Page 283 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

OTHER POPULAR MARINE FISH 281

Zanclus cornutus Equetus lanceolatus Pterapogon kauderni
Moorish Idol Jack-Knife Fish Bangaii Cardinalfish

ORIGINS Widely distributed throughout the Indo- ORIGINS Occurs in the Caribbean, from Florida down to ORIGINS Occurs around Indonesia’s Bangaii Islands, close
Pacific region. the coast of South America. to Sulawesi (formerly the Celebes).
1
SIZE Up to 10 in (25 cm). SIZE Up to 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 3 ⁄4 in (8 cm).
DIET Plant matter and meat-based foods, such as squid. DIET Fresh and thawed meat-based foods. DIET Fresh and thawed meat-based diets.
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 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Generally shy but sometimes a bully. TEMPERAMENT Becomes more aggressive with age. TEMPERAMENT Relatively placid.
This close relative of the Rabbitfish is Although they have a restricted range in the wild,
difficult to establish in a new aquarium. the breeding habits of Bangaii Cardinalfish have
Plenty of plant matter will initially allowed relatively easy creation of aquarium strains.
be needed to replace the algae that These fish are mouth-brooders, with the male
Dorsal fin
extends forms much of its normal diet. It carrying the eggs until they hatch. The fry
beyond the is best to specialize with this are large enough to be
caudal species, keeping just one fish fed brine shrimp.
with no other companions. Bangaiis can
Yellow banding Deeply forked
In the wild, Moorish Idols be kept in caudal fin
live in shoals, but in small groups,
aquariums they tend to alongside other
quarrel if housed in a nonaggressive
group. As they mature, The striking appearance species.
adults develop hornlike of these fish results from the upright position of
swellings in front of the first of the two dorsal fins, with its dark stripe
their eyes. curving down the body to the tip of the caudal fin.
This fin arrangement means that it is not a fast-
swimming species. Choose companions carefully,
Beaklike jaws with thick
lips for feeding on algae because the elaborate fins are easily damaged. White-spotted pattern
Plotosus lineatus
HIDING PLACES
Saltwater Catfish Think carefully before choosing this species for
an aquarium. Young Saltwater Catfish, like those On the reef, just as in the aquarium, fish will
ORIGINS Ranges from the Red Sea throughout the Indo- shown below, are social fish that must always be make the most of whatever retreats they can
Pacific region. kept in groups. When they reach 6 in (15 cm) in find. Reef shipwrecks, for example, are rapidly
SIZE Up to 16 in (40 cm). length, however, they lose the distinctive white colonized by a variety of species. This Giant
DIET Thawed or fresh meat-based foods. body stripes and their behavior changes; they Moray Eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) has taken
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline start to prefer a more solitary lifestyle and should up residence in a piece of piping. This unusual
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. be kept singly. In addition, care must be taken to hideaway allows it to lurk unseen and surge
TEMPERAMENT Highly social only when young. avoid their potentially lethal venomous fin spines. out to seize passing prey, just as it would
from a reef crevice. However, not all fish that
approach the eel’s lair will be eaten. Some
small species come in search of leftover food
scraps, darting boldly close to the eel’s mouth
to snatch floating morsels.

US_280-281_Unusual_Marine_Fish.indd 281 29/08/18 4:10 PM