a day. If housed in a tank without substrate, it will require several feedings per day.

The Citron Clown Goby require high quality water with temperature varying between 72 and 78 degree Fahrenheit. The specific gravity should be kept between 1.020 and 1.025 points and the pH value should remain between 8.1 and 8.4 points. The Citron Clown Gobies are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, and some species extend to the Red Sea and to the western Pacific Ocean. They are abundant in these waters, and range from depths of 5 feet to as deep as 60 feet. Their depth distribution is directly dependant upon available corals within which they can find shelter.

Shovelnose Shark

2008-04-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Carcharhiniformes,
Family: Carcharhinidae
Binomial Name: Rhinobatos productus

General Information:
The Shovelnose Shark is a requiem shark that is also known as the Bull Shark, the bay shark, the lazy-gray, and the black whaler. It is charcoal colored on top and white with copper-colored markings below. It has a faint pale stripe along its sides. The female Shovelnose Sharks are slightly larger than males. It lives at all levels of the ocean and from the shoreline to out at sea. It is found in warm temperate and tropical waters worldwide.

The Shovelnose Shark migrates to cooler waters during warm weather, probably for reproduction and feeding. This shark is often seen following ships and is hunted as a game fish. Overfishing is diminishing the numbers of this shark. Females are mature when they are 9 ft long and have litters of about 10 pups which are roughly 3 ft \ long each. There is a 16 month gestation period.

The Shovelnose Shark which grows to a length of about 1.7 metres, ranges from the intertidal down to a depth of 43 feet and is commonly encountered by divers from central California to the Sea of Cortez. The Shovelnose Shark have pavement-like teeth that can result in a thorough 'gumming' of anything larger than their normal prey of worms, clams, crabs, and small fishes.

The broad disc of Shovelnose Shark (Bull Shark) is greater in length than width, have a relatively smooth dorsal surface except for a single row of thorns around the eyes and extending along the back and tail. A snout is long, pointed with rounded tip. Teeths are small, rounded, and pebble-like. A first dorsal fin originates closer to the pelvic fin base than to the caudal fin origin and has a thick tail and a moderately large caudal fin without a distinct lower lobe.

Shovelnose Sharks mating takes place between April and May, resulting in as many as 28, 6-inch pups.

Maximum Size: The Shovelnose Shark grows upto a maximum of 7 ft in length.

General size: The Shovelnose Shark fish generally comes in 3 to 4 ft in length.

Habitat:
The Shovelnose Shark is found close to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, rivers and lakes. It has been found up to 1,750 miles (2800 km) up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles (4000 km) up the Amazon River in Peru. It has been found in Lake Nicaragua (Central America) and the Zambezi River

Diet and Feeding:
The Shovelnose Shark (Bull Shark) eats other fishes (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks, crustaceans, and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.

Leaf Scorpionfish

2008-04-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Binomial name: Hippocampus kuda

General Information:
The Leaf Scorpionfish has a very compressed body and a sail-like dorsal fin. It has a variably developed 'beard' of fine appendages around the mouth. The coloration of the Leaf Scorpionfish is variable, ranging from white, through pinks and reds to green. This species periodically sheds its skin.

The Leaf Scorpionfish has perfected the fine art of mimicry. It appears at first glance to be no more than a piece of leaf or algae stuck on the coral as it sways back and forth with the current, but actually it is a supremely sharp ambush predator. Striking out at prey it finds drifting close by.

The Leaf Scorpionfish is a very pretty and colourful fish that is widespread in tropical waters. This species is monotypic genus meaning that it is the only species in the Taenianotus genus. The species is extremely good at camouflage and divers often do not notice it as it blends in so well with its background. The Leaf Scorpionfish often hides among corals and gorgonians. Algae and hydroids can grow on its skin that it changes from time to time coming out as from a glove.

Small Leaf Scorpionfish juveniles may drift down the Australian east coast on the east Australian current and settle in estuaries and harbours. Juveniles have been observed in the Port Stephens estuary on the NSW central coast and have also been recorded in Sydney Harbour.

Maximum Size: The Leaf Scorpionfish grows upto a size of 25 cm.

General Size: The Leaf Scorpionfish is generally available in 5 to 8 cm.

Minimum Tank Size: A 30 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for the Leaf Scorpionfish.

Tank Conditions:
The Leaf Scorpionfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
It is generally found on coral reefs and can be sometimes found hiding in amongst the coral. The Leaf Scorpionfish has a widespread distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to northern New South Wales.

Feeding and diet:
The Leaf Scorpionfish is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of chopped crustaceans, fish pieces, shrimp, shellfish, and squid.

Kuda Seahorse

2008-04-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Binomial name: Hippocampus kuda

General Information:
The Kuda Seahorse is a relatively large species. Like all seahorses, the head is held at right angles to the body, the eyes can move independently of each other, and the tail is prehensile. The Kuda Seahorse is a smooth seahorse, with low spines. Often have spots throughout the body. The colors typically range from black to pale yellows to orangish yellows. Colors are not fixed and may change based surroundings, diet, stress, mood or possibly other factors.

Instead of having scales, as in most other fish, Kuda Seahorse have a layer of skin stretched over bony plates that are visible as rings passing around the trunk. Swimming is powered by the rapidly oscillating dorsal fin, and they steer using the fins on either side of the body.

The Kuda Seahorse has a deep head and body and a thick, robust snout. Individuals are often completely black or they may be yellowish or cream with large dark spots. In common with other seahorses, this species is a master of camouflage, and may occasionally be sandy in colour in order to blend in with the background. The Kuda Seahorse is a high maintenance fish. They may act peacefully toward other fish

Maximum Size: The Kuda Seahorse grows up to 12 inches.

General Size: They generally come between 3 - 6 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 30 gallons or larger aquarium provides a good environment for Kuda Seahorses.

Tank Conditions:
The Kuda Seahorse should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023

Habitat:
The Kuda Seahorse is commonly found in sea grasses along coastal areas as well as in rocky areas in the water of Western Pacific Ocean and throughout Indian Ocean.

Diet and Feeding:
The Kuda Seahorse is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of inverts. It feeds on various Mysis Shrimp, daphnia guppies, grass shrimp, mosquito and larva a few times/day.

Erectus Seahorse

2008-04-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Binomial name: Hippocampus erectus

General Information:
The Erectus Seahorse, like its fellow seahorses, is one of the most unusual in appearance of all fishes. Its upright position, horse-like head set at right angles to the body, and jointed armor make it resemble a knight in a chess set. The Erectus Seahorse has a prehensile tail, which it uses to hold onto seaweed and coral. The scales have been replaced by rings of about 50 rectangular bony plates, encasing the body in a semi-rigid skeleton. The eyes can swivel independently or converge to achieve binocular vision.

The most distinguishing feature between the male and the female Erectus Seahorse is the kangaroo-like pouch that the male has on its ventral side, used for reproduction. The Erectus Seahorse is easily separated from other species of seahorse by a pattern of dark lines on a lighter background in its coloring.

The Erectus Seahorses(Hippocampus erectus) reproduce sexually through internal fertilization and spawn during every season. The male cares for the young. Male seahorses have an incubation pocket, similar to the pouch of a marsupial mammal, on the lower side of the tail, with an opening that can be closed off. During courtship, female Erectus Seahorse spray between 250 and 650 eggs into the male brood pocket, depending on the size of the individual. Development in the brood pocket lasts between 20 and 21 days. They practice monogamy.

The Erectus Seahorse swims weakly, propelled largely by the rapid motion of its dorsal fin and pectoral fins. When moving from one perch to another, they move so slowly that it would take one about 5 minutes to cross a bathtub.

Maximum Size: The Erectus Seahorse is a large species of seahorse, growing up to 5 inches long.

General Size: The Erectus Seahorse generally come in size of 3 inches.

Minimum Tank size: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium provides good environment for the Erectus Seahorse.

Tank Conditions:
The Erectus Seahorse(Hippocampus erectus) should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Erectus Seahorse is strictly marine in habitat, and is found in seaweed and on coral reefs at depths of .5 - 30 m. from Cape Cod (and rarely Nova Scotia), Canada to Argentina and into the Gulf of Mexico.

Diet and Feeding:
The Erectus Seahorses(Hippocampus erectus) require living food. They are unable to move rapidly enough to chase their prey. Instead, they uses its elongated snout to suck in small crustaceans. Young Hippocampus erectus may feed for as long as ten hours of each day and consume up to 3600 baby brine shrimp during that time.

Epaulette Shark fish

2008-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Elasmobranchii
Order: Orectolobiformes
Family: Hemiscylliidae
Binomial Name: Hemiscyllium ocellatum

General Information:
The Epaulette Shark is a member of the fish family Hemiscylliidae, collectively called the Longtail Carpet Sharks. The Epaulette Shark is a slender species that has a large black ocellus (eye-like spot with a marginal ring) above the pectoral fin and widely spaced black spots on the body. It has two similar sized dorsal fins and an anal fin positioned just anterior to the tail.

The Epaulette Shark species has an oronasal groove which connects the mouth to with the nostrils, small triangular teeth, and short nasal barbells.

The Epaulette Shark is very docile and unintimidated shark. Waders and divers can get very close without a response from the shark. By day, the Epaulette Shark usually remains concealed beneath the coral. At night it roams the reef flats using its muscular leg-like paired fins to clamber about the reef and into crevices looking for prey. The Epaulette shark has the amazing ability to survive low oxygen conditions by switching off non-essential brain functions; this is apparently an adaption for hunting in tide pools with low oxygen.

The Epaulette Shark is oviparous (lays eggs). The eggs are about 10cm long and 4cm wide and hatch after about 130 days. Young are around 15cm in length when they hatch and males mature at around 60cm in length.

Maximum Size: The Epaulette Shark grows to a maximum length of 28.4 inches, and matures at approximately 24.0 inches.

General Size: This fish is generally available from 6to 14 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The Epaulette Shark prefers a tank of at least 180 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions:
The Epaulette Shark should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Epaulette Shark is found on coral reefs and shallows (tide pools) along Australian and Papua New Guinean shores between 32°S and the equator.
In Australia, the Epaulette Shark occurs from Shark Bay, Western Australia around the northern coastline of the continent south to at least Newcastle, and possibly to Sydney, New South Wales. It is a bottom-dwelling species which lives primarily in warm, shallow waters where it eats bottom-living invertebrates.

Diet and Feeding:
The Epaulette Shark are carnivorous and feed mainly on benthic invertebrates (worms, crabs, shrimp, and small shellfish), possibly also small fishes.

California Spotted Stingray

2008-04-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Elasmobranchii
Order: Rajiformes
Family: Rajidae
Binomial name: Urolophus halleri

General Information:
The California Spotted Stingray is also known as the Spotted Stingray or Spotted Caribbean Stingray. It is a bottom-dwelling fish, with a dark brown body with tan spots and rings. The tail spine is venomous, but is only used for protection. Caution should be taken when netting it, or when it is not visible and maintenance is performed in the aquarium.

The California Spotted Stingray is grayish brown plain, mottled, or spotted with dark blotches, on the dorsal surface, fading to a pale yellow, orange, or white underside. The California Spotted Stingray has a nearly circular disc-shaped body with a tail that is shorter than the length of the disc. The snout of this ray terminates in a rounded point. The prominent pectoral fins of the California Spotted Stingray are rounded. The dorsal fins are absent, however the rounded caudal fin is present in contrast to many other rays that lack this feature. A long venomous spine is located approximately halfway down the length of the tail.

The California Spotted Stingray mate during the winter months of January upto March. During the mating season, solitary males search for females using visual and electrosensory cues. An interesting scientific finding is that reproductively mature females emit localized positive electric fields from near the spiracles behind each eye. This attracts males and mating behavior ensues. Males often bite the posterior of the females' discs. The females California Spotted Stingrays often escape, resulting in failure of copulation. However, when a male bites the anterior portion of the female's disc, the female does not attempt to free herself. This biting behavior functions to maintain contact between the pair during copulation.

Development of the California Spotted Stingray is ovoviviparous, resulting in live birth. After a gestation period of approximately 3 months, a litter of 3-6 young are born in shallow waters. Each newborn measures 2.5-3.1 inches (6.3-8.0 cm) disc width. The young rays will remain in shallow habitats, which provide rich feeding grounds as well as protection from predators, until they are large enough to move out into deeper water. One known nursery area for the round stingray is Newport Dunes in southern California.

Maximum Size: The California Spotted Stingray can grow upto 22.8 inches in total
General Size: The California Spotted Stingray usually comes in 6 to 12 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The California Spotted Stingray prefers a tank of at least 200 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions:
The California Spotted Stingray should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The California Spotted Stingray lives in sandy and muddy bottoms in relatively shallow waters of beaches as well as in bays, channels, and inlets.The round stingray is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Eureka in northern California (U.S.) south to Panama Bay, Panama. It is most abundant south of Point Conception, California.

Diet and Feeding:
The California Spotted Stingray is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of chopped crustaceans, fish pieces, shrimp, shellfish, and squid. Feeding may be difficult in the beginning. The best way to begin feeding is by offering small pieces of cleaned squid or freshwater ghost shrimp.

Black Banded Cat Shark

2008-04-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Hemiscyllidae
Binomial name: Chiloscyllium punctatum

General Information:
The Black Banded Cat Shark is also known as a Cat Shark because the barbels at the mouth look like cat whiskers. It is also referred to as the Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, and has a cream-colored body with broad dark black stripes. There may be large, muted brown spots between the stripes when the fish gets larger.

The mouth of Black Banded Cat Shark is well in front of eyes, the dorsal fins are spineless far posterior on tail, greatly elongated thick precaudal tail, long and low anal fin just anterior to caudal fin, no lateral ridges on trunk, dorsal fins with concave posterior margins and elongated free rear tips, first dorsal-fin origin opposite anterior halves of pelvic-fin bases; usually no colour pattern in adults but young with bold dark transverse bands and a few dark spots.

The Black Banded Cat Shark is a bottom dwelling shark. It will eat any crustacean in the aquarium. It requires sand as the substrate as the abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate, which may lead to an infection.The Black Banded Cat Shark is a high maintenance fish. The Black Banded Cat Shark may act aggressively toward other fish. These fishes are not venemous but may bite if provoked.

Maximum Size: The Black Banded Cat Shark grows up to 48 inches.
General Size: The Black Banded Cat Shark fish will generally come around 6 - 12 inches in size.

Minimum Tank Size: The Black Banded Cat Shark prefers a tank of at least 180 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions:
The Black Banded Cat Shark should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Black Banded Cat Shark fish is distributed throughout Indo-Pacific Ocean in India (east coast, Andaman Islands), Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Viet Nam, China, Taiwan , Japan, Philippines, south coast of New Guinea (Papua-New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia), north coast of Australia

Feeding and Diet:
The Black Banded Cat Shark is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of chopped crustaceans, fish pieces, shrimp, shellfish, squid. Feeding may be difficult in the beginning. The best way to begin feeding is by offering small pieces of cleaned squid or freshwater ghost shrimp.

Striped Squirrelfish

2008-04-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Holocentridae
Binomial Name: Sargocentron xantherythrum

General Information:
The Striped Squirrelfish, also known as the Hawaiian Squirrelfish, is one of the most common squirrelfish seen by scuba divers. It is bright red with thin, white horizontal stripes. With it's red metallic coloration against the vivid white striping, the Striped Squirrel is an excellent and attractive addition to a peaceful Fish Only system. This fish is very hardy and can be kept singly but prefers schools. Provide them overhangs and caves. Do not handle this fish with a net as it can be easily damaged by the material. They prefers a dimly lit tank.

The Striped Squirrelfish have large preopercular spine and mouth. The dorsal spines are 8 with 14 dorsal soft rays. The soft rays are orange or yellow and dorsal spine is vermilion.The snout of this fish is slightly concave.

The Striped Squirrelfish requires a larger aquarium with large amounts of live rock, hiding places, and swimming room. It will do well with others of its own species as long as there is adequate hiding locations and adequate space.

The Striped Squirrelfish is nocturnal fish that is normally seen hiding in caverns and under large coral heads by day. They emerge at night to feed upon large zooplankton and small fishes. They have large scales (unlike Bigeyes) and sharp venomous fin and head spines.

Maximum Size: The Striped Squirrelfish grows up to 7 inches.
General Size: The Striped Squirrelfish generally comes in 2 to 6 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The Striped Squirrelfish prefers a tank of at least 60 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions:
The Striped Squirrelfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Striped Squirrelfish occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific from southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to Australia
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding:
The Striped Squirrelfish is an carnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Hifin Snapper Fish

2008-04-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Lutjanidae
Binomial Name: Symphorichthys spilurus

General Information:
Hifin Snapper fish, also known as the Thread Fin, Bluelined Sea Bream, or the Sailfin, Hifin, Majestic, or Blue-Gold-Striped Snapper, is an extremely fast-growing fish. As a juvenile, it has a black stripe running laterally from the eyes to the tail. This disappears as Hifin Snapper fish matures, and is replaced by a series of lateral blue lines against its increasingly yellow body. The posterior portion of the dorsal fin and tail grow quite long.

Hifin Snapper fish is compatible with other fishes, but is surrounded by those fishes that nip on its long fins. Hifin Snapper fish is a fast growing fish.This is very shy fish and likes to hide. Hifin Snapper fish must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. It has a golden yellow body flanked by bright blue horizontal bars, two vertical black head bands and a dark caudal spot. Is fairly hardy as far as snappers go. Juvenile coloration is slightly different than adult coloration.

Maximum size: The Hifin Snapper fish grows upto 24 inches in length.
General Size: The Hifin Snapper fish generally comes in size varying between 2 to 7 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 180 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Hifin Snapper

Tank Conditions:
The Hifin Snapper should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Diet and Feeding:
The diet of the Hifin Snapper should consist of meaty foods including chopped meats, scallops, shrimp, and marine fish.

Habitat:
The Hifin Snapper is found in coral reefs of Western margin of the Pacific including New Caledonia, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, New Guinea, Sulawesi (Celebes), Admiralty Islands, Palau Islands, the Philippines, and the Ryukyu Islands; also known from Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean off Broome, Western Australia.

Hawaiian Black Triggerfish

2008-04-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Binomial name: Melichthys niger

The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish, also known as the Indian Triggerfish, or Black-Finned Triggerfish, has a brown body and black fins with white lines at the base of the dorsal and anal fins The Hawaiian Black Triggefish species appears in Pacific books under various names including M. buniva and M. radula. In the western tropical Atlantic areas it has been discussed under the name of M. piceus.

On the face and around the eyes there are thin, light blue-turquoise colored lines on the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish. Along the base of both the soft dorsal and anal fins there are bold white lines. The body appears to be black in the wild, but once out of water with some light on this fish, you can actually see that its body is of a dark blue to blue-green color with horizontal markings presentUnlike most other Triggers that live a solitary life on the reef, the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish is different. Each one has its own house to live in amongst the coral and rock formations just outside the reef, but they will emerge and congregate above near the surface of the water in large schools to feed on current drifting zooplankton and algaes.

However, when you catch the Hawaiian Black Triggerfish and put it in a closed environment with other ones, they will bite and attack each another. In the wild these fish can just run away from each other when aggression arises, but in a closed environment there is no place to go, so they either have to fight back or just take the beating. This is a fish that can be aggressive towards more docile fish and tank inhabitants.

Maximum size: The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish grows up to 10 inches in length.

General Size: The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish generally comes in size varying between 4 to 7 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 90 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Hawaiian Black Triggerfish.

Tank Conditions:
The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish occurs from Hawaii and central Polynesia westward through Micronesia and Melanasia, through the East Indies, across the Indian Ocean to the coast of Africa, with similar species found in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Diet & Feeding:
The Hawaiian Black Triggerfish needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, small fish and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.

Glass Eye Squirrelfish

2008-04-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Priacanthidae
Binomial Name: Heteropriacanthus cruentatus

General Information:
The color of the Glass Eye Squirrelfish, also known as the Dusky-finned Bullseye, changes through its life. Unlike many other fish, this fish actually becomes brighter in color as it ages. As a juvenile, the body and fins are covered in brown to red patches. With maturation the coloration changes to a bright red.

The Glass Eye Squirrelfish may be housed in a dimly-lit, reef aquarium, although, it will eat serpent stars, snails, worms (including fireworms) and crustaceans, and requires a tank with plenty live rock with caves, overhangs and crevices for hiding¿.
The Glass Eye Squirrelfish can be housed as a single specimen or in small groups if they are in a larger tank and introduced at the same time. Caution is needed when maintaining the tank due to their spines.

The Glass Eye Squirrelfish do well in a larger aquarium with plenty of live rock and room to swim. A small group is suitable as long as there are adequate hiding places and space in the aquarium. The Glass Eye Squirrelfish is a nocturnal fish, hiding while the lights are on and waiting for the cover of darkness to swim around in search of food.

Maximum size: The Glass Eye Squirrelfish grows upto 12 inches in length.

General Size: The Glass Eye Squirrelfish generally comes in size varying between 4 to 8 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 70 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Glass Eye Squirrelfish .

Tank Conditions:
The Glass Eye Squirrelfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Glass Eye Squirrelfish occurs on coral reefs through out the world from southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to Australia
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding:
The Glass Eye Squirrelfish is an carnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Emperor Red Snapper

2008-04-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Lutjanidae
Binomial Name: Lutjanus sebae

General Information:
The Emperor Red Snapper is a powerful and compact fish with a large head. The base color is a rusty red, with three very thick broad white verticle bands.

The Emperor Red Snapper have a total of 11 dorsal spines with 15 dorsal soft rays. The anal spines are 3 in number while it has 10 anal soft rays. The dorsal profile of head is steeply sloped. Preorbital bone is broad and Preopercular notch and knob moderately developed. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line.

Generally the Emperor Red Snapper is red or pink, darker on the back; fins are red except the pectorals which is pink. Juveniles and small adults have a dark red band from first dorsal spine through eye to tip of snout; a 2nd band from mid-dorsal fin to pelvic fin; a 3rd from base of last dorsal spine to caudal peduncle. Large Emperor Red Snapper adults become uniformly red
The Emperor Red Snapper is a very large fish that needs a very large tank. It appreciates a well-lit aquarium, with plenty of hiding spots, but also plenty of open swimming room. If kept in a cramped aquarium, they will become aggressive and so they need their space. The Emperor Red Snapper prefer to school, but that requires an extremely large display tank.

Maximum size: The Emperor Red Snapper grows upto 14 inches in length.
General Size: The Emperor Red Snapper generally comes in size varying between 4 to 8 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 100 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Emperor Red Snapper.

Tank Conditions:
The Emperor Red Snapper should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Emperor Red Snapper occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific from southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to Australia
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding:
The Emperor Red Snapper is an carnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Clown Triggerfish

2008-04-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Binomial name: Balistoides conspicillum

General Information:
The Clown Triggerfish is a solitary fish most commonly found around coral reefs near steep drop offs. It has strong jaws which can be used to crush and eat sea urchins, crustaceans and hard-shelled mollusks.

The Clown Triggerfish is a dark brown bodied fish with large white spots on the underside. There is a squared yellow patch below the dorsal fin which has leopard like brown spots. The mouth is yellow and ringed with white. There is a yellow band under the eyes and across the bridge of the snout of the Clown Triggerfish. The second dorsal fin and anal fin are colorless with yellow bases and highlight. The tail base is yellow with black spots and the caudal fin is black with a vertical yellow band.

The Clown Triggerfish has a dramatic coloration, making this species a most sought after addition to the home aquarium. The Clown Triggerfish is found along the inner and outer portions of a reef in the wild, wherever shellfish and other invertebrates are found.
Among the most colorful, the Clown Triggerfish is also one of the most aggressive, commonly kept inhabitants of an aquarium. Care should be taken in selecting its tank mates, choosing other aggressive, large fish. The tank decor should also be chosen based on the propensity of the Clown Triggerfish to rearrange it.

Maximum size: The Clown Triggerfish grows upto 14 inches in length.
General Size: The Clown Triggerfish generally comes in size varying between 4 to 8 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 100 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Clown Triggerfish .

Tank Conditions:
The Clown Triggerfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Clown Triggerfish occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding:
The Clown Triggerfish is an omnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Bursa Triggerfish

2008-04-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Binomial Name: Xanthichthys auromarginatus

General Information:
The Bursa Triggerfish is also known as the Black Patch Triggerfish. This fish has a face that is half white and half yellow; it also has a pencil-thin moustache and a colorful mask across the eyes. Another distinguishing feature is a large black circular area on the abdomen.

The Bursa Triggerfish is a beautiful and popular fish in the aquarium hobby. The fish has a yellow body with markings that make it look like a work of abstract art.
This species is highly aggressive and will readily eat smaller fish. It should only be kept with other aggressive fish.

In the wild, Bursa Triggerfish are most commonly found in shallow reef edge areas with sandy bottoms. They are found both in seaward and lagoon reef areas, where they feed on tunicates, mollusks, crustaceans, corals, fish, and sea urchins. As with all trigger fish, they are not reef safe. This is because they are destructive toward other fish and invertebrates in their aquariums. Bursa Triggerfish are considered to be fairly hardy. They have strong teeth and jaws and may chew through items in their aquariums. Any inanimate object in the aquarium should be sturdy and well anchored. Often trigger fish will rearrange objects in the aquarium.

Bursa Triggerfish are laterally compact, though they can distend their undersides to make themselves bigger. Using their large first dorsal spine that can be locked into place, they may wedge themselves into tight places of their aquariums and are quite difficult to remove once they are in such a position. The first spine is the largest and strongest and cannot be collapsed by pressing on it. However all of these spines can be folded down by pressing on one of the smaller spines.

Maximum size: The Bursa Triggerfish grows upto 9 inches in length.

General Size: The Bursa Triggerfish generally comes in size varying between 3 to 9 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 75 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Bursa Triggerfish.

Tank Conditions:
The Bursa Triggerfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity for Bursa Triggerfish should range from1.020 to1.025. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Bursa Triggerfish occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and in Hawaii.
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding:
The Bursa Triggerfish is a carnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Blueline Triggerfish

2008-04-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Binomial name: Pseudobalistes fuscus

General Information:
The Blueline Triggerfish also known as Rippled Triggerfish is a brilliant blue coloured. This fish is known for its aggressiveness and many divers choose to stay away from them, as they often bite. A beautifully colored fish as a juvenile, the Blueline Triggerfish adults tend to become belligerent in attitude and subdued in color.

The Blueline Triggerfish tends to aquascape your tank for you in search of invertebrates and will often chase and nip fish that get too close. The Blueline Triggerfish also tends to be regarded as a menace and will inflict a serious bite if it gets a chance.

Blueline Triggerfish is yet another gorgeous trigger that gets quite large. While juveniles may pick on newly introduced tankmates or smaller fishes, larger specimens should only be housed with other large fish capable of holding their own with bold tankmates. Don't keep Blueline Triggerfish or most other larger triggers with small thin fish, as they will be eaten.

The Blueline Triggerfish is often shy when initially introduced to the aquarium, hiding in preferred shelter site when you first enter the room. But, with time many specimens will begin to associate their caretaker with food, Blueline Triggerfish will welcome your arrival and swim near the water's surface waiting for a tasty morsel. It is also notorious for rearranging the décor of the aquarium, and makes an interesting pet that can thrive for years in the aquarium.

Maximum size: The Blueline Triggerfish grows upto 22 inches in length.
General Size: The Blueline Triggerfish generally comes in size varying between 5 to 8 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 80 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Blueline Triggerfish.

Tank Conditions:
The Blueline Triggerfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Blueline Triggerfish is found in coastal waters, shallows in the open, 3-50 metres through out Indo-Pacific Ocean from Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to Australia

Diet and feeding:
The Blue Triggerfish, like most other triggerfish, eats shellfish, small crustaceans, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrae.

Blue Jaw Triggerfish

2008-04-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Binomial Name: Xanthichthys auromarginatus

General Information:
The Blue Jaw Triggerfish have a roundish, laterally flat body with an anterior dorsal fin. They can erect the first two dorsal spines, the first one locks and the second one unlocks. This prevents predators from swallowing them or pulling them out of their holes.

The Blue Jaw Triggerfish have a small pectoral fin, fused to one spine. Their small eyes, situated on top of their big head, can be rotated independently. The Blue Jaw Triggerfish have tough skin, covered with rough rhomboid-shaped scales that form a tough armour on their body. A big, angular-shaped head extends into a snout with strong jaws and sharp teeth, made for crushing shells. Each jaw contains a row of eight teeth, while the upper jaw contains another set of six plate-like teeth.

Probably one of the best Triggerfish for the reef aquarium, the Blue Jaw Triggerfish will not bother corals, but may nip at clams or invertebrates. If you plan to keep it with shrimp add the shrimp first. The Blue Jaw Triggerfish can be kept with a large variety of other fishes, except small reef fishes. One male can be housed with several females. Provide them with several hiding places where it can retreat to. As with all triggerfish the Blue Jaw Triggerfish will wedge itself into a rock when it sleeps and lock itself in by raising its dorsal fin. This defense mechanism makes it difficult for predators to attack it while it is resting. The male Blue Jaw Triggerfish sports a bright blue jaw and yellow fin margins while the female does not.

Maximum size: The Blue Jaw Triggerfish grows upto 14 inches in length.
General Size: This fish generally comes in size varying between 4 to 8 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: A 75 gallons or larger aquarium provides good environment for Blue Jaw Triggerfish.

Tank Conditions:
The Blue Jaw Triggerfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Blue Jaw Triggerfish occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific and in Hawaii.
In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Diet & Feeding: The Blue Jaw Triggerfish is an omnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

Big Eye Squirrelfish

2008-04-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Priacanthidae
Binomial Name: Myripristis species

General Information:
The Big Eye Squirrelfish is an excellent addition to a peaceful Fish Only system. With it's large eyes and downturned mouth, the Big Eye Squirrelfish appears to be constantly frowning. This fish is very hardy and can be kept singly but prefers schools. Provide them overhangs and caves.

The Big Eye Squirrelfish is primarily a nocturnal animal, feeding during the night, and spending most of the day hiding out under coral heads on the reef. This is the squirrelfish, one of many fishes found on the Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank year round.

Although you may see the Big Eye Squirrelfish during the day (especially if you spend some time looking under ledges and in holes), you are much more likely to spot them during a night dive. The large eyes of the Big Eye Squirrelfish are especially designed to maximize ambient light on the reef at night.

The red pigment in the Big Eye Squirrelfish is a bit more complicated. When light passes through water, certain wavelengths can penetrate further than others. Red happens to be one of the colors least able to reach any appreciable depth. Therefore, a fish that is primarily red will look gray or black, and will blend in quite nicely with the background of the reef, especially at night when there is little light to begin with.

Do not handle this fish with a net as it can be easily damaged by the material. It prefers a dimly lit tank. Very nice bright red coloration, the Big Eye Squirrelfish is a low maintenance fish. It may act peacefully toward other fish. This is a hardy fish

Maximum Size: The Big Eye Squirrelfish grows up to 9 inches.
General Size: The big Eye Squirrelfish generally comes from 2 to 7 inches

Minimum Tank Size: The Big Eye Squirrelfish prefers a tank of at least 60 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions:
The Big Eye Squirrelfish should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Habitat:
The Big Eye Squirrelfish is found on coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific from southern Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, south to Australia

Diet & Feeding:
The Big Eye Squirrelfish is an carnivore that can be fed a mixed diet of shrimp, squid, clams, fish, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, as well as marine algae and vitamin-enriched herbivore foods.

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2008-04-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

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