Fish

We shared the news that Lightening Maroon Clownfish are heading to Blue Zoo Aquatics last week and we’ve got a sneak peek at the fish headed to BZA as well as details on how to get your hands on these. Our own Matt Pedersen shared more details on the Lightning Maroon Clownfish blog. Make sure you head over there for more details. The fish are on the way to Blue Zoo and the plan is to sell these via eBay to allow the market to dictate the price. Remember, these are first generation fish (F1) bred with a normal Papua New Guinea maroon clownfish and the PNG lightening maroon. The first five are a test run and include some of the more promising offspring with unique marking and others are rather plain looking. The F1 fish shipped are now close to a year old and on the larger size. Each fish has been individually photographed and documented by Pedersen to give you a complete history on the fish moving forward. While these fish could be housed by any aquarist with the experience and system to house these, we do expect many of these to go to breeders looking to work with this intriguing fish. The first run of fish is a test run and if all goes well, you can expect more to be released. One thing you’ll most likely see with this batch is lesser-grade fish that would normally see culled along the way. This was done intentionally, not as a way to maximize profits but instead as a way to preserve the important F1 generation as much as possible for successful future generations. As Pedersen states, “the more F1 fish we have creating the F2 generation, the better it is for heading off inbreeding problems.” If you are interested in these fish, make sure you are signed up for eBay and follow the BZA seller account, then sign up for the Blue Zoo Aquatics newsletters and finally, make sure you are ready for these fish. Good luck! Readers also viewed: Lightning Maroon Clownfish finally coming to Blue Zoo Aquatics Lightning maroon clownfish from Blue Zoo Aquatics will be entrusted to an accomplished fishbreeder Lightning Maroon to be first successfully cloned clownfish Lightning maroon clownfish babies from the first batch will be released to the public Unique Corals launches website, stocked to the brim with PNG Eco-Labeled fish Lightning Maroon Clownfish spawns its first clutch of eggs MBI’s Marine Breeding Workshop, Year Two in Review New lightning maroon clownfish video emerges showing a successful pairing

The Marine Aquarium Society of Colorado is hosting a Reef Ed event with two speakers and plenty of vendors to get your reefing fix this weekend. On Saturday, June 22, join the MASC team welcome both Scott Fellman and our fearless Jake Adams to share their insights into the hobby. As usual for events like these, there are plenty of raffle prizes and 14 vendors on hand with the latest products and some juicy corals. You don’t have to be a MASC member to attend, however you do get preferential pricing if you are a paid or active member (see website for more details). Price is $5 for paid or active members and $10 for everyone else. Make sure you bring your kids because children 14 and under get in free. [via MASC] Readers also viewed: Hear all about InterZoo 2012 at SCMAS tomorrow Unique Corals launches website, stocked to the brim with PNG Eco-Labeled fish MASNA wants YOU to host MACNA 2014 uniquecorals “Sneak Pique” tomorrow offers SoCal reefers first glimpse into new facility PNG fish return to the US with unprecedented level of accountability World Wide Corals fifth anniversary sale this weekend in Orlando, Florida Jake’s heading to Boston! Check him out at Boston Reefers Saturday North Dakota and Western Minnesota gear up for Red River Frag Fest

Click through to see the images. Very few groups of tropical marine fishes can boast such a multicolored body pattern like the butterflyfish. This marine family - scientific name Chaetodontidae, from the ancient Greek, it means "brush-teeth" - includes 114 different species belonging to 10 genera, of which the genus Chaetodon is the most abundant in terms of number of species. The majority is found in the Tropical Indo-Pacific, while only four species occur in the eastern Pacific, and 13 species in the Atlantic. The common name makes reference to the brightly colored body (mainly yellow, white and black but with many variations in terms of patterns) of many species. They typically have an "eye-spot," often located at the basis of the caudal fin, probably an anti-predatory adaptation (predators, especially in the confusing sensory world of coral reefs, may be induced to think that the fish is far larger than is it in reality. The eyespot can even reduce the probability of being bitten on the fins by small predators like fang-tooth blennies). Their disc shaped body, highly compressed, allows them to move easily through the cracks and crevices of the reef, and even if they are not particularly fast swimmers, are difficult prey for reef hunters. The majority of species is about 20 cm long, with a pronounced jaw, which in some species like Forcipiger flavissimus can be about the 25% of the total body length. If the fish preys only on coral polyps, normally the snout is reduced, while for invertebrate feeders, due to the need to insert the mouth in very small holes or narrow crevices, becomes long and thin. Planktivorous species normally have protruding jaws to catch small, free-swimming prey. Fig 1. The Big Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is one of the most common species available in the aquarium trade. Fig 2. The Brown Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) is a good tank mate for aquarium beginners, thanks to the easy adaptation and feeding habits. Fig 3: The Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) is another good member for big aquaria. Being territorial, if kept in small tanks, it may become aggressive. Butterflyfish are present in tropical seas worldwide, often associated with coral reefs, many of them being obligate or facultative coral-feeders ('obligate' means they are able to feed only on coral polyps, while the facultative ones can even rely on other kind of food like algae, plankton or small invertebrates). Coral feeders are strictly territorial, normally living in pairs that last for their life time, in a prolonged monogamy not so common in the animal world. There is not an evident sexual dimorphism: males and females generally look alike, even if sometimes the male is slightly bigger. Butterflyfish reproduction starts with external fecundation, at least for the few species studied, and normally occurs at dawn, after some complex courtship behavior. Fecundated eggs will be released in the current, where they will remain until hatching. The presence of a drop of oil in their yolk sac guarantees that the newly hatched larvae will remain floating on the surface. When the larva arrives at around 5 mm of length (in a stage called 'tholichthys stage', unique among reef fishes) a bony armor covers the head, extending to form spines dorsally and ventrally. These pelagic larvae remain planktonic for two or more months, and after that period the armor is absorbed and the larva can settle at night, quickly transforming into juveniles. Fig 4: An exemplum of a butterflyfish to be avoided. The Ornate Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus) be cause it is an obligate coral-feeder. Fig 5: The Blackened Butterflyfish (Chaetodon decussatus) is a possible good tank mate, even if it needs good water conditions and a large aquarium. Fig 6: The Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus) is a peaceful butterflyfish and is easily kept in aquarium. Juvenile butterflyfish can live in differe

For aquarium keepers who take their hobby to the extreme and chew up plenty of air miles to travel to various aquarium conferences like MACNA, it’s not always a great experience for the significant others. That person, who fully supports the addiction to the aquarium hobby, either gets left out of the festivities of a trade show, or does tag along but at the cost of constantly being bored. Fortunately for those individuals, MACNA 2013 is located in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area, which should give them plenty to do…whether it be shopping, going to the beach, or whatever, and they may not have to do it alone. A group of spouses and significant others might just be organizing some get togethers during this year’s MACNA, and it will provide a great way to keep your loved ones from getting bored while you drool over aquarium stuff. Over on the Reef2Reef forums, member “Floyd R Turbo” created the MACNA 2013 Displaced Spouses club, a potential pasttime for his spouse so she doesn’t get bored while he cruises the trade show floor. It hasn’t garnered much attention yet, but as the show approaches, we expect to see more and more of these threads popping up. And you know, it’s a geat idea. We, the aquarium hobbyists, have three full days of activities, including reception dinners, guest speakers, and banquets. It’s only fair that our travel companions also have some fun. So, if you’re attending MACNA with a loved one, or if you’re reading this thread as one of those loved ones, then try to find something fun to do with the family or those you meet at or before the conference. There’s no point in going if you’re just going to sit in the hotel. On a side note, my wife asked for me to purchase a ticket for her, which I did. So, I’ll be walking around with my wife and kid during various stages of the show. I just hope they let me work in peace.

The Mame tank-saver platform is an incredible new device from the company which has brought us a host of other inventive aquarium devices. The MAME Nano Skimmer, all-glass Mame Overflow and Mame LED are all groundbreaking products but a platform for small to medium sized aquariums truly takes the cake. Made up of what appears to be two platforms, an array of ball bearings allows the two platforms to slide past each other in the X and Y dimensions. The effect of the Mame tank-saver platform is clear to see in this earthquake simulation where nearly all the vibration is dampened to the point where the entire tank and the cabinet barely slosh a bit. According to MAME the seismic isolation of the Mame Tank Saver can handle up to 250 Kilograms or 550 pounds which is enough capacity for 65 gallons of water. However, the Mame Tank Saver is suitable for tanks up to 50cm (20in) square in the base, which means that with a cabinet, water and rock you’re looking at some earthquake insurance for up to a 30 gallon fully loaded reef tank. Since the disastrous Fukushima earthquake which struck Japan over two years ago there’s been some innovation in earthquake proofing aquarium gear. The first we saw was the Ecosmart controller cover by LSS Laboratory but Mame’s Tank Saver platform is a truly innovative product which could see some real world use in Japan and California where earthquakes are common. We don’t know how much the Mame Tank Saver will sell for but it is expected to become available in July of this summer. [MAME] Readers also viewed: Gnome Glass Skimmers and strainers launch at ReefStock $1 Mame Nano Skimmer clone is a ghetto-fabulous DIY deal Japanese aquarium stores suffer heavy damage from the earthquake What the air driven Mame Nano Skimmer has taught me about protein skimming Mame RGB LED Eco-light gets freeze-frame treatment of lighting cycle AquaTouch getting Mame products in October Asian Reef Video Blitz: RGBY LED reef, wild caught marines with no tails, Japanese maiden goby and a nice stand of smooth skin acros Video of dancing RGBY LEDs of the Mame Eco-Light

Ixa is a small genus of crabs with very unique characteristics that separate this group from most other. The grooves that meander around the carapace are characteristic for this genus, and gives the crabs a jig-saw like appearance. The species above is Ixa cylindrus, and it is a very seldom seen, lesser known invertebrate in the aquarium world. Besides the unusual cracked shell appearance, the crab also sports two long cylindrical knobs that flank both sides of the animal. The unique grooves that meander around the carapace are characteristic of Ixa crabs, and gives this species an eerie skull like pattern.  Ixa cylindrus is a peaceful, slow moving crab suitable for any refugium or lagoon type reef. Not much is known about their behaviour, but from what we observe in the tanks as well as pictures from the wild, is that these crabs prefer very soft sandy substrate to partially bury or scuttle around in. They, like most crabs, readily take aquarium fare or food scraps that lie around the tank. Their dainty straw like claws and legs are more suited for scavenging rather than actively hunting food stuff. The lavender colored crustacean has such a unique appearance that we can’t help but take a closer look. The carapace is fissured around what looks superficially at first glance, like an eerie human skull complete with darker purple hues for the orbital fossa. The crab is flanked, at both ends, with a thick cylindrical knob that adds to its crazy appearance. Such an interesting character would probably make a cool addition to any slow moving peaceful refugium or muck-reef style tanks. Readers also viewed: Coral crabs aid ailing corals, combat disease NextReef stick-on internal refugiums can also serve as fish condtioning vessels Hongtam’s reef aquarium in Hong Kong takes the display refugium to a whole new level Jimmy Ma’s incredible Koi Coral Beauty angelfish gets a much needed update inTank submersible refugium light is ingeniously simple Romantic Box Crabs star in the cute short film “Chivalry” Julian Sprung’s “Refugium” is an oasis of coral and reef life CPR Aquafuge2 PS getting Aeroforce treatment

Hobbyists generally keep aquariums because they can be very relaxing. The soft trickling of the water and slow paced movements of the fish just seem to help wash away all of the stresses of your day. That said, aquariums can also induce a great deal of stress. Initial setup of the system takes a lot if hard work, planning, and money. After the tank has been filled with various marine animals, it then becomes more stressful because you have the added pressure of keeping the fish and corals happy and healthy. Add in a fairly rigorous maintenance routine and you’ve got yourself an expensive way to raise your blood pressure. In all of that, don’t lose sight of why the aquarium was set up in the first place. Don’t let your hobby be ruined by money, stress, and anything else. Keep it light and fun, and you will enjoy it for many years to come.

A key lime colored crinoid by Frederique Jaffeux, South Ari Atoll in the MaldivesThis week, some brightly, eye-jarring crinoids in mind-blowing COLOR! What are crinoids aka feather stars? They are Echinoderms that hold their feathery arms up in the water and pick food out of the current as it flows through/past them! Want to learn MORE about crinoids? Visit this awesome site by Dr. Chuck Messing!Purple and white feeding fan of a feather star from the Maldives!Image by Bil StohlerHere-some brightly colored blue feeding structures called pinnules are seen on the arm...Image by mimimoyerA gorgeous crinoid from Okinawa withdrawn into itselfBy Okinawa Nature PhotographyA stunning green crinoid from Okinawa.By Okinawa Nature Photography (Shawn Miller)Stunning orange..Image by Henry and Tersia. Borneo.Black and White on a red sea fan.Image by RandapexMacro of Blue Oxycomanthus arms. fr. Bali.Image by Arne KuilmanBlue crinoid in repose fr. Indonesia.Image by Courtney PlattBlack & White Crinoid from the PhilippinesImage by Mona Dienhart & Chris LebasThere is a fish in this picture! Can you spot it?Image by Arne KuilmanA crinoid in a lovecraftian pose!Image by Eddy Wong

Click through to see the images. Unagi, the sea-going Japanese freshwater eel, harbors a fluorescent protein that could serve as the basis for a revolutionary new clinical test for bilirubin, a critical indicator of human liver function, hemolysis, and jaundice, according to researchers from the RIKEN Brain Science Institute. The discovery also sheds light on the mysterious and endangered Unagi that could contribute to its conservation. Science from kitchen to lab to clinic Best known as a culinary delicacy in Japan, the freshwater eel Unagi (Anguilla japonica) and related species have seen a worldwide decrease in population, probably due to the effects of global warming, and Unagi is on the brink of extinction in Japan. Yet almost nothing is know about the biology of the eel. Drs. Atsushi Miyawaki, Akiko Kumagai and their team cloned a gene from Unagi for an unusual fluorescent protein they named UnaG, for Unagi Green protein, that allows eels to glow in the dark. UnaG is the first fluorescent protein found in vertebrates; previously they were thought to exist only in simple animals like jellyfish. But what makes UnaG truly unique in nature is that it needs a natural chemical to activate its powerful green light emission. In a surprise twist, the compound was identified by the authors to be bilirubin, a slippery molecule universally used in clinical labs around the world as a human blood marker for liver function. New clinical test for bilirubin Bilirubin is the breakdown product of blood hemoglobin and is toxic if present in excess in the body like in the characteristic yellow skin and eye color conditions seen in newborn babies, jaundice and kernicterus. It is also a common marker in blood tests where bilirubin is used by doctors to assess liver function and for the assessment of health, including hemolysis, the loss of red blood cells in anemia. By analyzing the structure of UnaG, the team discovered a novel mechanism of fluorescence enabling bilirubin to bind to UnaG and activate its light emission. With this property, they developed a superior new assay for bilirubin with high sensitivity, accuracy and speed that may become the global clinical standard, and can be used in developing countries where child liver health is a major issue. Role of UnaG in eel conservation Japanese freshwater eels have a long-distance migration life cycle, growing in inland rivers and swimming far into the sea to spawn. The authors identified UnaG and bilirubin in the muscle cells of Japanese, American, and European eels where they may aid in endurance swimming during migration. The unexpected discovery of UnaG may initiate legislation to conserve endangered eel species. “We believe that UnaG provides an unexpected foothold into several important but currently obscure areas of human health including bilirubin metabolism and muscle physiology during endurance exercise,” Miyawaki concludes. “Before the discovery of UnaG, I couldn’t imagine that basic science could have such a direct impact on human health. From a simple eel, we found a new path to the clinic.” (Via Riken)

The Verus 850 is Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems’ latest addition of large pumps aimed at aquaculture facilities and commercial aquaria. With a non-corrosive all plastic design and stainless steel internals the pumps are saltwater rated, and the pumps feature “breakthrough” impellers for increased longevity and higher more efficient performance. The pumps are available in one phase models for those that wish to run the pumps at 230 volt or three phase models for those wishing to run the pumps at higher voltages. As can be seen in the flow chart the Pentair Verus 850 pumps come in a quite large variety of flow rates with the smallest pumps of the series, the VREK5-12, pushing around 350 gallons per minute, and the largest pumps models, the VREK-60, and REC-60 pushing around 850 gallons per minute. The VREK5-12 and VREK-60 and REC-60 retail for $2995.00 and $3950.00 respectively, although the latter are currently on sale for $3555.00. [via Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems] Readers also viewed: No Related