Marine Habitat Magazine Issue #21

76 Pages·2014·28.2 MB·English

M britAin’s Favourite dedicAted mArine mAgAzine
a
r
in
e
H
a
b
it
a
t
9
9
3.
£
|
4
issu 201
e 21 MAY-J issue 21May-Jun
U
N
2
0
1
4
tristan lougher
seahorse
& pipeFish
Are these mythical creatures right for you?
what you can
learn inside
•
D
IS Lighting terminology
C
O
V •
E
R & Testing for newbies
M
A •
S
TE Aquascaping tips
R
S
A
LTW •
A Fish biology
TE
R
F •
ISH Feeding Goniapora
K
E
E
P
IN
G
john clipperton
species care guides
Lyretail Anthias Yellow Finger Blood Shrimp
w Gorgonian
w
w
.m
a also inside this issue:
rin
e
h Expert Advice Lighting The Aquarium Marine Aquarium (Initial Testing) Local Fish Shop Gear Guide News Round-up
a
bita Biology Class (Lateral Line) Hobbyist Profile (John McFarlane) Docile Damselfishes Coral Reef Research Laboratory Tour
t.c
o
.u M a r i n e F o r a l l - B e g i n n e r s t o a d va n c e d
k
001_Cover_MH021.indd 1 01/04/2014 02:44:55
_Adverts_MH021.indd 1 29/03/2014 14:53:04
©m
Phudme.co
ui | Damsti
reaDre
mstimdui |
e.com© Phu
BEGINNER TIP
AQUASCAPING
Aquascaping a display tank is one of the Firstly, the positioning of rockwork the floor to allow for water flow, but you
most enjoyable tasks, but for a variety can make or break the flow of water should also take into account whether,
of reasons, it does require considerable around the aquarium, which in if something falls into the space under
planning. The main consideration for turn will determine whether corals the rock, you are able to retrieve it.
those who are less experienced is thrive or struggle over time. And finally, be mindful of the fish and
the aesthetic element. It is obviously Secondly, do not ignore access coral species you are likely to keep,
important to make the display look nice requirements from a maintenance and accommodate their needs from the
to those viewing from the outside, but this perspective. For example, if you are start. Once established, rockwork is much
should not be where the planning stops. positioning a brittle coral, avoid placing it more difficult to reposition and should be
Here are some extra tips to somewhere that could easily be knocked avoided in order to reduce disruption.
consider, which are often realised during glass-cleaning sessions. It is often
through trial and error. suggested that rockwork be raised off BY DAVE PITT
Marine Habitat – 3
003_begginertip1_MH020.indd 2 30/03/2014 21:56:39
Issue 21 May-June 2014
Cover Image: Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda)
© Johan Larson | Dreamstime.com
Issue 21
May-Jun 2014
EDITORIAL
Editor - Dave Pitt
Publishing Coord. - Cat Hartley
Copy Editor - Katherine Sansom
www.decoruslacuna.co.uk
Proofreader - Lynda Glover
News Editor - Dylan Taylor
DESIGN
Design Manager - Andy Gascoigne
Asst. Designer - Tim Hurst
WEB
Web Manager - Chris Arthur
WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Bob Goemans, Dylan Taylor, John Clipperton,
John McFarlane, Neil Davison, Nick Bryan,
Paul Tyson, Shane Mitchell, Scott Michael,
Tom Hird, Tristan Lougher.
CONTRIBUTING FORUMS
www.thesaltybox.com
www.reef-face.co.uk
www.ultimatereef.net
PUBLISHER
Fish Junkies Ltd., Spring has arrived, and during fine for years and you decide
Unit A15 Alison Business Centre, the on-sale period of this to remove it for cleaning, there
40 Alison Crescent, Sheffield S2 1AS issue, everything is going to is always the possibility that
come to life outside – what this disturbance may cause a
Tel: [phone] (UK only) a great time of year. problem, so doing one item
Email: [email protected]
For me, spring always puts at a time reduces the risk. In
Web: www.fishjunkies.co.uk
me in the mood to organise addition to the equipment, I
and clean things like the house, also remove and clean any
Customer Service - Cat Hartley
the car and the tank/s and pipes and/or connectors.
Advertising Sales - Lotte Slinn
associated equipment. It’s easy This is a great opportunity to
Subscription Sales - Joe Broadhead
to let the months roll by with re-check seals, and ensure
Accounts - Barbara Maycock
Newstrade - Magazine Workshop a quick wipe of the glass and taps, etc. are working. So
magazineworkshop.co.uk clean of the filter media, but that’s my plan of action.
Printing - Buxton Press Ltd. every now and then there is Without further ado, I’ll leave
buxtonpress.com great value in having a proper you to grab a cup of tea (if
spring-clean. During this process, you haven’t already got one),
Join us on Facebook or Twitter now I like to remove each piece of and read through some of the
equipment and clean it properly great articles in this issue.
– one tip here though, is to
do one thing at a time. While Happy fishkeeping,
cleaning is great, it’s often the
Fish Junkies Ltd. thoroughly checks the accuracy of all case that things keep working Dave Pitt,
incoming content, however, will not be held responsible until they are tampered with,
for inaccuracies within supplied content.
All rights reserved. No part of Marine Habitat may be and so if you have a piece of editor
reproduced in any way without prior written consent from equipment that has been running
Fish Junkies Ltd. Copyright 2014 by Fish Junkies Ltd.
Registered Office:
Fish Junkies Ltd., Unit B4, Alison Business Centre,
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
40 Alison Cresent, Sheffield S2 1AS
Company No.: 07349873. Email the editor at: [email protected]
Registered in England & Wales.
6 – Marine Habitat
004-005_Contents_MH021.indd 1 01/04/2014 04:24:57
marinehabitat.co.uk
ON THE COVER
21> > Ultimate Species Guide
John Clipperton
Your collectable profiles this time
are: Lyretail Anthias, Gorgonian
Coral and Blood Shrimp. John
Clipperton provides a description
of their natural environment, and
their captive care requirements.
53> > Top of the Rocks –
Seahorses and Pipefish
Tristan Lougher
21 54
Creatures of myth and legend, and
strangely compelling to observe, these
fish will be a highlight of your aquarium
if you are sensitive to their needs.
REGULARS 27> > Setting Up A New Marine 46> > Picture Perfect
Aquarium – Part 6 Nick Bryan Reef Face Forum
Nick’s extensive series continues, and Check out some of the best hobbyist
7> > Expert Advice this time round he looks at some of the photos, brought to you by Reef-Face forum.
Expert Panel testing required in the earlier stages of
In response to readers’ questions, our panel a tank setup, which are fundamental 59> > Hobbyist Profile
of experts discuss caring for goniopora to the success of every aquarium. John McFarlane
and leather corals, battling bristle worms, Could a little nano like this suit a corner
and a minimal tank equipment setup. 44> > Biology Class (Lateral Line) of your home? In this issue, John
Tom Hird McFarlane steps up to show us that size
Did you realise that fish and the London isn’t everything, and that downsizing tanks
Underground have something in can be an enjoyable experience.
common? In this issue’s Biology Class,
Tom ‘The Blowfish’ Hird explains why.
64> > Docile Damselfishes – Chromis
Scott Michael
Scott focuses on one group of Damselfish
that tend to break all the damsel
aggression stereotypes – the Chromis.
49> > News Round-up
Dylan Taylor
Get up to date with marine-related 69> > Coral Reef Laboratory Tour
news from around the world. Dylan Taylor
Dylan details his tour of a facility in
FEATURES
Southampton, which is of international
importance in marine scientific research.
16> > Lighting the Aquarium
Bob Goemans ISSUE 20
REVIEWS
Bob help readers understand some
of the more important lighting COMPETITION WINNERS
terminology and provides valuable
information on lamp types and costs. 33> > Local Fish Shop TMC COMPETITION WINNERS
Dylan Taylor MAIN PRIZE WINNER: Arran Lowes (Darlington);
Dylan is touring local fish shops in the RUNNERS-UP: Tom Walley (Chester);
UK. Check out Creature Comforts Thomas Parsons (Birmingham); Ann
& Aquatic Centre, Romsey World of
Moore (High Wycombe); Shirley Dale
Water, and Reefdreams, which also
(Cheshire); Dave Supple (Swansea)
features a money-off voucher.
NT LABS WORDSEARCH WINNERS
39> > Gear Guide
Daniel Guggenheim (Belfast); Maisie Greenaway
(Camberley); Leslie Gravenell (Derby); Sue
As always, the Gear Guide provides
Watson (Cornwall); Tim Tweats (Staffordshire);
insight into a variety of products for
the hobby. There are vast ranges Anita Boulton (Devon); Reg Seaman (Essex);
of gear available, but here you will Zoe Clark (Darlington); Kenneth Merrells
find a selection of the best stuff. (Swansea); Simone Butterworth (Surrey).
Marine Habitat – 5
004-005_Contents_MH021.indd 2 01/04/2014 04:25:05
_Adverts_MH021.indd 3 29/03/2014 14:55:54
EXPERT
A D V I C E
Welcome to Expert Advice – in each issue we
invite a panel of the industry’s best experts
to answer your troubling questions, and give
I N T H I S I S S U E you sound advice on how to tackle them.
8 9 10 12
Bob answers a Shane explains that Tom looks at the Paul gives advice to
stinging question keeping goniopora puzzling mystery a returning reefkeeper
on how to get rid isn’t as hard as it of disintegrating who has come back
of those pesky used to be now that leather corals. to find a whole host of
bristle worms. we understand its new technology – but
feed requirements. is it really needed?
A BIT ABOUT BOB A BIT ABOUT SHANE A BIT ABOUT TOM A BIT ABOUT PAUL
Bob Goemans has been a Shane has had a keen Tom ‘The Blowfish’ Hird Paul Tyson is a moderator
hobbyist for over 60 years, interest in aquariums since is a marine biologist, on the marine hobbyist
with at least 40 of these the age of 11. And now, animal handler, and TV forum, The Salty Box. The
in the marine hobby, and a few decades later, wildlife expert. He has Salty Box is the UK’s only
has collected specimens he still enjoys the hobby worked in some of the non-sponsored marine
from the South China Sea as much as he did. He country’s best aquariums, forum with friendly help and
to the Caribbean. He is started marine back in the as well as directly in the advice from experienced
a retired environmental days when under-gravel aquatics industry – that’s reefers. Paul has over 17
contracting manager, a filters were commonplace when he’s not attacking years of marine experience
public speaker, author, and corals were rarely celebrities with spiders, in public aquaria, and
consultant, and has written seen. He loves sharing snakes, or sharks! currently works as curator
for many magazines, his experiences and of Live Exhibits at the World
both here and in the US. knowledge on Museum in Liverpool.
marine fishkeeping.
GOT A QUESTION?
OOuurr eexxppeerrtt ppaanneell ccaann hheellpp ssoollvvee aannyy qquueerriieess yyoouu mmaayy hhaavvee,, ssoo sseenndd iinn yyoouurr qquueessttiioonnss ttoo::
Fish Junkies Ltd., Alison Business Centre, 40 Alison Crescent, Sheffield S2 1AS, or alternatively email: [email protected]
Marine Habitat – 7
007-012_Experts_MH021.indd 1 01/04/2014 01:26:04
www.marinehabitat.co.uk
Dear Bob,
I have a BioCube 29 which, for some reason, has a rather large population of what I believe to be
bristle worms (they are flat with red bodies and what looks like spines down the sides). I was told that a
six-line wrasse would take care of them, but apparently the one I got does not like them. I was then told
to get an arrow crab, which did get a few but has now stopped hunting them.
I have taken out all my live rock, which took a couple of hours to accomplish, but it got a lot of them
out of the rocks, including some really large ones. When I lifted the rock out, there were big clumps of
them underneath! I’m now back to square one, as I still have lots more. I generally see them in droves
when I feed my fish and shrimp. Is there anything I can do, short of taking out my live rock again and
turning it into dead rock by basting it in the sunshine and then sifting all my sand?
Thanks for your time,
Brian Savannah, Georgia.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question. Yes, there is no
doubt they are Bristle Worms (Eurythoe
complanata), which are quite common
in almost all marine aquariums. The
only difference is their numbers, as
they can become quite numerous
in aquariums that are overfed.
You are simply wasting your time
– and causing stress to the other
aquarium inhabitants – by trying to
physically remove them as described.
And yes, the species noted (crab and
wrasse) do feed on this type of worms;
however, they prefer other types of
food, and therefore would rarely eat
these worms, unless starving, and
even then only the very smallest.
As to the reason for there being so
many, it is a supply problem. Supply the
food they need and they will multiply
(and rapidly!). It is that simple. Keeping in
mind they are scavengers, and excellent
ones at that, they feed on what is left
over after feeding your fish and shrimp.
They can actually sense the food when
it enters the water, and that’s their call of the pipe. From each end, push in a off and cause a painful experience
to find the leftovers and consume it. small amount of something like Eheim if you pick one up without gloves.
Again, it is that simple. The more you Ehfifix media to just past the holes. This If you do get stuck, use masking,
overfeed, the more worms you will have. should have the media on either side duct, or clear Sellotape to blot the
I suggest first reviewing the amount of the central food, yet with some open area. This should allow the bristles
of food that goes into the aquarium space on each side of the food. This trapped in your skin to stick to the tape,
and limiting it solely to those creatures coarse plastic media makes it slightly hopefully removing most of them.
you want to be fed. Any excess should difficult for the worm to make its way to Repeat as needed. Then dab the
be siphoned out. As worm food is the centre bait, but once there it will feed area with rubbing alcohol or vinegar,
reduced, so are worm numbers. and grow fatter, and if you have used or try a mixture of one part household
Keep in mind that unless the worms the right amount of plastic media, will ammonia to ten parts water, or sprinkle
become somewhat long (e.g. more find it extremely difficult to get out. Place a meat tenderiser on the area. This
than 12.5cm), they are not usually a it in the aquarium late evening and lift it helps denature the toxin and provides a
threat to other animals, but simply very out early the next morning. By pushing a reduction in the burning sensation. When
good scavengers. An overabundance rod through the pipe, any worms inside the area appears to be free of bristles
of them, however, is problematic. can be easily extracted. Keep repeating and is dry, apply an over-the-counter
To reduce their numbers, try this – using until the worm problem is reduced. antibiotic ointment. If there is lingering
2.5cm PVC pipe, cut a short length One other point; do not touch the worms pain or swelling, consult a physician.
of about 25cm. Drill some holes near with your fingers. They have poisonous
each end, and then place a piece setae or hair-like spines along their sides, Hope this helps,
of defrosted shrimp flesh in the centre which are very brittle and can easily break Bob.
Don’t forget to check out our website for regular updates,
with the latest news, mini articles, interesting video links and
extended magazine articles: www.marinehabitat.co.uk
8 – Marine Habitat
007-012_Experts_MH021.indd 2 01/04/2014 01:26:06
www.food4fish.co.uk
Dear Marine Habitat,
Over the years, I’ve kept various corals with reasonable success (soft, LPS and
SPS). I struggle, however, with goniopora. Could you offer any advice on the
most suitable type of food and how to feed it?
Liz Walker, Southampton.
Thanks for the question, Liz. I hope under a dome, or whilst covered.
the answer below helps with your This ensures that the food gets to
quest to keep goniopora! the goniopora and is not stolen
These animals can be difficult by fish or other invertebrates. An
ones to keep in our aquariums due example of this involves using a
to their specific and demanding clean drinks bottle, which is cut
feeding requirements. That said, the in half. Turn off powerheads and
developments in the food on offer cover the specimen with the bottle.
now makes keeping them a reality. (I find it best to use the lid end for
There are several things to look this.) This delivers the food through
out for when selecting a goniopora. the lid hole onto the animal. Leave
Firstly, make sure you don’t buy a dyed it in position whilst the animal
specimen; these are typically brightly feeds. (This can be noted by the
coloured, which attracts keepers. The polyps closing around the food.)
other thing to look for when choosing a Once fed, remove the
specimen is that it has good, full polyp cover and turn all the
extension. An easier one to keep is a powerheads back
Red Gonoipora – as a general rule, on. Feeding the animal
the yellows are more difficult. Another in this way will increase its growth and done by employing a turkey baster.
option is to keep an alveopora. These assist in keeping it long term. If the animal Food is sucked into the baster and
are much less demanding and have 12 is larger than the diameter of a bottle, then released slowly over the animal
petals/tentacles, as opposed to the 24 other plastic/food safe containers can be – be careful with any shrimps in your
of the goniopora. used. It is important to aquarium, as these can damage the
These animals Just putting these in the have a good space coral tissue if they swarm to get the
take live and frozen around the animal, as food whilst the goniopora is being fed.
water column tends
baby brine shrimp, disturbing the polyps For a dry food alternative, First
not to be enough
rotifers and oyster can cause it to close Bite® SPS coral food is also worth
eggs, as well as any for them – instead, in defence, rendering looking at for goniopora. They seem
other small, meaty it is best to target- it unready to take the to prefer a small particle size as this
foods. Just putting food. I find that given contains water-soluble attractants that
feed these corals.
these in the water time, and when it is have been removed from saltwater
column tends not feeding well, the cover copepods, which send food signals
to be enough for them – instead, it will not be needed. A healthy specimen into the water column, mimicking
is best to target feed these corals. can be target-fed by the means of prey. The food is designed to get an
A good way to do this is by feeding delivering the food over it, which can be instant response from SPS corals when
introduced to the aquarium. With a
© Maurizio Biso | Dreamstime.com small particle size of 2-20 micron, the
food will suspend in the water column
and give the animal time to capture
the food. Although the goniopora
is often classed as an LPS, most
varieties behave more like an SPS, so
this kind of food could help you out
if you are struggling to get a feeding
response. Just make sure you feed
using the methods described above.
Another thing that is good to have
is a deep sand bed and/or refugium.
Try using live phytoplankton to increase
the population of live food within
the aquarium. These critters, in turn,
produce larvae that feed the corals.
Shane Mitchell,
BCUK.
BCUK are manufacturers and suppliers of the finest quality
aquarium diets for hobbyists, hatcheries and public
aaqquuaarriiuummss.. FFoorr ffuurrtthheerr ddeettaaiillss pplleeaassee vviissiitt wwwwww..ffoooodd44ffiisshh..ccoo..uukk
Marine Habitat – 9
007-012_Experts_MH021.indd 3 01/04/2014 01:26:14
www.marinehabitat.co.uk
I have a large reef setup with growing corals and thriving fish, which overall
appears to be healthy, but I have a recurring problem with my large soft
leathers. Every now and then (and this has happened three times), one of them
completely disintegrates almost overnight. Up to this point, it has been growing
fast and has reached what would be considered a large size, which, of course,
makes the disintegration even more upsetting. Can you offer any advice?
Stuart Longhorn, Essex.
Dear Stuart, Finger Leather Coral.
Sorry to hear you’re having problems Derek Keats | Wikimedia Commons
with your leather corals. Even though
leathers are often considered easy
or starter corals, it does not make
them a sure-fire success. I shall do
what I can to help, but you really
need to do the first part yourself.
There are many questions I would
normally need to ask before suggesting
anything concrete on this issue. Prior
to going ahead with any more corals
or leathers (etc.), ensure that your tank
really is at optimal conditions. Don’t
go to a LFS for testing; purchase some
decent test kits and start to keep a
log of all the parameters. Everything –
including the salinity to the magnesium
levels – needs to be noted down and
checked against industry standards.
That alone might find your answer.
For example, leather corals love
iodine and can quickly strip a tank of
this element. This isn’t likely to lead to can kill more cells; this then starts a chain I have seen waste building up on the
the corals’ instant demise, but anything reaction where more and more cells open leaves of leathers in sluggish
holding back life in your tank will be meet their doom. Before your eyes, your flow, which then causes local tissue
a factor you need to remove. leather coral can vanish overnight. damage. Should this go unnoticed
Large leathers are like a game of Assuming that all the parameters in and the cells of the leather start to
Jenga. They are more exciting the the tank are optimal, there may be die, you will very quickly see the whole
bigger they get, but make one mistake some more random reasons for your animal turn into mush. Check the total
and the whole thing tumbles down. As problems. Personally, I have found that tank turnover rate and try pointing a
the animal grows, the demand from you simply cannot give a leather coral powerhead right at your leathers.
its cells increases. Lack of nutrients too much flow. They love it! The strong, Are you feeding the leather corals?
or chemicals can cause cells to die turbulent current brings them food and Although they are photosynthetic, an
within the centre of the animal. The oxygenated water while flushing away additional diet of decent particulate
ammonia created from the die-back waste particles and chemical pollutants. food will help any large leather
maintain its size and stay healthy.
Fragging is fairly simple. The What about fragging? This could
toadstool below was from a be a good option for you. When the
result of pulling the mother
leather coral reaches a good size, some
colony away from a rock.
The resulting sliver of coral well-trimmed frags will help to keep
eventually turned into this. this chunky coral under control, and
stop its metabolic demand outpacing
the tank’s normal running conditions.
Lastly, and this is a bit of a cop-
out, every tank is different and has
different strengths and weaknesses.
In order to help localise the problem,
maybe consider giving the leathers
a miss for a while and try something
else instead, while aiming to
maintain optimal water conditions.
Tom.
Don’t forget to check out our website for regular updates,
with the latest news, mini articles, interesting video links and
extended magazine articles: www.marinehabitat.co.uk
10 – Marine Habitat
007-012_Experts_MH021.indd 4 01/04/2014 01:26:16