Harlequinmania

Click through to see the images. KETV Channel 7 reports that Tropical Warehouse in Lincoln Nebraska was burglarized over the weekend. Someone smashed in a window to gain entry into the LFS. So what was taken? A single aquarium of unspecified size, one filter, 10 lbs of decorative rocks, sand, and some fish food, along with 56 marine and freshwater fish. Pricier equipment (easily sold on the black market) was ignored. It seems the burglar is an overzealous newbie wanting to set up a tank for the holidays. Be on the lookout for any forum threads with a poster asking why roseline sharks (freshwater) and clownfish (saltwater) are dying in his new tank. Anyone with information on this crime should call Lincoln-Lancaster County Crimestoppers at 402-475-3600. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Clownfish (Subfamily Amphiprioninae) have for long held a special interest among marine aquarium hobbyists. Due in large part to the increasing availability of rare species, as well as novel strains of more familiar species, clownfish are every bit as popular today as ever before. With the growing selection of clownfish varieties, it is becoming ever more evident that there are very important differences and similarities between members of the subfamily. A basic understanding of these distinguishing characteristics will likely help those who wish to keep these fishes to provide ideal captive care. Based mainly upon these characteristics, 28 clownfish species are conventionally divided into six groups, or complexes. These include the Maroons, the Percula Complex, the Saddleback Complex, the Tomato Complex, the Skunk Complex, and the Clarkii Complex. The two largest complexes-the Clarkii Complex and Skunk Complex-were each here discussed in previous articles. This article will accordingly focus on the third largest complex, the Tomato Complex. There are five longstanding members of the Tomato Complex, namely the red saddleback (or fire) clownfish (Amphiprion ephippium), the tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus), McCulloch's (or whitesnout) clownfish (Amphiprion mccullochi), the cinnamon (or red and black) clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus), and the Australian (or ruby) clownfish (Amphiprion rubrocinctus). Of these, Amphiprion frenatus and Amphiprion melanopus are mostly commonly encountered in the trade. Once regarded as an aberrant red color form of Amphiprion melanopus, certain specimens of Fijian origin are now being offered by some suppliers under the recently validated name Amphiprion barberi. The tomato clownfish and their kin are best known by aquarists for their hardy, rugged, fearless, pugnacious, character. They are both revered and reviled for these traits. Most often, however, they are simply taken for granted-utilized as cheap, burly "starter fish" that are inevitably discarded as they begin to outgrow and overpower the cohabitants of the "community" tank. It would seem that the only thing that can kill a tomato clownfish is another tomato clownfish. Members of the Tomato Complex are relatively easy to breed in captivity; it is not uncommon for different species of the complex to interbreed. The young eagerly accept food and can tolerate degraded water quality. Indeed, the greatest challenge here is not in providing adequate nutrition and living conditions, but rather in curbing aggressive behavior amongst grow-out stock or even amongst the breeding pairs themselves. The Tomato Complex in profile Red saddleback (or fire) clownfish (Amphiprion ephippium Bloch, 1790) Stripeless at maturity, Amphiprion ephippium possesses an austere beauty of its own. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. The red saddleback clownfish occurs in turbid waters throughout the Indian Ocean, but is particularly abundant from Thailand to Indonesia (tropical). It is typically associated with the sea anemone species Entacmaea quadricolor and Heteractis crispa. This species is believed by some to be highly intolerant to copper-based medications, though some anecdotal evidence has suggested otherwise. It has a yellowish or reddish orange base color with a dark blotch on its flank that grows as the individual matures. It is distinguishable by its complete lack of striping; juveniles do, however, bear prominent white stripes. It reaches a maximum length of 14 cm. Clownfishes of the Tomato complex (such as these juvenile Amphiprion ephippium) tend to lose stripes with age, in contrast to species from the other complexes. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. Tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus Brevoort, 1856) The tomato clownfish occurs in bays and lagoons throughout the Western Pacific Ocean (tropical). It is typically associated with the sea anemone species Entacmaea quadricolor. This is a very rugged species that is easily housed and fed in the typical home aquarium of 40-gallons or more. It has a base color that ranges from dusky orange to bright red. Juveniles bear three white stripes, though their body stripes and head stripes gradually recede with growth. As they mature, females darken from head to tail. Females can be considerably larger, often reaching a maximum length of 14 cm. Even in the midst of a spectacular reef, the interaction between a sea anemone and a pair of clownfish (such as these Amphiprion frenatus) is eye-catching. Photo by Albert Kok. Because clownfish of the Tomato Complex can be quite intolerant of each other's presence, great caution is advised when stocking multiple individuals in the aquarium. Photo by Brian Gratwicke. Female Amphiprion frenatus darken in color as they mature. Photo by Lonnie Huffman. Breeding pairs of clownfish (such as these Amphiprion frenatus) fiercely guard their nests. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. McCulloch's (or whitesnout) clownfish (Amphiprion mccullochi Whitley, 1929) Amphiprion mccullochi. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. McCulloch's clownfish is restricted to lagoons and rocky reefs in the Lord Howe Island Group off of Eastern Australia (subtropical). Recorded as a World Heritage Site, these waters are protected as part of the Lord Howe Island Marine Park; only a handful of tank-bred specimens of this unique fish are presently available. Though it has been successfully maintained in captivity at temperatures as high as 78 degrees Fahrenheit, a range of 63-76 degrees Fahrenheit might be more appropriate. It is typically associated with the sea anemone species Entacmaea quadricolor. It has a dark brown or black base color (though with a much paler face) with an ill-defined white head stripe and white tail. It reaches a maximum length of 12 cm. Cinnamon (or red and black) clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus Bleeker, 1852) The cinnamon clownfish is widely distributed across the Pacific Ocean (tropical). It is typically associated with the sea anemone species Entacmaea quadricolor, sometimes with Heteractis crispa, and rarely with Heteractis magnifica. Its aquarium husbandry is quite similar to that of closely related Amphiprion frenatus. Like its relative, it bears three stripes as a juvenile, retaining only the head stripe in adulthood. Both blue-striped and white-striped color forms are available. It is distinguishable by its black pelvic and anal fins. It reaches a maximum length of 12 cm. An unusual stripeless color form of Amphiprion melanopus. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. Some color forms of Amphiprion melanopus can have substantially darkened areas over the body and fins. Photo by JJ Harrison. An attractive pair of Amphiprion melanopus. Photo by Leonard Low. Amphiprion melanopus with host sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. Photo by Nick Hobgood. Amphiprion melanopus with host sea anemone Heteractis magnifica. Photo by Nick Hobgood. Originally identified by the photographer as Amphiprion melanopus, these individuals may actually be what are now known as Amphiprion barberi. Photo by Mila Zinkova. Australian (or ruby) clownfish (Amphiprion rubrocinctus Richardson, 1842) Amphiprion rubrocinctus. Photo by Kenneth Wingerter. The Australian clownfish occurs mainly in shallow coastal reefs and lagoons along the northern Australian coast (subtropical). It is typically associated with the sea anemone species Entacmaea quadricolor and Stichodactyla gigantea. It has a dusky orange base color with a reddish orange nose, abdomen, and fins. While some have reported that this species is not quite as hardy as the very similar tomato and cinnamon clowns, most would agree that it is nevertheless an exceptionally adaptable aquarium fish. It is distinguishable by the relatively thin black outline around its white head stripe. It reaches a maximum length of 12 cm. Amphiprion rubrocinctus has rather thin edging at the margins of the stripes. Photo by www.sustainableaquatics.com. Conclusion An awareness of how each complex within the clownfish subfamily differs from one another can help one to select the most appropriate species for the home aquarium. The Tomato Complex arguably claims some of the most durable marine aquarium fish species, being capable of withstanding suboptimal water quality, inadequate nutrition, and careless handling (that being said, it is certainly not advisable to subject them to poor living conditions). Due to their powerful bodies and belligerent temperament, they are well suited for a community of larger, more aggressive species. As such, members of this complex are undoubtedly the best choice of clownfish for hobbyists (novice and advanced alike) that have a fondness for outstandingly bold, cantankerous fishes. References Wilkerson, Joyce D. Clownfishes: A Guide to Their Captive Care, Breeding, & Natural History. Shelburne, VT: Microcosm Ltd., 1998. Fautin, Daphne G. and Gerald Allen. Anemonefishes and Their Host Sea Anemones. Morris Plains, NJ: Tetra Press, 1994. Skomal, Gregory B. Clownfishes in the Aquarium. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 2004. http://fishbase.org http://www.sustainableaquatics.com View the full article

i begin to love this blue spotted box fish once i saw it at ML from his latest shipment. I think it would make an awesome species tank too. Photo for sharing

A new analysis of two adaptive radiations in the fossil record found that these diversifications proceeded "head-first." Head features diversified before body shapes and types. This suggests that feeding-related evolutionary pressures are the initial drivers of diversification. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Last year we had about 500 people pass through our event and we expect the number to grow once again. There will be 1000s of captive grown corals to choose from. Do your part and not take another coral from the wild. View the full article

A Mediterranean diet with large amounts of vegetables and fish gives a longer life, according to Swedish research. A number of studies since the 1950s have shown that a Mediterranean diet, based on a high consumption of fish and vegetables and a low consumption of animal-based products such as meat and milk, leads to better health. View the full article

Researchers are examining tiny worms that inhabit the frigid sea off Antarctica to learn not only how these organisms adapt to the severe cold, but how they will survive as ocean temperatures increase. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Lately "designer clownfish" have been the rage in the hobby. Oceans, Reefs, and Aquariums has introduced numerous variants such as the Picasso, Platinum, and Snowflake clowns. Well here's one they don't have: The Rotten Tomato Clownfish. Rotten Tomato Clown poses for the camera. As I mentioned before, this black jewel popped up on the Marine Breeding Initiative's website late last week in their Smack Talk forum. Breeder Jonathan Foster of FishEye Aquaculture (Facebook link) in Dade City, Florida had this lone individual pop up in his latest batch of Amphiprion frenatus (Tomato clownfish) eggs. The adults are both normal Tomato clown coloration and when this specimen turned black at 40 days past hatch, it was quite the shocker. According to Jonathan: "The Rotten Tomato started out red right after hitting meta, but at around 40dph [days past hatch], it was all black. Kind of reminds us the way Black Ocellaris turn from orange to black. The fish ... has been removed from the growout system and has been selected for our broodstock program. We hope that our continued breeding of this now unusual pair that we will find some more Rotten Tomatos that turn…well, sour." In addition to the "Rotten Tomato Clownfish" name, others have been throwing around possible names like "Lord Vader Tomato," "Darth Mato," and naming it after an heirloom vegetable tomato like the "Black Tula Tomato." It is normal to find some Tomato Clown varieties that will have spots or a darker coloration, but all black pigmentation is highly unusual, especially considering both parents are normally pigmented. We will definitely watch this fish as it progresses. Incidentally, look for another great magazine article tomorrow (Wednesday) by Kenneth Wingerter about the Tomato Clownfish complex! View the full article

Is the color reading on the DD P04 test kit easy to read ? Not all the time the algae bloom is cause purely by P04 alone, high N03, using of normal tape water and wrong lighting spectrum will cause algae bloom as well.

This is a photo of the color matching chart.

Click through to see the images. Mitchell Brown (Ontario, Canada) is as passionate about reefkeeping as he is about learning, forever striving to improve. A photographer of over 20 years, Mitchell has shot weddings and currently shoots photojournalism, fire services photography (he's a member of the Fire Photographers Association), and of course aquariums! Mitchell is available to shoot custom tank photography for enthusiasts who want to document their systems. His skilled shutterbug eye focuses on the finer details and colors that are often overlooked in the aquarium. Mitchell also sells high quality prints of his aquatic photography at www.aquaticprints.com. Visit his website to view more of his work and for his contact information. Advanced Aquarist is excited about the opportunity to work with Mitchell. We believe his photography will greatly enhance our publication. Look for his work in our magazine articles, blogs, and upcoming high resolution wallpapers. Enough chatter and on to the eye candy! (A reminder: prints of these images are available for purchase at www.aquaticprints.com ... Mitchell deserves this plug!) View the full article

i agreed with you , in fact i have a hanna tester as well and the different in reading between those was so great that i cant decide to trust which one. Salifest is always my trusted test kit for mg/ca and kh ect...

Click through to see the images. This event has grown into one of the largest reef aquarium events in Michigan. Attendance last year exceeded 450 hobbyists from across the Midwest and included vendors from Michigan and several states outside of Michigan. With the GRMAS and CR, this event will be the largest reef hobby event in Michigan! The combined event is being called Michigan Coral Expo and Swap (MCES). We anticipate a record turnout this year! View the full article

Click through to see the images. Originating from Italy, Elos has always been a brand to set the tone for high-end aquariums. Now, the company is looking to expand it's US market and plans to open a new AquaStudio in Short Hills, New Jersey. So what exactly is an "Aqua Studio" anyways? Elos describes them as "Specialized shops where our brand have a predominant presence; highly professional shops where you can see and touch our production and the new products." The new store in Short Hills is just a stones throw away from Manhattan so be sure to plan a visit on your next trip to NYC. The store is expected to open sometime in early 2012 and we feel fully confident that it will be one of the most aesthetically tasteful aquarium stores in the country. View the full article

A new study on the endangered Ozark Hellbender giant salamander is the first to detail its skin microbes, the bacteria and fungi that defend against pathogens. View the full article

Hi guys, i was having a hard time trying to read with accuracy the P04 reading for my salifest test kit since the "light tinted blue color" on the color chart look so similar between 0 to 0.1 which make it difficult to read with our naked eye. However this different in reading make alot of different as 0.10 ppm is already critical for coral growth. Anyone have any experience on a good P04 test kit which is easy to read and accurate ?

Click through to see the images. I love this product. Think of never having to scrape aquarium glass or acrylic again! I remember times when I would get busy, neglect cleaning, and the glass would get completely overgrown obscuring the view of my reef. This product would have been a life-saver for me. The RoboSnail is a fully-automated glass and acrylic cleaner that a user can either program to completely clean their aquarium display one time per day or set it in manual mode and only clean periodically. The unit is held on to the aquarium with magnets just like other algae scrapers. Place the unit in the upper corner of your aquarium, turn it on, and you are all set. The RoboSnail senses the edges of your aquarium (top, bottom, left, right) and runs in a computer controlled cleaning pattern scraping the entire front of your display area. When done, the RoboSnail returns to it's "home base" where it recharges with its docking station. It's a Roomba for your aquarium glass! RoboSnail attached to its charger and optional guide bar. The features of the RoboSnail include: On/Off activation switch Compact size (100mm-125mm) / (4 inches x 5 inches) Fully automated cleaning mode Customizable cleaning settings for standard and custom aquarium set ups Glass or Acrylic compatible Highly efficient engineered CPU Modern drive system engineered for years of use Universal adapter guide arm Docking Station Battery powered Replaceable battery Specially designed scrubber that helps remove animals from the glass/acrylic Replaceable scrubber pad Variable glass thickness option switch (6mm-12mm)/ (.25inch_.50 inch) Capable of cleaning aquariums from (208 liters-946 liters) (55 gallons- 250 gallons) Virtually user free maintenance 6 month Warranty One of the main limitations of this unit is that it cannot go around corners. If you need to clean multiple panes of glass, you will either have to move it to each pane and clean them separately or you will need to buy multiple units. Also, due to its size smaller aquariums might be problematic. Packaging for this product will include: 1 Robo Snail main unit, 1 guide arm (2 pieces) 4.8v rechargeable battery mounting tape 1 charging dock 1 scrubber unit 1 AC/DC adapter. 1 replaceable scrubber pad The suggested retail price of the unit is approximately $225, which might put it out of the range of many aquarists. However, I'm certain it will find a home with some hobbyists in addition to public aquariums. According to their website, the company is currently in talks with distributors. Look for this product to be available sometime in the first quarter of 2012. View the full article

Click through to see the images. Reefkeepers are familiar with aragonite. It's what we use for our sand, what our rocks are composed of, and what coral skeleton is formed with. Aragonite is literally everywhere in modern coral reefs. Reefbuilding corals make skeletons out of aragonite. But in fossil reefs, this isn't the case; Dolomite, not aragonite, dominates. Like argaonite (and calcite), dolomite is a calcium carbonate mineral. Dolomite's matrix is arranged differently than aragonite's, and dolomite is also loaded with magnesium. Why is dolomite so prevalent in fossil reefs but seemingly absent in modern reefs? Reefbuilding corals all form aragonite skeletons, not dolomite. Did ocean chemistry shift through the millenia to favor aragonite formation over dolomite? This phenomenon has long baffled scientists, but they may have accidentally stumbled upon the answer. Scientists from the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University found large quantities of dolomite packed inside a 'reef builder' species of encrusting coralline algae Hydrolithon onkodes while doing research on an unrelated subject. Lead researcher Bradley Opdyke reports in the journal Biogeosciences: "We have discovered that dolomite is in fact present in large quantities in modern coral reefs, but from an unexpected source. The discovery was completely serendipitous - we were working on an unrelated question at the time. When we confirmed the finding, I said to Marinda (Nash) [member of the research team], 'This is going to be huge. It opens up a kaleidoscope of future research topics'. There was dolomite on the reefs all along, but it was hidden within these algae. This species... is found in abundance on reefs around the world. The algae work with coral to 'cement' the reef structure to withstand the tremendous hydraulic pressure of waves." So there you have it: Dolomite on the lam ... now found. We were just looking in the wrong place. Coralline algae was harboring the fugitive all this time! To learn more about calcite, aragonite, and dolomite, read James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.'s Advanced Aquarist article: Calcite, Aragonite, Limestone, and More. [via Physorg.com] View the full article

you should have a dedicated tank for the puffer fish due to it;s aggressiveness and it also release toxic into the water when it die. A simple tank with biological filertation and a good hang on skimmer would be good if you don't intent to get a chiller.

Click through to see the images. Because of the great geological separation, coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean may look different than those of the Pacific, which aquarists are more familiar with. While the biodiversity is not as high as that of the Indo and South Pacific, Indian Ocean is still a tropical wonderland. In the second half of the video, we are treated to outstanding footage of underwater life at the base of a mangrove forest. This video is shot and produced by Dan Beecham. The Destination Reefs video series showcases the diversity of coral reefs around the world. Through these high quality videos, Advanced Aquarist hopes we can all gain a greater appreciation of reef life beyond our glass boxes. Our world is truly a wondrous place! View the full article

i would go for one tube of True Actinic and blue plus if i will you ..

CF still have watanbe angel , emperor (adult), small AT, plenty of Vietnam clams, king angel, nasso tang,salifin tang, multibar angel, clwon trigger, clown tang, fowleri tang, regal angel ( Yellow belly ) , blood shrimp,one small queen ange, joculator angel and earlspot angel.. LCK still have alot of flame angels, few small AT, king angel, mystery wrasse, neon goby, and blue angel ect....

Marine biologists shed light on the larval stage of the barracuda, as well as several other closely related species. View the full article

Marine biologists shed light on the larval stage of the barracuda, as well as several other closely related species. View the full article

Click through to see the images. In their paper "Two Unusual Interactions Between a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaiian Waters" published in the journal Aquatic Mammals, researchers Deakos, Branstetter, Mazzuca, Fertl, and Mobley discuss this interesting interaction between dolphins and humpback whales just off the coast of Hawai'i. The paper discusses two separate incidents of these two species interacting: one happening in 2004 and the other in 2006. In the first incident, two dolphins approached a humpback whale just off the coast of Kauai and appeared to initially swim alongside the humpback. After a time, each in turn would lie along the whale's rostrum (upper jaw or "snout") where it would then be lifted casually out of the water up into the air by the humpback whale. The dolphins acted very leisurely about the whole act and then would slide down the whale's rostrum back into the water. The second incident (pictured right) was very similar to the first. In both reported incidents the dolphins and humpback whales acted nonchalant which made the researchers rule out aggression or distress. The researchers concluded that the most likely scenario was some sort of inter-species play. The below YouTube video shot in 2009 by Jime Friend illustrates the act: (via AnimalWise) View the full article