Oxymanthus benneti, also known as Anneissia bennetti, is a large feather star species characterized by its numerous feathery arms (31-120) used for filter-feeding. These arms, with their finger-like pinnules, trap food particles like detritus, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from the water column. A defining feature is its large, thick centrodorsal (body) with long, robust cirri (3-4.5 cm) used for attachment and later for elevation when free-living. These cirri help distinguish it from similar species.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Size and Appearance:
Oxymanthus benneti is one of the larger feather star species, reaching up to 30 cm in diameter.
Feeding:
They are filter feeders, capturing suspended food particles with their numerous feathery arms.
Arms and Pinnules:
The arms are equipped with many pinnules, which are finger-like projections that increase the surface area for trapping food.
Centrodorsal and Cirri:
The body (centrodorsal) is large and thick, with long, robust cirri used for initially attaching to a substrate and later for elevation and movement.
Life Cycle:
They begin life attached to a stalk, but become free-living as adults, using their cirri to position themselves for feeding.
Symbiosis:
Oxymanthus benneti is known to host various species of polychaete worms, offering them shelter, food, and protection in a commensalistic relationship.
Озонатор AquaLight ET 100
вариант
ЕТ100
Регулируем
10-100 мг/ч
максимална мощност
5 вата
Приложение
Сладководна/морска вода
2000/1000 л
препоръчителен въздушен поток
20-500 л/ч
регулируем
създава кристално чиста вода
намалява количеството на микробите
увеличава производителността на скимери, биофилтри и механични филтри
значително намалява замърсяването с нитрити и амоняк
увеличава редокс потенциала и съдържанието на кислород
отделя жълти вещества и други замърсители за разграждане
Приложение в сладка и морска вода
Paracanthurus hepatus is a species of Indo-Pacific surgeonfish. A popular fish in marine aquaria, it is the only member of the genus Paracanthurus.
A number of common names are attributed to the species, including regal tang, palette surgeonfish, blue tang , royal blue tang, hippo tang, blue hippo tang, flagtail surgeonfish, Pacific regal blue tang, and blue surgeonfish, hepatus tang, Indo-Pacific blue tang, regal blue surgeonfish, wedge-tailed tang, wedgetail blue tang.
Description
Paracanthurus hepatus has a royal blue body, yellow tail, and black "palette" design. Its length at first sexual maturity is 149.2 mm. Adults typically weigh around 600 g (21 oz) and males are generally larger than females.The back has a broad black area that encloses at the tip of the pectoral, creating a blue oval on each side of the fish that extends in the direction of the eye. The tail has a bright yellow triangle with its apex anterior to the caudal spine and its base at the posterior end of the caudal fin. Black surrounds the triangle on the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin, in the same hue as the back area.
Paracanthurus has small small scales, each with short ctenii on the upper surface. Scales on the caudal spine possess ctenii approximately three times as long as scales on the rest of the body. Scales anteriorly placed on the head between the eye and the upper jaw are larger with tuberculated, bony plates.
This fish has a compressed, elliptical body shape, and a terminal snout. It has nine dorsal spines, 26–28 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, and 24–26 anal soft yellow rays, and 16 principal caudal rays with slightly projecting upper and lower lobes. Its pelvic fin is made up of one spine and three rays; this characteristic is considered a synapomorphy of the Naso and Paracanthurus genus. The caudal peduncle has a spine located in a shallow groove, which is also a characteristic of its sister taxa Zebrasoma. It has 22 vertebrae. Paracanthurus has teeth that are small, close-set, denticulated, and described as incisor-like.
Jaw morphology includes an ectopterygoid that links the palatine to the quadrate near the articular condyle. A crest is present on the anterodorsal surface of the hyomandibular. The opercle is less developed, with a distinctly convex profile.
Some slight variation in appearance is present within Paracanthurus. The lower body is yellow in west-central Indian Ocean individuals, and bluish in Pacific individuals . Additionally, the blue color on the trunk of Paracanthurus loses pigmentation in response to changes in light and/or melatonin levels, making its appearance slightly lighter in color at night.
Distribution
The regal blue tang can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is seen in the reefs of the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. A single specimen was photographed in 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel. Vagrants were found two separate occasions in Hawaii, and are assumed to be aquarium releases.
Paracanthurus is an extant resident in the following territories: American Samoa; Australia; British Indian Ocean Territory; Brunei Darussalam; Christmas Island; Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Comoros; Cook Islands; Disputed Territory (Paracel Is., Spratly Is.); Fiji; French Southern Territories (Mozambique Channel Is.); Guam; India (Nicobar Is., Andaman Is.); Indonesia; Japan; Kenya; Kiribati (Kiribati Line Is., Phoenix Is., Gilbert Is.); Madagascar; Malaysia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mayotte; Micronesia, Federated States of ; Myanmar; Nauru; New Caledonia; Niue; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Réunion; Samoa; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Taiwan, Province of China; Tanzania, United Republic of; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United States (Hawaiian Is.); United States Minor Outlying Islands (US Line Is., Howland-Baker Is.); Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Wallis and Futuna.
Ecolog
Paracanthurus is a diurnal marine species that occupies marine neritic habitats along coastlines. It is found in clear water on exposed outer reef areas or in channels with a moderate or strong current. It primarily utilizes coral reef habitats, but is also known to utilize seagrass beds, mangroves, algal beds, and rocky reefs [1]. It has an upper and lower depth limit of 2 meters and 40 meters, respectively .They live in pairs or small groups of 8 to 14 individuals. They can also be found near cauliflower corals on the seaweed side of coral reefs. Juveniles can be found in schools using Acropora for shelter. Numbers of males and females tend to maintain a 1:1 ratio.
The fish is important for coral health as it eats algae that may otherwise choke it by overgrowth.
Diet
As a juvenile, its diet consists primarily of plankton. Adults are omnivorous and feed on zooplankton, but will also graze on filamentous algae.[16]
Life cycle
Spawning takes place year round, with a peak between April and September. Spawning occurs during late afternoon and evening hours around outer reef slopes. This event is indicated by a change in color from a uniform dark blue to a pale blue. Males aggressively court female members of the school, leading to a quick upward spawning rush toward the surface of the water during which eggs and sperm are released. The eggs are small, approximately 0.8 millimetres (1⁄32 in) in diameter. The eggs are pelagic, each containing a single droplet of oil for flotation. The fertilized eggs hatch in twenty-four hours, revealing small, translucent larvae with silvery abdomens and rudimentary caudal spines. Once opaque, the black "palette" pattern on juveniles do not fully connect until mature. These fish reach sexual maturity at 9–12 months of age, and at approximately 149.22 mm in size.[6] Fecundity has a tendency to positively correlate with weight.
Fishes in the family Acanthuridae, including Paracanthurus, produce altricial larvae that receive no v. parental care. After hatching, these larvae rely on yolk reserves in order to survive their first two to three days of life.
Importance to humans
The regal blue tang is of minor commercial fisheries importance; however, it is a bait fish. The flesh has a strong odor and is not highly prized. This fish may cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed by humans. However, regal blue tangs are collected commercially for the aquarium trade. Handling the tang risks the chances of being badly cut by the caudal spine. These spines, one on each of the two sides of the caudal peduncle, the area where the tail joins the rest of the body, are extended when the fish is stressed. The quick, thrashing sideways motion of the tail can produce deep wounds that result in swelling and discoloration, posing a risk of infection. It is believed that some species of Acanthurus have venom glands while others do not. The spines are used only as a method of protection against aggressors.
The regal blue tang is one of the most common and most popular marine aquarium fish all over the world, holding its place as the 8th most traded species worldwide. In 1997–2002, 74,557 individuals were traded in official tracked sales and in 2011 approximately 95,000 Paracanthurus were imported for use as a marine ornamental fish. When harvesting Paracanthurus in the wild, juveniles are specifically targeted since they are easiest to collect due to their tendency to travel in schools. Paracanthurus for human use are harvested in the wild rather than raised in aquaculture. Conservationists encourage efforts to switch to aquaculture in order to better preserve wild populations.
The Yellow Belly Blue Tang, scientifically known as Paracanthurus hepatus, is a color variant of the popular Blue Tang, notable for its striking blue body and a yellow belly and tail. This variant also features a distinctive black marking on its upper body that forms a sort of "palette" design.
Key characteristics of the Yellow Belly Blue Tang:
Coloration: A vibrant blue body with a bright yellow tail and belly.
Markings: A black marking, shaped like a horizontal bar, extends from the back of the head, loops around the gills, and then extends back to the base of the tail.
Size: Can grow up to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in length.
Temperament: Generally peaceful but can become territorial and aggressive towards other tangs, especially when they mature.
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe, meaning they don't typically harm corals or other invertebrates.
Diet: Herbivorous, primarily consuming algae and marine plants.
Habitat: Found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.
Additional details:
The yellow coloration on the belly and tail is most prominent in adults, though even small juveniles may show some yellowing.
They are known for their active swimming and need a spacious aquarium with plenty of swimming room.
They are susceptible to certain diseases, particularly Ich, so maintaining good water quality and a healthy diet is crucial.
Their sharp tail spine (scalpel) is used for defense and can inflict a painful wound.
They require a varied diet, including algae-based foods, to maintain their health and reduce aggression.
The sugar cane shrimp, scientifically known as Parhippolyte uveae, is a small shrimp species characterized by its translucent body and distinctive markings. It inhabits caves and anchialine pools in the Indo-Pacific region, including areas like the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. These shrimps are generally peaceful and thrive in reef-style aquariums with plenty of hiding spaces.
Appearance:
Size: They typically grow to about 5 cm in length.
Coloration: The body is red with shades of white
Habitat: They are commonly found in caves, often in shallow coral reef environments, and sometimes in anchialine pools.
Behavior:
Activity: Some populations, like those in Kakaban Island, are photophobic, meaning they are most active at night. Others, like those in the Philippines, are considered "sun-lovers" and are more active during the day.
Diet: Sugar cane shrimp are omnivores, preferring meaty foods like brine shrimp, mysis, and phytoplankton.
Temperament: They are generally peaceful and safe for reef and fish-only aquariums.
Other Names:
They are also known as the Red Sugar Cane Shrimp or Red Prawn.
Aquarium Care:
Tank Size: A 10-gallon tank is generally recommended.
Environment: They do well in reef or fish-only aquariums and are coral and fish safe.
Acclimation: Shrimp are sensitive to changes in salinity, so proper acclimation is important.
Pavona corals are a genus of colonial, stony corals known for their various growth forms and common names like "Cactus Coral," "Potato Chip Coral," or "Lettuce Coral". They are part of the Agariciidae family and are distinguished by having clearly defined septocostae connecting corallites, resulting in a flower-like pattern on their surface. Pavona species exhibit a range of colors and growth forms, including columnar, club-shaped, or plate-like colonies.
Here's a more detailed look at Pavona corals:
Key Features:
Colonial:
They grow in colonies, forming various shapes like plates, branches, or columns.
Stony Corals:
They are a type of hard coral, meaning their skeletons are made of calcium carbonate.
Corallites:
They have shallow depressions called corallites, which are the individual polyp chambers within the colony.
Septocostae:
These are radial structures connecting the corallites, creating a distinct pattern on the coral's surface.
Zooxanthellae:
They contain symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
Growth Forms:
Pavona corals can exhibit different growth forms, including columnar (Pavona clavus), plate-like (Pavona cactus), and branched (Pavona frondifera).
Examples of Pavona Species:
Pavona cactus:
Often called "Cactus Coral" or "Potato Chip Coral," they form thin, plate-like colonies with a distinctive cactus or lettuce-like appearance.
Pavona clavus:
Known for its columnar or club-shaped colonies, sometimes forming extensive single-species stands.
Pavona duerdeni:
This species forms clusters of cream-colored lobes or discs, with a smooth appearance due to the small corallites on their surface.
Pavona frondifera:
This species has a more delicate, frond-like growth form, often found in lagoons and on upper reef slopes.
Care Considerations:
Lighting:
Pavona corals typically thrive in medium to strong lighting.
Water Movement:
They generally benefit from medium to strong water movement to help with feeding and prevent the accumulation of detritus.
Feeding:
While they are primarily photosynthetic, they may also feed on rotifers and other microfauna.
Aggression:
Some Pavona species, like encrusting forms, can be aggressive and may sting other corals.
Percnon gibbesi, commonly known as the Sally Lightfoot Crab or Nimble Spray Crab, is a marine crab species characterized by its very flat, thin, and wide carapace (shell). It has a distinctive red to brown coloration, sometimes with fine green marbling, and legs with yellow rings at the joints. Adults can reach a carapace width of about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches). They are known for their agility and speed, especially in their natural rocky habitat.
Physical Characteristics:
Carapace: Flat and thin, with a width of about 30mm.
Coloration: Varies from red to brown, sometimes with green marbling.
Legs: Long and flattened, with yellow rings at the joints.
Spines: Each of the five pairs of walking legs has a row of spines along the leading edge.
Habitat and Behavior:
Percnon gibbesi is native to the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the Mediterranean.
It is commonly found in rocky, intertidal and subtidal zones, often hiding under rocks and in crevices.
They are known for their scavenging behavior, feeding on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.
While generally reef-safe, larger individuals can become aggressive and may prey on small fish and other invertebrates
The "Purple Porcelain Crab," Petrolisthes sp., is a small, flat-bodied crab with a distinctive coloration, known for its vibrant purple hues and the ability to detach its claws when threatened. These crabs are found in tropical oceans and are popular additions to reef aquariums due to their peaceful nature and reef-safe qualities.
Physical Characteristics:
Size:
The carapace (body shell) can grow up to 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) wide.
Shape:
They have a flattened, rounded body, well-suited for hiding in crevices and under rocks.
Coloration:
While often reddish-brown or blueish-grey, they are known for their vibrant purple claws and markings on the body. The claws (chelipeds) are disproportionately large and may have a blueish hue, particularly at the joints (knuckles).
Claws:
They possess large claws that are easily detachable as a defense mechanism.
Legs:
They have four pairs of walking legs, with the fifth pair being reduced and tucked under the abdomen.
Antennae:
Long antennae are located beside the eyes.
Behavior and Ecology:
Habitat:
They are typically found on rocky substrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones.
Feeding:
Petrolisthes sp. are filter feeders, using specialized limbs near their mouths to capture plankton and other small particles from the water. They may also scavenge for food and are known to feed on "marine snow" and micro-invertebrates.
Defense:
They are known for autotomy, the ability to detach limbs, especially claws, when threatened.
Reef Safe:
They are generally considered reef safe and pose no threat to other inhabitants of a reef aquarium.
Social Behavior:
They often live in pairs or small groups.
In Aquariums:
Tank Setup: They do well in aquariums with plenty of live rock for hiding and feeding.
Water Parameters: Maintain stable water parameters suitable for a marine aquarium.
Feeding: Supplement their filter feeding with meaty foods, such as small pieces of fish or shrimp, and plankton-based foods.
Engineer gobies, also known as convict gobies or worm gobies, are a unique and fascinating species native to the Indo-Pacific region. They are known for their burrowing behavior, constructing intricate tunnel systems in sandy substrates, which they use for shelter and to raise their young. These fish exhibit interesting color changes as they mature, initially displaying black and white horizontal stripes, which later transition into vertical bands.
Physical Description:
Size: Engineer gobies can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length.
Body Shape: They have a slender, eel-like body shape.
Coloration:
Juveniles: Black with bright white or yellow horizontal stripes, often mimicking venomous catfish.
Adults: Black with white vertical bands.
Behavior and Ecology:
Burrowing:
Engineer gobies are renowned for their burrowing behavior, constructing elaborate tunnel systems in the sand.
Social Structure:
They are social fish and often live in groups, with multiple individuals sharing tunnel systems.
Mimicry:
Juvenile engineer gobies mimic venomous catfish to deter predators.
Diet:
They are carnivorous and will consume meaty foods, including frozen and live options.
Care in Aquariums:
Tank Size:
A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended, with plenty of substrate for burrowing.
Tank Mates:
They are generally peaceful but can become territorial with other blennies, gobies, or dartfish in smaller tanks.
Diet:
A varied diet of frozen and live meaty foods is essential.
Reef Safe:
Engineer gobies are considered reef-safe and generally pose no threat to corals or most invertebrates.
Premnas epigramma, commonly known as the Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish, is a designer variant of the Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish (Premnas sp. epigrammata). It is characterized by its unique coloration, transitioning from a juvenile white body with maroon fins and face to a vibrant yellow adult with maroon extremities. These clownfish are known to be relatively easy to care for and can be kept in pairs, with the larger fish automatically becoming female in the absence of a pre-existing female.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Juvenile Gold Nugget Maroons have a white body with maroon fins and face. As they mature, yellow coloration develops, eventually covering most of the body, with maroon remaining on the extremities.
Size:
They are among the largest clownfish species, reaching a maximum size of around 15cm.
Temperament:
They are generally semi-aggressive, particularly towards other fish when defending their anemone or territory.
Reef Compatibility:
They are compatible with reef aquariums.
Origin:
They are found in the waters around Indonesia.
Diet:
They are omnivorous and will readily accept a variety of foods including pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods.
Anemone Relationship:
While they don't require an anemone to survive, they will readily host with various types, including Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor).
Breeding:
They are known to breed in captivity, and the dominant fish in a pair will become female if needed.
Protula bispiralis, commonly called a red fanworm or mopworm, is a marine polychaete worm. It's known for its distinctive, feathery branchial crown (the "fan" or "mop") and its calcareous tube. The worm lives within this tube, secretes it, and can attach it to hard surfaces like rocks or coral reefs.
More details about Protula bispiralis:
Size:
The worm itself can reach 6-10 cm in length, and the branchial crown can be up to 20 cm wide when fully extended.
Branchial Crown:
The crown is made of white radioles (feathery branches) and has a base that can be red to pink.
Tube:
The calcareous tube is white and can have a diameter of up to 1 cm.
Habitat:
Protula bispiralis inhabits shallow waters, typically 3-10 meters deep, often attaching to hard surfaces or under rocks.
Feeding:
It's a filter feeder, capturing small plankton and organic particles in the water column.
Sensitivity:
The worm is sensitive to movement and will retract into its tube when disturbed
