Feature Articles

A Giant Among Dwarfs: Apistogramma steindachneri

Author: Radek Bednarczuk

The large-growing Apistogramma steindachneri is a great option for community tanks and breeding setups alike.

A Lovely New Import: Marble Crabs Metasesarma obesum

Author: Uwe Dost

A cute crab that can enter both fresh and salt water, the marble crab makes a fascinating addition to terrariums.

A Survey of Freshwater Sharks

Author: Phil Purser

Unlike their namesake marine predators, freshwater sharks make interesting additions to reasonably sized tanks.

Amazing Catfish Breeding Strategies

Author: Eric Bodrock and Bob Bock

Egg-scatterers, bubblenesters, and more—the myriad catfish species in the aquarium hobby exhibit a wide variety of breeding strategies.

Book Excerpt: Clownfishes and Other Damselfishes

Author: Jeff Kurtz

An exclusive look at the new book from T.F.H. Publications on the popular and easy-to-keep marine clownfish and damsels.

Foreground Variations in the Nature Aquarium

Author: Takashi Amano

Cosmetic sand can be used in the foreground of a Nature Aquarium to create perspective and make the layout easy to maintain long-term.

Hobbyist Profile: Thomas Siodmok, a Conservation-Minded Aquarist

Author: Iggy Tavares

After designing his own dream reef tank, one innovative aquarist is using it to propagate corals to help the environment.

Kelly Warm Springs: The Tropics of Wyoming’s Grand Tetons

Author: Howard Goldstein

Amid snowcapped mountains, the warm waters of Kelly Warm Springs host a resident population of tropical aquatic life year-round.

The TFH Breeder’s Challenge Part 10

Author: Ted Judy and Mike Hellweg

With Mike having a solid lead, has the game turned on Ted? See what happens as the action continues!

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version by clicking this LINK.

The modern reef aquarium is an enclosed eco system in miniature that with good husbandry replicates a natural coral reef enviroment and as such ‘lives’. Many of the life forms that call our reef tanks home are far too small to see with the naked eye and often go unnoticed.

The NanoScope allows the hobbyist to venture into this hidden world and observe tiny marine creatures and natural feeding behaviours of corals. This can give better understanding of long term coral care and how micro fauna can influence the over all health of our systems.

Within the last few years hobbyists have also been made aware of various coral pests that can plague a reef tank and quickly decimate coral stocks. These tiny creatures are often no more than the size of a pin head and are easily missed resulting in misdiagnosis and the hobbyist blaming the losses on their own husbandry.

When armed with the D-D Nanoscope hobbyists can identify coral predators such as:
• SPS Red bugs
• Montipora eating Nudibranch
• Zoanthid Spiders
• Clam eating Pyramid snails
• Zoanthid eating Sundial snails
• Soft coral eating Nudibranch
• SPS eating Flatworms

to name but a few.

The NanoScope can also be used to diagnose early symptoms of disease in corals that can initiate Necrotic loss of tissue.

With careful use images and video can also be taken through the NanoScope using a mobile phone capable of auto focus. The images can be invaluable for online diagnosis or identification of unknown creatures.

This youtube video was taken by carefully holding a mobile phone to the NanoScopes eye piece whilst the NanoScope was mounted to the glass via the included flexible mount!

D-D NanoScope is now available at our eStore at a great price for looking closer to the marine life forms!

The New 28 gallon led Powered  Nano Cube – ADVANCED FEATURES :
LED Illumination that is uberbright
High intensity LED lighting offers the ability to dramatically increase PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) which designates the spectral range from 400-700 nanometers for the growth of photosynthetic organisms while lowering energy input.

Time to Change Lamps?
Impressive 50,000 hour lifespan with a 30% reduction in output. You won’t need to change the led lamps for at least 10 years* Based on 10 hours a day Going Green Safely

LEDs do not produce any ultra-violet radiation that is harmful for living organisms and do not contain any toxic mercury that is harmful for the environment unlike metal Halide or Sodium Mecury aquarium bulbs.
These solid state components are extremely durable and prevent accidental lamp breakage through handling associated with fluorescents. Consuming less energy puts less greenhouse gas emissions into our surroundings….

Beautifully Efficient
The 89 watt 28 gallon LED  powered JBJ aquarium is the perfect nano cube system that  provides comparable PAR output to our 150 watt HQI – 14K canopy system, while consuming approximately 40% less energy..  Enjoy the mesmerizing shimmering of all 3 light cycles generally only found in nature.

Since LEDs turn on to full brightness without having to warm up, you can instantly light up your aquariums without the wait. These revolutionary diodes radiate heat upwards and away from the water to reduce unwanted heat transfer that can be detrimental for aquarium livestock.

For a limited period promotion till 31 August 2010, this complete set comes with freebies and is going at a great price for only SGD 1080. Click HERE for further details!

Bookmark www.freshnmarine.com.sg as your favourite and start enjoying shopping for your aquarium products from your iPhone today. Navigate our eStore and place orders via iPhone device has never been easier!

Feature Articles

Rhinopias Scorpionfish

Author: Jeremy Gosnell

Striking coloration and atypical looks make these predatory fish a Holy Grail for marine aquarists.

Aquarium Science: Breeding a Sex-Changing Shrimp

Author: Valerio Zupo

Learn step by step how to breed the fascinating green Mediterranean shrimp Hippolyte inermis.

Finding Furu in Tanzania: Lake Victorian Cichlids in the Mwanza Region

Author: Lawrence Kent

Our international traveler visits Lake Victoria to collect local cichlids and other interesting fish.

Fish Photography Secrets

Author: Radek Bednarczuk

Wondering how all those amazing fish photos are taken? An accomplished aquatic photographer shares some tricks of the trade.

Hobbyist Profile: Raising Clownfish Fry with Ram Pall

Author: Iggy Tavares

A hobbyist with a gorgeous reef tank decides to help his clownfish pair raise their larvae.

Mastering the Use of Low-Light Aquatic Plants

Author: Takashi Amano

Growing in the dimly lit sections of the aquascape, low-light plants add a sense of depth and tranquility to the Nature Aquarium.

Rasboras

Author: Joshua Wiegert

A favorite for beginners through advanced aquarists, there is a rasbora perfectly suited to almost any hobbyist.

The TFH Breeder’s Challenge Part 8

Author: Ted Judy and Mike Hellweg

Mike has caught up to Ted and the race is now neck-and-neck with only a few months to go. Who will be the TFH Master Breeder?

The Wine Betta Betta burdigala

Author: Tony Pinto

This unique wild betta will add a splash of color to any small aquarium.

Those Beautiful Basslets

Author: Bob Goemans

Ever popular in the hobby, royal grammas and blackcap basslets provide beauty and interesting behaviors to any reef tank.

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version by clicking this LINK.

FnM aQuarium India is an initiative by fresh ‘n’ marine aQuarium Singapore and Indiapetstore, bringing the World even closer.

Feature Articles

Nannacara aurocephala: A Different Dwarf Cichlid

Author: Karel Zahradka

Nannacara aurocephala is an out-of-the-ordinary cichlid that doesn’t require a tank the size of your living room.

A Closer Look at Caulerpa: Common Aquarium Species and Their Care

Author: Adam Jenkins

Used responsibly, various macroalgae species of the genus Caulerpa can be ornamental additions to a display tank or help control the nutrient load of a large reef tank.

Breeding the Basketmouth Cichlid Caquetaia spectabilis

Author: Iggy Tavares

With large mouths that can extend to a third of their body length, basketmouths are fascinating cichlids to keep and breed.

Girls Will Be Boys: Cichlid Pseudomales

Author: Adam Smith

Assuming male appearance and behaviors, some female cichlids can ruin even the best breeding program.

Long-Term Maintenance of an Iwagumi Layout

Author: Takashi Amano

Maintaining a Nature Aquarium iwagumi layout is a test of the aquascaper’s skill and dedication.

Meet the Victorians

Author: Mike Hellweg

Keeping cichlids from Lake Victoria is a great way to enjoy fishkeeping while preserving threatened species.

The TFH Breeder’s Challenge Part 7

Author: Mike Hellweg and Ted Judy

With Mike rapidly catching up and Ted’s schedule getting busier, see who is in the lead in the yearlong competition for the title of TFH Master Breeder.

The Fish Habitats of a Peruvian Amazon River, Part 2

Author: Shannon Loughnan

Completing his journey down the Yarapa River, our South American explorer reveals the fish populations he found in nine different microhabitats.

The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, UK

Author: Devyani Borade

A tour through the National Sea Life Centre reveals a large variety of fish and other animals, educational displays, and even a “Sensorama 4-D Cinema” experience.

Today in the Fishroom: The Parachromis managuensis Breeding Cycle

Author: Mo Devlin

An expert aquarium photographer and big-cichlid lover captures the exciting drama of the jaguar cichlid mating ritual.

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version by clicking this LINK.

Join us on Facebook

It is a great pleasure to announce that we are now officially on Facebook. We welcome you to join our Group on Facebook with a big open arm! See you guys as fans on facebook to meet new people, share your experiences in the hobby etc….

Click HERE, CYA and have fun!

Sea Cucumber

Sea cucumbers, echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea, are very common in marine reef aquaria as they are prized for their unusual behaviour and appearance. Found on the sea floor worldwide, they have leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad, and they grow typically 10 to 30 centimetres (3.9 to 12 in) long. In the hobby, the sea cucumber consumes detritus that accumulates on the substrate (such as aragonite or sand).

Sea cucumbers can live without feeding for months, often up to half a year. If an aquarium system cannot support these creatures, the sea cucumber will shrink gradually as it digests its own body mass to survive, while starving. It would be wise to observe its proper feeding with signs of its feeding tentacles around its mouth to pick up and swallow sand from the bottom of the aquarium for planktons and decaying organic matter, and producing castings of excreted substrate.

Sea cucumbers can release highly toxic compounds, especially those known as “Sea Apples” which can be very lethal to the other tank inhabitants if they are injured. Be sure to to avoid possbilities of all powerheads and pumps to be accessible by them as they can squeeze themselves into spaces much smaller than their body. Remove any injured cucumbers immediately from the aquarium and perform a major water change, aided with activated carbon filtration to ensure the other inhabitants are saved.

There was some lively commentary including a testimonial from an actual user, and even the manufacturer contribution to a post covering BioPellets in October 2009 at Reefbuilders.

How it works
The positive effects of NP-reducing BioPellets on water quality are based on the principle of immobilization. Waste products from the water, mainly nitrate and phosphate, are converted into bacteria. This keeps the aquarium water clean.

NP-reducing BioPellets are composed of biologically degradable polymers that can be placed in a fluidized filter or filter canister. The pellets will allow aerobic growth of bacteria which consequently will consume nitrate and phosphate simultaneously. The bacteria will use up the carbon from the BioPellets, whilst nitrogen and phosphorus are taken from the water as nitrate and (ortho)phosphate. This conversion of organic BioPellets (together with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) into microbial biomass is called immobilization. In addition, anaerobic layers will develop, resulting in additional denitrification.

The surplus of bacteria will be consumed by filter and suspension feeding organisms such as sponges and corals, or skimmed off by a protein skimmer. On average this “solid wodka method” takes 2-4 weeks to give rise to sufficient bacteria to allow nitrate and phosphate levels to drop. The main advantage of this method over using Wodka or sugar as a carbon source is that NP-reducing BioPellets stimulate local growth of bacteria in a filter compartment, instead of all over in the aquarium where they may clog up pipes and hoses. They also prevent the growth of cyanobacteria, as the bacteria growing on NP-reducing BioPellets will compete with these phototrophic nuisance microbes. Finally, NP-reducing BioPellets will save the aquarist a lot of time, as no daily dosages of carbon are required.

A first reported incident that a leak has developed, since its opening 7 months ago, in Dubai Mall’s massive aquarium today has led to shoppers being evacuated and the shops around it were closed. There was no reported case of injury during the evacuation process.  Check out the video below.

Dubai Mall Aquarium is one of the largest aquarium in the world that holds more than 33,00o aquatic creatures where you can get up close and personal with. It also features Tiger Sharks, giant Groupers, graceful Stingrays and shimming shoals of pelagic fish.  The largest mall in Middle East holds 1,200 stores, and is located at the foot of Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.

 

Silver carp is a filter feeder, and possesses a remarkably specialized filtration apparatus capable of filtering particles as small as 4 µm. Silver carps are produced worldwide in aquaculture. The gill rakers are fused into a sponge-like filter, and an epibranchial organ secretes mucus which assists in trapping small particles. A strong buccal pump forces water through this filter.

Like all Hypophthalmichthys species, this carp has no stomach, as they feed constantly. Silver carp are thought to feed largely on phytoplankton; they also consume zooplankton and detritus. Because of their plankton feeding habit, they have been successfully used as methods for controlling water quality, especially in the control of noxious cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).  For instance, millions silver carps have been released in the past in Taihu Lake, one of the nation’s most scenic lakes, that straddles Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, to feed on the blue-green algae plague due to the pollution from the sewage, agricultural and industrial waste. 

However, these efforts are sometimes not successful. Certain species of blue-green algae, notably the often toxic Mycrocystis, can pass through the gut of silver carp unharmed, and pick up nutrients while in the gut. Thus, in some cases blue-green algae blooms have been exacerbated by silver carp. Also, Mycrocystis has been shown to produce more toxins in the presence of silver carp. Silver carp, which have natural defenses to the toxins produced by blue-green algae, sometimes can contain enough algal toxins in their systems that they become hazardous to eat.

Silver carp are also considered as a highly invasive species, often reaching an extremely high population densities bringing undesirable effects on the environment and on native species. Considering the diet of blue-green algae this fish feeds on, one may think twice whether to feed on them as part of their diet.