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1 CORAL

2
LETTER FROM EUROPE by Daniel Knop

5
EDITORS PAGE by James M. Lawrence

6
LETTERS

8
REEF NEWS

14
RARITIES by Inken Krause
The Partner Shrimp (Periclimines brevicarpalis)
The Longn Anthias (Pseudanthias ventralis)
The Clarion Angelsh (Holacanthus clarionensis)

18
INTERVIEW: Denise Nielsen Tackett & Larry Tackett
TRIGGERFISHES

26
PHOTO ESSAY by Daniel Knop

32
OH, THOSE TRIGGERS! by Professor Ellen Thaler

39
REEF-SAFE TRIGGERFISHES by Scott W. Michael

40
TAXONOMY of the Family Balistidae by Inken Krause
TRAVEL

48
MADAGASCAR
A Treasure Island in the Indian Ocean
by Marlen Hundertmark and Christian Hepperger
TECHNIQUE

54
BREEDING MANDARINS by Matthew W. Wittenrich

62
MANDARINS AT THE SMITHSONIAN

64
NO RISK, NO FUN? Thinking Twice About
Stocking & Keeping Fishes by Professor Ellen Thaler
AQUARIUM PORTRAIT

74
HIGHS AND LOWS by Ren Vachovec

80
NEW PERSPECTIVES ON REEF LIGHTING
by Anthony R. Calfo

84
SPOTLIGHT:
The Bubble Tip Anemone by Robert M. Fenner

90
REEFKEEPING 101:
What is Ozone? by Daniel Knop

92
ADVANCED AQUATICS:
Designing a Dream System by J. Charles Delbeek
96
REEF LIFE by Denise Nielsen Tackett
V C L U M E - M U M B E R 1 -
EDITOR & PUBLISHER | James M. Lawrence
INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHER | Matthias Schmidt
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR | Daniel Knop
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CONTRIBUTING EDITORS |
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PHOTOGRAPHERS |
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Miclacl, Larry 1ackctt, Mattlcw L. Wittcnricl
TRANSLATOR | Mary Bailey
ART DIRECTOR | Linda Provost
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Baylcy R. Lawrcncc, Louisc Watson
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CORAL

, The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

(ISSN:1556-5769), is published bimonthly in January,
March, May, July, September, and November by Reef
to Rainforest Media, LLC, 140 Webster Road, PO Box
490, Shelburne, VT 05482. Periodicals postage paid
at Shelburne, VT, and at additional entry ofces.
Subscription rates: U.S., $37 for one year. Canada, $49 for
one year. Outside U.S. and Canada, $57 for one year.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CORAL,
PO Box 361, Williamsport, PA 17703-0361.
CORAL

is a licensed edition of KORALLE Germany,

ISSN:1556-5769
Natur und Tier Verlag GmbH | Muenster, Germany
All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this
issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
COVER:
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Photo by D. Knop
BACKGROUND:
Turbinaria reniformis
Photo by W. Fiedler
2 CORAL
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notes f rom DANI EL KNOP
riggershes are generally regarded as aggressive ruf-
ansand there is no denying that for the majority of
species, this reputation is justied. It is often recom-
mended that they be kept singly in species tanks. The
aquarium maintenance of many species is generally
not advised at all, as the aquarist simply cannot pro-
vide for the requirements of these shes when they
get large and aggressive. But some species are able to
live together in relative harmony in the reef aquar-
ium, as long as certain points regarding tankmates and
feeding are borne in mind.
Many triggershes grow very large and need to con-
sume enormous amounts of food during their growing
phase, which makes them greedy
aquarium occupants and their re-
quirements abundantly clear. If their
hunger becomes stronger than their
behavioral instincts at any stage,
then bad times do indeed lie ahead
for cleaner shrimps, which are re-
garded as off-limits for most reef
shes. A well-fed trigger will seldom,
if ever, eat a cleaner shrimp. Oth-
erwise, these adept crustacean help-
mates would long ago have become
extinct in the wild. If a triggersh in
the aquarium picks off your favorite
cleaner shrimp, take it as a sure sign
that the sh was driven by hunger
and not by its natural instinct
a reminder of the need for provid-
ing appropriate food for each species
we keep.
Apropos of this, it is never a bad thing to reconsider
the fundamentals of our aquarium maintenance of coral
shes; nothing in this world is so good that it cannot
be improved. Behaviorist Ellen Thaler has a number of
things to say on this theme, and not for the rst time:
her article relates to a piece she wrote years ago for the
journal DATZ. Its publication at that time, under the
title Fish Polemic, struck a chord in many readers, and
there is good reason to believe that her latest article on
the subject will do the same.
Moreover, as we become more aware of human and
climatic impacts on coral reefs and take a greater interest
in protecting the species-rich marine ecosystems of our
planet, it is important for all of us involved in the marine
aquarium hobby to take a criticaland introspective
look at our husbandry practices. In the International
Year of the Reef, which has just ended, many organiza-
tions arranged conferences and exhibitions in order to
bring the man on the street closer to the coral-reef en-
vironment and introduce him to the fascinating organ-
isms that live there. We aquarists already enjoy a greater-
than-average insight into this environment, but we need
to be mindful that it is a great privilege to keep creatures
of the coral reef. With each sh or coral we bring home
comes the responsibility to keep it in optimal conditions
and do nothing to shorten its expected life span.
There is much to suggest that the spotlight will be
on the reefs even more in future than hitherto. This is
not only because of their vulnerabil-
ity to environmental degradation,
but above all by virtue of their us-
age in human society, for example
in modern medicine, where marine
organisms are being increasingly rec-
ognized as sources of highly effective
chemical compounds. And there is
still so much to be discovered beneath
the wavesfor example, the under-
water mountains, or seamounts,
estimated to number 100,000, the
majority of which apparently possess
a coral reeflike community. To date,
only a fth of one percent of these
have been investigated and studied,
and almost nothing is known about
the potential importance of these
ecosystems vis-a-vis the coral reefs
that are already known. Seamounts may play a part in
larval drift, and may even represent indispensable way
stations in the distribution of larvae from coral reefs!
Finally, it is with great pleasure that I welcome editor
and publisher James Lawrence, associate publisher An-
thony Calfo, and the new creative and publishing team,
who have produced this, their rst issue of CORAL. We,
and the many writers and photographers who have been
friends of both KORALLE and CORAL for years, are con-
dent that the magazine is in good hands and has a clear
mission to bring you new ideas, new perspectives, and
exciting content that will help you get more out of your
marine aquarium and reef-keeping experiences.
Happy reading!
LETTER
Daniel Knop, founding editor of KORALLE
3 CORAL
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Sea the difference

What do all great saltwater

aquariums have in common?
4 CORAL
5 CORAL
O
wel come to the new CORAL
ne of our treasures from decades of keep-
ing marine aquariums is a tattered, salt-
stained, dog-eared, autographed copy of a
little volume called The Marine Aquarium
Handbook. For the whole rst generation of
reef aquarists, this was our touchstone and
bible as we daringly set up our rst saltwater
systems. Dated 1982, this book appeared at a
time when many still believed that marine sh
were impossible to keep, when live rock and skimmers
and metal halides were unknowna time when the idea
of sustaining live corals in captivity was scoffed at by
preeminent biologists.
In the past weeks, as we undertook the humbling re-
sponsibility of publishing CORAL, the worlds original
magazine for marine aquarists, we turned once again to
our trustworthy mentor and author of that classic text,
Martin A. Moe, Jr.
Currently immersed in breeding experiments with
the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in his home labora-
tory in the Florida Keys, Martin readily agreed to join
us. Here is the response he sent. It is vintage Moe, liter-
ate and thoughtful and perfectly summing up what it is
that brings all of us together to support a magazine like
CORAL.
There is a fascinating and even primal attraction
to marine aquariums that lies deep within the psyche of
most people. It seems to go beyond the technical, artistic,
and scientic satisfaction of creating and/or exploring a
miniature replica of a marine aquatic ecosystem within
our own terrestrial world.
Perhaps this is keyed to the instinctive drive to
explore and understand our environment that has al-
lowed us to survive and thrive ever since humanity rst
emerged. We are, and have been for a very long time,
greatly captivated and enthralled by life from the sea in
all its primitive complexity abiding behind glass within
our own environment.
Keeping marine life in captive containers is not a
new endeavor. It actually dates back to 1846, perhaps
even earlier, but this was when Mrs. Thynne of London
kept various invertebrates sent to her from the coast in a
stone jar for many months of study and entertainment.
Water changes occurred every three months and the
organisms were kept alive by manual aeration. As Mrs.
Thynne reported, I thought of having it aerated by pour-
ing it backwards and forwards before an open window,
for half to three quarters
of an hour between each
time of using it. This was
doubtless a fatiguing op-
eration; but I had a little
handmaiden, who, be-
sides being rather anxious
to oblige me, thought it
rather an amusement.
Yes, we have come
a long way, and most of
that journey has taken place in the last 45 years.
For me, the journey began in the early 1960s. I was a
graduate student at the University of South Florida and a
shery biologist at the Marine Research Laboratory in St.
Petersburg. I did a project for an animal behavior course
on the breeding behavior of two species of blennies. The
aquarium system consisted of twelve 10- and 20-gallon
slate bottomed, stainless steelframed tanks with bubble-
up corner lters, a state of the art facility. This old
study is now available on the Internet. Hows that for a
blending of the old and the new?
But of course it is the new that we seek out most
diligently. And there is so much now that is new. It is al-
ways important, and greatly fascinating, to keep up with
what is happening in the marine environments of our
world and in our endeavors with captive marine life. I am
pleased to learn that CORAL, a premier magazine in this
hobby and chronicler of all that is new and exciting, is
gaining a new life.
I am most happy that CORAL has fallen into your
purview, and I look forward to many more issues of spec-
tacular photos and interesting and accurate information
on marine aquarium systems and captive and wild ma-
rine life. All the best to the new CORAL.
To all faithful readers and supportive sponsors
who have been so encouraging during this relaunch of
CORAL, we thank you and hope you nd inspiration with-
in these covers. To Daniel Knop and Matthias Schmidt,
the enlightened founders of the parent magazine KO-
RALLE, we can only say we hope to be good stewards of
this journal. And nally, we extend our sincere gratitude
to all the marine scientists, authors, underwater photog-
raphers, and lovers of the sea and of coral reefs who have
rallied to join us in bringing you this magazine.
James Lawrence
Charlotte, Vermont
Martin Moe
collecting plankton
in the Florida Keys
6 CORAL
f rom our readers
KUDOS
Ever since Daniel Knop started the original German edi-
tion of KORALLE, I have looked forward to receiving each
issue, because it always covers subjects that fascinate me:
aquariums, shes, coral reefs, and the natural world.
Daniel and his publisher, Matthias Schmidt, con-
sistently produce timely, very informative, and beauti-
fully illustrated magazines, and with the appearance a
few years ago of an edition published by Leng Sy in the
United States, English-speaking hobbyists were at
last treated to this wonderful resource.
Im so glad to know that you have taken on
the publication of CORAL so that it will contin-
ue to inspire involved aquarists and pet dealers.
Ive always admired the many books your Mi-
crocosm crew has published and produced, and
know that your involvement in CORAL Maga-
zine will assure a standard of information and
print quality that is second to none.
This is a magazine that is to be saved and
absorbed over time, not merely glanced at and
tossed.
Julian Sprung, President
Two Little Fishies, Inc.
Miami Gardens, Florida
CHANGI NG TI MES
Congratulations on the relaunch of CORAL. I look
forward to the continuation of the magazines famously
high standards.
I also applaud your intention to support good local
marine aquarium shops. In this faltering economy, far
too many of them are being forced to close their doors.
As a former shop owner myself, I know all too well the
challenges they face, even during the best of times.
Many independent retailers see big discount stores
and e-commerce as the major threats to their survival.
Some hobbyists will purchase deeply discounted livestock,
irrespective of the risks involved, with no thought to the
impact this may have on the hobby itself. I have noth-
ing against people wanting to save a few dollars, but if
we hobbyists dont support our local shops, we will soon
have none. Where I live, seven shops once thrived within
half an hours drive of downtown. Now there are only
three, and one of them may soon close its doors. I hear
things are no better in many other parts of the country.
By choosing not to support the dealer down the
street, hobbyists not only take their dollars out of the lo-
cal economy, but also threaten the survival of the hobby.
The local, independent retailer has always been the place
where newcomers get their start. How many people do
you know whose interest in aquariums was inspired by a
website versus the number who saw a beautiful reef tank
on display in a shop?
Our hobby must return to its local roots, or the entire
industry can collapse. When the number of aquarium
hobbyists falls below a critical point, even the big-
gest online stores will be forced to close. Its not all
bleak, as I rmly believe it is possible to have both
a growing hobby and successful, independent
local shops.
Years back, the arrival in town of a na-
tional big-box retailer quickly killed off every
mom-and-pop hardware store in my area. Folks
whose business had been started by their grand-
parents had to retire or seek other employment.
Now, however, several small hardware shops have
returned. Why?
At a big box, you are just one of the crowd, often
with little or no trustworthy staff available to of-
fer advice and answer questions. At a small shop,
the staff will take time to understand your proj-
ect. They have the experience to help you choose
the right tools and materials. Nothing beats a good
retailer who takes a personal interest in the success of
every customer. This was the key to my stores success,
and it remains the key to success for aquarium shops and
their customers. If aquarists will once again realize this,
our hobby has a chance.
John Tullock
Knoxville, Tennessee
WET- DRY MAGAZI NE
As a passionate marine aquarium hobbyist, SCUBA diver,
and amateur underwater photographer, I await the debut
of the new CORAL Magazine with keen anticipation.
With its evolution from the European KORALLE, and
in the extraordinarily capable hands of its new publish-
ers, I look forward to a wonderful combination of sub-
stance and style that is both intellectually stimulating
and a near-perfect conversation starter for my coffee
table. The trick will be to avoid picking it up with wet
hands after working in my aquarium.
Michelle Lemech
Los Angeles, California
7 CORAL
8 CORAL
f i ndi ngs and happeni ngs of note
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The mystery of the Facetotecta larvae
For more than a century, the marine larvae bearing the
name Facetotecta managed to conceal the identity of
their adult form from science. The larvae were known,
but what creatures had produced them, and what they
would grow into, remained a mystery. They had been
found in all the seas of the world from the Arctic to
the tropics, but they could not be matched to any adult
creature, and not even the most basic information was
known about the ecology of the species.
Finally, Danish and Japanese researchers treated
the larvae with a hormone secreted by crustaceans that
stimulates metamorphosis, and watched to see what
would develop from them. The result was a big surprise:
in the course of the maturing process the shrimp-like
Facetotecta larvae shed their external skeletons, and
what appeared was a soft, slug-like marine creature with
atrophied eyes and musculature. The scientists felt that
this creature was reminiscent of species with a parasitic
existence, and thus they now assume that Facetotecta is
a parasitic organism.
ON THE I NTE RNE T
Glenner H., J. T. Heg, M. J. Grygier, and Y. Fujita. 2008. Induced
metamorphosis in crustacean y-larvae: Towards a solution to a
100-year-old riddle. BMC Biology 6:21.
Medications from the sea
Numerous sponges, as well as corals, bryozoans, and
other marine creatures, are prevented by their sedentary
lifestyle from eeing from predators and hence have to
protect themselves in other ways. They employ power-
ful sting-cell poisons and chemical repellents to serve
this purpose. The bryozoan species Bugula neritina de-
fends itself with an agent that has been given the name
bryostatin. This substance not only is effective in fright-
ening away enemies, but also can limit the growth of
cancer cells in humans. Bryostatins are said to be espe-
cially effective against leukemia, and for this reason they
are currently being tested in clinical studies.
To date, the main barrier to the use of this sub-
stance has been that bryozoans contain extremely small
amounts of it, so that large numbers of them would have
to be harvested from the wild, which is unacceptable.
One alternative might be the articial breeding and cul-
ture of Bugula neritina, which is not currently possible.
Over the past two decades, many thousands of me-
tabolites have been isolated from sponges, algae, and
higher life formsfor example, the didemnins (from
a tunicate, or sea squirt, of the genus Didemnum) and
eleutherobin (from a soft coral of the genus Eleuthero-
bia). Marine life forms contain agents effective against
diseases such as cancer, AIDS, herpes simplex, and nu-
merous others. Marine life forms are generally among
the most important and productive sources of new natu-
ral chemicals for use in human medicine, but no reliable
method for extracting them has been discovered.
But scientists have now discovered that in many cas-
es these substances are not manufactured by the animals
themselves, but by symbiotic bacteria that live within
them. The above-mentioned bryozoan species Bugula
neritina derives its bryostatin from bacteria. Margo Hay-
NEWS
The secondary metabolites from marine sponges possess an
enormous potential for medical research and treatment.
The palytoxin from this encrusting anemone (Protopalythoa
grandis) is produced by bacteria.
9 CORAL
10 CORAL
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good of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography discov-
ered the factor that is responsible for the production of
bryostatin. Antibiotic treatment of the bryozoans, which
eliminated all bacteria but did not harm the bryozoans
themselves, actually led to a decrease in the bryostatin
content. Scientists regard this as evidence for the bacte-
rial origin of the substance.
This should come as no surprise, as it has been known
for a long time that some substances with a highly toxic
effect on humans are produced by bacteria: examples
include tetrododoxin, which comes from many of the
puffer-like shes, the Tetraodontiformes, and palytoxin,
which is found in the zoanthid genera Palythoa and
Protopalythoa. This may mean that bryostatin, and per-
haps numerous other secondary metabolites from other
sea-dwellers, could be harvested outside the sea. In addi-
tion, a bacterium is much easier to inuence by genetic
manipulation than a highly evolved organism such as a
sponge, a bryozoan, or a coral. All this also suggests that
in the years to come, the use of marine secondary me-
tabolites in human medicine may develop by leaps and
bounds.
Daniel Knop
Undersea mountain a paradise
for brittle stars
The peak of an undersea mountain south of New Zea-
land appears to be a paradise for brittle stars: recently
researchers found dense aggregations there with more
than 100 individuals per square meter.
Undersea mountains are marine ecosystems that have
some features in common with coral reefs, and there
is much to be said for regarding them as a further ep-
ochal discovery in marine biologymuch like the black
smokers in the marine abyss and the Lophelia pertusa
reefs off Norway.
Whenever biolo-
gists study such an
undersea moun-
tain and its marine
inhabitants, they
come across species
that were previously
unknown to science.
As a rule, a site like
this houses a rela-
tively species-rich
community that has colonized the elevated structure of
the mountain via larval drift and created an ecosystem
consisting mainly of sponges, corals, and other associ-
ated life forms.
According to scientists estimates, there are around
100,000 such undersea mountains worldwide, and only
200 of them have been studied, so there is enormous
potential for the discovery of previously unknown spe-
cies of animalsand sometimes entire ecosystems. One
example of this is the investigation of the Macquarie
Ridge Seamount on an underwater formation known as
Macquarie Ridge, which consists of a series of folds in
the seabed extending for about 1,600 km to the south
of New Zealand. Within the framework of the interna-
tional global project Census of Marine Life, scientists
from numerous disciplines are endeavoring to catalog all
Close-up of the various inhabitants of the undersea mountain:
brittle stars, sea anemones, sponges, soft corals, and worms.
Above: Sorting
samples on board the
research ship Tangaroa
Right: Macquarie
Ridge on the map
11 CORAL
the organisms of the marine world. KO-
RALLE has already reported on this several
times. An interdisciplinary research team
from New Zealand and Australia examined
Macquarie Ridge and its ecosystems dur-
ing a four-week expedition, using the latest
video-recording equipment. The investiga-
tion was part of a planned study of under-
sea mountains termed the Global Census
of Marine Life on Seamounts (CenSeam)
under the auspices of New Zealands Na-
tional Institute of Water & Atmospheric
Research (NIWA). It was nanced mainly
by the New Zealand Foundation for Re-
search, Science and
Technology.
What the scientists
found at Macquarie
Ridge was a unique eco-
system that consisted mainly of brit-
tle stars. There were many millions of
arms reaching up from the substrate
into the open water to capture pass-
ing plankton; and over the at top of
the undersea mountain, an area of
around 100 square kilometers, there
was nothing to be seen but brittle
starswhich in this environment
need to do nothing more than extend
their arms to obtain food.
The foot of the mountain lies
at a depth of 850 meters, while the
peak extends to within 90 meters of
the surface. Macquarie Ridge is one
of the very few places that is affected
by the endless circling of the Antarc-
tic circumpolar current at the most
southerly latitudes, mingling the wa-
ters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pa-
cic Oceans. At approximately 110
cm/sec, the current is very strong,
apparently protecting brittle stars
from predators and at the same time
bringing them a constant and plenti-
ful supply of food.
According to Dr. Mike Williams
of NIWA, this circumpolar current is
around 110150 times as strong as
the currents of all the rivers of the
world added together. Essentially,
New Zealand is situated very close to
the freeway, so to speak. The crew of
the research ship Tangaroa christened
the mountain top Brittle Star City,
photographed and lmed the unique
community, and took countless sam-
ples that may require years to study and catalog. Though
experts do not entirely agree regarding the identity of the
species, after initial studies taxonomist Tim OHara be-
lieves that the smaller, black-brown individuals, which
live on the top of the mountain and extend a forest of
arms into the open water, are Ophiacantha otagoensis
or O. delis, and that the larger, orange-red ones, which
hold their arms out into the current lower down on the
anks of the mountain, are O. rosea. Ecologist Dr. Ashley
Rowden of NIWA regards the huge aggregation of brittle
stars on the Macquarie Ridge seamount as sensational,
not only because such a large number of similar organ-
isms exists in one place but also because of the unique
composition of the population, which will have a mas-
12 CORAL
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sive effect on scientists understanding of undersea
mountains as ecosystems.
Daniel Knop
ON THE I NTE RNE T
CenSeam: Global Census of Marine Life on Seamounts
part of the global Census of Marine Life (CoML)
CoML is an expanding global network of researchers
from more than 80 nations working to catalog, within
the space of a decade, all species of marine life, past and
present, along with their distribution and frequency.
http://censeam.niwa.co.nz/
CenSeam news release: http://censeam.niwa.co.nz/__
data/assets/pdf_fle/0009/71658/CenSeam_MacRidge_
Press_Release.pdf
NOAA releases
free Reef
Managers
Guide to Coral
Bleaching
The most ominous
phenomenon faced by
coral reefs globally is
bleaching on a massive
scale. In a joint effort by
some 50 international
scientists at NOAA, the
Australian Great Barrier
Reef Park Authority, and
the International Union
for the Conservation of
Nature, a new 178-page book on the
causes and consequences of bleach-
ing has been published and is now
available for free download at the
URL below.
http://coris.noaa.gov/activities/reef_
managers_guide/
Expedition to the
bottom of the sea
Anyone seeing a black smoker in
the marine abyss for the rst time
will feel transported into an alien
world. In its scientic program Pro-
jekt Zukunft (Project Future), DW-
TV showed viewers unusual glimpses
into this realm of darkness. The Ger-
man television company, together
with the MARUM Research Center
in Bremen, Germany, produced a
ve-part series called Expedition
zum Meeresgrund (Expedition to the
Ocean Floor).
Scientists at the MARUM Re-
search Center took the viewer along
on diving trips to the methane gas
elds in the Indian Ocean, the as-
phalt volcanoes in the Gulf of Mex-
ico, and the cold-water coral reefs of
the Mediterranean. Viewers accom-
panied scientists on a drillship in the
Arctic Ocean, heading for the North
Pole. And in the middle of the Atlan-
tic, where new seabed is constantly
being created, the viewer could see
for himself just what a black smok-
er is like.
The director of MARUM, Profes-
sor Gerold Wefer, said the aim of the
QUALITY MARINE
TM
Register online at
QualityMarine.com
Look for the label to
be sure you are getting
Quality Marine livestock.
To nd out more please visit QualityMarine.com
Receive email
Newsletters feat-
uring exciting new
Quality Marine
products and a list
of retailers near you
that carry them.
Looking for the Best Quality
Marine Fish and Invertebrates?
M
G
B
T
p
co
bl
sca
som
sci
Aus
Ree
the
for
13 CORAL
media partnership with DW-TV was to engage the in-
ternational public with the subject of deep-sea research
and the work of the research center. DW-TV Director
Christoph Lanz stated that viewers interest in exciting
scientic lms was immense and
that letters from all over the world
conrmed this. Viewers were espe-
cially keen on seeing information
about German research.
The series Expedition to the
Ocean Floor was broadcast weekly
beginning June 8, 2008, in both Ger-
man and English, as well as German
with Arabic subtitles. The series is
also available as video on demand
or can be downloaded.
Source: IDW
ON THE I NTE RNE T
http://www.dw-world.de/projektzukunft
http://www.dw-world.de/tomorrowtoday
http://www.marum.de
Is it time for a change?
AccuraSea Natural Seawater
The Original Formula
Two Little Fishies Inc. 1007 Park Centre Blvd.
Miami Gardens, FL 33169 USA
phone 305 623-7695 Fax 305 623-7697
www.twolittleshies.com

Black smokers are hydrothermal vents,

found in felds hundreds of meters wide,
formed when superheated water from
below the earths crust comes through
the ocean foor. Dissolved minerals,
most notably sulfdes, precipitate in
contact with cold ocean water, forming a
chimney-like structure around each vent.
14 CORAL
text and photos by I NKEN KRAUSE
The Partner Shrimp
Periclimenes brevicarpalis
Periclimenes brevicarpalis is a small, delicate shrimp that
many aquarists fail to notice at rst glance because it
is largely transparent and usually spends its time hid-
den among the tentacles of sea anemones. In the wild,
this species, which attains a maximum length of about
1.5 inches (4 cm), lives alone or in harems on the sea
anemone Cryptodendrum adhaesivum.
Although P. brevicarpalis exhibits no distinct sexual
dimorphism, males are larger than females and have a
tendency to develop heavier spotting. Because males are
aggressive among themselves, a harem, with one male
and several females, is recommended for aquarium
maintenance. However, it is also possible to keep several
males in a large aquarium containing several host anem-
ones. In aquaria without any host anemones, a variety of
large-polyped hard corals, as well as encrusting and disc
anemones, are acceptable substitutes.
When it comes to diet, P. brevicarpalis is not very
fussy; although it will happily take the usual frozen and
dry foods, it may still prey on its own host anemone.
Thus, though fascinating, this combination of creatures
is not pure symbiosis. When the species is housed with
very large sea anemones, such as the natural host Cryp-
todendrum adhaesivum (unfortunately very rarely avail-
able in the aquarium trade) or other large sea anemones
(for example, Stichodactyla spp.), it is rare that there is
any noticeable damage to the host. Either these large sea
anemones are able to compensate for damage by the little
shrimp, or they are capable of preventing such damage
Periclimenes brevicarpalis in the aquarium, on a Haddons
carpet anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni). Note the two striking
ocelli (eyespots) on the tail fn (on the left) in contrast to the
inconspicuous head with its barely discernible real eyes.
15 CORAL
using protective mechanisms that are lacking in an un-
natural host such as a large-polyped stone coral.
Periclimenes brevicarpalis thus cannot be recommend-
ed for aquarium maintenance entirely without reserva-
tions. It may damage sessile invertebrates to a limited
degree. It does best in a peaceful aquarium with no large
shes that might regard this tiny crustacean as food. The
very large sea anemone necessary for the correct main-
tenance of P. brevicarpalis is totally unsuitable for the
average small aquarium.
Interestingly, this little shrimp is decorated with
ocelli, not only because of its relationship with the host,
but also because they provide an excellent method of de-
ceiving potential predators. The two dummy eyes on the
tail n (see photo) disguise the real head and hence the
direction of ight as well. The tail n looks like a head to
the would-be predator, while the real head and eyes are
inconspicuously colored. When the shrimp ees, it will
leave the predator grabbing at nothing.
RE F E RE NCE S
Thaler, E. 2003. Auge oder Scheinaugedas ist hier die Frage.
KORALLE 23:3437.
The Longn Anthias
Pseudanthias ventralis
The Longn Anthias, Pseudanthias ventralis, is a rare sh
that cant fail to be noticed. With its gaudy pink and
yellow coloration and its elongate nnage, this sh im-
mediately catches the eyeon the rare occasions that it
turns up in the aquarium trade at all.
It is almost unbelievable that this bright coloration
actually serves as camouage. And
yet, in the diffuse blue light of its
natural habitat at a depth of up to
66 feet (120 m), the colors that
are so striking under bright light
are practically invisible.
Like many other especially
colorful shes, P. ventralis oc-
curs on the Great Barrier Reef
off Australia. The species lives in
large groups that populate vertical
surfaces at great depths and snap
up any planktonic organisms that
drift past in the current. In the di-
rection of Johnston Atoll and Ha-
waii, the species is replaced by the
very similar P. hawaiiensis.
At rst glance, P. ventralis appears to be well suited to
aquarium maintenance. With a maximum body length of
3 inches (8 cm), the species remains very small in com-
parison to other anthias (for example, the very popular
P. squamipinnis), so that in aquaria of 250 gallons (ap-
proximately 1,000 liters) or more it can be kept in large
groups in line with its natural way of life. Satisfying the
dietary demands of these planktivores isas with almost
all anthiasdifcult; in the nal analysis, they should be
given ne food such as Cyclop-eeze at frequent intervals
in order to meet their high energy requirements. Ideally,
food should be constantly available.
Far more problematic, however, is meeting the spe-
cial requirements of deep-reef dwellers in brightly-lit
aquaria. The light conditions in modern reef aquaria are
very different from those in the natural environment of
this species. While there have been success stories about
the maintenance of anthias from great depths, it can-
not be denied that many of them do not live very long
in the aquarium. And it cannot be ruled out that this is
due to stress caused by too high a light intensity (and
possibly too high a temperature). Anyone who is seri-
ously interested in the maintenance of these splendidly
colored shes is advised to try muted lighting at the blue
end of the spectrum. This will make the shes feel most
at home in the long term, even if in the blue twilight the
bright colorationwhich is, of course, the main attrac-
tion of this speciesloses much of its effect.
RE F E RE NCE S
Kuiter, R. and H. Debelius. 2006. Atlas der Meeresfsche. Kosmos-
Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany.
On the Internet (8-16-08), FishBase:
http://fshbase.de/Summary/speciesSummary
Pseudanthias ventralis, photographed
in the De Jong Marinelife display
aquarium at the Interzoo 2008.
16 CORAL
The Clarion Angelsh
Holacanthus clarionensis
The Clarion Angelsh, Holacanthus clarionensis, is distin-
guished from its equally attractive relatives in the genus
Holacanthus primarily by its extremely high price. An in-
vestment of at least $3,000 may be required to call this
exclusive angelsh your own. And even those who are
prepared to invest such a sum in a single sh will discover
that they are extremely difcult to nd in the aquarium
trade. The Clarion Angelsh is not especially rare in the
wild, however, even though its distribution region in the
central eastern Pacic off Mexico (above all at the Revil-
lagigedo Islands) is very small. What probably makes it
rare is the high cost of collecting and transporting it from
its isolated rangepossibly also a clever export policy.
H. clarionensis is particularly beautiful in its juve-
nile coloration, when it exhibits a brass to orange base
coloration with a pattern of brilliant blue stripes. This
pattern disappears in adult individuals, and sometimes
the orange also becomes a bit washed out and tends
more to brown. But the fabulously beautiful blue n edg-
ings and the characteristic blue lips (otherwise known
only in the Flagn Angelsh, Apolemichthys trimaculatus)
are retained. Pragmatists will maintain that the species
is not appreciably more attractive than its much more
reasonably priced relativesfor example, the Caribbean
Holacanthus ciliarisbut beauty does, after all, lie in the
eye of the beholder.
On the credit side, H. clarionensis is exceptionally
well suited, relative to other large angelshes, to aquar-
ium maintenance. At around 9.8 inches (25 cm) it is
smaller than other species of the genus; nonetheless, it
is relatively robust, and like all large angelshes should
be provided with adequate swimming space. It must be
borne in mind that corals and other invertebrates in the
aquarium will constitute part of its diet, but anyone who
is prepared to pay for such an expensive sh will un-
doubtedly not be put off by this dietary preference.
RE F E RE NCE S
Kuiter, R. and H. Debelius. 2006. Atlas der Meeresfsche. Kosmos-
Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany.
On the Internet (6-08-08), FishBase:
http://fshbase.de/Summary/speciesSummary.php?
ID=11172&genusname=Holacanthus&speciesname
=clarionensis
Juvenile Holacanthus clarionensis, photographed in the De Jong
Marinelife display aquarium at the Interzoo 2008. The blue stripe
pattern on the body will disappear with age.
18 CORAL
For two and a half decades, the Tacketts have been
living in various remote parts of Indonesia, Malay-
sia, Papua New Guinea, the Maldives, and Palau, as
well as on Mauritius and in other countries, in order
to diveas part of their work, but also for pleasure.
They have built an immense photo archive, and their
luminous photos and well-researched articles have
been published worldwide in books and magazines.
National Geographic has reported on their work on
seahorses and in the Lembeh Straits. A few years ago
Denise was honored by having the seahorse species Hippocampus denise named after her; this is
the smallest seahorse known, attaining no more than a half inch (14 mm) in length. Denise
and Larry have also jointly published an acclaimed book, Reef LifeNatural History and Behav-
iors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates.
CORAL: Denise and Larry, let me start with a rhetorical question. Have
you ever regretted your decision, back in the 1980s, to leave your pro-
fessional lives behind and begin your never-ending coral-reef adven-
ture?
Denise: No. Ive never once regretted leaving my secure, established
life behind. In fact, I cant imagine living any other way now. Before
we left, I worried that wed be sorry one day, but its been over 20
years and that day still hasnt come. Ive learned so much from liv-
ing in other cultures and from observing and photographing nature
that I often wonder how I survived without it in my former life.
Dani el Knop tal ks wi th DENI SE and LARRY TACKETT
Denise and Larry Tackett are dive professionals and
nature lovers who have devoted their lives to the observation and docu-
mentation of marine organisms on tropical coral reefs. Around 25 years ago,
the two of them left behind their chemical industry and banking careers
so they could do what they really enjoyed:
experiencing and photographing nature.
They began with a part-time job collect-
ing marine sponges for a university doing
cancer research, which left plenty of time
for wildlife photography, and later started
working full-time as a wildlife photogra-
pher-and-author team.
A
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Above, Denise
Nielsen Tackett
photographing
a giant stingray,
Daysyatis sp.
Right, the Tacketts at
one of their favorite
bases, Kungkungan
Bay in Lembeh Strait,
Sulawesi.
Opposite page
top: Purple Anthias
(Pseudanthias tuka)
swim over a formation
of Yellow Scroll Coral
(Turbinaria reniformis) in
the Bismarck Sea.
Bottom: Female Longnose
Seahorse (Hippocampus
trimaculatus) on
driftwood
19 CORAL
20 CORAL
Our years of uncertain adventures helped me to view
life from a different perspective and to reorder my pri-
orities. I also had the luxury of exploring sides of myself
I never knew existed.
Larry: For me, seeing the world and creating photo-
graphs was my dream from an early age. From the time
I nished college and began an engineering career, I had
something of a parallel life. I was always trying to learn
more about photography to the extent that I started to
teach photo courses at a variety of community venues. I
actually began to dive so that I could take images under-
water. I used all my available vacation time to take dive
trips and even became a dive instructor. The rst class
I taught included Denise as the divemaster and a man
that would later offer us the opportunity to begin our
life with the sea. Over 6,000 dives and 25 years later, I
have no regrets. I cannot imagine my life having devel-
oped any other way.
CORAL: Is there a group of animals that you fnd particu-
larly fascinating? What do you look out for when you frst
dive on a coral reef?
Denise: I certainly have a special interest in pygmy sea-
horses but Im interested in many different groups
underwater and on land. I think Im
more interested in the variety of and
commonalities between the behav-
iors of different groups in nature.
There are many parallels between
the terrestrial and underwater worlds. Camouage is
one example: a moth that disappears on the bark of a
tree, a pygmy seahorse disappears on a gorgonian, and
an octopus often blends into the reef. Each species is
vastly different yet they use similar tactics for survival
thats what fascinates me. Warning colors are another
example. Think of colorful nudibranchs advertising
their toxins or unpleasant taste to would-be predators
and compare that to beautiful butteries whose col-
oration also warns predators away. Its as if theres a
thread of oneness that runs through the fabric of all life,
connecting it in ways we dont notice unless we really
think about it. That fascinates me.
Larry: At rst, I found sharks and larger reef life interest-
ing. After a few hundred dives I, and of course Denise,
began to look at the reef in a different waynot just
for individual animals to see and photograph, but also
for observable behavior that we could record on lm. As
this interest developed, I began to look at smaller and
smaller animals, seeing what the majority of divers over-
look as they swim past to pursue larger marine subjects.
Our arrival in Indonesia marked a turning point in our
undersea experiences. For the rst time, we were nding
animals wed never seen before. Rare and unique ani-
mals were all around us, seemingly waiting to be record-
ed on lm. So I guess I would say seeing and recording
behavior is of most interest to me, not just a particular
species of animal.
CORAL: Would you say there are any places in the world
where you have most enjoyed your diving? Or places that
you would like to explore in the future? P
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Clockwise from top left: Small dragonet (Synchiropus sp.).
Close-up detail of colonial sea squirts (Botryllus sp.).
Small Rosewaters Cowrie (Crenavolva rosewateri) feeds on its
host, a melathaeid gorgonian.
Large gorgonian (typical habitat for Hippocampus denise) with
feather stars (Crinoidea) on reef.
21 CORAL
22 CORAL
23 CORAL
Denise: I think every place Ive dived has something unique
that makes it special, but Indonesia and Papua New Guin-
ea are my diving favorites because of the extraordinary di-
versity and the abundance of marine life inhabiting that
area. The area surrounding the island of New Guinea is
particularly remarkable because so little of it has been fully
explored. I could spend a few lifetimes there. Also high on
my list of favorites are the Maldives and Kangaroo Island
in South Australia.
Larry: Without a doubt, Indonesia is my favorite place to
dive and explore. I nd the range in habitats and marine
life in general to be the most diverse of any place I have
been. When we arrived there in 1995, the diving world
was just beginning to discover the incredible diving op-
portunities there. Lembeh Strait was all but unknown;
now it is a well-known and heavily visited area, with
many resorts. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Indo-
nesia is that there is still a frontier where few have been
and many locations have yet to be visited. I always like
to say that even after a couple of thousand dives in In-
donesia, I can still go in the water and have an excellent
chance of seeing something, or some behavior, that Ive
never seen before. It doesnt get any better than that!
CORAL: Denise, for many years the pygmy seahorse Hip-
pocampus denise was regarded as simply an unusual color
form of H. bargibanti. Together with Sara Lourie, you ob-
served these fascinating little fshes over a long period, and
after a certain time you became convinced that they must
be a new species. Pease tell us the story behind this.
Denise: I had looked for pygmy seahorses for many years
to no avail. Id seen only one photo of them from the
New Caledonia aquarium where theyd been found, by
accident, on a gorgonian collected for the aquarium. In
1995-6, when we were working in Lembeh Strait, a dive
guide in Bali found a pygmy seahorse on a gorgonian
there. Once I found out what species of gorgonian they
lived on, I started nding them in the Lembeh area.
Then everyone had pygmy feverdivers were looking
everywhere for more pygmy seahorses. One day, I was
on a dive when a newly certied diver found an orange
pygmy on a different gorgonian. I was one of the rst to
photograph it. It was hard to focus on it, because it was
actively swimming up, down, and across the gorgonian
something H. bargibanti rarely does. When I was able
to focus, I could see the different head and snout shape
and the relatively smoother body. As I observed the tiny
seahorse, I noticed some transparent shrimp on the gor-
gonian. Each time the seahorse approached one of the
A pair of superbly camoufaged pygmy seahorses, Hippocampus
denise, cling to their host gorgonian. The species is named in
honor of Denise, who frst photographed and studied them
in Sulawesi.
24 CORAL
shrimps, it would reach out and nip the seahorse on the
head. I was convinced it was not H. bargibanti.
I searched other gorgonians and found more pyg-
mies that resembled the new one, so I knew it wasnt
an anomaly. I contacted the leading seahorse authority,
Amanda Vincent, for more information. She said there
was very little known about pygmy seahorses and she had
no idea if it was a new species or just another form of H.
bargibanti. I showed my photos to Gerry Allen and Jack
Randall(Drs. Gerald R. Allen and John E. Randall), the
worlds leading sh identication expertsthey didnt
know either. So I began observing both types of pygmies
and keeping detailed records of their behavior, as well as
a photographic record. I conferred with one of Dr. Vin-
cents students, Sara Lourie, who eventually joined me
in Indonesia and agreed to look into the possibility that
the orange pygmy seahorse might be a different species.
The rst time I dived with Sara, I took her to one of
the gorgonians with H. bargibanti that Id been observ-
ing. We planned to measure the seahorses, something
that proved to be more difcult than wed imagined.
Sara was able to coax one off its branch. She held it very
gently between her ngers as I prepared to photograph
it alongside a ruler. The tiny seahorse started to ick its
tail and each time it did, it forced tiny, fully formed baby
seahorses into the water column. We watched in awe as
the pygmy gave birth to 34 tiny seahorses! It was one of
the most amazing moments of my life.
After that, we continued to correspond and compare
notes. I continued my observations and we were able
to get government approval for sample specimens of H.
bargibanti and the new orange pygmy to be used for sci-
entic purposes. Sara and Jack Randall did the scientic
work that proved what I suspected all alongthat the
orange pygmy was indeed a different species of pygmy
seahorse. When Sara told me they named it Hippocam-
pus denise, I was totally surprised and absolutely delight-
edit was another one of those amazing moments.
CORAL: What was your closest call with a potentially dan-
gerous marine fsh or animal?
Denise: Years ago, on my rst dive in Papua New
Guinea, I encountered my very rst sea snake. Id been
searching for one so I could photograph it. Unsuccess-
ful, I ascended to the surface and signaled for the boat
before realizing an olive green sea snake had wrapped it-
self around my arm. At that moment of mutual recogni-
tion, we both sprang into actionthe snake slipped off
my arm and descended as I followed in hopes of getting
Commensal Emperor Shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) near the
gills of its host, a Spanish Dancer nudibranch (Hexabranchus
sanguineus).
25 CORAL
a photo. My photo was a fuzzy tail shot but I learned
an important lesson that day: even the most venomous
marine animals are as scared of you as you are of them.
That realization guides me even today because I try to
respect and forge a bond with animals before attempt-
ing to photograph themsomething I believe leads to
better images.
Larry: My closest call was on a dive in Indonesia with
a sandy bottom. Id been kneeling in the sand while I
photographed some invertebrates on an isolated coral
head. I inched closer to my subject, checking the sand
along the way so as not to crush some small, unsuspect-
ing critter. Just as my right knee touched down, I felt
a bump and saw a urry of sand that nally settled a
few feet away. Much too my surprise, it was a venom-
ous Spiny Devilsh that had been buried just under the
sand! Had it not ed, I would have knelt on it, leaving
the sh only one option: to sting me with its venomous
spines. Now I never kneel or touch anything underwater
without having a second look.
CORAL: Denise and Larry, thank you very much for
this interview!
26 CORAL
TRIGGERFISHES
26 CORAL
Dancl Knop - pnotos oy K. Hcoonnaus
It is
almost like something out of a science ction lmthe
rhomboidal body of a triggersh glides calmly along,
propelled only by the undulating movement of the edges
of the ns that surround the rear third of its body. No
beats of the tail, no paddling pectoral ns. It looks like
a swimming head, as the jaws are so powerful that the
Niger Triggerfsh, Odonus niger
27 CORAL
28 CORAL
Pinktail Triggerfsh, Melichthys vidua
Black Triggerfsh, Melichthys niger
29 CORAL
head occupies the entire anterior third of the body. The
mouth, by contrast, is almost tiny, and the gills are so
small that they often go unnoticed at rst glance.
Triggershes get their name from a unique anatomi-
cal feature they all share: the very strong rst ray of the
forward dorsal n can be erected and locked in place by
a small second spine to allow them to anchor in crevices
and thwart predators attempting to pull them out; the
second ray, in triggerlike fashion, can be depressed from
the locked position to release the rst spine.
Triggershes belong to the order Tetraodonti-
formes (puffer-like shes), and the resemblance is
easy to see; in spite of the much-compressed body,
a number of similarities to puffershes are clearly
visible. Moreover, the differences from the mem-
bers of the order Perciformes (perch-like shes),
to which the majority of coral shes belong, are
evident at rst glance, even to the layman; trig-
gershes are, quite simply, different.
In addition, some triggersh species exhibit
a body pattern that looks rather like an abstract
painting. There is a whole group of species deco-
rated with works of art reminiscent of the Cub-
ist movement. As a result, in many languages the
name of the gifted Spanish painter Pablo Picasso
appears in the popular terms for these species
of the genus Knnccantnus (Arabian, Blackbelly,
Halfmoon, and Picasso Trigger).
Numerous different factors may have been re-
sponsible for the evolution of the unusual color
patterns of triggershes, but in the Picasso Trig-
gers and a number of others, for example the Clown
Trigger (8alstodcs conspcllum), on closer examination
it can be seen that the body coloration conforms to the
rules of counter shading. This term refers to a type of
color pattern in which the upper surface is dark while
the underside is light. The reason for this is very simple
and can be appreciated by anyone who has ever dived
or snorkeled in the sea: if one looks down through the
open water by day, with no bottom or rock formations
in sight, the water appears dark. If, on the other hand,
one looks up toward the surface, the water looks light
because of the daylight coming from above. It follows
that a sh that has a dark dorsal surface will be easily
overlooked by predators looking down from above into
the dark seawater. If it also has a light underside, it will
likewise be visible only with difculty from below. This
counter shading is, of course, not an invention of the
triggershes, but has evolved many times in the animal
kingdom through predation selection; another excellent
example is the Nautilus, for example N. pomplus.
Triggershes have also evolved to be aggressive. Even
relatively small juveniles are quite capable of tackling
large Diadem Sea Urchins: they start by blowing them
away from the substrate, usually positioning themselves
at an angle in order to aim the jet of water accurately
between the substrate and the underside of the urchin.
Undulate Triggershes (8alstapus undulatus) and Clown
Triggers (8alstodcs conspcllum) are particularly skilled
at this. Once the Diadem Sea Urchinoften consider-
ably larger than its attackerhas nally been freed from
its resting place, the triggersh uses its teeth to grasp its
victim by the outermost tips of the spines and drags it
away to a suitable working place, usually a depression in
the sand. To start with, the tips of the spines are succes-
sively shortened (and eaten), so that the mobility of the
urchin is compromised. Then the triggersh repeatedly
tries to turn the urchin over so that its mouth area faces
upwards. Once it has bitten this region free of its cover-
ing of (already) short spines, it cracks the urchin open
with a number of carefully aimed bites to the mouth
opening; in the aquarium, these bites can be heard very
clearly! It is all over quickly, and all that remains is an
empty shell, nibbled clean, covered with little more than
a stubble of spines. Now and then triggershes even pull
the Diadem Sea Urchins jaws, the so-called Lan-
tern of Aristotle, from the shell fragments and nibble
away every last remnant of tissue. When one nds such
sea-urchin remains on the reef, it is very obvious that
the predator was a triggersh and not another urchin-
eating sh. It is astonishing how even sea urchins hid-
den in the sand are tracked down, blown free, and eaten.
8alstcs vctula, the Queen Triggersh of the Caribbean,
specializes in this type of hunting and particularly en-
joys cracking open Dadcma antllarum.
Although triggershes are not deliberately harvested
for human consumption, they do often turn up in sh
markets in tropical countries with long coastlines. Un-
like their relatives the puffershes, which secrete a toxin
called tetrodotoxin that is produced by bacteria, trigger-
shes are not fundamentally poisonous. Nevertheless,
Bluelined Triggerfsh, Pseudobalistes fuscus: juveniles such as this are
destined to grow large, with a maximum size of 21.7 inches (55 cm).
cases of poisoning from eating triggershes are com-
mon. The reason for this is a toxin that enters trigger-
shes more by accident than by design, and by a devious
route. Along with their food, triggershes sometimes
eat the dinoagellate Camocrdscus toxcus, an organ-
ism that lives on algae and secretes a toxin known as
ciguatoxin. This causes the poisoning syndrome known
as ciguatera, which initially resembles a case of food
poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea), but then affects the
nervous system and causes neurological symptoms.
Normally the concentration of this dinoagellate in
triggershes is slight, but occasionally there is a massive
proliferation of the algae, which leads to increased con-
sumption of the dinoagellate by algae-eaters such as sea
urchins. These, in turn, fall prey to predatorsincluding
triggershesin whose bodies the toxin accumulates.
The triggershes themselves are not affected, as these
sea-dwellers have experienced such close and continuous
contact with numerous marine toxins during their evo-
lutionary history that their systems have been able to de-
velop immunity. But humans, who have rarely been ex-
posed to these toxins (and only in the past few hundred
years), sometimes react dramatically to this and other
toxins produced by inhabitants of the sea. Ciguatoxin
poisons between 10,000 and 50,000 people annually
(Mebs 2000), sometimes up to 40 percent of the popu-
Bluechin Triggerfsh, Xanthichthys auromarginatus
lation on some islands in the South Pacic.
One of the most striking characteristics
of the triggershes is their assertiveness, in the
aquarium as well as in their natural habitat. In
the sea this sometimes goes unnoticed, even by div-
ers and snorkelers, as Prof. Ellen Thaler describes in
her article in this issue. But in the aquarium this char-
acteristic can be exacerbated by hunger: the enormous
size that the majority of species attain as adults dictates
a huge rate of growth, which, of course, raises their food
requirement far above that of other shes of the same
size with an inappreciable growth rate. Not surprisingly,
the result is that many triggersh species are so vora-
cious in the aquarium that they will eat all the food of-
fered, causing tankmates to go hungry. For this reason,
the choice of species in relation to tank size and other
occupants is probably the most important criterion for
the aquarium maintenance of triggershes, and only
certain species are suitable for normal-sized tanks, as
Professor Thaler relates. But despite all this, triggers are
shes of great character and, as such, highly inter-
esting for divers, snorkelers, and naturalists.
RE F E RE NCE S
Mebs, D. 2000. Gifttiere. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft,
Stuttgart, Germany.
31 CORAL
32 CORAL
Oh,
those
Triggers!
TRIGGERFISHES
oy Projcssor Lllcn 1nalcr
33 CORAL
They are also a real stumbling block for every novice
in the aquarium hobby, as they are must-have shes
in the minds of most beginners. Almost immediately,
and without further ado, triggershes are given names,
even by those who are not normally inclined to anthro-
pomorphize their shes (which is, of course, all to the
good). A triggersh might be called Max because it looks
just like Uncle Maxor behaves in the same pushy
way. My own two Picasso Triggershes were christened
Leopold and Leopoldine and had godparents, and there
was a long and rather silly story attached to them (Thal-
er 1999). You either love triggershes or you hate them;
there is no neutral ground. We sacrice entire sh com-
munities to them, along with heater-stats and hydrom-
eters, pump components, cable connectors, and some-
times even the entire aquarium; and, if we are unlucky
and the triggersh has gnawed away the pipework, we
even ood the house for them. Then, and only then, do
weusuallypart with them.
Triggershes are cunning rascals that can also be a
little underhandedor downright wicked! They are in-
telligent and always hungry, and it is this combination
that causes the problems, as triggershes will do abso-
lutely anything in order to obtain food.

TRI GGERFI SHES I N THE AQUARI UM?
And so we come to the million-dollar question: do trig-
gershes belong in an aquarium? In a reef aquarium?
Even sh-loving, long-term experts such as De Graaf,
Klausewitz, or Chlupaty advise keeping a single trigger-
sh in a sh-only aquarium with large shes that are
able to look after themselves. Triggershes are subject to
an outright ban in the higher echelons of reef aquarists;
zoological gardens tend to keep them in the shark tanks,
and that is not a bad thing because, in most cases, they
get enough to eat now and then. And even such thugs
as the Titan Trigger, the Clown Trigger, various Widow
Triggers, and all the species that grow to half a meter
or more can be accommodated thus with a clear con-
science.
Triggershes of all genera and species have one fea-
ture in common: they need to be fed well, and copiously,
but sensibly; in other words, the old, old story. But trig-
gershes let us know when they are hungry more em-
phatically than all other sh families, with the possible
exception of the large groupers. And they really do seem
to be always hungry! However, inquisitive aquarists like
us should know that the food-hunting behaviors of trig-
gershes vary. For instance, we nd dangerously intel-
ligent triggershes in the genera Balistapus, Balistoides,
Pseudobalistes, Balistes, and Rhinecanthus. These are pre-
dominantly composed of species that seek out their prey
near the bottom, and when they nd it often behave
rather badly. For example, the Green Triggersh (Bali-
stoides viridis) and the Bluelined Trigger (Pseudobalistes
fuscus) will rip meter-long pieces of coral out of the sub-
strate and turn them over if there is a crab inside, and it
is not difcult to imagine how an aquarium-sized juve-
nile of such a species will behave when it is hungry. They
can be incredibly inventive, and the less well they are
fed, the more inventiveor more accurately, reckless
they will become, until they actually get too weak for
feats of strength. Unfortunately, triggershes are also
masters of survival and can tolerate a lack of food for
long periods. In no other sh family do we so often nd
deformed specimens as in triggers that have received too
little food in too small an aquarium. Such specimens
usually are mostly head, with tiny bodies and oversized
Triggershes are unusually appealing sh personalities.
Young Clown Trigger (Balistoides conspicillum) and Brown Tang
(Zebrasoma scopas) confronting one another.
Face-on, a Bluechin Triggerfsh, Xanthichthys auromarginatus,
displays typical male coloration. Females lack the blue
pigmentation. This species has small teeth and is reef-safe.
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ns (and they always remind me of Gothic representa-
tions of children as dwarfed adults), and remain so for
years until they die.
But it doesnt have to be that way. Quite the con-
trary: triggershes can positively enrich an aquarium
through their presence, their multi-faceted behavior,
and even their occasional acts of wickedness. And it is
also possible to satiate their appetites without fouling
the aquarium environment in the process.
SPECI ES SUI TABLE FOR THE AQUARI UM
At present, I have two splendid Crosshatch Triggershes
(Xanthichthys mento), which I have to keep an eye on to
some extent (for example, when they try to dig a breed-
ing pit in a corner of the aquarium and are doing every-
thing they can to cause an avalanche), but which are
essentially very pleasant and friendly and do not harm
bottom-dwelling blennies or dottybacks, or even cleaner
shrimps. Every evening after the last feed, I give them
the largely empty glass bowl I have been feeding from so
that they can nibble it really clean down to the last tiny
crumb: they wait expectantly for this treat and angle
themselves rather neatly so they can watch me out of
one eye as they scrape away. But when there really is no
more left and I dont take the food bowl, and my hand,
out of the water in time, they often bite menot hard,
but as if to say, That was nice, you can go now!
All in all, it is possible to maintain species of the
genera Xanthichthys, Melichthys, Odonus, and, with
some reservations, Sufamen, fairly well in the reef
aquarium, as this group also includes a lot of plank-
ton huntersprovided you are willing to cater to their
needs. That is to say, the food should not only be var-
ied but should also include small particles such as Cy-
clops as occupational therapy. You must
also provide a varied aquarium landscape
that offers current channels in various
places, where the shes can fully exert
themselves. For example, the output from
the pump can be aimed directly among a
number of reef elements; the shes will
often remain for several minutes in the
ercest of the turbulence where they will
use their full swimming power. Any other
sh would simply be blasted away!
Surprisingly, triggershes do not take
any particular pleasure in variable current
conditions, demonstrating that they are,
in fact, rather conservative in their prefer-
ences: they always stubbornly seek out the
same spots. Their least favorite places are
those in which currents run directly along
the front glass, where they are often prone to stereotypi-
cal panic swimming. This is perhaps a reaction to the
water pressure from one side contacting their lateral-
line system.
Naturally they like plenty of caves, tight crevices,
passages, pillars, and coarse rubble, as well as ne sand.
In such areas of shell and coral rubble they will exhibit
their trigger-typical hunting behavior: rst they drag the
large pieces to one side and then they blow the sand
away in order to get at some delicacy or other (but un-
fortunately, they dont like bristleworms). Even pre-
dominantly planktivorous species like the Niger Trigger
will behave in this way. Small crabs are apparently ir-
resistible morsels; once they have captured one they will
often dig in the same place for days on end!
SEX- CHANGI NG
Triggershes are thought to be obligatory sex-changers.
I have observed the utterly fascinating metamorphosis
from female to male in three species. In the Bluechin
Trigger (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) and the Cross-
hatch Trigger (X. mento) the transformation is particu-
larly impressive: the initially rather unassuming gray-
blue-silvery Bluechin Trigger female, with her fascinating
blue eye-rings and gossamer, almost transparent glassy
ns, develops delicate golden n edgings and only even-
tually the brilliant blue chin, or cheek, that gives the
species its name. At this stage all the ns are edged with
lemon yellow and the sh is some 6 inches (16 cm)
long. The change in X. mento runs a similar course, but
is somewhat less spectacular: the initially ochre-edged
parts of the ns become brilliant yellow, the caudal n
turns to bright red, and the entire body takes on an in-
tense greenish hue, the cheek stripes a vivid blue. In the
At left is the Clown Trigger (Balistoides
conspicillum) in a typical threat display with
open mouth and spines erect.
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Above, the common Picasso Trigger (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) in
its sleeping cave. Below, a Rectangular Trigger (Rhinecanthus
rectangulus) inside and R. aculeatus in front
36 CORAL
deep black Melichthys ni-
ger, only the small sail
of n linking the three
dorsal rays changes color
to orange-red, while the
white area at the base of
the n becomes wider.
What does alter dra-
matically, however, is the
behavior, above all when
one of two female-colored shes becomes aware of the
impending change to male and begins to display. Trigger-
shes can be very vocal in their wooing; they chatter,
grunt, and bark at every pitch when they court a female
in the process of changing, and guide her to a spawn-
ing pit or to a corner of the aquarium where they will
excavate one. And they dont go about it at all daintily:
it is rare that there are no scratches or n damage, but
these heal very quickly. This phase is rather uncomfort-
able for the aquarist, as the shes, working frantically
with teeth and thrashing ns and beating tails, try to
excavate their pit as deep as possible and become angry
when they reach the glass bottomand perhaps also see
themselves reected there.
I always try to cover the exposed bottom with large
round pieces of coral that will be difcult for the shes to
grasp with their teeth, but I am always worried that the
bottom may get cracked or collapsing fragments of reef
will topple and break the glass (but, so far, so good!).
If plastic is used instead, they rapidly tear it to pieces,
and sooner or later they will shift at, heavy stones out
of the way or start digging in a different spot. And the
spectacle of the shes doggedly working so hard in this
way is certainly impressive: clouds of dust envelop the
aquarium, and all the shes stand around inquisitively
and watch with interestalbeit at a respectable distance,
as otherwise they are chased away fairly aggressively. Re-
ally determined attacks are reserved for the camera lens
if it comes too close!
But what rather spoils the pleasure of watching them
is the fact that the female, who always spawns again
several weeks later (in my tank the clump of spawn in-
variably disappears during the rst night), will in turn
begin to change sex. This is immediately apparent: there
are regular noisy quarrels, the partners no longer swim
together, and usually a change in n color is already
visible. And unless the pair are now separated very rap-
idly (that is, one of them is removed), it is likely that
one of the triggershes (often both) will jump out of
the tank or die from stress. The fact that the initial-
ly dominant male sh retains his supremacy for only
a short time may be a result of his exhausting himself
during all the digging activities. If he yields in any way
to his femalein other words, fails to demonstrate his
supremacy without pausethen she may get the up-
per hand. This scenario may well be restricted to the
aquarium; on the reef, the two shes would simply go
their separate ways.
In my aquaria, Bluechin Triggers have always changed
sex after a maximum of six years, and on each occasion I
have then introduced as small an individual as possible
as a replacement. It should be easy to establish whether
matters follow the same course in other species suitable
for the aquarium (for example, the Niger Trigger), albeit
This juvenile Bluelined Triggerfsh (Pseudobalistes fuscus) is demonstrating the triggerfsh habit
of blowing into the substrate in order to uncover prey. Below: Clown Trigger making a meal of its
favorite food, a sea urchin that it has gotten into a vulnerable upside-down position.
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in suitably large aquaria and with the appropriate main-
tenance conditions!
GENERAL I NFORMATI ON ON
THE TRI GGERFI SH FAMI LY
The triggershes, family Balistidae, comprise 11 genera
with a total of around 40 species, and occur in all the
warm seas of the world. They are, however, mainly in-
habitants of coral reefs, and only a very few species live
in subtropical regions or in open water. Many species
are colorful, some incredibly gaudyconsider the Clown
Trigger, for example. Astonishingly, in their natural
habitat these bright patches of color are lost amid the
equally colorful coral aquascape. Their coloration has
the effect of breaking up the outline of the sh.
According to Dr. Phil Heemstra of East Coast Fish-
Watch, The triggersh takes its name from the locking
mechanism of the stout rst dorsal-n spine and the
smaller, slender second spine (the trigger). When the
rst spine is erected, the second spine is also pulled up
and functions like a cam to wedge the larger spine in a
vertical position. The rst spine cannot be folded down,
until the tip of the second spine is pulled posteriorly.
The family name Balistidae is formed from the genus
name Balistes, which is derived from the Latin ballista,
another name for the Roman catapult, in allusion to the
trigger mechanism of the dorsal-n spines.
A striking feature is the head, huge in comparison
to the body, with its little eyes always glittering alertly;
the mouth is terminal and small but contains very ef-
cient dentition. Generally speaking, triggershes always
look foreshortened and stocky and a bit head-heavy, and
thus do not conform to the usual sh outline. Perhaps
it is this that makes them so especially appealing? They
swim by undulating their dorsal and anal ns and ac-
celerate via powerful beats of their tailsthey are rapid,
agile swimmers with plenty of stamina, and require a
lot of space.
The triggersh genera use a variety of hunting and
reproductive strategies. Many of them (such as the
plankton-feeding Niger Trigger or a number of Melich-
thys species) live in harems or large hunting packs, or
in pairs, like the well-known Picasso Triggersh (Rhin-
ecanthus aculeatus), which is frequent in all tropical
coral-lagoon landscapes. In many cases they excavate
pits at spawning time, lay a ball of eggs, and cover them
with sand; these are often guarded very assiduously for
several days by the male or female. Diving schools can
tell a tale or two about the territoriality of breeding
Left: the Assai or Arabian Picasso Triggerfsh (Rhinecanthus assai)
Below: Members of three related families from the Tetraodontiformes
(pufer-like fshes): triggerfshes (Balistidae), boxfshes (Ostracidae),
and puferfshes (Tetraodontidae)
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triggers, which seem by preference to colonize the most
frequently dived entry points.
There are also pelagic pairs or group spawnings.
Some species appear to be solitary and join with a
partner only for a short time during the courtship and
brood-guarding period, although in the case of pairs the
more secretive, more circumspect partner may often be
overlooked. In addition the species differ considerably
in size: there are small, dainty, 4-inch (10-cm) species
such as some Rhinecanthus, and there are meter-long
giants like the Titan Triggersh (Balistoides viridescens).
Plus, triggershes are generally diurnal. At night they
sleep deep (and deeply) among the corals, wedged into
a rocky crevice, sometimes with just the tip of a caudal-
n lobe protruding. It is supposedly impossible to pull
a sleeping triggersh out of its sleeping-hole even by
forceyou are more likely to pull it apart!
AQUARI UM MAI NTENANCE OF
TRI GGERFI SHES
In conclusion, here are a few concrete hints regarding
the suitability of a number of triggershes for the aquar-
ium. Essentially, only species that feed predominantly
on plankton are worth recommending as aquarium
shes. The deep blue Niger Trigger (Odonus niger) is very
popular and attractive in its coloration, and it is also
the species seen most commonly in the trade. On the
reef it feeds predominantly on planktonic organisms,
and occurs there in vast numbers. In the Maldives there
are veritable curtains of Niger Triggers, all hunting
peacefully next to one another, through which one can
swimand they hardly bother to move out of the way. It
is unthinkable to keep just one on its own!
A group of ve Nigers is a splendid sight, provided
they have sufcient space: they require a really large
aquarium, as they attain a good 1216 inches (3040
cm) in length and require feeding to match. It should
not be our goal to produce dwarfed shes through lack
of food; leaving aside the animal cruelty aspect, there is
no chance of maintaining these shes in groups or pairs.
Competition for food gives rise to aggression, and that
is hardly news! In addition, the adults do not develop
their bright red chisel-like teeth unless they are healthy.
But given the appropriate conditions, Niger Triggers are
wonderful shes to keep, rather undemanding in their
food requirements (you just need to give them enough).
They like plenty of current and a varied prole to the
reef, but otherwise conform to the stereotype. All this
applies equally to the following triggers: the Black Trig-
gersh (Melichthys niger), the similar but more strikingly
colored Pinktail Trigger (M. vidua), the Indian Trigger-
sh (M. indicus), and, especially recommended, as it is
also smaller, the Bluechin Triggersh (Xanthichthys au-
romarginatus). It also applies to the fabulous Crosshatch
Triggersh (X. mento), whose courtship and spawning
behavior I never tire of watching in my aquaria. If pos-
sible, the latter should be kept in slightly cooler condi-
tions; temperatures of more than 79F (26C) make it
high-strung. Astonishingly, its cousin from the Carib-
bean, the Sargassum Triggersh (X. ringens), has quite
different feeding habits: it hunts its prey near the bot-
tom and is a sea-urchin eater.
I have little experience with the genus Sufamen, and
have kept only a single Scimitar Triggersh (S. bursa).
Though not a plankton feeder, it was rather peaceful and
its main interest was only in small crustaceansnow and
then it would nd a freshly molted cleaner shrimp impos-
sible to resist. All in all, however, I would advise against
the maintenance of members of this genus because of
their feeding habits (they are substrate hunters).
Unfortunately, the loveliest of the triggersh spe-
cies also have these disruptive feeding habits. Clown
Triggers (Balistoides conspicillum) really are unsuitable
in many respects. They love any type of creature with
spines, and it is these that are their preferred prey on the
reef as well. If you keep this sh, you must forget about
maintaining sea urchins, starshes, and sea cucumbers;
even bivalves may arouse their interest. They will live in
peace and harmony with cleaner shrimps, but not with
all other small crustaceans or even larger crabs. They
will routinely break small coral-dwelling symbiotic crabs
out of the coral branches; even pistol shrimps are not
always safe from them, and they may even carry off the
symbiotic blenny at the same time.
Sooner or later, the Clown Trigger displays its aggres-
sive nature, often without any discernible provocation.
Possibly even the biggest and best-decorated aquarium
is insufcient to satisfy their urge to explore. And if they
get really bored, then heaven help anything that gets in
the way of their teeth! On the reef, it is very noticeable
that everyone deliberately gives Clown Triggers a wide
berth. Even very large angelshes (such as the Blueface
Angelsh, Pomacanthus xanthometopon) turn aside when
a Clown Trigger comes along. I have similar reservations
about the Undulate Triggersh (Balistapus undulatus)
and also, unfortunately, the various Picasso trigger spe-
cies, although the latter at least dont grow all that huge.
They may behave nicely for a long time and appear to
be peaceful and well behaved, but they simply cannot
be trusted! And many species just grow too large, even
for a shark tank. Even there, they are not happy. Still, an
aquarium with no triggersh at all is a bit like a soup
with no salt. I am happy to admit I am a trigger fan!
RE F E RE NCE S
De Graaf, F. 1977. Tropische Zierfsche im Meeresaquarium.
Neumann-Verlag, Melsungen, Germany.
Klausewitz, W. and P. Wilkens. 1979. Handbuch der
Meeresaquaristik. Fische/Niedere Tiere, Vol. 3. Pfriem-Verlag,
Wuppertal, Germany.
Thaler, E. 1997. LeopoldineEine recht dumme Geschichte.
Das Aquarium 12, 342:4042.
The vast majority of triggershes are not the least bit
suitable for the reef aquarium. Most are polyphagous,
feeding on a wide array of invertebrates, including prized
species that we nurture in our reef tanks. A small group
of triggershes, however, are exceptions to this rule.
These reef-tank-suitable species feed mainly on zoo-
plankton and typically ignore invertebrates if they are
fed frequently enough by the aquarist. One important
caveat: they are likely to stray and start eating your de-
sirable invertebrates if they are underfed. They are also
prone to weight loss if not fed several times a day.
The good triggershes for the reef tank are also less
likely to rearrange the aquarium decor. This potentially
destructive triggersh behavior can lead to corals toppling
over or falling on each other, causing mechanical damage
and subsequent death. Some triggersh species may leap
from an open aquarium or spit water on electrical out-
lets. This includes members of the genus Xanthichtys.
Melichthys niger (BLOCH, 1786)
BLACK TRIGGERFISH (BLACK DURGON)
This species is found in tropical waters around the world
and is usually seen in aggregations, swimming high
above the reef, often with schooling zooplankton feed-
ers. It is also found associating with large oating rafts
of Sargassum, a species of brown algae. Because it feeds
mainly on oating plant material and zooplankton, it
is a possible candidate for the reef aquarium. Howev-
er, in nature and in captivity it will occasionally nibble
on sessile invertebrates. It may also harass ornamental
shrimps that are introduced after it has become adjusted
to its captive home.
Melichthys vidua (SOLANDER, 1844)
PINKTAIL TRIGGERFISH
This attractive triggersh is a good candidate for the
reef aquarium. It is a mild-mannered sh that is even
more sociable toward other shes than most triggers
(including the Niger Triggersh). Unlike others in the
reef-suitable triggersh category, this species feeds on
larger, motile invertebrates (including crustaceans and
octopuses) and small shes. It is more likely to ignore
cleaner shrimps if they are introduced before it is.
Odonus niger (RPPELL, 1837)
NIGER TRIGGERFISH (REDTOOTH TRIGGERFISH)
This triggersh is primarily a zooplankton feeder and it
can be successfully housed in reef aquariums. That said,
some have been known to feed on encrusting sponges.
I have also seen the rare individual nip at snails and
ornamental crustaceans. They are unlikely to harm cor-
als. If you want to attempt to keep a shrimp with this
triggersh, add the crustacean before you add the trig-
gersh. Provide enough meaty food to keep them from
developing problematic feeding habits.
Xanthichthys SPP.
XANTHICHTHYS TRIGGERFISHES
These are easily the best triggershes for the reef aquar-
ium. On rare occasions, these species may nip at sessile
invertebrates or attack delicate crustaceans, like anem-
one shrimp (Periclimenes species), but most individuals
will behave themselves when it comes to corals. They
are rarely aggressive toward their tankmates, unless the
latter are much smaller and/or introduced to the aquar-
ium after they are. Larger individuals have been known
to prey on small shes.
From The PocketExpert Guide: REEF AQUARIUM
FISHES (Microcosm/TFH Professional Series)
Reef-Safe Triggers BY SCOTT W. MICHAEL
Bluechin Triggerfsh
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus) male: some zooplankton-
feeding triggerfsh species can be kept in a reef tank.
Pinktail Triggerfsh (Melichthys vidua)
Sargassum Triggerfsh (Xanthichthys ringens)
39 CORAL
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THE SYSTEMATICS of the
Triggershes
[
Family Balistidae
]
by Inken Krause
TRIGGERFISHES
41 CORAL
he triggersh family (Balistidae) belongs to the
order Tetraodontiformes, the puffers and their
allies. Triggershes are thus related to puffers,
boxshes, porcupineshes, and leshes, as well
as the huge ocean sunshes (Molidae). The
family contains 12 genera with some 38 spe-
cies that inhabit the Atlantic, the Indian, and above all
the Pacic Ocean.
In addition to the triggerlike action of its dorsal ns,
described previously, a characteristic of the anatomy of
all triggershes is the rhomboidal body, which is cov-
ered in a very stiff, leathery skin. The posterior part of
the body is stiff and rigid, and for this reason trigger-
shes propel themselves with undulating movements of
the anal and dorsal ns, which are strongly developed
in almost all species. They can, in fact, attain speeds
that are almost incredible, especially in the case of the
large, rather plump-looking species. Many members
of the family have strongly developed, chisel-like teeth
with which they can effortlessly crack open the bodies
of hard-shelled mollusks and spiny invertebrates such
as sea urchins.
Below is a list of all the genera of the family, with a
summary of their ecology and peculiarities, as well as the
suitability of selected species for aquarium maintenance:
GENUS Abalistes
The genus Abalistes, with its two species A. stellaris and
A. lamentosus, is virtually unknown to aquarists. For a
long time it was regarded as monotypic, that is, contain-
ing only one species. The type species, A. stellaris from
the Indo-Pacic, attains a length of around 24 inches
(60 cm), and hence is unsuitable for aquarium mainte-
nance unless a water volume approaching 1,000 gallons
or several thousand liters is available. In addition, the
species, when adult, is colored a rather unattractive sil-
very gray except for the star spot on the dorsal region
that gives the species its name. Juveniles are appreciably
more attractive to look at, with a yellow to brown pat-
tern on a light background, and thus a little reminiscent
of Pseudobalistes fuscus. A. stellaris enjoys greater popu-
larity as a food sh in the markets of Southeast Asia.
The second species of the genus, A. lamentosus, wasnt
described until 2004 (Matsuura & Yoshino).
GENUS Balistapus
The only representative of the monotypic genus Balista-
pus is the gloriously colored B. undulatus. The Undulate
Triggersh is widespread over the entire Indo-Pacic.
Thanks to its splendid appearance (bright yellow-orange
stripes on a blue-green background) and its rather small
maximum length of only 12 inches (30 cm), it is a popu-
lar aquarium sh. Unfortunately, however, its immense
potential for aggression is often underestimated, and can
greatly exceed that of some larger species. Only relatively
large and aggressive shes are suitable as tankmates. B.
undulatus is especially interesting on account of its sexu-
al dichromatism, rather atypical for the family, as adult
males lack the pattern of stripes or dots above the mouth
(Schneidewind 2002). Nevertheless, extreme caution is
advised when attempting to keep a pair in the aquarium.
Left: Undulate Triggerfsh (Balistapus undulatus)
Below right: Two young Queen Triggerfshes (Balistes vetula)
Opposite page: A pair of Bluechin Triggerfshes (Xanthichthys
auromarginatus) in a large reef aquarium
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The Trigger Mechanism:
(A) The folded down dorsal spines. (B) When the fsh becomes
alarmed, it raises the very strong, tall frst dorsal spine, which is
followed by the trigger, a shorter, more slender second spine.
(C) The locked position. Only when the second spine is relaxed
can the frst spine
fold back down.
A
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42 CORAL
On the one hand the patterning in this species varies
depending on its geographical origin, which makes un-
equivocal determination of the sexes more difcult, and
on the other, even individuals of opposite sexes can be
very aggressive towards one another.
GENUS Balistes
Of the four species of the genus Balistes (B. capriscus,
B. polylepis, B. punctatus, and B. vetula) only the last-
named species, the Queen Triggersh, is in fact relevant
to the aquarium hobby. B. vetula is indeed extremely at-
tractive because of its pretty coloration in various shades
of blue, green, and yellow, but with a maximum length
of 24 inches (60 cm) it is more suitable for public dis-
play aquaria. Males and females are colored essentially
the same, but adult males can be recognized by their
noticeably longer laments. Divers know this species as
a erce biter when defending its nests.
GENUS Balistoides
The genus Balistoides contains two species: Balistoides
conspicillum and B. viridescens. By virtue of its eccen-
tric coloration, Balistoides conspicillum, the Clown Trig-
gersh, is undoubtedly one of the most attractive shes
that the family Balistidae has to offer. The bold pattern
of white spots on a midnight-black base color, along
with the bright yellow lips and n edgings, make this
species a real aesthetic experience. But the Clown Trig-
gersh owes its popularity mainly to the black and yellow
pattern on its back, which is immediately reminiscent
of the spotted coat of a leopard. Because of its appear-
ance many aquarists do not hesitate to buy this splendid
sh for maintenance in the aquarium, unaware of its
eventual size of up to 20 inches (50 cm), its aggressive
temperament, and its family-typical liking for dining
on various spiny invertebrates and crustaceans. It has a
nasty reputation for sometimes changing personalities,
shifting from a good member of a community aquarium
to one that viciously attacks tankmates, sometimes de-
veloping a habit of targeting its victims eyes.
Balistoides viridescens (the name literally means be-
coming green), the Titan Triggersh, can justiably be
described as the big brother of the Clown Triggersh.
It exceeds even the latter in size and aggressiveness. Ex-
perienced divers are fearful of accidentally encountering
brood-caring pairs of this up-to-30-inch (75 cm) sh
because of its readiness to attack. Further details of its
unsuitability as an aquarium sh should not be neces-
sary. Give this species a wide berth in the wild and dont
even consider it for a home aquarium.
GENUS Canthidermis
The genus Canthidermis, from the Red Sea and parts of
the Indian Ocean, contains three species (C. macrolepis,
C. maculatus, and C. sufamen), which, at rst glance,
the layman might not recognize as triggershes at all.
The body is unusually elongate and has an equally atypi-
cal high second dorsal and deep anal n. In addition,
Canthidermis species do not live reef-bound like their
relatives, but in the open water, where they form pe-
lagic schools (above all in the case of C. macrolepis) and
follow larger predators such as sharks in the hope of
eating discarded scraps of food (Schneidewind 2002).
Because of their way of life, all species are unsuitable
for aquarium maintenanceand also of little interest,
as they have minimal aesthetic appeal.
GENUS Melichthys
The genus Melichthys contains three very similar species:
the Indian Triggersh (M. indicus), the Black Trigger-
Indian Triggerfsh (Melichthys indicus) Black Triggerfsh (Melichthys niger) C
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43 CORAL
Clown Triggerfsh (Balistoides conspicillum)
Niger Triggerfsh (Odonus niger)
44 CORAL
sh (M. niger), and the Pinktail Triggersh (M. vidua).
With a maximum length of less than 14 inches (35
cm), all are relatively small, and all are characterized
by a rather nondescript dark base color, which prob-
ably serves as camouage when they leave the shelter of
the reef to hunt for food in open water. But in shallow
water and in bright light (for example in an aquarium
with HQI or T5 lighting), a ne, sometimes very at-
tractive pattern becomes visible in all three species. A
characteristic feature of the genus is an upward-point-
ing mouth, which identies the species as a plankton-
feeder. But they will ingest macroalgae and oating plant
material (especially in the case of M. niger) and some-
times form loose groups to hunt for food. Spiny inver-
tebrates and crustaceans, which gure on the menu of
the majority of triggershes, are almost never harmed,
even in the aquarium. Hence the species of the genus
Melichthys are appreciably better suited to aquarium
maintenance than the majority of other balistids. They
are deserving of more attention.
GENUS Odonus
The genus Odonus contains only one species, namely the
Niger or Redtooth Triggersh (O. niger), which, howev-
er, is probably better known among aquarists than any
other triggersh. O. niger is one of the species that most
frequently nd their way into marine aquaria. Although
its scientic name would suggest otherwise, O. niger
is not, in fact, black, but dark blue, sometimes with a
greenish sheen. The precise color and the stripe pattern
on the head vary within its vast distribution in the Indo-
Pacic, from the Red Sea to Polynesia. The species looks
really black only in the blue twilight at great depths, or
when preserved in alcohol. In Germany O. niger is more
appropriately known as the Redtooth Triggersh, as the
majority of specimens (albeit not all) possess character-
istic angular red teeth that are used above all to scrape
sponges and similar growths from rocks, but hardly ever
to prey on larger invertebrates.
Like the members of the genus Melichthys, O. niger
has an upward-pointing mouth, which characterizes
plankton-feeding species. This species, too, forms loose
feeding groups, often containing very large numbers of
individuals, to hunt macroplankton in the open wa-
ter. This circumstance even permits the maintenance
of the Niger Triggersh in reef aquaria, as attacks on
any invertebrates they contain are most unlikely. But
one should not forget the adult size attained, which
can reach up to 20 inches (50 cm). Anyone who has
once seen the imposing sight of full-grown O. niger in
its natural habitat is unlikely to countenance the idea
of keeping such a sh in a normal-sized aquarium, and
will have no time for those aquarists who deprive the
juveniles imported as baby triggers of the chance for
natural development.
GENUS Pseudobalistes
The three species of the genus PseudobalistesYellow-
margin Triggersh (P. avimarginatus), Bluelined Trig-
gersh (P. fuscus), and the Stone Triggersh (P. nau-
fragium), are, at up to 24 inches (60 cm), among the
largest members of the family Balistidae. In practice,
only P. fuscus is occasionally available in the aquarium
trade, a fact that is linked on the one hand to its attrac-
tive coloration and on the other to the droll appearance
of the juveniles that are often imported at a tiny size.
The species usually lives solitarily over expanses of sand
in the reef areas of the Indo-Pacic (above all the Red
Rectangular Triggerfsh (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) Assasi or Indian Picasso Triggerfsh (Rhinecanthus assasi)
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45 CORAL
Sea) and is sometimes found in lagoons. Juveniles of
P. fuscus, which have dark spots on a yellow and white
background, are colored quite differently from adults,
which are no less beautiful with their bright blue stripes
on a yellow base. Even though it is all too easy to buy the
comical little juveniles on impulse, none of the species
of the genus can be recommended because of their size
and their potential for aggression.
GENUS Rhinecanthus
The genus Rhinecanthus comprises seven species, but
only the two known as the Picasso Triggersh (R. aculea-
tus) and the very similar Assasi Triggersh (R. assasi),
and very rarely the Halfmoon Picassosh (R. lunula),
play a role in the marine aquarium
hobby. The origin of the name will
be obvious to anyone who has seen
one of these shes with its colorful,
abstract geometrical lines on a light
background. Post-larval juveniles are
uniform gray in color up to 4 cm
long and only then take on the re-
markable coloration of their species.
Rhinecanthus aculeatus is distrib-
uted across the entire Indo-Pacic
region, with the exception of the
Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, where
the species is replaced by the endem-
ic (and very similar) species R. as-
sasi. Both live over sandy substrates,
in lagoons, and on reef ats, where
they feed on a wide variety of inver-
tebrates (and sometimes also small
shes), which, when necessary, are
extracted from the sandy bottom in
the triggersh-typical manner, by
pufng. With a maximum length of 12 inches (30
cm), both species are not only popular for aquarium
maintenance, but also eminently suitable as long as an
adequately large aquarium (1,500 liters upwards) is pro-
vided and they are not housed with potential prey (spiny
invertebrates, small crustaceans, or small shes).
GENUS Sufflamen
The genus Sufamen contains ve species that are dis-
tributed mainly in the Indo-Pacic. Externally they
exhibit close similarities to the species of the genus
Rhinecanthus. Like the latter, they are relatively small
and attain less than 12 inches (30 cm) in length. Suf-
amen species are essentially rather soberly colored and
Scimitar Triggerfsh (Sufamen bursa)
Picasso Triggerfsh (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) Bluelined Triggerfsh (Pseudobalistes fuscus), juvenile T
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46 CORAL
,
GENUS Abalistes (2)
A. stellaris
A. flamentosus
GENUS Balistapus (1)
B. undulatus
GENUS Balistes (4)
B. capriscus
B. polylepis
B. punctatus
B. vetula
GENUS Balistoides (2)
B. conspicillum
B. viridescens
GENUS Canthidermis (3)
C. macrolepis
C. maculatus
C. sufamen
GENUS Melichthys (3)
M. indicus
M. niger
M. vidua
GENUS Odonus (1)
O. niger
GENUS Pseudobalistes (3)
P. favimarginatus
P. fuscus
P. naufragium
GENUS Rhinecanthus (7)
R. abyssus
R. aculeatus
R. assasi
R. cinereus
R. lunula
R. rectangulus
R. verrucosus
GENUS Sufamen (5)
S. albicaudatum
S. bursa
S. chrysopterus
S. fraenatum
S. verres
GENUS Xanthichthys (5)
X. auromarginatus
X. caeruleolineatus
X. lineopunctatus
X. mento
X. ringens
GENUS Xenobalistes (2)
X. tumidipectoris
X. punctatus
SYSTEMATIC OVERVIEW OF THE Triggerfsh Family [Balistidae]
Within the order Tetraodontiformes (puffers
and their allies), the triggershes constitute
the relatively small family Balistidae, with at
present 12 valid genera to which a total of 38
species are assigned. This should in no way be
regarded as static. The systematics of the trig-
gersh family, like those of many other sh
families, are subject to change, and new spe-
cies have been described in recent years, for
example Abalistes lamentosus in 2004 (Mat-
suura & Yoshino, 2004).
Even though it is not always easy to
comprehend the details of their systematics,
thanks to a number of characteristic features
even the layman can generally immediately
recognize a triggersh as such.
Inken Krause
ON THE I NTE RNE T
(6-22-08), FishBase:
http://www.fshbase.org/Summary/
FamilySummary.cfm?Family=Balistidae
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Clockwise from top left: Deep-Sea Triggerfsh
(Xanthichthys mento), Blue-Throat Triggerfsh
(Xanthichthys auromarginatus), Picasso Triggerfsh
(Rhinecanthus aculeatus) being cleaned by the
Whitebanded Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis),
Sargasso Triggerfsh (Xanthichthys ringens),
47 CORAL
hence of little interest to aquarists. This is probably the
reason why most of the species of the genus are rarely
seen in the trade, apart from the Halfmoon Triggersh
(S. chrysopterus), which is somewhat more popular. This
species is chiey interesting because adult males can be
identied by their blue chest and throat region, lacking
in juvenile and female individuals; the species thus ex-
hibits sexual dichromatism.
GENUS Xanthichthys
The genus Xanthichthys is very interesting for the aquar-
ist with its ve species: the Bluechin (X. auromargin-
atus), the Bluelined (X. caeruleolineatus), the Striped (X.
lineopunctatus), the Crosshatch (X. mento), and the Sar-
gassum Triggersh (X. ringens). In particular, X. auro-
marginatus enjoys considerable popularity in the aquari-
um trade. On the one hand, all the species remain small
enough, at 812 inches (2030 cm), for maintenance
in larger aquaria; on the other, like their relatives in the
genera Melichthys and Odonus, they live a planktivorous
existence and, with their upward-pointing mouths, are
not inclined to dine on large invertebrates. The genus is,
however, also interesting by virtue of the marked sexual
dichromatism that occurs, at least in the three species
mentioned. Thus, for example, male individuals of X. au-
romarginatus have a blue throat and yellow n edgings,
while the females are uniformly silvery gray. Thanks to
this characteristic, there is no problem at all in putting
together pairs for aquarium maintenance, and they al-
ways tolerate one another well, even though in the wild
they can be seen living together in loose groups.
GENUS Xenobalistes
The genus Xenobalistes (Matsuura, 1981) is the youngest
within the family Balistidae, and to date includes only
two species: the type species X. tumidipectoris, which was
described on the basis of a single specimen found in the
stomach of a Blue Marlin, and X. punctatus. Extremely
unusual in the triggersh family, X. punctatus looks
rather like a boxsh when viewed from the front,
more like a triggersh in the lateral view.
RE F E RE NCE S
Schneidewind, F. 2002. Drckerfsche. Tetra Verlag, Bissendorf,
Germany.
Nelson, J. S. 1994. Fishes of the World, Vol. 3. John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken, NJ. Pp. 445446.
Kuiter, R. and H. Debelius. 2006. Atlas der Meeresfsche.
Kosmos-Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany.
Matsuura, K. 1981. Xenobalistes tumidipectoris, a new species
and genus triggerfsh (Tetraodontiformes, Balistidae) from the
Marianas Islands. Bull Natl Sci Mus (Ser. A) (Zool.), 7 (4):191200.
Matsuura, K. and T. Yoshino. 2004. A new trigger fsh of the
genus Abalistes (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae) from the
western Pacifc. Records of the Australian Museum 56 (2):
189194.
48 CORAL
MADAGASCAR
A T R E A S U R E I S L A N D
by Marlen Hundertmark and Christian Hepperger
From legend and old stories, many people know Madagascar as an island
of pirates and treasure. In the past there was indeed much hunting and
digging for treasure there, but after a rsthand look for ourselves, we were
left with the impression that the real treasures of this island denitely lie
somewhere else: in its unspoiled nature and
its unique and ancient wildlife.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island on
Earth and is also sometimes called The Sixth
Continent. Because of its separation from Africa 150 million years ago and
its subsequent long isolation, unique ora and fauna, unequalled anywhere
else in the world, have evolved there, both on land and in the water. For
this reason we decided to spend six weeks experiencing this unique natural
history for ourselves.
Following our arrival in the capital, Antananarivo, and a visit to the An-
dasibe nature reserve, where we managed to nd amphibians, reptiles, and
lemurs, above all the Indrinot a particularly difcult feat, given its shrill
crieswe eventually traveled to the sea. In view of the political situation in
the country caused by an impending presidential election, we were at pains
to avoid problem areas and take the quickest route to our rst objective, the
Masoala Peninsula in the East of Madagascar.
We decided against whale watching, an activity that had
gured quite high on our wish list; given that we were going to
be there, we really wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
But the political situation simply didnt allow it, so we took
I N T H E I N D I A N O C E A N
The big feed: a group of Monk Tangs (Acanthurus gahhm)
with a Zebrasoma desjardinii and a parrotfsh
49 CORAL
a rattly old plane to Maroantsetra, a lonely little town
on the edge of the Masoala National Park. From there
we continued our journey by boat in order to penetrate
further into the Masoala rainforest.
WHALE DAY
During the roughly two-hour boat journey, we paused
for a fairly long time as a mother whale and her calf
suddenly surfaced close to our boat! At rst we were ter-
ried by the presence of the dark colossus close to our
little cockleshell, but after the initial shock had worn off
we enjoyed the encounter. The two whales swam around
near us for quite some time; having had to pass up the
opportunity to go on a whale watching trip, we were
exceedingly happy that the whales had apparently come
looking for us! During the rest of the crossing we saw
even more of these marine mammals, although they
passed us by at a greater distance.
The next morning we went into the water for the
rst time, prepared to meet anything, and we were hard-
ly worried at all when, again, a gigantic whale surfaced
only around 50 meters away. We made our way across
small meadows of seagrass to the colorful gardens of
coral. A striking feature of this area was the presence
of truly enormous large-polyp stony corals in a variety
of colorschiey brain corals, but there were also great
Chevron Butterfyfsh (Chaetodon trifascialis)
Scrawled Filefsh
(Aluterus scriptus)
Giant Clam
(Tridacna maxima)
A pair of Melon Butterfyfshes
(Chaetodon trifasciatus) in their
land of milk and honey
51 CORAL
52 CORAL
expanses of Acropora species and other small-polyped
genera. In addition we saw splendid giant clams, which
the people of Madagascar like to eat, hence the empty
mollusk shells found all over the beaches.
The shes that live here really are dwelling in para-
dise. They swim around in a regular soup of plankton,
surrounded by an unspoiled coral landscape that offers
innumerable hiding places. But that was precisely what
made it difcult for us to watch them, as they would rap-
idly disappear beneath a rocky overhang, into a crevice,
or among the dense branchwork of the corals. Appar-
ently they werent used to visits from divers with bub-
bling breathing apparatus or snorkelers with paddling
ns. For this reason we tried to move as quietly as pos-
sible. But we nevertheless had the impression that the
shes here were considerably more circumspect than in
other places where we have snorkeled. Everywhere we
went, at best we saw them peering out of their hiding
places and eyeing us with considerable suspicion.
Butteryshes, wrasses, the blue and yellow Long-
nose Filesh (Oxymonacanthus longirostris), and even
the normally rather aggressive damselshesall pre-
ferred to swim out of our way. The only sh on which
we had little effect was the huge Napoleon Wrasse.
The underwater world of Madagascar is astonish-
ingly unspoiled. Two years previously we had been in
the Seychelles and had seen dramatic evidence of the
effect of the climatic phenomenon El Nio. It was only
the direct comparison that truly brought home to us
how severe the damage in the Seychelles had been, and
we hope that the coral reefs of Madagascar will remain
unaffected by such dramatic inuences.
What particularly fascinated us was the proximity
of this marine biotope to the undisturbed jungle, so
that the two most species-rich habitats on our planet
coral reef and rainforestpractically bordered on one
another. We found this intense experience of nature
truly unforgettable. We would recommend this excep-
tional place of forestsand waterto anyone who loves
nature, enjoys adventure, and is not too concerned
about comfort. Madagascar also has something to offer
to those who dont like doing without electricity and
hot water, but they would do better to stick to the West
coast, where there are areas that are better equipped to
welcome tourists.
THE WEST COAST
After another uncomfortable ight over the rainforest
and an 11-hour ride in the cargo space of a very old,
beat-up truck, we reached the boat to the island of Nosy
Be. (It should be mentioned that in those 11 hours we
traveled barely 68 miles110 km). The roadsif you can
N o w a n d t h e n w e e v e n e n c o u n t e r e d
w h i c h s e r v e d t o c o n f i r m f u r t h e r
t h e i m p r e s s i o n o f a n u n s p o i l e d
u n d e r w a t e r w o r l d . . .
Sudden close encounter with sea turtle
T U R T L E S A N D D O L P H I N S ,
53 CORAL
call them thatare generally in catastrophic condition
and sometimes barely negotiable, but they are notice-
ably better in the West than in the East. Driving slowly,
we should admit, has its upside: during this journey we
saw lots of chameleons and Phelsuma species (the large
day geckos) by the side of the road.
Nosy Be is an island off the Northwest coast of
Madagascar and was to be the starting point for our
proposed sailing trip. We sailed south along the coast to
seek out the nest areas for snorkeling. The reefs of the
islands that lie offshore along the West coast of Mada-
gascar represent a fantastic experience for any marine
aquarist, and a signicant advantage of such a boat trip
is that you have immediate access to the diving or snor-
keling sitestraight from the ship.
A multitude of brilliantly colored shes were dis-
porting among the corals: grammas, anthias, wrasses,
leshes, tangs, and rabbitshes as well as big shes
everything the aquarists heart could desire. There were
also numerous butteryshes, for example Chaetodon
madagascariensis, C. lunula, and C. trifasciatus, frolick-
ing among the corals and here and there nipping at the
polyps. Pairs of Moorish Idols (Zanclus cornutus), and
bannershes such as Heniochus acuminatus (again in
pairs) swam repeatedly to and fro across the reef. Here
and there we saw single large barracudas holding posi-
tion in the current, giving us reason to pause.
There were coral gardens as far as the eye could see.
Soft and leather corals grew next to blocks of Porites,
surrounded by colorful sponges, gorgonians, Seriatopora
and Montipora stone corals, brain corals, and expanses
of sea anemones in which innumerable Skunk Clown-
sh (Amphiprion akallopisos) were frolicking, and in be-
tween them growths of Acropora with the diameter of a
two-bedroom houseand all this in the loveliest colors
imaginable. Giant clams and a huge variety of other ses-
sile inhabitants of the reef were also here, in a wealth
of species that took our breath away. Now and then we
even encountered turtles and dolphins, which served to
conrm further the impression of an unspoiled under-
water world, but sometimes also gave us a tremendous
shockas when a group of 20 dolphins suddenly ap-
peared from out of the deep blue of the ocean.
During this sailing trip we snorkeled countless times,
each session being quite unique and often lasting lon-
ger than the captain of the boat would have preferred.
Unfortunately these days at sea sped by faster than we
would have liked, so we were soon sailing back to the
main island of Nosy Be. We spent one more nal day
there, reviewing our experiences of the past weeks, and
agreed that Madagascar is one of Earths most fabu-
lous destinations.
Brightly-colored Acropora stony corals
54 CORAL
ot long after my Complete Illustrated Breeders Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes
was released, I was confronted by people asking, Why arent mandarins in
the book? My answer was quite simple: I never really thought about it. In
fact, I realized that I had been shunning mandarins for many years.
When I was 12 years old I set up my rst marine aquarium. I was de-
termined to ll the system with bold and beautiful colors from around the
world, and my eyes were quickly drawn to a sh with uorescent stripes and swirls of
green and blue. As I watched the bright blue pectoral ns undulating wildly against
the bright orange background color and the long dorsal n ashing high above the
body, I was won over: I purchased my rst Green Mandarin, Synchiropus splendidus.
Within days the subject of my fascination was showing signs of stress as he
N
55 CORAL
tirelessly hunted the captive reef for prey. Days and weeks went on as he grew thin-
ner and ever more emaciated. My most-prized sh slowly wasted away, then died.
NEW HOPE FOR A STAR- CROSSED SPECI ES
After a 14-year hiatus, I must admit that the mandarins I had been boycotting are
slowly creeping toward the top of my list of favorite sh.
Mandarins, or dragonets, are among the most beautiful and graceful marine shes
encountered in the aquarium trade, offering bold and exciting colors and contrasting
patterns that seem to wave and roll as they hover above the reefscape. Unfortunately,
the Green Mandarin, and its congener the Spotted Mandarin, S. picturatus, exhibit
one of the highest rates of mortality among captive marine shes. Until a few years
Breeding
Mandarins
story and photos by Matthew L. Wittenrich
56 CORAL
57 CORAL
ago it was a challenge to keep one alive for more than a few
months. Due to their tiny mouths and strong preference
for small, live crustacean prey, mandarins are difcult to
feed in aquariums and most suffer from starvation.
Today, dedicated hobbyists are teaching their man-
darins to accept frozen and even pelleted foods and,
with a bit of patience, mandarins are no longer a for
experts only sh.
BREEDI NG MANDARI NS: MY WHY
Noted reef aquarist Julian Sprung rst raised a single
Green Mandarin in 1989, and a handful of aquarists have
since reported limited success. I had heard various re-
ports of European aquarists raising a few mandarins and
even tracked down a copy of Wolfgang Mais article in
CORAL magazine (Vol. 1:2) about his successful journey
with Spotted Mandarins. These initial successes, coupled
with my concern about the methods used to capture wild
mandarins, prompted me to begin experimenting with
new rearing techniques and foods in early 2008.
Highly cryptic and crepuscular in nature, mandarins
are captured for the aquarium trade using slingshot-
style mini-spearguns constructed from local bamboo.
Pulling back on a thick rubber band, divers re long,
double-pronged needles into the sides, belly, or tail of
the sh. When speared in the posterior portion of the
body, and assuming the spears do not damage vertebrae,
there are no long-term consequences. Missing vertebrae
and visceral punctures, however, create immediate or
delayed risk of mortality.
The shery for mandarins is highly selective, targeting
large males. According to the work of Yvonne Sadovy, a
research scientist at the University of Hong Kong, Green
Mandarins congregate nightly at designated spawning
sites on the reef. Here, females select the largest males
to mate with. As the large males are removed for the
aquarium trade, females are forced to mate with smaller
males. Sadovys observations suggest that as females
mate with smaller, less experienced males, spawning as-
cents become awkward and prolonged, which renders
the pair more prone to predation.
BROODSTOCK BASI CS
Perhaps the largest hurdle to breeding mandarins is
the difculty of obtaining healthy broodstock. I choose
full-bodied specimens that seem alert and active. Wild
mandarins are starved through the transport chain and
are generally emaciated, often beyond the point of no
return, by the time they reach retail outlets. Bringing a
badly emaciated mandarin back from the brink is a de-
nite challenge and without sufcient quantities of live
mysis shrimp, I have always lost this battle. Even badly
emaciated mandarins with pinched bellies will pick at
the substrate and seem alert to food stimuli, but with-
out high protein, lipid-rich food in sufcient quantities,
most will certainly perish.
Many aquarists report that heterosexual pairs con-
ned in aquariums quarrel tirelessly. Males most often
antagonize females, but many times females become the
aggressors. These situations almost always arise from
insufcient food and poor body condition. Though
reproduction is a strong driving force in the lives of
mandarins, feeding comes rst. Mandarins will defend
feeding territories aggressively when food is scarce. In
such cases, it is not unusual to see pairs of newly ac-
quired mandarins ghting. This behavior quickly sub-
sides once the sh are properly fed.
SECRETS OF MANDARI N FEEDI NG
To thrive in a captive environment, mandarins must be
supplied with sufcient high-protein foods.
Of the two common feeding methods, one certainly
produces better long term results. It has long been said
that in order for mandarins to survive, a large, mature,
rock-lled aquarium is neededthe idea being that har-
pacticoid copepod populations present on a large surface
area of live rock will support the near-constant foraging
behavior of this sh. While this method can support the
dietary demands of a mandarin, it is far too prone to fail-
ure in closed systems. (Aquarists often overestimate the
productivity of their reef systems or stock species that
compete for the limited crops of microfauna.) Refugi-
ums help support copepod populations, but all too often
CORAL 57
Previous page: One of the
authors male broodstock
Spotted Mandarins
(Synchiropus picturatus)
Left: Male Green Mandarins
(Synchiropus splendidus)
displaying to a nearby
female in the authors
breeding aquarium
Right: At 10 months of age,
this captive-raised pair of
Green Mandarins exhibits
sexual dimorphism.
58 CORAL
mandarins slowly starve in such settings.
A much more realistic and successful approach in-
volves weaning mandarins off a strictly live-food diet
and teaching them to accept frozen foods that are read-
ily available, such as mysis shrimp. (Piscine Energetics is
the brand I trust most.) Matt Pedersen of MOFIB (Ma-
rine Ornamental Fish and Invertebrate Breeders) devel-
oped a simple way to do this: isolate new mandarins in
suspended breeder baskets (or small quarantine tanks)
and get them feeding on enriched live brine shrimp.
Then introduce frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp.
After the sh begin sampling the frozen fare, gradually
withdraw the live diet. Once they are eating frozen fare
with vigor they are released into the display tank, where
their training pays off.
Once conditioned and eating prepared foods, pairs
of mandarins require little environmental stimuli to be-
gin spawning. I prefer to use two-bulb lighting xtures
with bright and actinic bulbs that mimic dusk and
dawn. While this is not necessary to trigger spawning, it
allows you to set your clock according to nightly spawn-
ing eventsand the sight of a pair rising into the water
column and casting hundreds of eggs towards the sur-
face is amazing.
FEEDI NG AND REARI NG TI NY LARVAE
While breeding and raising coral-reef shes in captiv-
ity has become a popular aspect of the hobby over the
past few years, and the number of successfully raised
species continues to increase dramatically, we have yet
to develop the best methods of rearing delicate larval
forms. The research and development that is needed to
bring new species to market is most often hindered by
an incomplete understanding of a species life history
requirements. As culturists, we have come to appreciate
the diversity of larval forms in marine shes, and real-
ize that not all larvae are created equal. The techniques
we employ to feed and raise different species should be
modied to accommodate these variations.
Mandarin eggs are clumped together at rst, and
break apart as they swell with water. They measure
roughly .8 mm in diameter and hatch after 13 hours
into oblong prolarvae with huge yolk sacs. No oil glob-
ule is present, and they have no eyes or mouths, no di-
gestive tracts, and no ns. Two days after hatching, the
larvae transform from oddly shaped yellow blobs into
more streamlined shapes that slightly resemble larvae.
Dragonets are known to produce some of the small-
est larvae in the ocean. While this may seem intimi-
dating to would-be breeders, the larvae are surprisingly
capable hunters. On day three or four after hatching,
the larvae have grown to nearly 2 mm in total length.
Mandarin larvae are tiny, but they are beautiful. Their
eyes shine bright silver and their bodies bright yellow.
A handful of juvenile
Green Mandarins at three
months, from the authors
frst successful rearing.
Right: A mixed cohort
of captive-raised
mandarins fully trained
to accept prepared foods,
making the challenge of
successfully feeding these
species a thing of the past.
59 CORAL
Their mouths are open and they are ready to feed. Larval
mandarins are not active swimmers and prefer to re-
main stationary in slow-moving currents. It is amazing
to watch such small sh curl into S-shaped patterns and
pounce forward at rotifers and copepods.
On day ve after hatching, the larvae of Green Man-
darins transform from small yellow missiles to chunky,
bright, almost uorescent orange carrots. Every one of
them is visible through the green-tinted, phytoplankton-
dosed water. Their movements are slow and deliberate
and simply stunning to watch. Instead of turning bright
orange like the Green Mandarins, Spotted Mandarins
turn a dirty orange or rust color with white spots on the
dorsal and ventral n-fold. An interesting aspect of devel-
opment in both species is the total lack of pigmentation
on the posterior n-fold.
Over the coming days, their bodies thicken and their
heads become broad. At about 10 days after hatching
for Spotteds and 16 days for Greens, the larvae begin to
settle on the sides of the tank, occasionally swimming
around in search of food and a new place to rest. By day
15, most larval Spotted Mandarins adopt this intermit-
tent settling behavior, whereas Green Mandarins exhibit
this behavior until day 20. Their bodies turn a tan and
mottled pattern and their pelvic ns are well adapted
for hopping on the bottom. At 4 mm in total length,
60 CORAL
achieved at around day 17 for Spotteds and day 25 for
Greens, the little mandarins are perfectly suited to life
on the bottom. Their coloration makes them blend in
perfectly with a sand or rubble substrate and their small
protrusible mouths are ideal for snatching small cope-
pods from the complex substrate. By day 40 they begin
to slightly resemble their parents, and by day 50 both
species exhibit an intricate pattern of green and brown.
Green Mandarins appear in colors of mottled browns,
whereas Spotted Mandarins take on drab olive tones.
Juvenile mandarins greedily devour newly hatched
Artemia and other microfauna lurking on the bottom of
the rearing tanks, but to benet the aquarium hobby and
their keepers they need to be trained to accept prepared
foods. With a bit of patience all captive-raised manda-
rins can be taught to do this. Like most micropredators,
they seem to home in on movement. The largest hurdle
is getting them to accept something that lies still on
the bottom. Once they come to recognize still matter as
food, the rest is easy. Pulverized pellets and Rods Food
seem to be their favorites.

DI VERSI TY AND THE NEXT GENERATI ON
Much of a species popularity in the aquarium trade
arises from mutation or morphological variation.
Whether these mutations are naturally occurring or are
achieved through selective breeding, they form the basis
of a huge surge in the popularity of certain species. The
patterns, colors, and variation we see in a given group
of offspring are regulated by an enormous number of
genes and environmental regulators. Diet and nitrog-
enous waste buildup are the major causes of undesirable
mutants with stunted heads and deformed bodies, but
desirable offspring with a misplaced stripe or brighter
body coloration are just as common.
The frequency with which we observe these desirable
traits is usually limited by our success as culturists. If
we are only successful in bringing ve percent of larvae
through to metamorphosis, our chances of observing
oddities is drastically reduced. With mandarin survival
in my own aquarium reaching 90 percent, I was sure I
would observe some variation, but just how much was
quite surprising. Two of the most intriguing sources of
diversity were pattern and body color. No two individu-
als were patterned alike, and in most sh each side con-
trasted to the other. The turquoise and green swirls on
the sides of the Green Mandarins would form intricate
honeycomb grids on some, gure eights on others, and
perfect exes on a few. Males seemed to have vertical dot-
ted lines while females seemed to display the handiwork
of a creative artist. Could these be designer mandarins,
and could we isolate some of these intricate patterns
and enhance them in future generations? Of course!
One of the most desirable natural variations of Green
Mandarins seen in the trade is the so-called red morph.
With a distinct reddish or orange body color, this vari-
ant is quite popular and extremely attractive, though not
much is known about it. Some anecdotal information
suggests it originates from a handful of islands in the
Philippines. After observing hundreds of captive-raised
mandarins from many different pairs, however, I believe
this is probably an example of variation within a species
rather than a distinct geographical morph. Most of the
juvenile Greens exhibit an overall greenish or blue hue,
but somea minority for sureare bright red with tur-
quoise swirls that seem to jump from the body. These are
Captive-raised Green
Mandarins exhibit
tremendous diversity of
color and pattern. These
two are eight months old
and fully colored.
61 CORAL
my favorites. There are also dark blue ones that seem to
blend monochromatically with their blue swirls.
Perhaps my greatest excitement about mandarins
came from a little yellow Spotted Mandarin. At four
months old, when all his siblings were fully adorned
in mint green and orange suits, this little mandarin re-
mained the color of mustard. Today, at about " long
and six months old, he still has refused to go green.
While designer mandarins might be a few years
away, there is no doubt that captive breeding of these in-
credible shes offers a boundless source of enthusiasm.
Captive-raised mandarins that dine on prepared foods
are ambassadors for their species, and the select few on
display at the Smithsonian will teach responsibility, sus-
tainability, and conservation to millions of visitors every
year. For me, there is nothing so rewarding as standing
in front of one of the nations preeminent reef aquari-
ums and watching as visitors get excited about seeing
some of the rst captive-raised mandarins ever to be
shown to the public.
62 CORAL
O
n September 27, 2008, the new
Sant Ocean Hall, created in part-
nership with the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration (NOAA), opened at the
Smithsonians National Museum of
Natural History in Washington, DC.
According to the Smithsonians press re-
lease, The Halls combination of 674 marine specimens
and models, high-denition video experiences, one-of-
a-kind exhibits and the newest technology allows visi-
tors to explore the oceans past, present and future as
never before. A 24-foot-long giant squid and a model
of Phoenix, a 45-foot-long North Atlantic Right Whale,
are among the largest and most visual displays in the
museums 23,000-square-foot arena. Just around the
corner, a 2,000-gallon living coral reefthe halls only
living exhibitstops onlookers in their tracks and keeps
them mesmerized.
Nearly ve years ago, Jeffrey Turner of Reef Aquaria
Design in Coconut Creek, Florida, was tasked with cre-
ating an icon. Today, his vision, a delicate balance of liv-
ing corals, beautiful reef shes, and invertebrates, is sep-
arated from an estimated seven million newly crowned
reef ambassadors a year by an eight-foot-high curved
glass wall. The Smithsononians exhibit is a major sym-
bol of reef conservation, featuring over 100 specimens
of aquacultured corals and shes and connecting both
the beauty and plight of a little-known world to a truly
enormous audience.
It is tting that here at the Smithsonian, where
major goals include inspiring curiosity in visitors and
teaching them about the natural world, captive-raised
mandarins are now on public display for the rst time.
I carefully stowed a dozen eight-month-old mandarins
(including some juveniles with elongated dorsal ns) in
a suitcase and checked them in at the Fort Lauderdale
airport. Six hours later the little mandarins were im-
mersed in a completely new world in Washington.
Although mandarins are hugely popular in the
aquarium trade, we know surprisingly little about their
life in the wild. Mandarins and other callionymids pro-
duce some of the smallest larvae in the ocean, making
it extremely difcult to observe them. When mandarins
emerge from their egg cases they are a mere 1.5 mm in
total length. After a few weeks in the open ocean they
have grown to 4 mm (the size of a newly hatched clown-
sh) and are ready to settle to the lagoon oor. They eas-
ily pass through the mesh of most survey nets, and spot-
ting a 4-mm-long mandarin on the complex mosaic of
the reef is like nding a needle in a haystack. Identifying
recruitment and population trends has been all but im-
story and photos by Matthew L. Wittenrich
Mandarins
Panoramic view of the
estuaries and coral reef
displays in the new
Sant Ocean Hall at the
Smithsonians National
Museum of Natural History.
Below: A birds eye view
of the 2,000-gallon living
coral reef designed by
Jef Turnerthe Sant Halls
only living display.
63 CORAL
possible. Aspects of a shs life history, such as growth
rate, time to maturity, morphological plasticity, and lar-
val characteristics, are taken for granted in many spe-
cies, but our knowledge about mandarins is very limited.
Captive-raised mandarins may answer many important
questions. With their conservation status in question,
the mandarins at the Smithsonian have offered tremen-
dous insight into the life history of the genus.
Two months after the mandarins were introduced
to the living reef, Joe Farmer of Reef Aquaria Design no-
ticed that each evening, as dusk approached, one large
male and up to three smaller females would congre-
gate at a prominent outcropping on the reef. The male
would stretch his ns and circle the females in a proud
posture as the females recip-
rocated and entered the wind-
ing dance. While no spawn-
ing has been witnessed, this is
what mandarins do in the wild.
Throughout the day the captive
mandarins are cryptic and pe-
ruse the reef singly in search of
food, congregating at dusk for
courtship. It is truly an incred-
ible opportunity to have such
a large and beautiful aquarium
where natural behaviors can be
observed. The Smithsonian may
very well become home to the
second generation of captive-
raised mandarins, providing a
rm foundation for educa-
tion and conservation.
at the Smithsonian
64 CORAL
NO RISK,
NO FUN
?
Thinking twice about
how to stock a reef aquarium
story and photos by Professor Ellen Thaler
65 CORAL
Pair of
Green Mandarinfshes
(Synchiropus splendidus)
during courtship, male
with erect dorsal fns.
Opposite page:
A species-rich and
well-fed coral-fsh
community, peacefully
grazing algae.
here is no doubt that the saying no risk, no fun has a far-reaching inuence
on our lives, at least for adventuresome, lively, active, and exible people. It is
the modern trend in extreme sports and investing and adventure travel, and
that may be well and good, but risk too much and there will be a price to pay. This
may not be a bad thing, as long as you enjoy yourself in the process and it doesnt
adversely affect you or others.
But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this saying could be applied to
the aquarium hobby. It happened like this: a colleague told me that he had just bought
two Green Mandarinshes, Synchiropus splendidus. His tank had been runningafter
a fashionfor only about two months. I dont like to appear to be a know-it-all, so I
gulped briey and remarked, quite casually, that this purchase seemed a bit prema-
ture. His reply? See the title of this article. I became less gentle, pointing out that he
was dealing with living creatures. He repeated the saying and looked at me as if I had
said something totally unreasonable. Aquarists may well wonder whether he got any
enjoyment from watching his mandarins slowly starving to death.
T
I MPOSSI BLE SPECI ES
I love shesnot just my own, but shes in general. So
I took a deep breath and was about to let loose one of
my usual tirades. But when I thought about my Twin-
spot Gobies, my Orangespotted Fileshes, and my Sea
Moths, I swallowed my words. Anyone who knows me is
aware that my aquarium experiences havent been a bed
of roses, especially when it comes to the three groups
mentioned, as there is still much to be learned about
their behavior. But shkeeping isnt something I do just
for pleasure and amusement; I do it out of scientic in-
terest and with the knowledge that, given healthy wild
stock and sufcient dedication, even these difcult or
impossible species can generally be kept in an appro-
priate manner and for many years. Is that any justica-
tion for experimenting with them? Certainly, even for
me and my guilty conscience. Others, I openly acknowl-
edge, see no justication for ever risking a sh life.
But, leaving aside this darker aspect of my involve-
ment in the aquarium hobby, there is food for thought
here, and quite a bit can be said on the topic of Fish-
es: no risk, no fun. In 1995 I published a book, Fische
Beobachten (Fish Watching), on the subject of the aquar-
ium hobby needing to be more than just a way to satisfy
our desire to stare at one yellow sh, one red sh, and
one blue sh conveniently located behind glass. I have
tried to encourage the idea that a tank should house at
least two yellow, two red, and two blue shes to make
the shes happy (although when all is said and done,
even this tiny step seems to be too much for many peo-
ple). In 1997 I went into the basics of this problem in
an article, Fischpolemik (Fish Polemic), which made
me a lot of enemies (but perhaps also a few friends).
I thought that overall I had brought about something
positive, a new way of looking at things, but since then
I have become less sure.
The marine aquarium hobby is now heading down
a completely different path. Tries such as the ques-
tion of whether one should keep one or two (or more)
specimens of a particular sh species are too seldom
considered, or when they are, it is among over-cautious
novices, stony-coral freaks worried about elevated phos-
phate levels, or old-timers who genuinely know all their
shes as individual personalities. The current trend I
see in Europe is towards mega-aquaria, and for those
one buys at least a dozen of everythingotherwise there
wont be enough color. For some, the shes are only a
moving ller elementornamental shes. This term is
perhaps quite appropriate for a tank containing a gaudy
profusion of corals in a disorganized jumble. Because
most aquarists dont know their sh personally (only
one or another over-priced coral), they think nothing
of thinning out to produce particular color nuances
for example, culling all but ve out of an original 50
Yellow Tangs, or all but 10 of an original 200 Purple
Anthiasand immediately replacing them with 50200
of another species. No risk, no fun!
For certain aquarists, profusion is the name of the
game. At rst glance these huge, modern aquariums
appear to be brightly colored, completely intact, true-
to-nature underwater landscapes. But if one is present
at feeding time, a rather different picture emergesone
resembling the ritual feeding of the piranhas in a pub-
lic aquarium. But that too can be excused as nature,
pure and simpleincluding when a large sh makes
a meal out of some insufciently circumspect smaller
individual.
FI SHY ASSERTI ONS
I know that there are aquarists who are well informed
and capable of thinking for themselves. They dont even
need to be as contrary-minded as I am. But perhaps it is
time once again to roll out the so-called sh polemic,
as it seems to me that a lot of the basics are still be-
ing ignored. I would like to put forward for discussion
a number of assertions that continue to be made in the
literature and on the Internet, but usually starting here,
on paperwhich may not be as convenient as website
information, but is more permanent. And note that we
Pair of Chelmon rostratus, fghting with dorsal-fn spines spread;
in the picture on the opposite page, the two fshes are feeding
peacefully next to one another.
66 CORAL
67 CORAL
are talking about coral reef shes here, that is, inhabit-
ants of tropical seas.
THE ASSERTI ONS:
- Fislcs slould bc cd as littlc as ossiblc.
- Somc slcs don't nccd any sulcmcntary ood at all;
they will nd all they need in the aquarium.
- Witl a cw cxcctions, slcs slould bc kct singly,
because of their aggressive nature.
- Somc slcs slould bc kct in grous; or cxamlc,
various damselshes.
- Coral slcs do not livc long.
- In any casc, slcs arc stuid and arc not "rcal ani-
mals at all.
- Fislcs don't ccl ain.
- Fislcs don't slcc.
- Fislcs kct in small aquaria stay small and don't
grow.
- Somc slcs arc good or combating arasitcs.
- A sl is }ust a sl.
Please allow me to deal with these misconceptions,
one by one.
SHORT RATI ONS?
Should we really be underfeeding our shes? No, not
under any circumstances. Coral shes are inhabitants of
tropical seas with a more or less constantly high temper-
ature (78-86F or 2630C) and hence have a metabol-
ic rate similar to that of warm-blooded animals. On the
reef they normally have a wide spectrum of foods avail-
able, and they swim in a permanent plankton soup.
In addition to the periodic inuence of the monsoon,
the limiting factor is higher-rank predators that pre-
vent them from feeding without pause; access to food
is regulated by the interplay of caution and hunger. Al-
lowance can be made for this in the
aquarium by feeding small portions
as often as possible (using an auto-
matic feeder). The concept of short
rations (intentionally feeding less
than recommended) conicts with
the natural behavior of coral shes,
especially because the majority (for
example herbivores and plankti-
vores) need to feed continuously.
Hungry shes invariably exhibit
behavioral disturbances: they may
constantly hide in order to save en-
ergy, or exhibit atypical aggressive
behavior because they must con-
tinually do battle with competitors
for food (a situation that doesnt
exist on the reef because so much
food is available). It is quite sim-
ply cruel to make shes go hun-
gry in the interests of maintaining
water quality. Nowadays there is plenty of state-of-the-
art equipment to handle wastes. Fishes, as poikilother-
mic (cold-blooded) organisms, can survive relatively
long periods of want before they die of starvation. This
can create the impression that they dont need much
food, but that is not truethey merely die much more
slowly than warm-blooded creatures.
SELF- SUFFI CI ENCY?
It is certainly common to read the argument that suf-
cient plankton production will take place in a function-
ing reef aquarium. But the only such production that
regularly takes place involves the larval stages of vari-
ous bristleworms (readily visible at night), atworms,
coral larvae, and, in the case of crustaceans, planktonic
shrimps or a couple of amphipod species, some ed-
ible and some not. Such a diet will not satisfy even the
most basic requirements of any sh. At best, it provides
emergency rations to stave off immediate starvation. I
venture to assert that without supplementary feeding,
even in a mega-aquarium, not even a pair of anthias
would get enough to eat in the long term, and they too
would starve. I regard as completely absurd the claims of
one hobbyist who feeds his numerous (22) relatively
large shes only on the spawns of two pairs of cleaner
shrimps. Given that the four Lysmata specimens, being
hermaphrodites, release their larvae every 11 days, and
at night when the shes are sleeping, it is not very dif-
cult to imagine how hard the latter will nd it to get by.
A further, particularly spicy gem is one authors opinion
that not feeding the shes is a very important factor in
the maintenance of a reef aquarium, though of course
initially this may seem somewhat risky. I hope you will
forgive me for not citing the sources of these and simi-
lar claims here, though I will be happy to provide the
68 CORAL
information to anyone who is interested. I have plenty
of them to choose from, and anyone who follows the
discussion on aquarium-hobby forums on the Internet
for any time can easily obtain the same sort of infor-
mation for himself.
SI NGLES?
Among all the thousands of coral-sh species known to
us, there are only a very few that are truly solitary, and
the further our knowledge of their biology increases, the
smaller the number becomes. Almost all live in pairs,
in family groups, or in schools of variable size, which
in turn exhibit variable social structures. This is a topic
that I have been discussing with growing vehemence for
some 20 years, and I will outline it only briey here: dear
aquarists, you can keep any sh in pairs, and even in
groups if you have a suitably sized aquarium and knowl-
edge of the biology of the species in question. The ma-
jority of coral shes are hermaphroditic in one way or
another, so the laborious selection of a male and female
is unnecessary; we need only to pick two shes of differ-
ent sizes. They will then sort it out for themselves. But
keeping sh in pairs will work only if you feed sensibly
(and not just in terms of quantity but also of quality)
and if the food accords with the requirements of the spe-
cies in question. A sh should not just be fed with any
old type of ake or pellets (even if packed full of appe-
tite stimulants and taste enhancers, colorants, vitamins,
hormone substitutes, and all manner of unsaturated
fatty acids) but should be able to recognize its food, by
its form, as something it would eat in the wild, or be-
cause it resembles the prey animals that accord with its
natural hunting behavior and encourage an appropriate
response. Dried foods can be given in addition, but a
wide variety of top-quality frozen food is almost indis-
pensable. Our shes are wild animals, and as such are
endowed with a highly evolved behavioral repertoire, in
particular as regards their feeding strategies. On the reef
this behavior accounts for up to 80 percent of their dai-
ly activities. (Juveniles are always more aggressive than
older shes: they need to grow, require more food, and
hence are also more active.) If we reduce this to a mere
10 percent (or to zero), then it is not shes that we have
in the aquarium, but behaviorally distorted creatures
that attack one another when hungry or live a life of
appalling boredom. The monotonous
life that aficts shes in an aquarium
completely overgrown with corals,
which vastly reduces the swimming
area available to them, will result in ev-
ery possible type of stereotyped behav-
ior, such as circling, swimming up and
down the glass, etc.
GROUPS OF DAMSELS?
The misinformation on this point would
be reason for a good laugh, were it not so tragic. We read
and hear everywhere that members of the Pomacentri-
daethat is, a wide variety of yellow-tailed or yellow-
nned damselshes, all Dascyllus species, and many
others of these belligerent, predominantly blue jewels
should be kept in groups to dilute aggression. The im-
pression that one gains through supercial observation
on the reef is deceptive, applying mainly to differently
colored juvenile stages. Even where numerous individu-
als congregate in a particularly favorable area of habitat,
we are actually seeing pairs that spend the entire day
defending a specic small territory. Aquarists who decide
to take the group maintenance path with these shes
apparently have a bit of a taste for gladiatorial combat!
These shes will ght until only one pair is left, or even
a single sh, specically when the level of aggression has
been raised to such new heights by the endless battles
that the shes must rst remember the need for a part-
ner, even before any pairing has taken place. The gleam-
ing blue mass displays in the dealers tanks give no hint
of the fact that the largely deceptive peace results from
the absence of anything on which to base territories. If a
large block of rock or coral was placed in such a tank, the
picture would change at a stroke. Thus, with a few excep-
tions (some Chromis species, Amphiprion spp., Abudefduf
spp., Paraglyphidodon and Neoglyphidodon spp.), poma-
centrids should be kept only in pairs. If they are well fed
they will all exhibit interesting courtship and spawning
behavior, and aggression towards other aquarium occu-
pants will be contained within tolerable bounds (Thal-
er 1998). Innumerable species of pomacentrids adorn
practically every intact underwater landscape, and hence
pairs of these shes should be included in the popula-
tion of any reef aquarium. To my mind, there are no
better shes, as long as they arent starving.
And it is perhaps worth mentioning, as an after-
thought, that the same applies to all torpedo gobies
(dartshes) and all their relatives. Moreover these are
found exclusively in pairs on the reef as well.
SHORT- LI VED?
It is only in some reef aquaria that coral shes dont live
a long life, and in the wild they can be as old as the
hills, as has been demonstrated by many a chance ob-
servation. There are a very few families of small gobies
I think observing the same fsh for years
is a tremendously rewarding experience.
gelshes) have a metabolic rate corresponding to their
eventual size, as they have more body mass to build and
for that they must eat more than small surgeonshes
and dwarf angels. Because of this they are more aggres-
sive and violent in their competition for food, and right
from the start they are troublemakers because their re-
quirements arent being met. Once again a basic exam-
ple to make the point clear: a pair of Yellow or Brown
Tangs (Zebrasoma avescens or Z. scopas) will do very
nicely in a 150-gallon (600-liter) tank. These species at-
tain an eventual size of around 10 inches (25 cm). By
contrast, the Sailn Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum), which
can attain an eventual size of up to 24 inches (60 cm)
on the reef, will very soon become an aggressive bully
and constantly disturb the peace.
FI SHES VERSUS HARMFUL ORGANI SMS?
This can be summed up immediately: it doesnt work in
the long term. Even the most efcient glass-anemone-
eating Chelmon will begin to waste away if it isnt given
adequate supplementary food after it clears away the
Aiptasia. All the purported turbellarian-eating wrasses
will indeed take these atworms now and then, as will
some lyreshes and puffers, but they do not always
have a lasting effect on these unwanted pests, and will
themselves suffer from lack of food unless their diet is
supplemented.
Fishes that initially eat something that we regard as
a nuisance, for example turbellarians, soon abandon
the practice because the feedback from the poisonous
worms eventually sets in and lets the sh know that it
is eating an unhealthy diet. Underfeeding will make the
situation worse; the best workers are shes that are fed
a varied diet of good quality. They will regard turbellar-
ians and (very occasionally) shell-less gastropods, glass
anemones, and dwarf anemones as interesting supple-
ments to their diet. Phalaena gobies may dig away a red
coating of cyanobacteria, but they dont eat itthey are
after the microorganisms living beneath it. If the aquar-
ium environment does not improve, the slime algae
simply form again in different places. Algae-eating blen-
nies such as Salarias fasciatus will die when the microal-
gae they can metabolize have all gone, as they cannot
get by on thread algae alone; the same also applies, only
less dramatically, to various algae-eating surgeonshes.
Bristletooth surgeonshes (for example, Ctenochaetus
spp.), which assiduously scrape away at an algae-
covered rock, are in fact eating the bacterial coating on
the algae; the algae are pulled away incidentally. No sh
can check a pre-existing, stubborn over-proliferation of
any particular organism. It may, however, be true that its
presence adds more variety to the aquarium, and has an
overall favorable inuence on the environment, at least
as long as all goes well for the sh itself. Exponential
proliferation of any particular opportunistic organism
occurs as the result of a poorly balanced aquarium en-
vironment, and shes are not suitable countermeasures
for dealing with such acute problems. At best they may
nibble away at the symptoms, but what is really needed
is prevention.
AND FI NALLY, A FI SH I S JUST A FI SH?
When looking at one reef aquarium or another, I some-
times get the impression that in the owners eyes all sh-
es are the sameespecially when no attention has been
paid to the requirements of the varied community of
shes. They all swim around in an anonymous throng,
taking little notice of one another except to show ag-
gression, and in fact trying to avoid one another. To
the untrained eye, they are all just sh to be treated
equally. After all, we apply this philosophy to our own
childrenwhy not to shes as well? This standardized
approach is all the more painful given the fact that it is
71 CORAL
Salarias fasciatus
will starve to death
when the algae that
they eat runs out.
It is cruel to stuf tiny juveniles of large fsh species into small tanks.
among the shes that we nd the greatest diversity of
life forms within the Class Vertebrata.
Among closely related species (and even within the
same species where it occurs in a variety of habitats)
there are sometimes major differences, and this applies
not only to appearance but in particular to behavior. The
differences between different genera and different fami-
lies are unimaginably large, and much is still completely
unknown. Take wrasses, for example, which exhibit an
immense, almost unimaginable repertoire of adapta-
tions to their individual habitats: they may be bottom-
oriented or live in mid-water, among corals or algae, in
coral rubble or on sand ats, and every single species has
a particular social behavior and different requirements
as regards habitat structure, food, etc. Or gobies, which
live on the sand or in it, as free-swimmers in the case of
the dartshes, or in symbiosis with pistol shrimps.
The anemoneshes are often host-specic, with dif-
ferent species selecting different symbiotic anemones.
One can barely imagine the variety of the almost in-
nite numbers of damselsh species that exist, likewise in
the case of angels and butteryshesthere are so many,
and their modes of behavior are so different. Often we
can only guess when it comes to the rened specializa-
tions that we see in triggershes, pipeshes, and their
relatives, as our knowledge is limited. The stealth and
ambush predators, such as moray eels and frogshes,
are fascinating animals to feed, but require special care
in stocking as they can ingest smaller shes and produce
large amounts of nitrogenous waste.
Even in a small reef aquarium it is possible to ful-
ll the fundamental requirements of the resident shes
properly. Make sure these requirements are not entirely
subordinated to human aesthetic desires: from the sh-
es viewpoint, one stony coral is pretty much like anoth-
er, either edible or unpleasant, useful for shelter or not.
They arent at all interested in how attractive it is. Some
shes do poorly under brilliant lighting that mimics a
shallow-water reef. Decorative caves must have at least
two entrances; tightly stacked live rock backgrounds are
of little use to the shes as they cannot swim through
them. Room-divider aquaria should contain a
large number of different-sized caves that cannot
be seen into, as otherwise stress is inevitable in the
long term. Algae-coated corners in the aquarium,
deep substrate with the widest possible variation in
grain size and interspersed with fragments of coral,
even a bit of detritus in corners with little current
all these will make it easier for the shes to settle in
and ultimately feel at home. Of course, sufcient
food to suit every taste should be available.
When given the opportunity and the correct
conditions, different sh species will indeed be-
have differently. And then even the aquarist who
has no prior biological training, whose interest is
only in having something bright and colorful to
look at, will suddenly discover completely new as-
pects of his shes: wrasses, for example, no longer
circle madly around and across the aquarium, but
drift around watching a goby digging in the sand.
Surgeonshes go to work on previously uninterest-
ing bits of reef and no longer perform stereotypical
patrols. Damselshes begin to clean a spawning cave,
symbiotic gobies rest happily near their own tunnels,
and even the pistol shrimps appear at ease. And all at
once there exists a very special kind of harmony that
really does communicate itself to the observernot just
because of the blue, red, or yellow shes, but also
precisely because one sh isnt the same as another.
RE F E RE NCE S
De Graaf, F. 1977: Tropische Zierfsche im Meeresaquarium.
Neumann-Verlag, Melsungen, Germany.
Delbeek, J. C. and J. Sprung.1996. Das Rifaquarium, Vol. 1.
Dhne-Verlag, Ettlingen, Germany.
Engelmann, W. E. 2005. Zootierhaltung FischeTiere in
menschlicher Obhut. Harri-Deutsch-Verlag, Frankfurt, Germany.
Foss, S. A. and A. J. Nilsen. 1993. Das Korallenrif-Aquarium,
Vol. 3. Schmettkamp-Verlag, Bornheim, Germany.
Gibson, R. N. 1996. Life in a fuctuating environment. In:
Pitcher, T. J. (Ed.): Behaviour of Teleost Fishes, Elsevier Science
Ltd., St. Louis, MO.
Klausewitz, W. 1989. ber Schmerzempfnden und
Leidensfhigkeit bei Fischen. Zeitschrift fr Fischkologie
18:6590.
Thaler, E. 1995. Fische beobachtenVerhaltensstudien an
Meeresfschen und Wirbellosen im Aquarium und im Freiwasser.
Ulmer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany.
Thaler, E. 1997. Fischpolemik. DATZ 50(3):164172.
Thaler, E. 1998. Rifbarsche ins Rif-Aquarium! DATZ 51(8):
524529.
A well fed triggerfsh will
not eat cleaner shrimps!
72 CORAL
73 CORAL
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74 CORAL
aquarium portrait | REN VACHOVEC
75 CORAL
ven as a small child, I was fascinated by the
underwater world in my parents freshwa-
ter aquaria, where there was always some-
thing interesting to seeI never complained
about being bored. It wasnt long before I
had my very own aquarium, which I loving-
ly maintained and of which I was very proud. Over the
years, my aquarium got bigger and my equipment more
sophisticated, and the growth of my aquatic plants was
almost explosive. I spent many happy hours and a lot of
effort on this eye-catcher in the living room.
MY DREAM OF A MARI NE AQUARI UM
I rst encountered a marine aquarium in the store of my
aquarium dealer in Chemnitz, Germany. It was, quite
simply, fabulous: vibrant with color and populated by
numerous exotic corals, shes, and other strange and
wonderful livestock I had never before seen. I could
hardly tear myself away.
I purchased the relevant literature and persuaded my
wife that we really must have a marine aquarium.
Without further ado, I ordered a 500-liter, 150 x
60 x 60 cm (132-gallon, 60 x 24 x 24 inch) Panorama
aquarium and reinforced the oor of the room with steel
girders to avoid future worries about the load. A welded
steel frame with an outer wooden cabinet served as the
base and a compartment for ltration equipment.
Rather naively, I started out with the minimum
amount of equipment: two 150-watt HQI lamps, some
blue uorescent lights, a simple induction pump and
trickle lter, the standard for marine systems at that
time, a small reverse osmosis unit to prepare water for
topping up, and a few powerheads to create current. It
was state of the art, I thought.
highs
and
lows
E
Successes and hard lessons learned over a dozen years of building an
outstanding reef dominated by stony corals and giant clams
As on the coral reef in the wild, the corals grow
packed closely together and compete for empty space to colonize.
Without regular gardening to thin them out, reciprocal stinging
would rapidly develop among the corals.
A
L
L

P
H
O
T
O
S
:

R
E
N

V
A
C
H
O
V
E
C
76 CORAL
SUCCESS!
With the addition of freshly made-up salt water and 110
kg (242 lbs.) of living rock, the project became a real-
ity. The maturation phase went just as the books said it
should. I was immensely pleased at the daily incremen-
tal progress. The rst sh I acquired was a Zebrasoma
avescens, which, 12 years later, still enjoys the best of
health today and is the boss among my four surgeon-
shes. Thereafter, whenever my wallet could stand it, I
further increased the population of the
aquarium. As soon as the water param-
eters permitted, I added my rst stony
corals. At rst I thought the aquarium
would never be full, but I would prove
to be wrong.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTI ONS
With the introduction of additional
shes and the heavier feeding that re-
quiredafter all, nobody must go hun-
gryI experienced the rst problems
with my aquarium concept. The trickle
lter did its work and oxidized nitrog-
enous compounds to nitrate, which is
the purpose of this type of lter. But
the constantly increasing concentration
of nitrate couldnt be countered, even
with regular partial water changes. I was
disappointed that the living rock didnt
solve the problem as some of the litera-
ture suggested it would. And then algae
began to proliferate and the stony corals
exhibited increasing signs that they were
unhappy. So I learned my lesson the hard
way, and concluded that the trickle lter
wasnt the right one for my purposes.
I replaced it with a homemade protein
skimmer augmented with a nitrate lter
to combat poor water quality. The wa-
ter parameters now rapidly attained an
ideal level. But the resulting immense
coral growth brought new problems in
its turn: my next lesson was that car-
bonate hardness and calcium content
do not remain in the optimal zone by
themselvesso I constructed devices
to monitor and add calcium carbonate
myself, which meant I could adapt them
precisely to the dimensions of the tank.
The lighting was also adjusted to provide
better conditions for growth (see equipment summary).
My next acquisition was a cooling system to keep the
water temperature in the penthouse apartment at a tol-
erable level for the corals, even in summer.
HI GHS
After these changes in the equipment, things nally
started to go right. It wasnt long before the aquarium
was densely packed with Acropora coralsa truly fan-
Left: A huge Tridacna derasa during spawning.
Below: The same aquariumwater is heavily
clouded by the oocytes from 20 giant clams,
and the protein skimmer is having difculty
maintaining clear conditions.
77 CORAL
SIZE, VOLUME, YEARS ESTABLISHED: 150 x 60 x 60 cm, sili-
cone-sealant construction, Panorama model, 600 liters
total volume (with sump), established for 12 years.
CORALS AND OTHER SESSILE INVERTEBRATES: Various stony
corals, including Trachyphyllia, Fungia, Euphyllia, Po-
cillopora, Acropora, Porites, Stylophora, Montipora, Se-
riatopora, Montastrea, Hydnophora, Platygyra; plus 20
Tridacna clams, encrusting anemones, sponges, 110 kg
of living rock.
NON-SESSILE INVERTEBRATES: Various hermit crabs, shrimps,
brittle stars, gastropods, worms, etc.
FISHES: Acanthurus leucosternon, Zebrasoma xanthurum,
Zebrasoma avescens, Ctenochaetus strigosus, Cirrhitich-
thys falco, Gramma loreto, Pterosynchiropus splendidus,
various Pomacentrids.
LIGHTING: Two 250-watt HQI Megachrome Corals
(dimmable), four 54-watt T5s (one Pure Actinic, one
Daylight, two Blue), four 35-watt Halogens (dimmable
to zero), one 3-watt Moonlight precisely mirroring the
lunar cycle (switched with a homemade controller).
WATER MOVEMENT: Deltec HLP 8070 (circulatory pump),
four Tunze Streams with multi-controller (current).
WATER MANAGEMENT: Protein skimmer (homemade),
Deltec nitrate lter (two-stage with vodka as nutrient
solution), phosphate lter (homemade from a redun-
dant reverse osmosis unit), UV-C compact irradiator
for sterilization (9-watt), ozonizer (installed but not
yet used), calcium-carbonate monitor (homemade
from a Sander protein skimmer), lime-water doser
(homemade), automatic top-up device consisting of
a reverse-osmosis unit with purication lter and 30-
liter reserve tank, cooling via a Titan 1500, two-stage
blower with independent control for emergency cooling
(homemade).
CONTROL: IKS Aqua Computer for temperature, conduc-
tivity, lighting, etc., as well as two pHs (AQ + calcium
carbonate monitor), two Redoxes (AQ + nitrate lter).
SAFETY: IKS SMS Controller with water-leak sensors
with wiring (homemade).
WATER ADDITIVES: JBL trace elements.
PARTIAL WATER CHANGES: Every 14 days with Tropic Marin
sea salt, plus Bio-Calcium and Bio-Magnesium from
Tropic Marin when required.
OWNER: Ren Vachovec, Chemnitz, Germany.
A large percentage of the equipment used was made by Ren
Vachovec himself. As a result all the devices are custom-built
and the limited space in the under-tank cabinet can be used
optimally. Nothing is left to chance: the aquarium equipment is
monitored by an aquarium computer with a specially-designed
safety system (IKS SMS Controller).
AQUARIUM Details
78 CORAL
tastic sight. I was now able to give
one coral or another to aquarist
friends or swap them for different
species. At this time there was
even a mass spawning of Tridacna
clams, with the larger individu-
als expelling oocytes, an interest-
ing spectacle that seriously tested
the protein skimmer but above all
demonstrated how well the aquar-
ium inhabitants were feeling. Visi-
tors eagerly pressed their faces to
the front glass of our aquarium.
Obviously, the preparation and
maintenance work on the aquar-
ium had long since exceeded the time and trouble I had
expended on my freshwater aquarium, but the results
were worth it. The unique feature of a marine aquarium
is that it changes continuously, so there is always some-
thing new to see.
AND LOWS
For a long time, my aquarium ran at a high level of
equilibrium. Then a defective electronic conductivity
meter used to measure salinity destroyed practically ev-
erything. It had gone wrong three years previously, and
because of the expense I hadnt replaced it immediately
but instead relied on a simple hydrometer. After a few
months some of the corals began to suffer. Anyone who
knows his aquarium will immediately notice the small-
est changes in the polyp landscape. But that was of little
use to me, as the reason for the problem remained a
mystery. Numerous corals died, and I was frustrated by
this unpleasant turn of events. I performed and evalu-
ated a huge variety of water tests, as advised, but in vain.
It was only by chance that I found the solution when I
introduced new corals into the aquarium and noticed
the striking blurring effect that occurs when waters of
different salinities are mixed. At rst I assumed that the
water from the tank where I had purchased the corals
was of unsuitable salinity, but then I learned that the
density of my own aquarium water was far too high! My
problem was purely and simply the result of a defective
hydrometer. It was an embarrassing mistake for me.
RENEWED SUCCESS
To my great delight, after the salinity had been slowly
brought back to normal the aquarium recovered very
quickly, and over the next two years things continued
to get better. Success was once again mine; that is true
to this day. The aquarium is once again densely packed
with corals that are thriving to such an extent that
regular gardening is required to prevent them from
stinging or overshadowing each other. In addition to
maintaining corals I have developed a liking for giant
clams. Because they are more difcult to acclimate to
aquarium conditions than corals, I have placed the
clams in the most favorable spots in the aquarium.
A TROUBLEMAKER
Unfortunately, in the course of time my sh and shrimp
populations have been decimated to some degree.
Around six years agowith no idea at all of the potential
consequencesI acquired a dainty little Debelius Reef
Lobster (Enoplometopus debelius), although it seemed to
disappear after its introduction. Initially, I still found the
remains of its molted shell from time to time, but later
I didnt even see that and so assumed that the creature
was no more. About three months ago I found it again
while investigating the reason for the nocturnal disap-
pearance of my other livestock. I managed to capture
the now 10-cm-long lobster with a special trap (once
again, homemade). These fascinating creatures may be
well suited to a species aquarium or as tankmates for
large shes, but I would strongly advise against keep-
ing them in the reef aquarium with small shes and
crustaceans.
SUMMARY
Over the years I have experienced both highs and lows
with my marine aquarium, but my fascination with and
passion for this demanding hobby remain as great as
they were on the very rst day. In conclusion I would
like to advise all novices not to be downhearted at
their failures and setbacks, but to determine the causes
of their mistakes and eliminate them. It will be
worthwhile!
After his populations of small fshes
and shrimps mysteriously dwindled,
the author designed this trap to catch
the culprit, a Debelius Reef Lobster.
79 CORAL
ENTRY RULES
- |atraats mast |e t|e ewaers er creaters ef
t|e aaarlams.
- !|e ceatest ls epea te |et| amatear aa4
prefessleaa| aaarlsts, te |e ja4qe4 separate|,.
- k|| eatrles mast |e ma4e ea|lae at t|e aew
CORAL Maqatlae we|slte:
http://www.coralmagazine-us.com
- |ac| eatr, wl|| ceaslst ef a slaq|e |lq|-
rese|atlea 4lqlta| lmaqe aa4 a cemp|ete4
ea|lae eatr, ferm.
- !|e p|eteqrap| mast lac|a4e t|e eatlre
aaascape as lewe4 frem t|e aaarlam's
freat paae.
- !|ere ls ae |lmltatlea ea t|e slte ef t|e
aaarlam.
- 0ea4|lae ls kaqast 1, . Ulaaers wl|| |e
aaaeaace4 at MkCNk //|, !eptem|er -I,
la kt|aatlc Clt,, NI.
JUDGING CRITERIA
k matlmam ef pelats ma, |e scere4 fer
eac| aaascape. Ia4qlaq wl|| |e 4eae ea|lae
|, CORAL e4lters, ceatrl|aters, aa4 rea4ers.
Ia4qlaq crlterla are as fe||ews:
1. kppareat |ea|t| aa4 lta|lt, ef hs|es,
cera|s, aa4 et|er erqaalsms. (ap te
pelats)
. 8a|aace |etweea aaascape, cera|s, aa4
hs|es. (ap te pelats)
1. Use ef aatara| aa4 appreprlate
aaascaplaq materla|s. (ap te pelats)
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80 CORAL
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or many years, rather specic habits of illuminating coral reef displays have been rm-
ly entrenched in the reef aquarium hobby. What began as well-intended guidelines for
recommended wattages and types of lamps has turned into misguided lighting advice
from nearly every corner of the hobby. The misinformation is largely promulgated by
aquarists who simply pass along the unchallengedalbeit errantadvice that theyve
read or been given. In short, in the application of light, the hobby has strayed toward
less useful lamp spectrums and the use of excessive amounts of light.
The very rst mistake that most aquarists make is to seek information about the type
of lighting they need based on the size of their aquariums, rather than on the needs of their
animals. This error is epidemic in both scope and tragedy, since the majority of reef aquarists do not
assemble a specic list of compatible corals and reef creatures before reckoning lighting needs. To
me, the transgression is frankly staggering. The needs of the livestock must come rst. Only after
the corals specic requirements are determined can the tank size be considered in decisions about
lamp style, reector type, and total wattage.
Beginning with a list of compatible reef species with similar lighting needs is the only way
to set up a reef display responsibly. Creatures from a specic part of the reef will fare better in a
a new per s pec t i ve on
reef lighting
by Anthony Calfo
F
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biotope grouping than they will with a garden reef or random hodgepodge of corals (species
from different biotopes, different reefs, or even different seas). For example, low-ow, deep-
water, colorful Montipora species will never fare well in the same aquarium with shallow-water,
colorful Acropora species, despite the fact that both of these lovely stony corals are generally
called SPS coralsthese two popular genera simply have dramatically different husbandry needs.
One cannot standardize lighting (and water ow) for such disparate specimens, which are col-
lected from reef depths that may differ by as much as 66 feet (20 m). This is the problem that
so many aquarists run into after making the mistake of choosing lighting that ts the tank size.
For long-term success, its crucial to rst select corals that will be compatible under the narrow
parameters of space, water ow, feeding, and light in a home aquarium.
The next, and perhaps simplest, aspect of lighting to ponder is the amount of power, or watt-
age. The tendency through the years has been to assume that more is better. Surpising as it may
sound, this is not true, and in fact it can be harmful to apply too much light. Corals do need to
reach a compensation point each day whereby they get enough nutrition to meet fundamental
needs, such as respiration. But beyond the saturation point, no amount of excess light will im-
prove zooxanthellate symbiosis. On the contrary, corals given excess illumination may suffer from
photoinhibition (observed as pale or
white specimens that have expelled
some or all of their zooxanthellae). SPS
coral enthusiasts often keep their cor-
als on the edge of this precipicewhere
excess light causes them to become pale
or pasteland nefariously market them
as rare specimens.
I also nd it disappointing, when
reading message-board posts or chat-
ting with fellow hobbyists abroad, to
see 400- and 1000-watt lamps com-
monly recommended for particularly
small aquaria (< 25 gallon/100 liter).
These are usually examples of the afore-
mentioned well-intended hobbyists
giving new hobbyists advice on light-
ing without ever reckoning the coral
species needs. But, with energy prices
rising and economic issues becoming
a greater concern, some reef keepers
are now re-examining their lighting
schemes and considering proper lower-
wattage alternatives.
Rules of thumb are not especially
useful in reef lighting discussions.
Sadly, the deeper-water,
lower-fow corals such
as Montipora species get
lumped into the generic
category of SPS corals
and must sufer higher
water fow and higher
lighting (intensity
and spectrum) than
is natural. Such corals
are collected at greater
depth and fare better in
aquaria with more blue-
weighted spectrums of
light, such as 14,000 or
20,000K lamps.
Inset: It is a mistake
to presume that all
Acropora are high-light
species. These lovely
corals come from a wide
range of depths on the
reef. Choose your lamps
carefully!
82 CORAL
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Nonetheless, I will offer one here and then qualify
it a bit. For a typical garden reef (mixed species)
home aquarium, 510 watts per gallon of reef
quality lighting are required for a healthy coral dis-
play. Thus, a 100-gallon aquarium will generally require
5001,000 watts of light. There are presumptions with
this rule of thumb, however, including the following:
- modcratc watcr dctl (slould not cxcccd 30 in./75 cm)
- maintcnancc o watcr clarity witl ozonc and/or car-
bon (daily)
- broad-scctrum, ligl-FAR lams, clangcd rcqucntly
(every 610 months)
Diversions from this recommendation may allow higher
wattage lamps mounted higher than usual above a reef
display. This is a common example of what users of 400-
and 1,000-watt halide lamps must do to prevent burn-
ing or shocking corals. In this way, the intensity can be
tempered and a greater spread of light is gained. But, un-
less the reef display is wide enough to utilize the broader
spread of light, energy is wasted as some light falls out-
sidc tlc ootrint o tlc dislay aquarium. A smallcr-
wattage lamp mounted closer to the water, with a still-
adequate spread of light from a good reector, would be
much more efcient.
To be even more energy efcient, let us also look at
the number of lamps typically used, and the ongoing ex-
pense of running a lighting system. For example, a tra-
ditional 6 ft./~2 m long aquarium would normally have
four 250-watt (or 400-watt) lamps above it. But if we run
a moving light track (Light Rail) over the system, two
400-watt metal halide lamps will illuminate the display
just as well, or better! Fewer watts of light are used, fewer
bulbs need to be replaced, and the moving light source
provides corals with a far more natural type of light, akin
to the sun, coming from radiating angles. Its a small
wonder to me that more aquarists have not incorporated
the moving light source into their systems. The energy
saving is tremendous and coral growth is superb.
Anotlcr wastcul but common racticc is tlc usc o
exceedingly blue-weighted spectrums. The preference of
aquarists, categorically, has been for bluer and bluer light-
ing. But this is not always benecial for coral health and
growth. On the contrary, a very blue-weighted spectrum
is quite narrow in application for typical reef aquarium
coralsbroader spectrum lamps with more daylight and
liglcr FAR valucs arc bcttcr. Wc can makc air assum-
tions about lighting needs when con-
sidering the niches on the reef where
given corals hail from. For example, a
warm daylight spectrum (say, 6,500
10,000 K) of light is suitable for Pom
Pom Coral (Xenia umbellata), which
commonly occurs in ankle-deep water.
Other popular animals from the shal-
lows include many colorful Acropora,
Porites cylindrica, and Entacmaea quad-
ricolor (Bubblc 1i Ancmonc). Cn tlc
opposite end of the spectrum are the
deeper water corals favoring the blue-
weighted lamps (ala 20,000 K), such
as the family Euphyllidae (Hammer,
Octopus, Torch, and Elegant Corals),
red Open Brain Corals (Trachyphyl-
lia), many of the Montipora species,
and quite a few large-polyped solitary
corals such as Fungia, Scolymia, and
Cynarina.
The reality, though, is that most
aquarists do not know how to make a
proper biotope exhibitso they com-
promise on lighting, using a blend or
Common household egg crate, found at your local
hardware store, is superb for focusing light into an
aquarium. It has tapered grid sidesone to focus light
downward and the other side to spread it. Notice the
diference over your aquarium.
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83 CORAL
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balance of light to get optimal and appropriate growth
and color for a gamut of coral species in a mixed garden
display. For single-lamp or single-bulb-type applications,
a 14,000 K lamp is likely the best solution. For multi-
lamp combinations, a blend of lamp colors can yield op-
timal results. It will, again, depend on the corals kept
and their specic needs. Each tank, however, invariably
favors one type or category of corals over others. Thus, if
your system has a hearty sampling of Acropora frags and
small-polyped Zoanthus, you will want to lean towards
warmer lighting: a 10,000 K lamp or two, supplemented
by anking 14 K or 20 K bulbs, would likely be pleasing.
A tank witl mostly modcratc to dcccr watcr LFS, cor-
allimorphs, large-polyped zoanthids, and/or Montipora
would do better with a quality 20,000 K lamp supple-
mcntcd by 1+ K or 10 K liglting. As you can scc, tlcrc
is no easy answer for lighting coral reef displaysit is all
a matter of nesse. But do heed the warnings and expe-
rience of practiced reefkeepers and coral farmers. Good
planning will insure many years of pleasure and suc-
cess with growing your personal reef garden.
Moving light tracks save electricity and lamp replacement
costswhile delivering more natural light from radiating angles
via the moving lamp(s).
Too often, corals are exposed to excess wattage or intensities
and blue-weighted spectrums. Determine where your corals hail
from on the reef to reckon the optimal light for your display.
pH shouldnt be a delicate subject, so we make it easy for you. Our new buffer for marine and reef
aquariums, pH-Balance, is guaranteed to improve hardness, wont overshoot the pH, and it will help
you get it up and keep it up.
Try it at home, in the office, in the living room, on the kitchen counter any place you keep your
aquarium. Because, as you know, with the right chemistry you can be satisfied every time.
Two Little Fishies Inc.
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Tel 305 623-7695 www.twolittlefishies.com
Do you have trouble
getting it up?
85 CORAL
species spotlight | ROBERT M. FENNER
a hardy species for all clownfishes
OTHER SCI ENTI FI C NAMES
and nudum nomen*:
Cymbactis actinostoloides
Entacmea quadricolor
Entamacea quadricolor
Gyrostoma adherens (Ehrenberg, 1834)
Gyrostoma haddoni Lager, 1911
Gyrostoma heliant(h)us
Gyrostoma hertwigi Kwietniewski, 1897
Gyrostoma quadricolor (Leuckart & Rppel, 1828)
Physobrachia douglasi
Physobrachia ramsayi
Radianthus gelam
* Nomen nudem is Latin for naked name,
something that appears to be a scientic name
but lacks the recognition that comes from
publication of a full description of the species. A
nudem nomen can become the established name
of a species upon formal publication.
COMMON NAMES:
Bubble Tip Anemone, Rose Anemone, Bulb Tip
Anemone, Four-Colored Anemone, Maroon
Anemone, BTA.
Entacmaea quadricolor
(Ruppell & Leuckart, 1828)
TAXONOMY:
Phylum Cnidaria, Hatschek 1888
anemones, corals, and jellysh
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Hexacorallia
Order: Actinaria
Suborder: Nyantheae, Carlgren 1899
Tribe: Thenaria, Carlgren 1899
Subtribe: Endomyaria, Stephenson 1921
Family: Actiniidae, Ranesque 1815
Genus: Entacmaea, Ehrenberg 1834
the
Bubble Tip
Anemone
Two color morphs of Entacmaea quadricolor: the so-called Rose
Anemone, rear, and the more common greenish Bubble Tip at
the front in a display aquarium at Interzoo 2008.
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DI STRI BUTI ON: Found in the Red Sea, along Africas
East coast, throughout the Indian Ocean to the West-
ern Pacic; Australia to most of Japan, out to Micronesia
and Melanesia.
DESCRI PTI ON: Have long tentacles (up to 4 inches),
typically with an expansion (bulb) at the end. Columns,
usually brown, reddish, or greenish, lack verrucae. Small
pedal disc, typically buried in amongst rock with only
tentacles showing. The smooth column and bulbous ten-
tacles are denitive for this clownsh-symbiotic species.
HABI TAT: Found on reef tops in shallow water to deep-
er water on reef slopes. May be solitary or live in a eld
of cloned individuals.
BEHAVI ORS: Bulbs at ends of tentacles can be enlarged
or rounded for reasons unknown. These bulbs are usual-
ly lacking in specimens that have no symbiotic anemon-
esh. If touched, the tentacles can collapse, change color
to grey-green. This is the most common host actinarian
in the wild, serving 13 species of anemoneshes (and
with training, all clownshes in captivity).
DI ET: Should be fed once or twice weekly with small
pieces of cut-up meaty seafood items, offered via a feed-
ing stick to place scallop, sh esh, shrimp, or whole
Pair of Maroon Clownfsh or
Spinecheek Anemonefsh (Premnas
biaculeatus) with their large green
Bubble Tip Anemone in the wild
Right top: Color variant with
distinct striping and purple tips
Right: Extremely unusual pink
morph photographed by the
author in Palau Redang, Malaysia
in the 1990s
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88 CORAL
small sh (e.g. silverside) directly against the tentacles.
Some writers suggest that this species can subsist on
simple photosynthesis alone. This is not the case. If your
specimen appears to be shrinking or losing vitality, im-
mediately start improving its nutrition by direct feeding.
Remove uneaten foods. If your anemone has no feed-
ing response, try another day. Care should be taken to re-
move egested wastes; these are encapsulated masses that
are ejected a day or two after feeding.
AQUARI UM CARE: Among the large symbiotic sea
anemones that serve as hosts for clownshes, Entac-
maea quadricolor is the easiest to care for, particularly
aquarium-cloned specimens.
Provide reef-aquarium water quality conditions of
stable, near-seawater-strength specic gravity (1.025),
an absence of ammonia, zero nitrite, reasonable nitrates
(under 5 ppm), very low phosphate (under 0.2 ppm),
suitable calcium (300-400 ppm), about three times this
in magnesium, and dKH 812. Lighting can be moderate.
Fluorescent bulbs will sufce, but illumination should be
boosted if the water is deeper. Metal halide or intense
LED lighting is advised for water over 24 in depth.
A good-sized Bubble Tip, which may be a foot across
in the wild (I have seen them up to 20 inches [50 cm] in
diameter), will need a spacious, well-established setting,
with rock suitable for attachment. If conditions are not
to its liking, you may nd your Bubble Tip wandering
about. (Do keep all pump intakes, overows, and heaters
covered or screened if keeping one or more anemones.)
Current can be brisk, though it should not be direct-
ly aimed at the anemone itself. Aim for a tank volume
turnover of 10 to 20 times per hour.
Some care should be taken in selecting suitable tank-
mates. Large crustaceans (crabs, lobsters), the usual sus-
pects (puffers, angels, triggershes) will likely chew on
your anemone. There are many instances, too, of allelo-
pathic incompatibility when this and other anemones
are crowded too near other classes of cnidarians. Simply
put, anemones and corals can kill each other if placed
too close together. You can alleviate this interspecies
chemical and physical aggression by careful placement
and by using chemical ltrants such as activated carbon
or ozone. Above all, select a healthy anemone and care-
fully acclimate and introduce it to your system.
One reason for the popularity of E. quadricolor is its
reproductive proclivity. A healthy specimen will often
asexually give rise to new individuals by simple ssion of
the foot/pedicle or bilateral splitting through the body. Be
ready to share the wealth by trading or selling your excess
stock, unless you are interested in seeing how anemones
can dominate an entire tank. Captive-produced animals
are far more facile at adapting to new aquarium condi-
tions, and choosing cultured specimens reduces col-
lection pressures in the wild.
RE F E RE NCE S
Fautin, D. G. Hexacorallians of the World.
http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/Hexacoral/Anemone2/
Fautin, D. G. and G. R. Allen. 1992. Anemone Fishes and Their
Host Sea Anemones. Western Australian Museum, Perth. 160 pp.
Fenner, R. Anemones in captive systems. http://wetwebmedia.
com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
Wikipedia: Bubble Tip Anemone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entacmaea_quadricolor
Vivid red morph. Bubble Tips with clownfsh often do not
display swollen tentacle tips.
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90 CORAL
he same gas that most people know as the one that
makes up the protective layer in the Earths atmo-
sphereor combines with nitric oxide to make up
the harmful layer of smog over big citiescan be
used in the aquarium hobby to purify water. While
an oxygen molecule consists of two atoms (hence
the chemical symbol O
2
), the ozone molecule has
three atoms (O
3
). At room temperature and under
normal atmospheric pressure it is unstable, so the extra
atom is rapidly given off and the ozone becomes mo-
lecular oxygen. But once free, the single oxygen atom is
highly reactive and can combine with other substances,
oxidizing them. This is the source of the huge oxida-
tion power of ozone, and ultimately also the basis of
the tissue-damaging and water-purifying effects of this
gas. Ozone is 1.65 times as heavy as air, and hence sinks
downwards in the atmosphere. It has a typical odor, de-
tectable even at concentrations of 1:500,000, but as little
1/20 of that concentration is harmful to humans and
can cause headaches and nausea.
WHERE DOES OZONE COME FROM?
Ozone is formed from bivalent oxygen when the lat-
ter is exposed to either ultraviolet radiation (242 nm
wavelength) or a specic electrical eld. In the case of
water purication, air is normally passed through an
ozonizer containing a source of high voltage (at least
3 kilovolts) where a silent discharge takes place, dur-
ing which part of the atmospheric oxygen is converted
into ozone. However, humidity can signicantly limit
this process, so if the air in the room is damp it must be
dehumidied before passing through the ozonizer (see
opposite page).
HOW DOES OZONE WORK
I N THE AQUARI UM?
The oxygen atom set free by the breakdown of ozone
is a powerful oxidizing agent and can a) kill bacteria
and viruses; b) destroy many organic compounds; and
c) in higher concentrations, damage the living tissue of
animals and plants. While the properties listed under
a) and b) can be used for water purication, that men-
tioned under c) is one of the factors limiting the use of
ozone in the aquarium.
The advantages of using ozone in the aquarium are
that it removes germs from the water and destroys un-
wanted organic compoundsand in the process also
eliminates the so-called yellowing of the aquarium
water that noticeably increases over time. In addition,
even a small amount of ozone can increase the efcien-
cy of the protein skimmer, so that just a tiny concentra-
tion of skimmable substances will sufce to ll the cup.
Moreover, ozonization increases the oxygen content of
the aquarium water.
Nitrite is rapidly oxidized and converted into less
toxic nitrate; consequently, careful ozonization can be a
sensible way to counter nitrite toxicity. The biotoxins that
can accumulate in the water during the aquarium main-
tenance of corals and other stinging creatures can also be
reduced by ozonization, and ozone increases the oxidation
(redox) potential of the water.
Any ozone concentration in the aquarium water,
mari ne-aquari um basi cs f or newcomersDANI EL KNOP
What is
ozone?
Does a coral-reef aquarium need ozone? What exactly is
ozone? Should the beginner go out and buy an ozonizer?
Under what circumstances is it wise to acquire one, and what
points should one always bear in mind when using ozone?
T
91 CORAL
even if insufcient to be harmful to living tissue, can
have undesirable effects. The most signicant of these
is the characteristic ability of ozone, when present in a
sufciently high concentration, to transform minerals
such as manganese or ironimportant trace elements
for plants (and thus also for the symbiotic algae in the
corals)to a water-insoluble state, so that they are no
longer available to the organisms that require them. A
further potential effect is the release of substances bound
up in chemical complexes. This can be dangerousfor
example, if organic iodine compounds (PVP-iodine,
Povidone-iodine) are added to the marine aquarium to
provide an iodine supply. Iodine is sometimes present in
aquarium water in high concentrations, but is harmless
by virtue of being bound to the PVP (polyvinylpyrroli-
done) and not readily measurable by the aquarist. But
ozone destroys such complexes, making the iodine im-
mediately available and highly toxic: only a short time
after the ozonizer is switched on, the water begins to
smell noticeably of iodine and the invertebrates can be
harmed.
If ozone is present in the water of a reef aquarium, re-
member that it may be damaging to the invertebrates, in
particular the corals, at lower concentrations than those
harmful to shes. For this reason ozone should always
be used outside the aquarium, usually in the skimmer or
ozone reactor, and any escape of residual ozone into the
aquarium must be avoided at all costs.
WHEN I S THE USE OF OZONE
RECOMMENDED?
The germicidal effect of ozone is usually overestimated;
the ozone concentrations necessary for the effective
elimination of germs is virtually impossible to achieve
using the equipment available to aquarists (Krause
1995). In cases of intensive sh maintenance, for ex-
ample in the aquarium trade or where large shes are
maintained in public aquaria, the use of ozone may nev-
ertheless be indispensable in order to avoid pollution
peaks that cause a rise in nitrite concentration. Howev-
er, even in such cases it should be used outside the tank
and the aquarium water must itself remain ozone-free,
as otherwise tissue damage in the animals is inevitable.
The use of ozone is not absolutely necessary in the
reef aquarium, as demonstrated by the numerous ozone-
free reef tanks in successful operation (Knop 2008). The
amounts of nitrite produced there are smaller because of
the lower sh density, and are usually removed by bac-
terial activity in the living rock. But protein-skimming
in the reef aquarium can be improved through the use
of ozone. The introduction of ozone at the rate of 35
mg/hour directly into the protein skimmer will not, as a
rule, have any negative effect on the aquarium biotope,
but can improve the waters condition and help to rid it
of yellowing and dissolved toxins from corals.
WHAT POI NTS ARE I MPORTANT
WHEN USI NG OZONE?
- Wlcn ozonc is uscd in tlc rcc aquarium to im-
prove protein-skimming efciency, the water returning
to the aquarium from the protein skimmer should be
passed over activated carbon; if this takes place suf-
ciently slowly, the residual ozone will be eliminated.
Make sure that the protein skimmer you use is of a suit-
able type; rotary skimmers, for example, are not (Brock-
mann 2008).
- Anyonc using ozonc in tlc rcc aquarium slould
avoid using any substances bound up in complexes (for
example, trace element complexes)!
- I tlc ambicnt atmoslcrc is lumid, tlc air slould
rst be passed through a dehumidier (dehumidifying
chamber with silica gel).
- Mo smcll o ozonc slould bc noticcablc in tlc
room. If you want to be absolutely sure, detoxify the
air vented from the protein skimmer using activated
carbon designed for use in air, or pipe it outdoors.
RE F E RE NCE S
Brockmann, D. 2008. Das MeerwasseraquariumVon der
Planung bis zur erfolgreichen Pfege. Natur und Tier-Verlag,
Mnster, Germany.
Krause, H. J. 1995. Handbuch Aquarienwasser. Bede-Verlag,
Ruhmannsfelden, Germany.
Knop, D. 2008. Rifaquaristik fr Einsteiger. Dhne-Verlag,
Ettlingen, Germany.
Left: An ozone booster for
pre-drying the air, flled with
silica gel, with a color indicator
to show when the gel is
exhausted
Below: Ozonizing equipment
for the aquarium
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ver the last 20 years I have been fortunate to
visit private and public aquariums all over
the world, and as an aquarium design con-
sultant I have worked on projects for both
private homes and public aquariums. This
has allowed me to gain a very interesting
perspective, not only on marine aquarium
design and installation but also on the entire
process of building/home design, tank design,
and aquarium installation. This has been both a blessing
and a curse: I have seen how little architects understand
about aquarium systems and the needs of the animals
that inhabit them and the people who maintain them.
The rst thing one must understand about architects
is that, for many of them, it is all about the building;
what the building will ultimately contain is of lesser
importance. For them the task is designing a building
that they want to build, or that the client wants to have
built.
On the opposite end of the scale you have the aquar-
ium designer. For us its all about the animals and those
who will maintain those animals. Of course aesthetics
plays a role, but our primary goal is an exhibit that dis-
plays the animals well and allows them to thrive.
We also want to design an exhibit, life support, and
maintenance system that is easy to use and does not re-
quire that the operator be related to Houdini. The surest
way to have a system that looks dirty all the time and in
which the animals do poorly is to make it inaccessible
and headache to work with. I cannot tell you how many
Designing a Dream System
advanced aquatics | J. CHARLES DELBEEK
when biology and architecture collide
O
93 CORAL
times I have been contacted by architecture rms who
want a tank installed (which they have already designed)
that may look wonderful architecturally, but would be a
disaster from biological and maintenance standpoints.
For example, a recent project called for an aquarium
that was 10 feet long, 5 feet tall, and 2 feet wide; at one
end, the tank tapered down to a 10-inch width. At that
height the acrylic would have to be at least 2.5 inches
thick, so the actual tank space would be only 5 inches
wide. On top of this, there was only 12 inches of clear-
ance above the tank, leaving very little space for lights
and access to clean the tank. Finally, nowhere on the
schematic was there any space allotted to life support.
In another case, a museum hired an architect to de-
sign several new exhibits for an aquarium expansion.
The architect insisted on a concave front window for the
reef tank. The problem with a concave window is that
cleaning in the corners is very difcult; also, it prevents
the placement of rockwork toward the front sides of the
aquarium, so aquascaping is problematic. To top it off,
the clearance above this 6-foot-deep tank was only 2
feet, making it impossible to get above the front window
to clean it with a cleaning pole and pad.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to build your
own home or addition, and you would like to include an
aquarium in the design, there are a few simple steps you
should consider before you even hire an architect. First,
decide what you wish to keep in the tank. This should
be the main driving force behind the design of any
aquarium. Once you have decided what type of exhibit
you want, think about the size and shape. Thirdly, plan
the life-support system and determine how much space
you will need for it. A rough guideline is a 1:1 ratio of
aquarium space to life-support system space. If you dont
know enough about aquarium system design, bring in
someone who does. This person can then go about de-
signing the system from top to bottom and work with
the architect or builder to incorporate the aquarium into
the overall design.
Unfortunately, what I have just described is the ex-
ception and not the rule. In most cases the architect ei-
ther decides an aquarium would be a nice design element
to include, or gets a simple request from the client, such
as I want an aquarium that will wow the socks off my
guests! With very little to go on, the architect then de-
signs an aquarium that ts in with the overall building
design. Again, an aquarium design specialist should be
brought in, either by the client or by the architect, be-
fore this happens, not after the aquarium has already
been designed. The architect should do what architects
do bestdesign a building to reect your visionand the
aquarium designer should be allowed to do what he or
she does best: design a system that will work.
Here are a few tips for potential aquarium owners
and architects alike.
- 1all, narrow slacs, wlilc arclitccturally acal-
ing, do not work well for an aquarium. This shape ham-
pers maintenance, restricts aquascaping, and has an un-
favorable surface area to volume ratio, which is not good
for the inhabitants.
- Lcavc cnougl sacc (at lcast cqual to tlc tank's
height) to access the aquarium from above, especially if
it is very high.
- Lcavc cnougl sacc or tlc lic-suort systcm, lo-
cated either near the tank or in a separate space.
- All-acrylic tanks arc not ncccssary or most ali-
cations. Consider berglass with an acrylic viewing
panel: its lighter and can be cheaper.
Left and at right: Pieter van Suijlekoms magnifcent, expertly
designed 1,532-gallon (5,800 L) reef aquarium, housed in
his Open Fireplace Centre, in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. With
connected seahorse tank, coral fragment tank, and sump, the
system tops out at 2,074 gallons (7,850 L). Space for lights and
access for cleaning are well thought out, with a front wall panel
above the tank that retracts to allow comfortable maintenance.
Wider than it is tall, the tank provides Pieter with excellent
aquascaping opportunities.
CAN00A PARK - CALl F0RNl A MARl NA - CALl F0RNl A
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SOURCES
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94 CORAL
Vivid Aquariums
21126 Vanowen St.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
San Fernando Valley (LA County)
www.vividaquariums.com
800-993-0979
Aquarium Concepts
6920 Amador Plaza Road
Dublin, CA 94568
Tel. 925-829-0583
www.aquariumconceptsinc.com
Picture Perfect Marine Systems
266 Reservation Road
Marina, CA 93933
Tel. 831-384-8584
www.pictureperfectmarinesystems.com
Come visit us. Youll love us!
With over 25,000 gallons of aquariums, we are one of the largest aquarium stores
in the state. Unmatched selections of sh, corals, invertebrates, equipment.
Monterey Countys nest collection of marine specimens and supplies.
We specialize in tank-raised and net-caught marine animals.
Marine reef designer and specialist, the largest selection of corals and reef
livestock in the Bay Area. Reefers Heaven! Tank design & maintenance.
Aquatic 0aIIery
115 N. Milpitas Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Tel. 408-262-3400
www.aquatic-gallery.com
Y0UR 70WN - Y0UR S7A7 Y0UR 70WN - Y0UR S7A7
Y0U URR 7 7700WN - Y0UR S7A7 Y0UR 70WN - Y0UR S7A7
Y0UR 777000W WWN - Y0UR S7A7 Y0UR 70WN - Y0UR S7A7
CORAL
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CORAL reaches the largest, most enthusiastic audience of
reefkeepers and serious marine aquarium hobbyists in the country
and the English-speaking world.
Promote your store or facility to CORAL readers in your town and
region, as well as to traveling hobbyists looking to visit outstanding
local stores.
lN7R00UC70RY 0FFR:
Just $150 per issue gives your business or public aquarium exposure
available nowhere else. Save 25% of the usual six-time rate of $200
and get a free 468 x 60 banner on the new CORAL Magazine
website with a one-year print contract.
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Good only for the frst 50 stores to reserve space.
Contact James Lawrence today to learn more:
james.lawrence@reef2rainforest.com | 802-985-9977 x7
the best local
and destination
marine retail stores
PARKVl LL - MARYLAN0
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SaItwater Fish - Live Rock - CoraIs
4853 Monroe Street
Toledo, OH 43623
7eI. 419-472-9709 - Iax 419-472-9373
www.TrilbyTropicals.com
Independently owned with great livestock and all the leading brands for
successful reefkeeping: Tropic Marin, Carib Sea, Seachem, Eheim, Sera, and more.
Com
e in
and
PA
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U
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!
FishWorId
11634 A Busy Street
Richmond, VA 23236
Tel. 804-379-2466
www.fshworldric.com
We pack every inch of our store with the most oddball and cherry-picked stu,
so it can be overwhelming! Full line of Tunze or Corlavue products in stock.
7he Pet Advantage
350 Dorset Street
So. Burlington, VT 05403
Tel. 802-860-1714
www.thepetadvantage.com
7R0PlUARlUM
1100 Hwy 35 Ocean Plaza
Ocean, New Jersey 07712
732.922.2300
lnIand Aquatics
10 Ohio Street
Terre Haute, IN
(812) 232-9000
www.inlandaquatics.com
Northern New Englands destination marine aquarium department with
shes, corals, invertebrates, and reefkeeping equipment and supplies.
Established in 1961, Tropiquarium is one of the oldest and largest
aquarium stores in New Jersey.
Largest selection of cultured marines on the planet!
40,000 gallon facility open to the public Tuesday Through Sunday
95 CORAL
SaItwater mpire
680 W. 92nd Street
Bloomington, MN 55420
Tel. 952-838-0174
www.SWEmpire.com
Simple beautiful marine aquariums, we show you how.
Visit our site for more information.
260+ aquariums, largest selection of reef aquariums in Tennessee. Specializing in
service, selection, quality and cleanliness since 1986.
Washingtons best selection of the highest quality aquatic livestock and dry goods.
Specializing in saltwater sh,corals and invertebrates. Expert service and advice.
Caribbean Forest
24 Bursen Street
Rochester, NY 14609
7eI. 585-342-5510 Iax 585-544-1828
www.caribbeanforest.com
Iue Sierra xotics
90 Front St. South
Issaquah, WA 98027
Tel. 425-392-5360
Iax 425-837-8918
xotic Aquatics
8870 Waltham Woods Rd.
Parkville, MD 21234
Tel. 410-668-1200
www.exoticaquatics.com
Our full-line aquarium store has everything you need to succeed with your marine
environment. Healthy sh, corals, and more. Since 1998.
Marine Fish
1255 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30068
Tel. 404-256-0070
www.marinefsh.net
Our full-line aquarium store has everything you need to succeed with your marine
environment. Healthy sh, corals, and more. Since 1998.
g y p p y g y
9955 CORAL
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802-985-9977 x7
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Store Name
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Payment by credit card or PayPal for frst issue, billed at each issue date thereafter. 30 days net.
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reef life | DENISE NIELSEN TACKETT
Reaching for the best is Elementary.
Tropic Marin marine salt mixture contains
ALL 70 trace elements found in natural clean sea water.
The animals in your aquarium will only thrive when they have all of the elements they would
find in their natural sea water environment. Using Tropic Marin ensures that your aquarium has
a balanced supply of each one of the natural 70 sea water trace elements. Many salt companies
talk about having only the essential or necessary trace elements. The result of their approach
is your delicate coral polyps and invertebrates living on a diet of bread and water.
Give your reef everything it would get from Mother Nature, give it Tropic Marin.