Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

This new anglerfish was discovered in Indonesia in January this species actually crawls rather then swims. The fish itself is very flat. These and other traits suggest the fist-size animal may represent a new family of fishes, however the article states that “DNA tests are needed to confirm”. The forward facing eyes seem to be a first for any fish. “Seeking out these fish is probably going to be like the holy grail of divers for a while,” Ambon Island-based dive operator Randolph Shorten said in a statement.

Read

Share This

by Holle Abee

Think of all the divers who go to such lengths to visit saltwater reefs for a view of the amazing sea life that inhabits the area. Now imagine that you can have a little corner of that magic in your own home. With a saltwater reef tank, you can have the mezmerizing tranquility and the brilliant natural beauty of a tropical sea, all vividly displayed in an aquarium.

A reef tank isn’t just a regular saltwater aquarium. The key word is “reef.” The main focus of the tank is the soft or hard corals. Colorful fish, sea stars, eels, anemones, urchins, shrimp, and sea horses can certainly be added, but everything should revolve around the coral itself.

(more…)

Share This

The beautiful black, white and yellow butterflyfish, much admired by eco-tourists, divers and aquarium keepers alike, may be at risk of extinction, scientists have warned. The case of the Chevroned Butterflyfish is a stark example of how human pressure on the world’s coral reefs is confronting certain species with ‘blind alleys’ from which they may be unable to escape, says Dr Morgan Pratchett of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University.

In a study published in the journal Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Dr Pratchett and Dr Michael Berumen of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA) warn that the highly specialized nature of the feeding habits of this particular butterflyfish – the distinctively patterned Chaetodon trifascialis - make it an extinction risk as the world’s coral reefs continue to degrade due to human over-exploitation, pollution and climate change.

Read 

Share This

It looks like Hawaii isn’t fond of everybody coming over there and scoping up all the saltwater fish. Granted, we can’t say we blame them. A new bill is being considered for an act limiting twenty fish per person per day of “ornamental fish”, including yellow tangs, flame angels and butterfly’s. There is a maximum of five yellow tangs on the bag limit. Meaning you can’t catch more then 5 yellow tangs in a day. Granted, all of this is a bill that is being considered (aka not law yet), but this could get pushed thru to an act, putting this act into effect. Hawaii will dish out $100k to do a yellow tang stock assessment, as soon as this is done, this bill might be come law. After July 1, 2008. If this law does go into affect, expect yellow tang prices to shoot up from lack of supply in the US, going back down to normal levels once yellow tangs come in from other countries to offset Hawaii’s act. All in all, if this does become law, we doubt it will affect yellow tang prices that much.

Read

Share This

Seems fish are all the rage lately, the game’s publisher Last Day of work hopes to captalize or fullfill the nerds among us that crave to raise, breed, and sell fish. Seems pretty cool to us, and it must be to be on the best sellers list for 40 weeks straight. We will take two.

* Special DS-only features: 7 exclusive fish yield nearly twice as many fish types as the PC version (over 750!); all new 3D environments and several new tank decorations;
* Extensive use of the Touch Screen to breed fish, make purchases and decorate tanks;
* Simulated real-time experience yields potential surprises every time you turn the game on. Choose from 4 speed options to dictate how time passes in game. Take regular care of your fish or watch your hard work get flushed down the drain!
* Set your own prices for specific fish based on prior sales and present needs;
* Buy fish tanks, decorations, plants, fish eggs, fish food, and medicine to enhance the aesthetic of your tank;
* Research environment, food, and advertising techniques to discover how to keep your rare fish healthy, feed more fish per feeding and attract additional customers.

Read

Share This

If by chance you live or plan on visiting Madrid Spain, you might want to drop by and say hello to Enrique Mora who runs a spanish blog about his 90 gallon setup. For those of you who don’t speak Spanish you can read his thread about his 90 gallon wonder of a tank. Among his vast array of corals (mainly SPS) he uses a deltec Bubble King protein skimmer no less. Times must be really hard good over there in Spain. He uses the Zeovit method with a twist. I am guessing to mean he makes the equipment himself and just buys the Zeovit “food”. Anyways get your drool pan ready if you haven’t already started to with the teaser pic.

Share This

Unscrupulous vendors in Thailand have been selling meat of the deadly puffer fish disguised as salmon, causing the deaths of more than 15 people over the past three years, a doctor said Thursday. Although banned since 2002, puffer fish continues to be sold in large quantities at local markets and restaurants, said Narin Hiransuthikul of Bangkok’s Chulalonkorn University Hospital. “Some sellers dye the meat of puffer fish and make it look like salmon which is very dangerous,” Narin said.

Read

Share This

Richard over at Great Reef tanks listed some successfull keys in keeping a small pico reef aquarium. Total volume is only 2.5 gallons. There are five keys in total and they include: 1. Very minimal bio load, 2. Frequent water changes, 3. In frequent feeding of coral, 4. Regular fresh water top-up each day, and 5. Keep your entire system simple and have patience. Looks good Richard!

Read

Share This

This was written by one of our own RB members, this is a step by step guide on how to setup a reef tank. Enjoy!

The best words I have to describe a coral reef is a “lush wasteland.” By this I mean many extremely different types of life inhabit a coral reef, yet it is incredibly nutrient poor. Reefs rely on powerful sunlight as an energy source and lifeforms concentrate in a very complex web. All the nutrients in a coral reef are tied up in the living biomass of the inhabitants. Since a reef aquarium is an enclosed system it has only the capability to mimic the biofilter of a reef, and is by definition a micro-habitat. We are unable to mimic the flow of millions of gallons of water flushing and refilling a coral reef. We can only create “reef soup”. However, this should not allow you to become discouraged. Through knowledge of what you are trying to mimic we can do an amazing job of allowing a captive reef to thrive and flourish. I hope my tiny guide helps anyone get interested in this fantastic hobby and allows you to be at ease with a little knowledge about how to prepare. With that let’s get our hands wet. I have written this set-up guide with the understanding the reader understands the nitrogen cycle (cycling) and other such beginning concepts.

(more…)

Share This

This species comes from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean; along with its close relative Zebrasoma veliferum from the Pacific, it is the largest Zebrasoma tang, potentially growing to 40 cm/16″. If you want to keep one you need a large aquarium. When I decided to set up a large tank, this species was high on my list of intended fish. It is slightly less frequently seen, at least in my local dealers, than most of the popular tangs so I had to wait a while to get one.

(more…)

Share This