Reefs.org Forums

[Robert Jordan]

Terry,
I would like to see some articles on cyanobacteria and which types that might be dominant in our systems. The subject should cover identification, control, nitrogen fixation and nutrient limitation. Bob.

[AF Founder]

Robert,

Good suggestion! Do look at Nilsen's articles on Hunting with a Microscope in an earlier issue.
Incidently, in my experience controlling cyano. has more do do with circulation than nutrient control.

[Entacmaea]

Dear Mr. Siegel,

In response to your editorial and call for input, I would really love to see a regular, or semi-regular, column on captive-raised specimens, their availability, new species introduced, company profiles, successful conservation examples, etc. I still find it amazing at the number of people who either don't know of all the opportunities for captive raised specimens(companies), or have not really incorporated the sincere need to decide, when given the choice, to buy captive-raised. There are so many companies and hobbyists involved in this important movement, that increasing exposure from AAM and someone of your stature would be a tremendous help.

Other columns touch on this, and I know AAM has published several articles about the trade, with a captive-raised focus, or a focus on the challenges facing the industry. I think we can all agree that a move toward sustainability is inevitable. Are there currently any incentives for companies selling captive-raised specimens to advertise in AAM? Could a future tank of the month be featured as a 90% captive raised tank to show the possibilities, could future prizes in the photo gallery be exclusively from captive raised retailers, etc.

I love AAM, and eagerly await its release every month! Thank you for the opportunity to offer ideas.

All the best,
Peter

[JimM]

I would like to see more articles on alternative fish that can be kept in reef tanks, even the somewhat risky ones. I mean, we've all read plenty on sixline wrasses and banggai cardinals 'yawn' I'm talking fish that most wouldn't think of putting in a reef tank, but are viable options nonetheless. For those of us on the "fring" that like to experiment. Examples would be the regal angel, (hint) or blueline grouper. I was thinking of setting up an SPS where the only fish inhabitants would be various groupers. I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE. I could't find a single person however who had even tried it. I myself don't need advice on groupers, as I'm very familiar with them. It seems the community at large though is unaware of their potential as reef fish. I think a predatory reef would be an interesting alternative to the norm (as long as the aquarist uses restraint when feeding.) The same can be said for the various scorpion fish.
Some of the coris wrasses are great fish as long as you don't keep smaller shrimp and crabs with them.
The list goes on...

Just some thoughts....thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Regards
Jim

[AF Founder]

Thanks for your recommendation; I'll see what we can do. Have you read Scott Michael's column this month? It seems to fit your interest.

[JimM]

I just read it, thanks. Also, when I said regal angel above, I meant majestic - E. narvarchus. My favorite angel I'll be putting a youngster of this species an my in-wall 150 gal SPS tank that is being set up right now.

Cheers
Jim

[delbeek]

JimN: Although groupers could be easily housed in a reef tank, the problem in my mind is not compatability but suitability. Do you feel it appropriate to purchase a fish who's final size can be over two feet when full grown in a 500 gallon or smaller tank? Although there are some grouper relatives that stay smaller, the ones most commonly seen for sale are juveniles of the megafish types.

If you stick with SPS corals only, then there are several species of butterflyfish and angelfish that can be housed in a reef tank. When you start adding LPS, soft corals and zoanthids, then your range narrows down VERY quickly.

My 2 cents worth.

Aloha!
Charles

[JimM]

Hello Charles,
There are more than a few grouper species that remain small enough to be housed permanently in a medium, to large reef systems. Both in the Epinephelus and Cephalopholus genuses. I've kept these fish for many years in fish only systems, and I've never had issues with them becoming too large for the system. E. ongus is a GREAT grouper for the home aquarium, and only attains a length of 9" or so on average, 11"max. While a few other representatives of the Epinephelus genus are in the same category, most of the rest of them belong the the "hind" group, or the cephelopholus genus.

The dwarf sea basses of course go without saying...

Cheers
Jim

[tobyt]

Hi Terry,

My 2 cents worth:

It would be interesting to hear from experts from Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific (ie especially Australia). They would be able to offer insight into local fauna and their captive care methodologies that we may not be aware of here. For example, the common Australian Waratah anemones -- it's neat that they pump out fully formed miniature clones of themselves. Not to mention articles about local conservation efforts happening, and not happening, all over the world.

.. Toby (tobyt on RC too)

[AF Founder]

Excellent suggestion. I'll work on it.

[coralite]

Thanks for the material, it has been really good so far. As far as suggestions for future columns, I'd like to hear more news and current events on and about wild reefs and corals. Some of the anthropogenic and morphic effects on wild reefs and a little about legislature. Perhaps something with a few large paragraphs. Also, I am always amazed at how other countries do things. I am surprised there doesn't appear to be any readily accessible exchange of information between some countries. I try to get foreign fishmags when I can but apart from french, I can only look at pics and ads to determine what is going on. I love that the recent featured tank is from France.

[AF Founder]

I agree, although we have published Alf Nilsen and Daniel Knop in the past. We will try for more.

Thanks

[Gary Majchrzak]

JimN: Although groupers could be easily housed in a reef tank, the problem in my mind is not compatability but suitability. Do you feel it appropriate to purchase a fish who's final size can be over two feet when full grown in a 500 gallon or smaller tank? Although there are some grouper relatives that stay smaller, the ones most commonly seen for sale are juveniles of the megafish types.

If you stick with SPS corals only, then there are several species of butterflyfish and angelfish that can be housed in a reef tank. When you start adding LPS, soft corals and zoanthids, then your range narrows down VERY quickly.

My 2 cents worth.

Aloha!
Charles

Hello Charles. Pardon me for divirting this thread a little bit, but this is the closest my searches have brought me to answering this question: I've seen a certain Chaetodont in the big display reef aquarium at the Waikiki aquarium. It appears to be either C. ulietensis or C. falcula. {Tough for me to determine from the small pics I have seen}. Which is it? Do you find this fish to be reef compatible? If so, do you feel it's compatibility in that display is due to it's very large size? Thanks in advance for a reply.

[delbeek]

It is a C. ulietensis. We have had it for 16 years. It does not bother stony corals but has gone after Xenia and Clavularia, though it did not like the taste of the Xenia.

I can not vouch for the behaviour of other individuals but this one has been fine for us.

Aloha!
Charles

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks very much for the reply, Charles. Your reef aquaria at the Waikiki Aquarium are among my all-time favorite.

[Chooch]

Gary,

Just noticed your's and Charles' exchange about Chaetodon ulitensis. I went diving in the Solomon Islands a few years back and specifically observed many, many pairs of C. ulitensis on the reefs there to determine if they nipped at SPS or any other corals for that matter. I never once saw them go after an SPS coral. They always seemed to pick at the benthic surface between the corals. Having noticed that the Waikiki Aquarium had a C. ulitensis specimen in a tank with corals I too have considered adding one to my 180 gallon reef tank but I've never been able to get the nerve to do so because I have some LPS and soft corals in there also. Plus it's just hard to know how a fish will behave in the confines of a reef tank. I still think it might be worth a try to put one in a SPS tank if one has the stomach to take any possible damage or at least the means to remove the fish without destroying the tank.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks for posting your 'wild' observations, Chooch. I've noticed several species of Butterflyfish in captive reef aquaria that appear to be eating coral polyps when, in fact, they are picking food from the polyp. I have not yet gathered up enough data or courage to place a C. ulietensis in my reef aquarium.
The big reef display at Waikiki has always been a major influance on my personal reef aquarium

[Gary Majchrzak]

It is a C. ulietensis. We have had it for 16 years. It does not bother stony corals but has gone after Xenia and Clavularia, though it did not like the taste of the Xenia.

I can not vouch for the behaviour of other individuals but this one has been fine for us.

Aloha!
Charles

Charles- if you're still subscribing to this thread, I'm very curious to find out if your C. ulietensis is housed with any anemones or large polyp stony corals.
I really want to introduce this Butterflyfish to eradicate some of my Clavularia, but I don't want to lose any of my prized stony corals.