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[salt tank information] [fishes] [building new tank] [disease recognition]

                                                                     [invertebrates] [starfish, snails] [crabs] [anemone]

Salt Fishes

 The fact is that there are billions of fishes that live in the waters of the Earth. Most of them are too big, too aggressive in order to put them in the tank. In this section I'd like to discuss what fishes are suitable for the salt tank and at the same time not aggressive.

Beautiful Reef Fishes

Probably the most common fish that all aquarists have in their tanks is Amphiprion, its common name is Clownfish. There are six complexes of species that are recognized in nature but only some of them can survive well in a tank .The complex percula, tomato, crarkii and maroon is the most common species that you can find in reef hobby. All clownfish are found within the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region except  Latezonatus which is located in cooler, temperate seas around New South Wales, Queensland, and lord Howe Island. All clownfish  belong to the Damsel family ( that's why they are middle aggressive). In the presence of Anemone they become more aggressive and sometimes fight to death in the mini tanks (here is another reason for you to have the bigger tank possible). If your tank is more than 250 litter and you have two large host anemones then you can have two of them. Just put one anemone far from the other. As we already know in nature the anemone and clownfish are hosts of each other, but in the tank they can survive without each other as well. Clownfish are not really good swimmers, so in nature they cannot protect themselves or swim quickly for a long distance, that's why when  danger presents, they are  hiding in the anemone. Anemone gives protection to the clownfish and in return clowns shear its food, and clear anemone from wastes.

Percula Tomato Skunk Clarkii Saddleback Maroon
ocellaris melanopus akallopisos akyndinos latezonatus biaculeatus
percula ephippium

 

 leucokranos allardi polymnus  
  frenatus    nigripes bicinctus sabae  
  mccullochi perideraion chagosensis    
  rubbrocinctus sandaracinos chrisogaster    
    thiellei chrisopterus    
      crackii    
      fuscocaudatus

 

    
      latifasciatus

 

    
      trichinctus    

   Here are some information and images of aquarium fishes.


Yellow Hippocampus Reidi - Black Hippocampus Reidi. Everyone's favorite!! Stunning !!! Also called the Long Snout Seahorse, the Brazilian Hippocampus Reidi Seahorse is one of the most beautiful of all seahorse species, displaying almost unnatural shades of yellow, orange, and red. They are a slender, narrow bodied slow growing sea horse that can reach lengths of 7 to 8 inches long and may live as long as 5 to 7 years with proper care. Rated the most popular, exotic and colorful sea horse in the world by hobbyists everywhere, they are native to the waters of Brazil.
Bangai Cardinals ( Pterapogon Kauderni). Best in groups, and will spawn in the aquarium. A mouth brooder. Beautiful elegant fish that loves to be together in a school. We suggest you purchase 3, 6, or 9 for best survivability.
 Sankeyi Dottyback (Pseudochromis Sankeyi). The Sankeyi Dottyback also called the Striped Dottyback is found in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They live in small colonies in rock rubble at relatively shallow depths. This is by far the least territorial of the dottybacks due to its lifestyle of living in association with other members of the species. The Sankeyi's colors are a distinctive black and white striped pattern. This is an easy species to care for in the marine aquarium, as long as it's provided good rocky hiding places. More than one per tank is no problem since they exhibit colonial behavior and do not fight each other. In aquariums they are also suitable for community fish tanks.
 Sunrise Dottyback (Pseudochromis Flavivertex). The Sunrise Dottyback is another brightly colored basslet found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have a yellow stripe dorsally from the snout to the tail, and have a blue body with white ventral area. They are found living as solitary individuals around coral heads and rock rubble on the bottom. Generally, they are not too aggressive in aquariums and can be kept with gobies, blennies and other small reef tank fish. In aquariums they are relatively peaceful, and also suitable for community fish tanks. Plenty of rocky hiding places should be provided though. Feeding is simple, as they will accept most frozen shrimp type aquarium foods.
 Splendid Dottyback (Pseudochromis splendens)

Held in high esteem by many reef-tank keepers for it's almost fluorescent violet coloration, lack of shyness, elegant swimming style, and a "minding my own business" attitude. The Orchid Dottyback, sometimes called King Solomon's fish, is found only in the Red Sea. It is found in colonies near vertical walls or ledges, where they dart out to grab a meal from the passing zooplankton, then rush back. In the sea they are found at moderate to deep depths, and look blue rather than the magenta or violet color most aquarists are used to. This is due to the filtering of red light by sea water. In aquariums, the Orchid dottyback is quite easy to keep and feed. They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Tank Raised for hardiness.
Neon Dottyback. A super fish who loves bristle worms. We recommend 1 per 50 gallons. Good to keep a reef tank to avoid those pesky critters. Exotically pigmented, an eye catching neon blue, orange, and yellow. They are both beautiful to look at and have a very curious personality. Tank Raised for hardiness. Relatively peaceful, suitable for reef or community fish tanks. Eat flake, frozen, brine, just about anything.

Diadema Pseudochromis. Another beauty, solid yellow, with a purple stripe down the middle of the head, that looks like a punk haircut! Also known by the common name Diadema Dottyback, a few different dottybacks in your tank will assure your tank of a long life without bristle worms. A good aquarium meal would be frozen or live brine or Mysis shrimp.
 Yashia Whiteray Shrimp goby (Stonogobiops sp.). One of the most spectacular members of the genus Stonogobiops is the Yashia whiteray shrimp goby (Stonogobiops sp.). This beautiful fish has a long, white first dorsal spine. It also has bright or rusty orange longitudinal lines on the flanks that are broken into elongate spots on the head and opercula. This beautiful goby attains a maximum length of around 5 cm (2.0 in.). The whiteray shrimp goby can be found on sand or mixed sand rubble slopes, where it is most often found at depths in excess of 30 m (98 ft.). It will hover in the water column near its hole, but will also spend a considerable amount of time resting on the bottom near the entrance of its burrow. The fact that it occurs at great depths makes this a tough aquarium fish to find.
Yellow Clown Goby. (Yellow Coral Goby). A great fish for either reef or community tanks. It's a native of the Indian Ocean. They are often found in and about both hard and soft corals. Bright yellow with a great personality, They sit perched on a rock the majority of the time. They get along well with each other and other tank mates. Feeds on just about any aquarium food and is very hardy.
 Green Clown Goby. (Green Coral Goby). A great fish for either reef or community tanks. It's a native of the Pacific Ocean. They are often found in and about both hard and soft corals. Lime green with a red scribble pattern. Good personality, They sit perched on a rock the majority of the time. They get along well with each other and other tank mates. Feeds on just about any aquarium food and is very hardy.

Golden Watchman Goby  Always popular, bright gold with blue spots along the face and fins. A terrific tank mate for either a community or reef tank. This is one of the nicest gobies I have personally kept in my tank. It would hide in the rock, hovering a few inches over the hole it chose as its "home." He could reverse backwards into his hole any time he felt he was in danger, just as fast as he could swim forward. Will not pick on corals or invertebrates, making them an ideal fish for the reef aquarium.
 Blackcap Basslet. The Black Cap Basslet is a deep water species found throughout the Caribbean. Quite hardy, its brilliant purple body and jet-black cap make it a striking addition to any aquarium. A threat to only the smallest invertebrates such as Copepods, Isopods, or Amphipods. Provide at least a 30 gallon tank with rock caves to hide in. Black Cap Basslets can become territorial once established, so they should not be kept with other basslets. 30 gallon is ok. An excellent choice for a reef aquarium. Diet: Black Cap Basslets will do well on a diet of meaty foods including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and quality frozen preparations. ..
 Bicolor Blennies. An attractive purple and gold blennies, interesting to observe and easy to keep in aquariums. Spends most of its time perching on or picking at the substrate and is usually ignored by it's tank mates. You will get a kick out of the way they peak their head out of hiding places & show off their cute face with long eye lashes. Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon. Feeding and diet: A hardy species, the diet should include frozen and dried foods. It will also feed on (and help control) algae growing in the aquarium.
 Red Lip Algae Blenny. Fun to watch perching on rocks with there odd natured stance and oversized red lips. A good fish for hair algae control. They make very good reef tank inhabitants. They like to burrow under rocks in the sand, but they spend the majority of their time in the middle of the tank cruising for food. Very hardy, very non-aggressive. They get along with with their own kind as well as other's in the tank. Algae blennies can get up to about 5" in length. Recommended Tank size: 20 gallon. Feeding and Diet: does best in aquariums with natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, Spirulina, and herbivore preparations.
 Neon Gobies. A glowing blue center stripe. An endearing cleaner species that will service tank mates and help control disease. Eating Spectrum and Frozen foods. Terrific in groups...
 Blue Mandarin Goby. Beautiful coloration. Excellent tank companions as well for sea horses and pipe fish. Good for keeping brown flatworms under control in reef aquariums.
 Yellow Head Jaw Fish. Pearly white with golden-yellow head. They live in colonies. Each fish digs a vertical burrow, and spends much time hovering about halfway out of it. An excellent fish for beginners, because they are charming, hardy, and easy to feed. Very efficient sand sifter, real cute and curious. Will peak out of small places. Can be kept in tanks as small as 20 gallons.
 Pink and Blue Striped Zebra Gobi's A very peaceful community fish, the Zebra Goby should be housed with fish with similar dispositions.
They set up a burrow or cave in the liverock and/or sandbed and venture out for food but quickly dart back
into their lair when startled. They are best kept in pairs or small groups. Safe in all tanks, very easy to care for.
 Twinspot Goby. Two large eyes make it hard for predators to get the jump on this gobies. Requires an aquarium of 20 gallons or larger in size. It is not aggressive towards other gobies. The diet should consist of a variety of mysid shrimp, vitamin - enriched brine shrimp, and chopped meaty aquarium foods.
 Fireball or Flameback Angel. The Fireball Angelfish is also known as the Flameback Pygmy Angelfish, and Brazilian Flameback Angelfish. The Fireball originates in the Caribbean. The body is a brilliant to dark blue with a dorsal band of yellow-orange extending from the nose to the end including the dorsal fin. The eye is large and circled in blue. Adapts very well to the aquarium environment.
Tank size:  Provide a 30 gallon or larger tank . Reef Compatibility: Considered reef safe.
Feeding and diet: The diet of the African Flameback Angelfish should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other meaty foods.

The Fireball Angelfish is also known as the Flameback Pygmy Angelfish, and Brazilian Flameback Angelfish. The Fireball originates in the Caribbean. The body is a brilliant to dark blue with a dorsal band of yellow-orange extending from the nose to the end including the dorsal fin. The eye is large and circled in blue. Adapts very well to the aquarium environment. Recommended Tank size: Provide a 30 gallon or larger tank . Reef Compatibility: Considered reef safe. Feeding and diet: The diet of the African Flameback Angelfish should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other meaty foods.
 Pygmy Angelfish. Recommended Tank size: Provide a 30 gallon or larger tank . It should have large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing. Reef Compatibility: A great reef safe mini angel. Food and diet: Its diet should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality Dwarf angelfish preparations, live or frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty items. It will help keep the tank clean by feeding on filamentous algae and diatoms.
 Christmas Island Flame Angel. The Flame angel is one of the dwarf's that does extremely well in aquariums, it soon loses it's shyness, and eats almost anything that is offered. Recommended Tank size: Provide a 30 gallon or larger tank . It should have large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing.
Reef Compatibility: Considered reef safe. Food and diet: Its diet should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items.
  Rusty Angel. The Rusty Angel fish makes an excellent aquarium inhabitant and is even possible to breed in the home aquarium. It will attain a length of approximately 4 inches. Recommended Tank size: Provide a 30 gallon or larger tank . It should have large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing. Reef Compatibility: Considered reef safe. Food and diet: Its diet should include Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items.

Majestic angel
 French Angelfish. The French angel comes from the Caribbean. A hardy aquarium fish, but given the size it will attain, it should be kept in larger aquariums. French angels tend to be non-aggressive towards other aquarium fish, although from time to time it may show aggression towards other angels. Minimum tank size: 90 gallons. Feeding and diet: In the wild, French angels mainly feed on sponge, thus the successful aquarist should attempt to provide a source of this food through frozen food preparations. Not recommended for the reef aquarium because it will pick at and eat a variety of invertebrates.
 Holocanthus tricolor. Rock Beauty Angelfish are from the Caribbean. Compared to other full size angels, they stay on the small side, with a maximum length of only 7.9 inches.90 Gallon. Unlike other holocanthus angelfish, the adult Rock Beauty will usually perish without its normal sponge-dominated diet. It may eat and look good for many months, and then suddenly its color may fade, it will lose weight, and a dark area may appear on top of its head. Ocean Nutrition Frozen Formula One and Two for Angelfish is recommended. They can be kept in reef tanks as they mostly pick on small food off the live rock.. They will however destroy your algae unless your macro-algae are well established and growing very rapidly (which means strong light, and the use of a good reef fertilizer.
 Asfur Angel. 125 Gallon. Feeding and diet: A hardy species, although great care should be taken in giving it a wide variety of foods, particularly those laden with sponge and green algae. The Imperator is a omnivore and likes to eat veggies, meats, and frozen angel preparations, sponge, algae. Sponge is a key component to the success of keeping large angelfish. Reef Compatibility: This species is not recommended for the marine reef aquarium because it will pick at or feed upon a variety of invertebrates. 90 Gallons as a juvenile, but 125 gallon once Imperator matures to adult size. A hardy species, although great care should be taken in giving it a wide variety of foods, particularly those laden with sponge and green algae. The Imperator is a omnivore and likes to eat veggies, meats, and frozen angel preparations, sponge, algae. Sponge is a key component to the success of keeping large angelfish. This species is not recommended for the marine reef aquarium because it will pick at or feed upon a variety of invertebrates.
 Imperator Angels. Minimum tank size: 125 Gallons. Feeding and diet: A hardy species, although great care should be taken in giving it a wide variety of foods, particularly those laden with sponge and green algae. The Imperator is a omnivore and likes to eat veggies, meats, and frozen angel preparations, sponge, algae. Sponge is a key component to the success of keeping large angelfish. This species is not recommended for the marine reef aquarium because it will pick at or feed upon a variety of invertebrates.
Red Pearlscale Butterfly. (Chaetodon Xanthurus). A criss-cross pattern , pearly sheen, and reddish orange tail. We recommend a 50 gallon or larger aquarium, provided that it is well maintained and relatively peaceful. It may be kept with other Butterfly fish. Their diet needs to include various meaty preparations. NOT reef safe, a good butterfly fish for the community aquarium.
 Saddleback Butterfly. ( Chaetodon ephippium). The Saddleback Butterfly fish, has a large black "saddle" with a white border on the rear upper corner of the body and dorsal fin. Orange coloration is found on the lower half of its face as well as outlining the black tail. We recommend a 60 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of swimming space and well-maintained water quality. It may be kept with other Butterfly fish. Their diet needs to include various meaty preparations. NOT reef safe, a good butterfly fish for the community aquarium.
 Moorish Idol. The Moorish Idol has a very long, white, sickle-shaped dorsal fin, two broad black bars on the body, and a yellow saddle across the snout. It uses its long snout to feed on coralline algae and sponges in cracks and crevices. It is sometimes seen as a single individual, but often forms pairs and occasionally larger schools.
 Copper band Butterfly. Yellow-orange vertical bands on the body have blue-black edging, has a false "eye-spot" at he rear of the upper body. Minimum tank size: 75 Gallon. Feeding and diet: Frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, green algae. Most will eat the problematic glass anemones and Polychaeten worms.
Reef Compatibility: Not recommended. Generally safe with soft corals but may nip at large polyp stony corals and certain soft corals. Will nip at any tube worms or feather dusters.
Behavior: Peaceful.
 Lipstick or Naso Tangs. (Naso lituratus). A beautiful fish. Bright Orange Lips and a dark black top that looks like a crew cut hair cut! Food and diet: In the wild, algae is their main food source. Therefore they must be offered vegetable based prepared foods, along with a varied diet of any of these items: brine shrimp, blood worms, chopped clams, plankton, or krill. Romaine lettuce or spinach can be floated in the aquarium for grazing. Great Reef Fish.
 Achilles Tang (Acanthurus Achilles). A beautiful fish from Hawaii. They make excellent algae eaters for the aquarium. Like all tangs, sometimes they can be territorial , so it's best to add all your tangs at the same time or rearrange the rockwork when adding a new tang to an aquarium already containing a resident tang. In the wild, algae is their main food source. Therefore they must be offered vegetable based prepared foods, along with a varied diet of any of these items: brine shrimp, blood worms, chopped clams, plankton, or krill. Romaine lettuce or spinach can be floated in the aquarium for grazing. Great Reef Fish.
 Red Sea Purple Tangs. (Zebrasoma xanthurus). They make excellent algae eaters for the aquarium. Like all tangs, sometimes they can be territorial , so it's best to add all your tangs at the same time or rearrange the rockwork when adding a new tang to an aquarium already containing a resident tang. In the wild, algae is their main food source. Therefore they must be offered vegetable based prepared foods, along with a varied diet of any of these items: brine shrimp, blood worms, chopped clams, plankton, or krill. Romaine lettuce or spinach can be floated in the aquarium for grazing. Great Reef Fish.
Sailfin Tang ( Zebrasoma veliferum). The Sailfin Tang is one of the most personable fish you can find. This species is normally peaceful, although larger specimens can be aggressive They make excellent algae eaters for the aquarium. Like all tangs, sometimes they can be territorial , so it's best to add all your tangs at the same time or rearrange the rockwork when adding a new tang to an aquarium already containing a resident tang. 90 Gallon recommended. Feeding and diet: In the wild, algae is their main food source. Therefore they must be offered vegetable based prepared foods, along with a varied diet of any of these items: brine shrimp, blood worms, chopped clams, plankton, or krill. Romaine lettuce or spinach can be floated in the aquarium for grazing. Reef Compatibility: An excellent marine reef aquarium fish since it will graze on macro algae and other green algae, but will leave the invertebrates alone. If underfed , it may nip at corals.

Hawaiian Kole or Yellow Eye Tang. (Ctenochaetus strigosus.)
  The Kole or Yellow Eye is normally peaceful. They make excellent algae eaters for the aquarium. Recommended minimum tank size: 55 Gallon. Feeding and diet: In the wild, algae is their main food source. Therefore they must be offered vegetable based prepared foods, along with a varied diet of any of these items: brine shrimp, blood worms, chopped clams, plankton, or krill. Romaine lettuce or spinach can be floated in the aquarium for grazing. Reef Compatibility: An excellent marine reef aquarium fish since it will graze on macro algae and other green algae, but will leave the invertebrates alone.
 Red Sea Assasi Trigger. Basically, the Red Sea Assasi is the Red Sea Version of the Hawaiian Huma Huma Trigger fish. An extremely hardy, but extremely hard to get trigger. Beautiful velvet colors.

 
 The Clown Grouper grows up to about 14 inches. The Clown Grouper prefers a tank of at least 80 gallons with plenty of places to hide. It needs plenty of shelter to feel at ease in captivity. A carnivore , it eats meaty treats (like krill, small fish, shrimp). A medium maintenance fish, it may act aggressively toward other fish. It is a venomous fish, the mucus is poisonous. Since groupers are generally larger fish, it is recommended waste removal efforts be increased within the aquarium system and a good filtration system be in place.
Leopard Wrasse. (Macropharyngodon meleagris). This dramatically colored wrasse is a great reef fish and is often seen cruising all over the tank looking for food. It is harmless to ornamental invertebrates, clams, and coral. It is quite peaceful and should not bother any other fish.  It requires an established aquarium of at least 30 gallons, with plenty of live rock and live sand.  It feeds primarily on micro-invertebrates living in and around the live rock. Systems with refugiums offer this fish an added source of live food. Do not keep it with aggressive predators, or large wrasses. Feed a mixed diet of carnivore preparations, mysid shrimp, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. This wrasse is reef safe.


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Hakob Arakelian
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