by Admin | Dec 6, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
High nitrogenous and phosphorus levels not only promote smothering algae (as all aquarists already know) but they also stress corals to the point that they're twice more likely to contract a disease and three times as likely to bleach. The good news is once these nutrient levels are removed, corals show amazing resiliency and recover within ten months. by Admin | Dec 5, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
Some birds and mammals will serve as lookouts for others in the group. Think: prairie dogs and meerkats. While one member of the group carries on daily activity such as foraging or nesting, another member serves as a sentinel against predators. Recently, this behavior has been documented for the first time in fish, and it so happens to be reef rabbitfish. by Admin | Dec 5, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
Scipps Institute researchers have found that the world's algae-eating reef fish are severely overfished. Coral reefs without their natural gardeners are more likely to get overrun by algae not only because of reduced grazing activity but also because algae-farming damsels take the place absentee tangs, angels, and parrotfish. The new study confirms previous studies that conclude reef fish (and particularly herbivores) are vital to reef health. by Admin | Dec 3, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
Most aquarists know about mudskippers - the curious freshwater fish that lives on land. Fewer know about its reef counterpart: the Pacific leaping blenny. Researchers studied how the camouflage of these "terrestrial" marine fish may have helped them make the transition from sea to land. And on an aquarist-related note, how cool would it be to set up a reef paludarium with these little guys as the focal point? by Admin | Dec 2, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
The Batumi Aquarium at Batumi, Georgia (the Eurasian nation) is the next avant-garde public aquarium. With planned completion in 2015, the pebble-inspired architecture brings together a modern structure with its natural surrounding. by Admin | Dec 2, 2013 | Advanced Aquarist
The Acropora-eating flatworm is a destructive predator of Acropora corals in aquariums. This research aims to undercover some key questions on the life cycle of this scourge in order to develop a scientifically-based protocol for its control - and it needs your support!
