Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Poaching in the Aquarium Trade

The two dead leopard sharks to the left were found in a trashcan in Norwalk, CT with their bellies slit, most likely so that poacher(s) could remove the still-living eggs for illegal sale to aquarists.  The full news story can be found here. 

The average home aquarist has no business attempting to keep a shark, much less a species that's illegal to own without a permit, and grows to an excess of six feet!  Not only are these animals doomed from the beginning when purchased illegally by an aquarist, and not only does purchasing a leopard shark baby fund this abhorrent practice, but these illegal actions causeslawmakers to (rightfully so) draft new legislature, further restricting our hobby. 

As you are probably aware, a bill (HR 669) was recently drafted, and should it have passed, would have completely ended the pet industry as we know it in America.  While HR 669 was a drastic and illogical piece of legislation, incidents like shark poaching remind us all that increased legal pressure is a good thing, at least as far as the welfare of the animals involved are concerned. 

I think we can all agree that purchasing animals illegally on the black market is a bad thing, especially animals wholly unsuited to captivity as a rule.  What other fish or invertebrate sdo you feel should be illegal to own that aren't?  Feel free to be heard by commenting!

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A Few Thoughts

I've been enjoying marine aquarium keeping for fifteen years as of 2009, and I've seen the hobby progress and change a great deal; but the simple pleasure of observing the "simple" organisms in my aquariums hasn't changed for me.  I know all about 'fad' corals, and am constantly bombarded with the "must-have" acans and zoo and acros, but that isn't what keeps my love for the hobby alive, or even what I spend most of my time observing.  For all of the beautiful corals available, I derive the most enjoyment and have spent the most time watching the more "lowly" animals in my aquarium, especially gastropods and copepods. 

I remember being twelve and being completely fascinated by a limpet that had hitchhiked on a piece of live rock I bought from Petco.  I would spend hours at night watching this limpet via flashlight, as it slowly grazed across the rockwork in it's twenty-gallon 'ocean'.  As I am writing this after spending the last hour dividing my attention between observing snails and watching generations of copepods crawling on the glass (and wishing I could find my magnifying glass to better see the youngest of them) I realize that a lot of that twelve year old is still in me. 

The fascination and appreciation for the miracle that is life has never tarnished for me, even if the reality of it has left me more of a cynic than I was then.  Let the appreciation for life, (and not how much it cost, or how rare a color variation it has) and the perspectives our aquariums allow be the point of my late-night ramblings. 

What are your unusual but much-loved fascinations with our hobby?  Feel free to comment!

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Giant Jellies!

Giant Nomura's jellyfish under observation by biologists at Hiroshima University, off the coast of Japan.  These giant jellyfish invade the coastal waters of Japan every few years, although very little is known about them, or about their reproductive cycle.

 

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Feeding Fish 101

The best part of owning an aquarium is feeding the fish, because it is the main form of interaction that you will have with your fun aquatic pets.  But, you ask, how hard is it to feed fish?  I am not saying that it is difficult to do the actual feeding part, but you do need to follow a few guidelines to best satisfy your fishes appetite.

5 Common Beginner Aquarist Mistakes

I would have loved to have found this list when I was a beginner in the hobby because it would have saved me from causing the death of countless fish.  With this list hopefully I can help some newcomers to the aquarium hobby by avoiding these common five mistakes.

A Quick "Light Requirement" Interpretation Guide

Often, while researching coral, the beginner aquarist will see general light requirements for that particular species. They will generally see one of three words: Low, Moderate, and High.

Five Easy-to-Keep Freshwater Aquarium Plants

I love having real plants in my freshwater tanks but, what types of plants are the best for a beginner aquarist?  There are tons of freshwater plants sold in local fish stores but, which to chose.  Here is a list of plants than any beginner can grow to make their tank look like a miniature forest without wasting money on the ones that won't!

Harnessing the Power of Waves

As we enter the beginning of the end of fossil fuels, alternative energy sources are going to be needed, and in abundance.  New Scientist has a few neat pictures of these weird looking (but hopefully effective!) ocean power stations here.

 

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Species Spotlight: Neon Tetra

Neon tetras are possibly as popular as the beloved goldfish in the freshwater aquarium hobby.  Many first time hobbyist purchase these colorful fish in hopes of adding color and movement to their aquariums.  But, for many disappointed hobbyist these fish end up being flushed with weeks of being added to the aquarium.  Why can't anyone keep these fish alive?  Well, hopefully I can shed some light on the care and maintenance of neon tetras.

Coral Magazine Returns!

Coral Magazine, once a quality and sought after publication from Germany, has returned!  Published now in the good 'ol US of A by the same publishers bringing you Aquarium Explorer, I'm excited that about the return of Coral Magazine.  I've reviewed the January/February issue (though the latest is June/July, I won't spoil it for you!) and I wanted to offer my thoughts.