Page 282 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

280 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

OTHER POPULAR MARINE FISH

A number of marine fish from other diverse
groups are occasionally available to aquarists.
Their requirements differ widely; some
predatory species need a fish-only setup, while
others can be housed safely in a reef aquarium.
Never be tempted to choose a fish simply by its
appearance. Make sure you can identify it with
certainty, not only so that you can be sure of the
size it is likely to reach as an adult, but also so
that you can find out about its environmental
needs and whether it will be compatible with
other aquarium occupants. Bear in mind that
juveniles are more commonly offered than adults.
The Blue Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita) requires rocky
retreats to be built into its tank to give it places to hide.

Aulostomus maculatus Aeoliscus strigatus Monocentris japonica
Atlantic Trumpetfish Coral Shrimpfish Pine-Cone Fish

ORIGINS Widely distributed around the Caribbean ORIGINS From the Red Sea all the way across the Pacific ORIGINS Ranges from the Red Sea through the Indian
region, from Florida down to the South American coast. Ocean, as far east as Hawaii. Ocean to southern Japan and east of Papua New Guinea.
SIZE Up to 35 in (90 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Fresh and thawed meat-based foods. DIET Prefers crustaceans. DIET Fresh and thawed marine foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Do not mix with smaller companions. TEMPERAMENT Placid, suitable for a reef aquarium. TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive.
These long, narrow-bodied fish hunt a variety of These fish represent a very ancient lineage that has
crustaceans and small fish in the wild. They can be altered little over millions of years. Pine-Cone Fish
tamed to feed from the hand, but it is difficult to have a light-emitting organ under each eye, which
wean them off live foods at first, so a supply of may assist when hunting invertebrates at night. In
prepared live foods may be required. Sexing is the aquarium, they prefer low light levels. You may
easy, since males have a longer ray at the need to wean newly acquired individuals off foods
front of the dorsal fin. A spacious tank is such as live brine shrimp
needed to accommodate this species. Its and onto similar
smaller Indo-Pacific counterpart, prepared
A. chinensis, attains a length of only diets.
about 24 in (60 cm).
Shrimpfish always swim vertically, usually with
their heads pointing downward, and adopt a
horizontal posture only when they feed. The
body is protected by bony plates, and the mouth
is small. Shrimpfish should be kept together in
groups of four to six individuals. Male fish build a
nest in which several females will lay their eggs,
but successful spawning in an aquarium is unlikely.

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