We thought that a nice way of bringing you informative news, was to start a section called Interesting Facts within the Library section of our WEB site.
- Cerianthid Anemones (Tube anemones) live in large protective tubes. Sometimes however they crawl out of them or they arrive at the pet stores without their tube. These anmones will rebuild their tube, providing they can find the right material in their immediate vicinity to do so. To bring this about they need sand and very small crushed coral right Next to where you have placed them in your aquarium. The rebuilding of the tube can take months, so do not be in a rush. Note also that without their protective tube these anemones are at a great risk of attack by predators such as Arrow Crabs, Mantis Shrimp and so on.
- Ever heard of egg-laying anemones? Actinia equina and Actinia cari do so. Nature is stranger than we expect it to be, indeed.
- Feather Duster worms will loose their crown for two main reasons: when harassed by other animals and when the water quality deteriortes. The crown regrows though and takes 3 to 4 weeks to become large again. Beware of predators in the tank that feed on worms.
- Flatworms are herbivorous. Nudibranchs are carnivorous. Keep the latter out of your tank as they will not survive for very long anyway. They have extremely specialized diets that are, in most cases, not providable in an aquarium. As a result they die after a few weeks to months.
- Although the Spanish Dancer is a magnificient Nudibranch, it is not possible to keep it alive in your aquarium for very long. Refrain from buying them. By not buying them, stores will not bring them in and you will save animal lives.
- Macro-Algae will die off if you use phosphate removing compounds in your aquarium in large quanitities. This die-off releases a lot of toxins in the water and can result in die-offs of fish. On the other hand, at times, macro-algae will all die off and cloud the tank. This is a totally different phenomnenon and is really an attempt at sexual reproduction on the part of the algae. In both case consecutive large water changes are necessary. This will prevent toxins that are released in the water from affecting fishes and corals.
- Macro-Algae, such as Caulerpa, need nutrients just as you and I do. If you wish to grow macro-algae you must use a macro-algae fertilizer and an iron supplement.
- Cowries have a so-called mantle. When in danger or not a ease they expand the mantle over their outside shell which then becomes invisible. The shells of some Cowries are truly beautiful.
- When dealing with water chemistry, never assume anything. Only testing will tell you what the exact water conditions are. Use good quality tests. Always close the containers immediately after having removed the necessary amounts. Chemicals will go bad on you due to exposure to air, humidity and some due to light.
- Most Urchins eat algae and prefer the macro variety. They will eat the shoots (which, incidentally are the new growths). These are the white outgrowths that can be seen on growing macro-algae.
- Endemic means native to and found only in that geographical area
- Benthic means fauna and flora living on the bottom of the reef. Demersal means the same.
- Crenulate in shape means wavy.
- Setae are bristles as in the bristleworm
- Serrate means with notches as in a saw
- Ocellus: a marking that looks like an eye. Used by fish as a protective device.
- Allopatric means animals found in several geographic areas
- Sympatric means animals found in only one geographical area
- Varying the food fed to fish and invertebrates produces much better results than feeding the same food all the time. Variety introduces more food stuff and more elements that fishes and invertebrates may need.
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