Monthly Archives: September 2012

ScienceDaily reports on a study published two weeks ago in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that demonstrates a new understanding and appreciation of the migrations of reef fish and the connectivity between different habitats. The study reveals that some commercial fish in the Red Sea are adaptable to many different habitats and often move between them—sometimes significant distances—to enable their species to survive. Their distribution as juveniles in coastal wetlands, reef, and continental islands was recorded through a unique and complex analysis of the ear bones of individual Ehrenberg’s snappers (Lutjanus ehrenbergii). Photo courtesy of Sciencedaily.com The team of scientists collected adult fish, analyzed the isotopic signatures recorded in the ear bone, and identified “with a high degree of accuracy the habitat an individual fish occupied as a juvenile.” These findings shine new light on the life cycle of fish and the impact of human activity on the seascape. Further research needs to be done to see if this is a pattern among species throughout the world, but it is already apparent that the protection of all marine environments is a vital to the survival of at least one fish that is of particularly important to us as a global food source. The team developed the innovative method and their findings are sure to be vital in the ongoing discussion of land management near reef ecosystems. As Biologist Simon Thorrold states, “Protecting the reef protects the adult fishes, but not an important component of their life history, as juveniles… It won’t work to protect the reef but, for example, allow a hotel to be built on the seagrass beds and mangroves.” Read more here!… More:

We were alerted to a new app in the Apple App Store named Reefdoser Pro.  This is available for the Apple iPad and features an incredible amount of logging and statistical analysis tools for the advanced aquarists.  Despite the huge number of possible inputs, you can use this app to identify common causes of pH issues, Alk/Ca balance issues, balling light, as well as long term trending for Phosphates and Nitrates.  Basically the app depends on you putting in your test results, but it gives you a very nice interface and explanation of what your current chemistry is and how to dose to get to the ideal levels.  If you’re like us, you keep some sort of computer or iPad near your tank to record this information and Reefdoser Pro seems like a great fit if you are struggling to understand what is going on with your water chemistry.  Check it out now on Pixelwand’s website.… More:

Around this time every year, the folks over at Reef Nutrition start cooking up a new flavor of deliciousness for your reef.  We’ve previously mentioned their new R.O.E. product, which will be on display at MACNA in Dallas next week, but to add to the excitement, we just got a sneak peek of their new Artemia product that is due out this Fall.  The “Nutrition” in the company name is not just for marketing, these brine shrimp are super gut loaded with saltwater phytoplankton in salt pond farms in Australia, ensuring that they are one of the most nutritious things you can feed your fish and corals.  Gone are the days of keeping some live brine alive until they die and smell up your home, these tasty morsels are packed with beta-carotene and can be safely refrigerated long enough for you to use them up.  We can’t wait to get a bottle of this to see how excited our fish get, if you use the RN products you know how crazy they get the first they see the new foods hit the water!… More:

ScienceDaily reports on the melting sea ice in the Arctic and its effects on Apherusa glacialis, a small crustacean that was once thought to die after its habitat—the sea ice—melted away. The University of Delaware’s Marine Science director Mark Moline along with Norwegian colleagues were making a research trip at night to the Fram Strait and Eurasian section of the Arctic Ocean when they discovered  the small shrimp-looking crustaceans “well below the sea ice.”  The scientist hypothesized that “part of [the crustacean’s] life cycles” was spent traveling on the North Atlantic Drift Current toward more habitable environments in the North Pole. Dubbed the “Nemo hypothesis” after the Disney movie, the theory helps explain the evolution of the crustacean and suggests an optimistic outcome for the species when Molina predicts an “Arctic Ocean potentially void of summer sea ice.” As he says, “[Our findings] also may ultimately change the perception of ice fauna as imminently threatened by the predicted disappearance of perennial sea ice.” Read more here!… More:

 With the re-release of “Finding Nemo” in 3D this week Drs. Foster & Smith and “Live Aquaria” have put out a great article for new hobbyists. The article highlights responsibility, cost & maintenance as well as tips on setting up a freshwater system as an alternative to a saltwater one. Also of note is the section on the  tank bred species available and their benefits. Nice job! Read the full article: Finding Nemo In Your Home… More:

Dustin over at ORA just revealed some interesting developments in their captive breeding of Maroon clownfish.  First up is the availability of the striking Goldflake Maroon clown pictured above.  These fish are the result of a very healthy breeding program that has been going on for the past 15 years, but these new Goldflakes demonstrate that ORA has a good amount of data showing that the strange patterns shown in some wild caught clowns will not be passed on to their first generation offspring.  One of the most unusual varieties is what they are referring to as a 24k Solid Gold Maroon, which is the fish above but completely white, like a platinum.  These fish are just reaching maturity now and when their coloration changes from white to gold they will be incredible looking.  Be sure to check out the details on the breeding program HERE and you can expect these new Goldflakes in your LFS in the coming months.… More: