Page 285 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

OTHER POPULAR MARINE FISH 283

Sphaeramia nematoptera
Pajama Cardinalfish

ORIGINS Eastern Pacific, from Java up to the Ryukyu
Islands and south to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
SIZE 3 ⁄4 in (8 cm).
1
DIET Fresh and thawed meat-based marine foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Generally placid.
These unusually patterned members
of the cardinalfish family are ideal for
a community marine setup or a reef
aquarium, since they are rarely aggressive,
even toward invertebrates. However, they may
occasionally disagree among themselves if they are
kept in a small group. To avoid overcrowding,
allow 12 in (30 cm) of tank length for every one of
these fish. By introducing them all to the aquarium
at the same time, you can minimize the risk of
territorial disputes. Pajamas have large eyes,
indicating that they tend to be most active after
dark, but they will also prove lively in an aquarium
during the day. Transferring them to artificial diets
is usually not difficult, although they will typically
refuse marine flake foods. Brine shrimp are very
popular with this species, and these can also be
used to rear any young that are produced. Pajama
Cardinalfish are mouth-brooders.

Echidna nebulosa Taeniura lymma Rhinomuraena quaesita
Snowflake Moray Eel Blue-Spotted Ray Blue Ribbon Eel

ORIGINS Extends from the coast of East Africa and the ORIGINS Ranges from the Red Sea to the vicinity of ORIGINS Seas around southeast Asia, extending south to
Red Sea across the Indo-Pacific region to Oceania. southern Japan and Australia’s eastern coast. Australia and north almost to Japan.
SIZE 39 in (100 cm); 12 in (30 cm) in aquariums. SIZE 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 48 in (120 cm); 15 in (38 cm) in aquariums.
DIET Meat-based foods, fresh and thawed. DIET Mainly crustaceans and mollusks. DIET Live invertebrates may be needed.
WATER Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 75–77°F (24–25°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.019–1.026. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.019–1.026.
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive; do not mix with other fish. TEMPERAMENT Keep separate. TEMPERAMENT Will escape if aquarium is not covered.
These predatory denizens of the reef will settle Long tail The color of these ribbon eels alters with age
well in a marine aquarium. The aquarium must and may also reflect a change in gender. They
be securely covered to prevent start off as black, then change to the blue form
escape, and a large crevice (which used to be considered as a separate
in which the eel can hide is Body undulates species), and later become more yellow. All
essential. Moray eels locate food by its waterborne when swimming females change from males and are yellower
scent, the small eyes being an indication of their overall. A ribbon eel needs rocky crevices where it
poor vision. Do not try to hand-feed these fish— These fish are potentially dangerous because they can lurk. It prefers live prey, so weaning it onto
they can inflict serious bites. Instead, use special have a toxic spine at the base of the tail. During prepared foods can be difficult. Initially, try
tongs usually sold for offering food to snakes. any maintenance work, such as cleaning the filter, waving inert foods on tongs near the eel’s lair.
it is important to partition the aquarium in order
to avoid any risk of being stung by the spine. Be
sure that there are extensive open areas in the
tank for swimming. These rays will spend much
of their time close to the floor of the aquarium,
which is where they search for food. Rays have a
cartilaginous rather than a bony skeleton and no
swim bladder, relying instead on their large, fatty
liver to provide buoyancy.

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