Archive for October, 2009
Reef Trends – The Chalice Coral Craze
Oct 30th
Hello, Cory here with a short blog on an interesting new wave in the world of reefing, the new obsession with Chalice corals. A couple years ago, Chalice Corals were not very popular or in demand type of coral, despite the ease of care and collection. They were offered around the country, at very reasonable prices. This is no longer the case. With the influx of ridiculously colorful specimens in the market, the Chalice Coral craze has begun!
The Chalice Coral’s appearance can be difficult to describe. Chalice corals are part of the Pectiniidae Family, more specifically the Genus Echinophyllia, but Mycedium and Oxypora species can also be considered in the group. Chalice Corals can be very easy to 
keep. They require low to moderate light, with a few species needing a bit more to help bring out some of the intense coloration. Due to the ability of Chalices to adapt to most lighting conditions, you must try to replicate the lighting conditions of the store or person before you, or the coral may change it’s colors completely. After a few weeks to a couple of months, you may have a coral that looks nothing like the one you purchased. Too much and too little water movement can have negative effects, but don’t worry too much. They can be tolerant of most currents as long as they are more turbulent rather than laminar. These corals can be very aggressive, but most lack very long sweeper tentacles, so the space around them can be manipulated. Since thier growth is relatively slow, you don’t have to worry about them encroaching upon your other prize corals. However, always remember over time they may eventually converge with a neighboring coral and the battle will begin. They primarily feed at night, preying upon small, meaty foods such as cyclops and oyster eggs.
For the past year or so, Chalice Corals have become the popular corals to keep, like Acans and Zoanthid polyps before them. Prices per frag range from 15 to 20 dollars for the standard variety. The more uncommon varieties are ranging from 50 to as much
as 300 dollars or more per frag, depending on the size! One example, the Tyree LE Bumble Gum Monster Chalice can be as much as 250 dollars per ¾ inch frag! Recently, an extremely rare species, coined the My Miami Chalice frag was auctioned for 2000 dollars on eBay. The frag was close to an inch in size. My collection includes two variants at the moment, the Sour Apple and the Christmas Chalice. That Fish Place carries a few varieties such as the Miami Hurricane and the Rainbow Delight (Jason Fox frags)with many others hopefully to come in the future. Check them out!
Until next time,
Cory
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Loading ...JBJ is Back At TFP!
Oct 28th
Hi everyone, Dave here. It has been a few years since we last offered any products from JBJ USA, we are proud to once again offer products from this innovative manufacturer. As one of the pioneers of the all in one Nano-Reef aquarium, JBJ’s Nano Cube allowed aquarist with limited space and/or budgets to enjoy the beauty of the natural reef aquarium. Over the years, the JBJ Nano Cube has undergone quite a few changes, and we have brought the product line back to TFP with two of their most advanced models ever, the 28 gallon HQI, and the 28 gallon power compact powered Nano Cubes.
The 28 gallon HQI Nano Cube features a single 150watt 14K metal halide bulb, as well as 4 LED Nite-Vu bulbs, which give a high power 24 hr lighting system for whatever your reef keeping desires may be. Along with its powerful light source, the New Nano Cube has a wealth of other high tech features, like a built in Air powered protein skimmer, and a dual return pump system that incorporates a pair of JBJ’s Accela powerheads controlled by an adjustable JBJ Ocean Pulse wavemaker. These features add up to give this new Nano Cube a lot of bang for the buck, and allow you to keep even the most light demanding species of coral happy and healthy.
The 28 gallon power compact version of the tank features much of the same technology as its HQI powered counterpart, including the integrated filtration system, dual pump wavemaker, and LED Nite-Vu systems. The biggest difference between the two is obviously the light supply. The power compact Nano Cube uses a high power (105 watt) quad tube power compact, that has a dual spectrum output of 10,000K on one side, and 7100K on the other. With this set up you can use the system for freshwater or saltwater, and there is plenty of lighting power for keeping live plants or many corals thriving in this cool little tank. The compact flourescent model does not have a protein skimmer like the HQI version, but does have another interesting option. The filtration tray has a clear lid on it, so that the filtration compartment can easily be transformed into a built in refugium. Simply remove the media and replace it with macroalgae, pretty cool.
If you are in the market for an all in one aquarium system, you should check out the latest offerings from JBJ here at TFP, they are very nicely designed little tanks.
Until next time,
Dave
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Danios – Little Fish with Big Potential
Oct 26th
Hello everyone! This is Craig, just writing a short blog on a group of fish that seems to be seeing a swell in popularity within the aquarium hobby lately. The danios. Yes… the lowly, boring, indestructible danios. You might just be surprised at how diverse and beautiful this group of fish has now become within the hobby. Gone are the days when Zebra danios (Danio rerio) and Leopard danios (Danio rerio ‘frankei’)were the only choices for hardy danio species. With the influx of newly discovered freshwater fish from South East Asia, there are many new and colorful species of danio. Almost all of these new danios still hold that indestructible danio trait. Here are some of the newest species in the hobby:
Danio choprae – the Glowlight Danio
These fish are one of the smallest of danio species. Barely attaining a size of 2 inches, these little fish are very active and have been known to spawn in home aquaria! Their body is a beautiful gold with glowing orange stripe going down its side. You can also see some blue barring on the fish when they are very happy! Kept in groups of 10 or more, these little fish are really spectacular!
Danio sp. “Burma” – the Burma Danio
This is a relatively new discovery in the world of danios. A subtle, yet beautiful fish. The Burma Danio is another smaller species that has a wash of gold and green down its sides. These washes form very distinct green spots that are ringed in metallic gold! When these little fellows are kept in large schools of 10 or more, they swim in tight formations and swing from one side of the tank to the other. If you want to see what schooling fish are all about, this is your fish!
Danio kyathit – the Orange Fin Danio
The Orange Fin Danio may look like its cousin the Zebra Danio, but when placed in a planted aquarium with plenty of other Orange
Fin Danios, this species will develop broad, reddish-orange stripes on its fins. To make things even more interesting, this fish comes in a striped or spotted color morph! Regardless of the morph you see, this fish makes a robust and hardy addition to any home aquaria.
Devario sp. “Giraffe” – the Giraffe Danio
A slightly larger species of danio, these 3 inch schooling fish boast an iridescent green and orange pattern to their sides that will remind you of a giraffe’s mottling. Very hardy and very rare! This species of danio is one of the most uncommon seen today and is already proving to be a beautiful and hardy fish. As with all danio species, these fish are lively and appreciate a well planted aquarium.
Laubuca dadiburjori – the Dadio
Hailing from India, this tiny danio reaches barely over an inch and is another rarity in the hobby. It has shown to be very hardy and even able to tolerate cooler water temperatures. The Dadio shows a more muted coloration and has a thin body with pale orange on the side and a thin blue stripe going through the orange. There is also a second color morph in which the blue stripe has three tiny little balls of blue spaced along the stripe. This is yet another species that will benefit from being kept with several of its own kind.
As you can see, there are some beautiful and interesting new species of danio that are just now making their way into the hobby. I, like most hobbyists, have overlooked the danios for years, but seeing the newer introductions, I have to say that they are indeed charming little fish that add life and even a little splash of color your aquarium. Even the old standards, the Zebra and Leopard danios, tend to take on new beauty now! Just remember, these spunky little fish will always do better in larger schools of 6 or more. Also, these guys love to eat, so a couple of small feedings per day will help to keep them in good shape. If you decide to get a handful of these little guys, enjoy!
Thanks,
Craig
(-4 rating, 8 votes) Loading ...Freshwater Sharks – Striking Species for the Semi-aggressive Community
Oct 23rd
Hey Fish Blog Followers! There are lots of different types of freshwater communities created by hobbyists. Some people choose a peaceful community of tetras and other small docile fish, while others opt for a tank populated with predators or other territorial species, often a fine balance between tolerance and aggression. Many aquariums are somewhere in between, referred to as semi-aggressive communities, which often include fish such as barbs, gouramis, large tetras and others that fit into the category. Today I wanted to give a small introduction to several popular species of fish often purchased for these aquariums that may interest you.
Not Exactly Maneaters
Some of the most popular fish for the freshwater semi-aggressive community are the cyprinids known as sharks. These are not the cartilaginous carnivores as featured in movies or the Discovery Channel. These fish are found primarily in the waters of Southeast Asia and Thailand. There are several species that are often imported for use in the aquarium trade, and several species also referred to as sharks that are less common in the trade. Though from several different genera, these fish all have in common the pointed heads and large, curved dorsal fins that give them their misleading common names.
Though these fish lack teeth, as a general rule they are considered semi-aggressive, if not for the sizes they attain, then for the 
territoriality they often express as they mature. They are generally not suitable for tanks under 55 gallons (some not less than a 75 to 100 gallon tank) and should only be mixed with fish that can stand up to the potential for chasing and harassment that sharks can dish out (especially to their own kind). Smaller fish may eventually be seen as a snack as the fish grow. Sharks make bold and interesting additions to freshwater semi-aggressive communities, as long as the tank is of adequate size and the conditions in the tank suit their needs. Suitable tank mates for most include fish like barbs, catfish, large tetras, and other fish of similar temperament.
If you are considering the addition of a shark to your community, there are several things to keep in mind. As far as the set-up goes (besides having an adequately sized aquarium) be sure that you provide plenty of cover like wood, plants or rock formations so these fish can hide and fell secure when they feel the need. A tightly fitting lid is also highly recommended as they tend to be terrific jumpers, especially if startled. Most common sharks prefer well-aerated, clean water with temps between 74 and 81 degrees (F) and a pH maintained between 6.5 and 7.5. Sharks do not tend to be finicky eaters, readily accepting flakes, pellets and frozen, freeze-dried or live treats like bloodworms, tubiflex, glass worms, plankton, brine shrimp or other meaty tidbits.
Popular Species
There are several species of freshwater shark, and variants of these species, regularly available on the market that may be candidates for your semi-aggressive community.
Bala Sharks (Balantiocheilus melanopterus), also called Tricolor Sharks, are a popular variety with silvery scales and bold black edges on the fins and tail. Though attractive,
this species tends to be rather skittish unless kept in small groups. These fish tend to be more shy and docile than many of the other sharks. Reaching a length of between 13 and 15 inches potentially, this species is best left to aquarists with tanks of at least 75 gallons or more for a single specimen, much larger if they are to be kept in the security of a small group.
Rainbow Sharks (Epalzeorhynchos frenatus) may be the best choice for most hobbyists, despite their tendency to become territorial and increasingly aggressive as they mature. Also known as the Ruby Shark or the Red-Finned Shark, this species grows to only about 6 inches and bears bright red fins that are quite attractive. Several variants have also been selectively bred to make things even more interesting, such as albinos and white-finned. These sharks should be kept as a single specimen in the community as they do not tend to tolerate others of their kind in the confines of an aquarium. Red-tail Sharks (Labeo bicolor) are similar in size and behavior to Rainbow Sharks, but lack the red fins and display a velvety black body and a red tail.
Other types of freshwater sharks include Black Sharks, Iridescent Sharks, Colombian Sharks, and others that are even more uncommonly seen in the trade. For various reasons, these species are typically not suitable for the average semi-aggressive community, and careful consideration should be taken before purchasing these species.
Black Sharks are attractive, but they grow rather quickly to about 30 inches in length, too large for most home aquariums. Iridescent Sharks are actually a type of catfish that also quickly grows from a 2 inch juvenile to lengths nearing 4 feet, another that should not be considered for the average home aquarium. Colombian Sharks are sleek and active catfish too, rounding out at about 10 inches, with huge appetites and a preference for brackish to marine conditions as they mature.
Thanks, hope this information is helpful!
Patty
(0 rating, 4 votes) Loading ...Amphibians Masquerading as Fish – Notes on the Rubber Eel
Oct 21st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. As a child, I constantly combed the pet stores of the Bronx and Manhattan in search of the odd catfishes, lungfishes and eels I so favored. I distinctly recall first coming upon some creatures labeled as “rubber eels”, and realizing that I was looking at something special – I just didn’t know exactly what! The blue-gray “fish” were indeed quite rubbery in texture and did look like eels, yet something was “off”. In time, I learned that these odd beasts were amphibians, specifically aquatic or River Cauca Caecilians, Tylphlonectes natans.
Natural History
Today, so many years later, you can still find these caecilians being sold as rubber eels. The River Cauca caecilian is one of the 
few aquatic members of this little studied amphibian order (the Gymnophiona), and, even now, is the only one to regularly appear in the trade, or even in zoos. They are found only within the drainages of 2 rivers systems in northern Columbia and northwestern Venezuela, and little is known of their lives in the wild.
Aquatic Caecilians in the Aquarium
River Cauca Caecilians are quite hardy when given proper care, and may even surprise you with young, which are born alive and have external gills. I’ve bred them in a well-filtered (undergravel) 20 gallon aquarium at a pH of 7 and temperature of 76 F, but one experienced keeper advises that they fare better in acidic water, and recommends sphagnum moss as a substrate. They may reach 24 inches in length, but most top out at 12-16 inches.
Caecilians are quite shy at first, and must be provided with subdued lighting and artificial caves, PVC pipes, live plants and the like as shelter. Those I’ve kept have become quite bold after a time, leaving their hideouts by day when scenting the earthworms, blackworms and prawn that are their favorite foods. A few individuals learned to take frozen foods and shrimp pellets, but live food is definitely preferable.
Fish keeping experience will serve you well in caring for these fascinating amphibians…with so much still unknown about them, I hope that more aquarists take up the challenge!
Further Reading
You can read more about this and other caecilians here.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Tylphlonectes natans image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Christophe cagé
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