Reef Builders -The Reef Aquarium Blog » Saltwater Fish

Even reef fish like a good massage

Christine Williams — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:15:12 +0000

Nothing beats a good spa treatment to erase the tension of a tough week at work—the manicure, pedicure, massage…the works. Reef fishes (and not just the females) know how to benefit from a little pampering at stations manned by cleaner wrasses—the wrasses set up shop in a particular spot on the reef (or your tank), and soon the other fish know where to go to get a little TLC. We have always looked at the cleaning function and mutualism—the “patron” gets cleaned of parasites and the cleaner gets a good meal—as the sole purpose of the transaction. But is that all that goes on?

It turns out the answer is decidedly no. In addition to nibbling off parasites, it was noted that cleaner wrasses “massage” their clients—gently stroking them with their fins. They seemed to give extra attention to piscivorous fish (that might make a meal of the wrasse), and even more attention when the client was hungry. So the massage seems to pacify the client fish and make it less likely the wrasse gets eaten.

When researchers tested this in aquaria, they found something even more surprising: fish which have gotten the full massage treatment are less likely to be aggressive to ALL the other fish in the tank. Aquaria were set up with an assortment of fish, plus or minus cleaner wrasses, and observed. To illustrate the experiment, it’s convenient to think of a closed aquarium like high school; you have your football jock/bullies (here they used slingjaw wrasses), your, er, fish geek targets (fang blennies and two-tone wrasses), and everyone else. In normal conditions the slingjaws will bully the blennies. This happens often in our aquaria when bigger or more aggressive species are mixed with peaceful community fish—the jocks beat up the geeks. But, in tanks with cleaner wrasse stations, the bullies attacked only half as often. One might think that this was simply because the bullies were too busy getting cleaned, but the calming effect lasted even when the cleaning stopped. In fact, it seemed the longer and more thorough the massage aspect, the more docile the client fish was rendered.

Can reefkeepers exploit this natural mutualism? It would appear so in tanks large enough to provide sufficient food for the cleaner wrasse. One of the largest contributors to disease susceptibility and increased mortality in fish is stress. Adding a cleaner wrasse would create a “safe haven” for fishes to visit, and the fishes that get serviced leave not only feeling clean and sexy, but less aggressive. This benefits even the fish that do not get cleaned as the general tank atmosphere would be more peaceful. This benefits the wrasse as well—relaxed fish which are not as concerned with avoiding predators spend more time at cleaning stations, this giving the cleaner wrasse a better meal.

Cheney, K.L., Bshary, R., and Grutter, A.S. 2008. Cleaner fish cause predators to reduce aggression toward bystanders at cleaning stations. Behavioral Ecology 19(5) pp 1063-1067.

Photo credit: Nick Hobgood

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Even reef fish like a good massage

Even reef fish like a good massage

Breed Banggai Cardinals!

Rich Ross — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:39:13 +0000

Described as the guppy of the saltwater world, the Banggai cardinal is extremely easy to breed. More importantly, populations in their native range are threatened, get this, by over collection for the marine hobby. This equation seems like a no brainer: cool fish + easy to breed + threatened = everyone should breed them. They don’t take much space to work with, the males carry the eggs until they hatch, and raising the fry is an excellent introduction to home culturing because raising baby brine shrimp to feed the fry is also extremely easy. Breeding these fish is an great learning experience and if enough of us do it, could have a real world impact on wild populations.

I have two pairs of Banggai, one captive bred and one wild caught, and with extreme minimal effort on my part I have produced over 60 little cardinals in the last year that have gone to pet stores, reef club members and public aquariums. Thats 60 fish that weren’t taken out of the wild, and weren’t subjected to the chain of custody that produces so many Banggai cardinal mortalities. It didn’t take much work, it was easy to place the fish, and my wife and my 6 year old daughter love having the cute little fish around.

So many of us have been pining for a way to actually make a positive difference in the hobby we love, and here it is. Got an empty tank laying around? You should breed Banggai cardinals. Got a sump with some space? You should breed Banggai cardinals. Got some kind of refugium? You should breed Banggai cardinals.

There is lots of info all over the web, but click here for an article in Reef Hobbyist Magazine that can help you get started:

Happy breeding!

Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish

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Breed Banggai Cardinals!

Breed Banggai Cardinals!

Breeding Comets is in the next issue of CORAL

Ryan Gripp — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:32:24 +0000

Inside the newest edition of Coral magazine (July 09 Issue) you’ll find an rather exciting article about breeding comets. Comets are known as marine betas. “Contrast and color are what most often command our attention when we view the fishes in our aquariums, and few marine species can rival the bold and exciting pattern of the Comet, also known as the Marine Betta. Probably named after the celestial trail of sparkles in the tail of a streaking comet, Calloplesiops altivelis is a gorgeous marine aquarium fish suited to beginner and advanced aquarist alike. Though elusive in the wild, hiding in the shadows of ledges and rock rubble, Comets in captivity come to be quite bold over time, displaying their magnificence throughout the day. Comets exhibit some truly bizarre behaviors, a peaceful disposition, and a flawless health certificate—all of which have made them a popular icon in the marine aquarium trade. Captive breeding of this gem, however, has posed difficulties over the years.” If you want to read the whole article be sure to pick up the newest edition of Coral magazine that is hitting soon, or become a regular subscriber.

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Breeding Comets is in the next issue of CORAL

Breeding Comets is in the next issue of CORAL

New Deep Blue Chromis (chromis abyssus) found

Ryan Gripp — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:42:21 +0000

You can add a new type of species that we would like to get our hands on. The species named Chromis abyssus or its common name referred to as Deep Blue Chromis was discovered off the coast of Ngemelis island, Palau. The same area in which the barrel eyed fish was found. Originally seen in 1997 but never photographed up until 2007 when 9 specimens were finally captured, as they were eluding capture for over a decade! The specimens were collected at depths of 350-380 feet with divers using advanced closed-circuit rebreather dive gear. Researchers assume that these Deep Blue Chromis feed off of plankton, but little is known about their habits since they are deep dwelling creatures.

[Thanks Patrick!]

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New Deep Blue Chromis (chromis abyssus) found

New Deep Blue Chromis (chromis abyssus) found

Rare Spot false clownfish appears, we want

Ryan Gripp — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:45:36 +0000

Sure you might have a false Percula clownfish in your tank. You might even have a ORA Picasso clownfish, or a black clownfish, but odds are you don’t have this rarity. This gem which the owner has named “spot” is swimming around peacefully in a 50 gallon zero edge tank. We don’t know where this guy was picked up, but we want him. Anyone else?

[Thanks Spy]

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Rare Spot false clownfish appears, we want

Rare Spot false clownfish appears, we want

Update on the seized Clipperton angelfish, Holacanthus limbaughi

Jake Adams — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:15:52 +0000

A few weeks ago Reef Builders was first to break the news on the seizure of 40 Clipperton Angelfish by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The actual number of fish seized was 52 although a few DOAs have probably lowered the total number of fish still in custody. The fish were imported and collected by infamous fish collector Steve Robinson who imported the Clippertons through Mexico, which is part of the reason for the improper importation procedure. We have learned from Mr. Robinson that about half of the Clipperton angelfish were juveniles which we will be very interested to see for ourselves. The Clipperton angelfish were seized in San Francisco because of improper declaration of the rarities had them labeled as Passer angelfish, Holacanthus passer. According to USFWS the case is still an ongoing investigation and there is no word or certainty about when the case will be closed and we’ll be able to field official statements from the officers involved. Until that time there will be no information released about where the fish are being held or when and if the Clipperton angelfish will be redistributed to public institutions around the country. Reef Builders will stay on this story and we’ll report on any developments of this story as soon as it is available.

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Update on the seized Clipperton angelfish, Holacanthus limbaughi

Update on the seized Clipperton angelfish, Holacanthus limbaughi

Naokoa Fairy Wrasse seen at Ocean Gallery II

Ryan Gripp — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:50:20 +0000

Ocean Gallery II got a hold of a rare Naokoa Fairy Wrasse or Cirrhilabrus naokoae. And from the looks of this guy, it looks to be a beautiful specimen in great health. $249

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Naokoa Fairy Wrasse seen at Ocean Gallery II

Naokoa Fairy Wrasse seen at Ocean Gallery II

Mccullochi clownfish up on eBay, where else?

Ryan Gripp — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:24:24 +0000

If by slight chance you wanted to get your hands on a Mccullochi clownfish then look no further then eBay. Someone is selling one fish for a cool $2900. That’s not all of course, two are available and if you are interested in the other your invited to submit a request. That’s cool and all, but don’t you think the seller at least could pick up the shipping tab of $60? Ouch. And here we thought Live Aquaria’s shipping charges were ridiculous. You can grab a peek-see over here on eBay.

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Mccullochi clownfish up on eBay, where else?

Mccullochi clownfish up on eBay, where else?

Copperband Butterflyfish saltwater fish profile

Ryan Gripp — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:45:45 +0000

The Copperband Butterflyfish known as Chelmon rostratus as the scientific name. This is one of the most popular among aquarists. Selecting a good specimen and offering it a varried diet are the keys to keeping it successfully.

Size: Males and females up to 7.9 inches.

Feeding: A wide variety of frozen foods should be offered, including shellfish, and particularly mysis shrimp rather then brineshrimp. Supplement with vitamins. If you happen to buy this fish at a LFS, these fish should swim toward you as you pass by the tank and make sure they are eating well before buying.

Location: Eastern Indo-Pacific

Breeding: It’s not going to breed, so don’t get your hopes up.

Tank Size: 120 gallons

Behavior: The Copperband butterflyfish will most likely be harassed by tangs and dwarf angels and surgeonfishes if these are already in the tank when the copperband is introduced. Stock the copperband fish first before any fish could challenge it. It will “head standing” to fend off aggression with its erect dorsal fin spines. This fish is actually more peaceful the longer it is settled in the aquarium.

Word of Caution: Upon seeing emaciation, you should raise the feeding rate and if you are feeding brineshrimp stop and start feeding mysis shrimp which has a higher fat content. It is vital you have the time to closely monitor this species.

Coral compatibility: The copperband butterfly fish will nip at tubeworms but should ignore other species of sessile invertebrate with the exception Aiptasia spp. anemones. Which some aquarists introduce into the aquarium to control this pesky pest. If you are thinking about introducing this fish just to control your aiptaisa problem then your making a mistake if you haven’t considered the other requirements this fish has.

Prognathodes basabei, the Orange Margin butterflyfish pushes the limits of how deep fish are collected

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Copperband Butterflyfish saltwater fish profile

Copperband Butterflyfish saltwater fish profile

Percula Clownfish saltwater fish profile

Ryan Gripp — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:27:43 +0000

The Percula Clownfish known as Amphiporion percula as the scientific name. The Percula Clownfish comes from Australia, New Guinea, and Melanesia to the east towards the Solomon islands. This is very similar to Amphipron ocellaris, the percula generally has more black pigment on the body. It lives with three host anemones species: Geteractis magnifica, H. crispa and Stichodactyla gigantea. Using these three anemones will insure that the clownfish will host with it faster then an unfamiliar species.

Size: Males 2.4-2.75 inches in size, and females up to 4.3 inches.

Feeding: Wild collected will eat finely chopped shellfish, mysis and brineshrimp and perhaps dried foods in time. Tank raised will eat dried foods such as flake and pellet immediately.

Location: Australia, New Guinea, and Melanesia to the east towards the Solomon islands.

Breeding: Yes this fish is the most popular fish raised in captivity.

Tank Size: 25 gallons for a pair. 13 gallons for a singles.

Behavior: A clownfish will vigorously defend its own host anemone and generally is more violent with its own species.

Word of Caution: On wild collected specimens they should have clear eyes and no turbidity of the skin. On captive bred fish look for congenital deformities like misshapen heads, missing gill covers, etc.

Coral compatibility: Will not harm corals or ornamental shrimp. In the absence of a host anemone it might adopt a “surrogate.” Some of the favorites are Sarcophyton spp. soft corals and Goniopora spp. hard corals. The coral will become irritated so that polyp extension does not occur or becomes reduced.

Clownfish can smell their way back home: Who knew?

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Percula Clownfish saltwater fish profile

Percula Clownfish saltwater fish profile

Reef Builders -The Reef Aquarium Blog » Saltwater Fish

Even reef fish like a good massage

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Breed Banggai Cardinals!

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Breeding Comets is in the next issue of CORAL

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Update on the seized Clipperton angelfish, Holacanthus limbaughi

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Naokoa Fairy Wrasse seen at Ocean Gallery II

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Copperband Butterflyfish saltwater fish profile

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