Page 204 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

202 INTRODUCTION TO MARINE FISH

What to consider

A marine aquarium, populated with stunningly patterned reef Body inflated in
a defensive posture
fish and invertebrates in crystal-clear water, makes a stunning
centerpiece for any room. Historically, marine tanks have Porcupinefish (see p.251)
cannot be housed with
been considered more difficult to establish and maintain than invertebrates because
they are likely to prey
freshwater setups, but today’s aquarium technology and on them. Tankmates for
these fish need to be
breeding methods put them within reach even of novice aquarists. chosen with care.

There are plenty of good reasons to keep marine fish in the
home aquarium. They are diverse, often beautifully colored,
and their biology and behavior are endlessly fascinating; you
will never tire of watching a cleaner wrasse at work, for
example, or a clownfish weaving between the tentacles of an
anemone. Marine fishkeeping can also present real challenges,
even for the experienced freshwater aquarist, so keeping a
successful saltwater aquarium is particularly rewarding.
Marine fish are considered challenging because seawater
is very stable in both composition and temperature. Unlike
freshwater fish, most marine species have little tolerance for
fluctuations in water quality, and so keeping them in a home
aquarium demands more monitoring, more attention to detail,
and more patience, especially in the early stages, because the
tank may take up to three months to become fully established.
Tanks are available in all shapes and sizes (see pp.30–31).
A marine tank is often more costly to maintain than its
freshwater equivalent, not least because larger tanks (of at The amount of free swimming space required by a marine fish depends partly
on the species. Triggerfish, for example, often show aggression to each other
least 48 gallons, or 180 liters) are preferred. This is because when several are kept in a smaller tank, but they can sometimes live together
harmoniously, especially when young, if kept in very spacious surroundings.
Stocking densities in marine tanks are
generally lower than in freshwater A clownfish (right)
setups (see p.30) and depend on type of swims between the
fish kept, maintenance, filtration, protective tentacles
and feeding regimens. MARINE CHOICES of a sea anemone.
• Marine tanks need careful Clownfish are the
planning for long-term most widely bred
success. Take time before marine fish.
buying to learn about the fish,
invertebrates, and equipment.
• Consider whether you
can afford the extra time
commitment involved in
keeping marine species.
• If you wish to breed fish,
choose marine species
carefully—many will not
reproduce in the aquarium.
• Bigger is better where
marine tanks are concerned.

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