Page 206 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

204 INTRODUCTION TO MARINE FISH

the pitfalls of compatibility that can arise when fish are mixed
with starfish, anemones, shrimp, or other invertebrates that
may form their prey. In many other respects, the factors DANGEROUS FISH Spines inflict
relating to the choice and siting of a marine tank are similar to Some marine fish have a burning,
painful sting
those that apply to freshwater setups (see pp.30–31). The tank powerful teeth that can
itself may be glass or acrylic (the latter is lighter in weight but inflict a painful bite or sharp
scratches more easily). It must be sited on a suitable stand or spines that can injure the
unwary fishkeeper. Other species
piece of furniture on a strong, level floor, preferably adjacent can inflict venomous stings that
to a load-bearing wall and electrical outlets. The tank should are not only dangerous to humans
be located well away from windows, radiators, or any other but can kill other tank inhabitants.
environmental hazards and surrounded by an uncluttered area In some cases, chemicals released
to allow access for maintenance and water changes. into the water cause toxic
poisoning of many or all of the
tank inhabitants. Although they
Stocking the tank may be highly decorative, these
It is easy to make mistakes when stocking your marine tank, fish, which include scorpion-, rock-,
and a little research before buying will pay great dividends and lionfish, as well as boxfish,
pufferfish, and squirrelfish, are probably
later. As a general rule, start with a few inexpensive fish in best avoided by novice aquarists.
a fish-only tank—you can always graduate to a reef tank later.
A great variety of species are available through the aquarium Lionfish produce a venom that is a nerve
poison, or neurotoxin. When injected into a fish,
trade, the majority of which are collected from the oceans it paralyzes its muscles, including the heart.
rather than raised in captivity. This can make some species
hard to feed, because they are accustomed to live foods and
reluctant to take substitute of marine fish, unless they are of a species
diets, even when these that has a distinctive juvenile pattern or
contain all the ingredients are clearly much smaller in size than adults
needed to keep them in good in the same tank.
health. At first, avoid species
with very specialized diets Planning for the future
(seahorses, for example, need If you are setting up a community aquarium, try
a diet based on brine shrimp to select fish that occupy different areas or
nauplii); instead, choose fish levels within the tank, because this adds visual
that can be kept on marine interest, and also lessens the potential for
flake or similar prepared territorial disputes. The stocking levels in a
Telling sexes apart is difficult in foods, and, if possible, marine aquarium need to be built up gradually
most marine species; when buying select tank-raised marine (see p.216), so it is a good idea to plan the
a shoal, you may well end up with fish, such as clownfish, evolution of your tank from the outset, taking
a preponderance of males, which
may display aggressive behavior. which are particularly into account the compatibility of fish to be
easy to keep. introduced. Adding the fish in groups rather
Buying policy than haphazardly as individuals will help reduce
If possible, try to view the fish yourself before buying; the likelihood of bullying.
this will allow you to make sure they are healthy and
feeding well. Look for lively, alert specimens, with The Blue Ribbon Eel is one of the largest species that
good, clean colors and no obvious blemishes. The can be kept in a home aquarium. It can grow to 3 ft
fish should not appear abnormally thin (for the (1 m) in length but is sedentary, occupying the
lower part of the tank.
species), swim at a strange angle, or display
abnormal gill movements. Try to purchase
young fish—not just because they are
less expensive than larger, mature
specimens, but because they are likely
to adapt better to aquarium life than
adults. It is, however, hard to tell the age

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