Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Species Spotlight: Mushroom Coral

This post begins our new Species Spotlight category, bringing you species-specific information about popular freshwater and saltwater fish and invertebrates. 

Mushroom Coral are the most forgiving coral any aquarist could ask for. Quick to reproduce in the home aquarium, with low light and flow requirements, they may very well be the best beginner’s coral available in the hobby. They also have much to offer to more advanced aquarist, whether it be as a space filler, or a "Mushroom Garden" which displays the many, many color and texture varieties these coral exhibit.

How to Care for Carpet Anemones

 Stichodactyla spp anemones, otherwise known as carpet anemones, are fascinating creatures, and are highly sought after by hobbyists but have very specific care requirements.  Carpet anemones are very challenging to maintain in the home aquarium, and few hobbyists are able to attain long term success.  After caring for my own carpet anemones for the last few years, I’d like to offer my insight into these fascinating and beautiful anemones, and try to point out why aquarists so often fail to maintain these animals in the long (and short) term, and better prepare you for success.

An Introduction to Freshwater Puffers

One of my favorite fish of both the saltwater and freshwater hobby of aquariums are the puffer fish.  Their dog-like personalities and their cute faces have caught my heart since I started in the hobby.  Many new hobbyists can identify a puffer fish fairly quickly, and this has cause the group to rise in popularity.  Here is a list of some freshwater puffers and some brackish water puffers that are found commonly in pet stores.

 

Five Freshwater Fish for Beginners

When I started in the hobby at age 12, I wanted to buy every fish I saw and cram it into my 15 gallon tank, that had little room to spare (now I know better!).  I had no clue where to start in buying fish and bought what ever was the cheapest and prettiest at the time.  I thought a fish is a fish and their isn't anything different about them, but boy was I wrong.  Now, years later I can say I have changed and decided to help others with finding good beginner fish.  Here are my top five beginner fish for a freshwater tank.

 

Should Anemones Be Illegal to Import for our Hobby?

P. yucatanicus engaged in a commensal relationship with C. gigantae on the Drowned Cayes, Belize.  Mike Maddox

How do you think the public would react if they were told that cats and dogs, rather than being bred, were taken from the wild (and often injured in the process) before being placed in an oft-inappropriate home?  How about if the public were told that 90% of the cats and dogs they bought would die in the first year?  Do you suppose it would still be legal to own them? 

While this scenario is just an example, anemones in the home aquarium have a dismal survival rate ("more than 90% die within a year " - WetWebMedia)!