Page 297 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

MOLLUSKS AND ANNELIDS 295

Sabellastarte magnifica Octopus cyanea Lobatus gigas
Featherduster Worm Common Tropical Octopus Queen Conch

ORIGINS Occurs widely throughout the tropical western ORIGINS Coral reefs off Asia and throughout the Indo- ORIGINS The Caribbean region, including the Florida
Atlantic and the Caribbean region. Pacific region, especially off Indonesia. coast and around the Bahamas.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 12 in (30 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
DIET Filter-feeding. Use prepared food, or a blend of DIET Fish and crustaceans, which must be fully thawed if DIET Marine algae and scavenged waste matter.
puréed shellfish and seawater. frozen. Feed according to appetite each day. Place food within easy reach of the conch.
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.
This annelid worm’s body is housed in a protective These slow-moving, spectacular-looking gastropods
tube anchored to rockwork. The feathery tentacles grow to a large size and require a suitably spacious
projecting from the top of the tube collect floating aquarium. Fortunately, care of the Queen Conch is
food particles. Featherduster Worms occur in a relatively straightforward, and feeding presents no
wide range of colors. Keeping them in groups will particular difficulties. When threatened, this conch
encourage breeding. After reproduction, adult will simply withdraw into the safety of its
Featherduster Worms shed their feeding tentacles heavy-weight shell, which is more than a match for
to prevent them from taking their own larvae. The most would-be predators. The shell, which has a
tentacles start to regrow about two weeks later. light-colored exterior, is pinkish-white inside.

This octopus should be housed singly, alongside
coral and sponge species that it will not harm. The
tank must be firmly covered, since it can escape
through even a small gap in the hood. When
introducing an octopus to new surroundings, leave
it undisturbed and without lighting for a day or
so, or it may eject its ink, with potentially fatal
consequences in this restricted environment.

Cypraea tigris
THE REEF’S VITAL BROWSER
Tiger Cowrie
Although they could not be said to be the
ORIGINS From the Red Sea and the coast of East Africa most striking occupants of a reef tank, Turbo
eastward through the Indo-Pacific to Hawaii. Snails (Haliotis varia) are certainly among
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). the most significant. Often called Turban
DIET Caulerpa (a marine alga) and meat-based foods. Snails because of their conical shape, these
Will tend to scavenge for food around the aquarium. mollusks are useful because they browse
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline almost exclusively on algae, keeping its
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. growth in the aquarium under control. They
perform a similar function on the reef, where
The smooth, oval shell of this gastropod is covered unchecked algal growth could choke the
with dark spots. It is partially hidden by the surfaces of the corals and threaten their
mantle, which extends around its sides. These algal survival. Small Turbo Snails may be
browsers are not difficult to keep and are easy to inadvertently introduced to the tank
feed. However, their size means that they may on live rock. They can largely be
damage the structure of the reef by dislodging left to fend for themselves.
corals and other sessile invertebrates, especially
at night, when they are most active.

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