Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Goodbye Internet?

Click here to prevent internet censorship

The Government Could Block Your Favorite Websites

Such as twitter, facebook, YouTube, and many other sites if the "Internet Blacklist Bill" (so politically correctly called the "Stop Online Piracy" Act) passes, websites like this, or any other site The Man doesn't like could be yanked.  The bill's purpose is supposedly to stop sites like The Pirate Bay which have been a thorn in the RIAA's side for years.  The solution? Pass a law saying any site with objectionable content or hosting objectionable content could be blocked.

Earthquake in Indonesia!

An earthquake has hit off the Indonesian Island of Bali early Thursday morning causing many injuries and property damage throughout the island.

 

The U.S geological survey said the earthquake was a 6.0-magnitude and hit about 62 miles southwest of Bali.

 

So far 50 people have been taken to local hospitals with only five suffering from major injuries. 

 

Indonesia is located on the "Ring of Fire" which is a arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin.  This makes the area prone to earthquakes from the constant motion of the faults moving on each other.  In fact, Indonesia suffered a 9.1-magnitude earthquake that occured underwater and caused a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in 2004.

 

For this earthquake the U.S Geological Survey has issued no stunami alert and hopefully those who have suffered will recover soon.

 

Picture from www.worldwidehomestay.com

New X-Aqua LED Light Coming Soon

They say a picture is worth a thousand words: the above is a picture of X-Aqua's foray into LED reef aquarium lighting.  Pictures, specs, and hands-on experience coming soon...

Redfish Magazine Launched 2nd Issue

Redfish Magazine, a new free e-publication for the English-speaking (not just America, thankfully) world has launched their second issue, mostly emphasizing freshwater fish, including discus and goldfish. 

In my opinion the only hobby publications worth reading are the free ones, usually offering much better content and more advanced content than traditional magazines.  Go check it out!

Afraid of Sharks?

So it is officially Shark Week on the Discovery Channel where they are highlighting "shark attacks, killer sharks, rouge sharks" and every other negative aspect about sharks that a human can concentrate on.  I feel as though the entire week is garbage and is used to draw audiences through "fear".  The Consortium for Ocean Leadership posted an article regarding the population decrease of sharks in the ocean due to human activities.  I found the article to be very interesting and I would like to highlight specific parts of the article. 

Redfish Magazine Launches

Redfish Magazine is a new, free digital aquarium and pond magazine for the US, EU, AU, and NZ.  Personally, I'm a huge fan of international publications, because I find US aquarium writing too 'fad-ish' and their aquariums unnaturally gaudy (with the exception of my all time favorite, Advanced Aquarist, of course).  I'm very much looking forward to seeing this publication progress (especially the coldwater topics), and who knows, might even pen an article or two when I have time.  In the meantime go check it out, and while you're at it, enter their aquarium photo competition!

Where have all the predators gone?

A study in Science put in perspective the current decline of predators and the affects of their loss on the environment.  The study was conducted by a international team of scientists whom looked at predators in terrestrial, freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  The study concluded that "the loss of apex consumers is arguably humankind's most pervasive influence on the natural world." and claims that humankind has only seen the beginning changes that are occurring in ecosystems.  See why below!

The Demise of Bluefin Tuna

Once again the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has decided to not put Bluefin Tuna on the Endangered Species Act. They feel the species does not need protected but worldwide collaboration in the sustainabilty of the Bluefin Tuna.

"Based on careful scientific review, we have decided the best way to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna is through international cooperation and strong domestic fishery management," said Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service."

Sustainable Aquatics Breeds Upside-Down Jellyfish

Sustainable Aquatics has been my favorite source for captive bred and tank raised livestock for almost two years, and they continue to add to their repertoire almost every month.  This month, however, I was surprised more than usual: they've started breeding Cassiopeia upside-down jellyfish!