Aquaristic Section
This section is provided as an introductory guide to the maintenance of marine fishes in the aquarium. Habits and requirements are given for each family, or in some cases related groups of families. Included are data such as temperament and compatibility» water conditions, relative hardiness, size, aquascape type, and feeding habits. The family listings (names and numbers) are based on the systematic listing by Nelson (1984), which is found on pages 24-25.
For families that have representatives common in the aquarium hobby, a generalized drawing is included to help with identification. Each drawing immediately precedes the corresponding written entry. After narrowing an unidentified fish down to the family level using these drawings, turning to the pictorial section of the book should give you a good chance of identifying it down to the species level. The selection of families illustrated by drawings may seem somewhat arbitrary, but effort was made to include only those that often appear in pet shops or are commonly collected by hobbyists in coastal areas.
Not all of the families listed here are suitable for home aquaria, and the writeups indicate the reasons why—many are simply too large, others too delicate, others too dangerous! In general, fishes that commonly reach an adult size in excess of a foot or so are suitable only for large public aquaria, and information on many of these species is included for the benefit of such aquaria.
It should be noted that these entries are only generalizations; individual species of some families vary widely with regard to their aquarium care. The butterflyfishes of the family Chaetodontidae are a good example—some species are very hardy, eat almost anything, and are good fishes for the beginner. Others eat only live coral and other hard-to-get items, and these are almost impossible for the average hobbyist to maintain. It is always best to research each individual species, preferably before a specimen is purchased. A good reference for this purpose is Exotic Marine Fishes (T.F.H. H-938), as well as much of the scientific literature.
1) MYXINIDAE
Hagfishes. Ravenous predators and scavengers, consuming dead and dying fishes Usually found in groups. Produce large volumes of mucus that may be troublesome in small systems. Not compatible with any other fishes. Dark tank, cool water.
2) PETROMYZONTIDAE
Lampreys. Parasitic predators on living fishes Cool, well-oxygenated water Not compatible with fishes not »ntended as prey. 4) CHIMAERIDAE
Chimaeras. Cool water, dim light Foods Include benthic invertebrates and fishes. Good aquarium foods include chopped fish. crab, and shrimp Most are too large for home aquaria, though young specimens are sometimes kept. Compatible with fishes too large to be easy prey
6) CHLAMYDQSELACHIDAE
Frilled sharks. Dark, cold tank. Foods include benthic invertebrates and fishes Too large for home aquaria; rarely kept oven by public aquaria.
7) HEXANCHIDAE
Stxgill sharks. Dark, cold tank. Sensitive to changes in water conditions. Eat fishes, crabs, shrimp. Will outgrow home aquaria but are unlikely to be seen outside of public aquaria anyway
7) HEXANCHIDAE
Stxgill sharks. Dark, cold tank. Sensitive to changes in water conditions. Eat fishes, crabs, shrimp. Will outgrow home aquaria but are unlikely to be seen outside of public aquaria anyway
8) HETERODONTIDAE
Horn sharks Relatively inactive, often resting on the bottom Provide shaded grottos for shelter. Eat fishes, crustaceans. In captivity will accept live goldfish, chopped clam, shrimp, crab. Peaceful with fishes too large to swallow whole. Spines can cause injury; handle with care.
8) HETERODONTIDAE
Horn sharks Relatively inactive, often resting on the bottom Provide shaded grottos for shelter. Eat fishes, crustaceans. In captivity will accept live goldfish, chopped clam, shrimp, crab. Peaceful with fishes too large to swallow whole. Spines can cause injury; handle with care.
9) RHINCODONTIDAE
Whale sharks. Peaceful plankton feeders. Too large for any aquarium.
10) ORECTOLOBIDAE
Nurse sharks and relatives. Feed on benthic invertebrates. Good aquarium foods include live goldfish, chopped clam, crab, shrimp. Warm, well-lit tank. Peaceful with fishes too large to swatlow. but Should not be kept with any invertebrates not intended as food Active and fast-growing, reaching a large size: large tank necessary. Relatively hardy
11) ODONTASPIDAE
Sand tiger sharks. Aggressive fish eaters. Large tank needed, only suitable for public aquaria.
12) LAMNIDAE
Mackerel sharks. Pelagic. Very large, often aggressive. Wide variety in diet within this family; various species feed on plankton, fishes, manne mammals. Not suitable for home aquaria and not yet kepi with success in public aquaria.
13) SCYLIORHINIDAE
Catsharks. Among the best sharks tor home aquaria. Somewhat sensitive to adverse changes In water quality, but otherwise hardy Many are quite attractive, and many remain moderately small Goldfish, shrimp or prawn, chopped clam, and beef heart are good foods. Large tanks with caves preferred. Peaceful with most fishes, but may attempt to eat many invertebrates.
14) CARCHARHINIDAE
Requiem sharks. Active, aggressive predators with powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Very sensitive and generally make poor captives. Very large tanks with no sharp corners are required: these sharks swim tirelessly. Will eat live or chopped fish as well as squid, shrimp, crab.
15) SPHYRNIDAE
Hammerhead sharks. Pelagic, extremely poor survival in captivity Extended head lobes easily damaged Very sensitive to any change in water conditions. Fish eaters, will also take squid.
16) SQUALIDAE
Dogfish sharks. Fairly hardy in captivity: not terribly prone to disease and not too sensitive to changes in water quality. Venomous dorsal spines in some species: handle with care. Good foods include goldfish or chopped fish, chopped clam, squid, shrimp, crab Large tanks with no sharp edges and few obstructions. Peaceful with fishes of like size.
19) PRISTIDAE
Sawfishes. Very large, and small specimens are fast-growing, thus generally unsuitable for home aquaria but are often kept in public aquana. Sensitive; "saw" is easily injured Fish eaters, wilt accept chopped fish and squid Soft substrate needed, as these rays will sometimes bury themselves.
20) TORPEDINIDAE
Torpedo rays. Sluggish bottom dwellers and sand burrowers. Not overly sensitive to water quality Eat small fishes and benthic invertebrates—foods, chopped tish, crab, shrimp, prawn, squid Electric organs present, which can deliver a startling but sublethal shoe*.
21) RHINOBATIDAE
Guitarfishes. Inactive rays: need soft substrate for burying. Fairly hardy and not disease-prone. Like dim light. Eat mostly toenthic invertebrates; almost any crustacean meat and chopped fish will be accepted Some rather large—bsg tanks needed. Peaceful with most other fishes.
22) RAJIDAE
Skates. Bottom dwellers, need soft sand for burying themselves. Eat shellfish and crustaceans; good foods include crab, shrimp, prawn, chopped clam, squid Peaceful with other fishes. Large tanks necessary—many grow large. Fairly hardy and not too sensitive to changes In water quality
23) DASYATIDAE
Stingrays. Bottom dwellers, need soft substrate. Most gr<*/ very large and require big tanks. Barbed tail spine is dangerous—handle with extreme care. Will oat most meaty foods and will devour any tankmate small enough to swallow.
26) MYLIOBATIDAE
Eagle rays. Pelagic, often schooling. Unsuitable for all but the largest public aquaria. Foods include most shellfish and crustaceans, Warm water, very sensitive to any change in water quality. Venomous tait spines present.
62) CONGRIDAE
Conger eels. Large, active, aggressive. Provide rockwork for shelter. Mainly fish eaters. Good foods for captives include feeder fish, chopped fish, scallops, clam, shrimp, squid t.arge tanks necessary.
69) CLUPEIDAE
Herrings. Active schooling fishes. Keep in large groups in large, spacious tank. Delicate scales and fins easily damaged. Very disease prone Eat mostly planktonic crustaceans—live brine shrimp is a good substitute for captives. Peaceful.
70) ENGRAULIDAE
Anchovies. Pelagic schooling fishes, need to be kept In large groups in large tanks. Delicate and easily stressed: difficult to keep. Eat planktonic crustaceans; feed live brine shrimp. Peaceful 72) CHANIDAE
Milkfish. Large and active, do not take well to aquaria Feed on crustaceans, small fishes, algae, 137) OSMERIDAE
Smelts. Large schools, large tanks. Delicate and disease prone. Will eat small fishes or chopped fish or crustacean meat
139) SALANGIDAE
Lancelike smelt allies. Delicate in captivity. Large schools, large tanks. Eat planktonic crustaceans.
144) GONSTOMATIDAE, 147) CHAULINODONTI-DAE, 146) STOMIIDAE, 150) MELANOSTOMIIDAE
Viperfishes. dragonfishes. and allies, Deepsea fishes. Toothy predators. Because of need for darkness, cold, and pressure, never kept In captivity. 153) AULOPIDIDAE
Benthic predators similar to lizardfishes. Will eat all fishes small enough to swallow; may attack larger ones. Also eat crustaceans Good foods for captives include chopped fish and shrimp. Large tanks necessary for many species.
27) MOBULIDAE
Mantas. Huge, plankton-eating pelagic rays. Very peaceful. Very sensitive, not suitable for aquaria. 31) LATIMERIIDAE
Coelacanth. Never kept in aquaria. Dim light preferred. Eats fishes, crustaceans.
43) ELOPIDAE
Ladyfishes. Fast-moving schooling fishes. Large, spacious aquaria needed. Warm water, eat crustaceans and small fishes. Peaceful. Somewhat sensitive in captivity.
44) MEGALOPIDAE
Tarpons. Very active; bnghtly lit largo tanks with no obstructions needed. Eat any fishes small enough to swallow. Hardy and long-lived Peaceful with fishes of like size. Very large; large tanks needed.
45) ALBULIDAE
Bonefish Large and spacious aquaria needed. Soft substrate a must; bonefish root about for benthic invertebrates. Foods: shrimp, crab, chopped clam, small live feeder fish. Peaceful, but very nervous and sensitive to the slightest environmental change.
49) ANGUILLIDAE
Eels. Very hardy, not disease prone. Will eat anything remotely edible. Relatively peaceful with fishes too large to swallow. Relish many invertebrates, however. Grow very quickly and will outgrow many home aquana. Not sensitive to water quality, and can withstand any salinity from freshwater to full marine. 51) MORINGUIDAE
Small, wormlike burrowing eels. Feed mostly on worms and small crustaceans Delicate: rarely seen in captivity.
54) MURAENIDAE
Moray eels. Large with powerful jaws and teeth Can bite, handle with care. Warm water. Hardy, not disease prone. Large tanks needed for most species. Will eat any fishes or crustaceans that can be captured, but generally peaceful with larger fishes, Foods: goldfish, chopped fish, scallops, shrimp, crab, squid. Provide caves and rockwork for shelter
50) OPHICHTHIDAE
Snake eels. Large but shyer than morays Many burrow; provide soft sand or fine gravel Peaceful but may eat small fishes. Primarily crustacean and mollusc eaters, Very hardy.
157) SYNODONTIDAE
Lizardfishes. Benthic predators, often lie partly buried in soft sand Very aggressive: will eat most fish and crustaceans. Live fish and shrimp preferred as food—will rarely accept nonliving foods. Very delicate and subject to transport shock—acclimate as gently as possible. Wafer quality must be excellent. 163) ALEPISAURIDAE
Lancetfishes. Pelagic predators. Rarely kept even in public aquaria and unlikely to adapt to captivity
166) MYCTOPHIDAE
Lanternfishes. Bioluminescent midwater fishes; superficially sardine-like. Very delicate; sensitive to water quality and rather disease prone Plankton feeders—live brine shrimp is a good substitute.
181) BATRACHOIDIDAE
Toadfishes, Big-headed benthic predators; will eat anything that can be swallowed. Large teeth and strong jaws—handle with care. Especially fond of crustaceans and molluscs. Like hollows, but place decor with care, as toadfishes like to dig and may undermine decorations.
182) LOPHIIDAE
Goosefishes. Large, toothy anglerfishes—handle with care. Will eat anything—no compatible tankmates. Very large. Need soft substrate. Not too sensitive to water quality variations.
171) MORIDAE, 174) GADIDAE, 176) MACROUR-IDAE
Codfishes and allies Mostly coldwater, often deepwater, often large. Spacious tanks required Groups preferred. Foods: fish, crustaceans. Most somewhat delicate but some are kept in public aquaria.
177) OPHIDIIDAE
Cusk eels and brotulids Usually sluggish bottom dwellers Food mostly benthic invertebrates, feed shrimp, crab, chopped clam, squid. Dim tank with caves and other hollows preferred. Usually peaceful with fishes too large to swallow.
178) CARAPIDAE
Pearlfishes. Inhabit body cavities of sea cucumbers and sometimes molluscs. Emerge to teed on small invertebrates; good foods would be brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. Peaceful but delicate and shy.
179) BYTHITIDAE
Livebearing brotulas. Benthic; peaceful: fairly hardy. Will eat chopped clam, shrimp, bloodworms, brine shrimp, prepared foods. Dim tank with hollows.
183) ANTENNARIIDAE
Frogfishes Lethargic benthic anglerfishes that lure and ambush passing fishes. Can swallow prey neariy as largo as themselves. Cannibalistic. Hardy, but prone to hunger strikes if overfed. Provide coral ledges for perching.
223) REGALECIOAE
Oarfishes. Elongate, very delicate. Feed on small fishes and plank-tonlc invertebrates. Never kept
186) OGCOCEPHALIDAE
Batfishes. Slow moving, benthic. Very peaceful and shy. Food mostly small crustaceans and polychaete worms but also "angle" for small ftshes. Many refuse to feed in captivity, but sometimes live brine shrimp or glass shrimp will be accepted. Cannot compete with faster-moving fishes. Dim tank with soft substrate preferred.
223) REGALECIOAE
Oarfishes. Elongate, very delicate. Feed on small fishes and plank-tonlc invertebrates. Never kept
198) GOBIESOCIDAE
Clingtishes Benthic. Very hardy. Very tolerant of water quality changes; very resistant to disease. Generally peaceful, but very 9mall fishes may be eaten. Often become tame. Foods: prawn, brine shnmp. bloodworms, chopped clam, chopped squid.
200) EXOCOETIDAE
Ryingfishes, Not easily confined, but small specimens sometimes adapt to aquaria. Jumpers; keep tank tighlly covered. Peaceful, but will eat small fishes. Wide, shallow tank without obstructions. Feed bloodworms, brine shrimp, glassworms, flake foods.
201) HEMIRAMPHIDAE, 202) BELONIDAE
Haifbeaks and needlefishes. Swift surface predators. Good jumpers. Very delicate and prone to capture and transport shock. Elongate bills easily damaged Very nervous and prone to panic in aquaria. Round tanks with no sharp corners preferable 213) ATHERINIDAE, 214) ISONIDAE Silversides and relatives. Surface-to-midwater pianktivores. Large schools preferred. Large, spacious tanks needed. Very sensitive to any change in water quality Deciduous scales easily damaged. Very prone to fungus. Easily killed by transport shock. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. 218) LAMPRIDIDAE
Opahs. Warmwater, very large. Feed mostly on small fishes. Poorly known.
229) MONOCENTRIDIDAE
Pinecone fishes. Warmwater, very stow, peaceful, and shy Rather sensitive to water quality. Possess bioluminescent organs; prefer dim tank. Feed mostly on small crustaceans, but often refuse to feed in captivity. Try live brine shrimp, live glass shrimp, bloodworms. glassworms
230) TRACHICHTHYIDAE
Slimeheads. Similar to squirrelfishes; nocturnal predators. Generally peaceful but may eat small fish and crustaceans. Hardy. May be aggressive with conspecifics.
231) ANOMALOPIDAE
Flashlight fishes. Possess bioluminescent organs, dim tank. Prefer to be kept in groups. Not overly sensitive. Feed on small crustaceans, fishes. Peaceful. Feed guppies, brine shrimp, bloodworms, prepared foods 234) BERYCIDAE
Alfonslnos Squirreffish-ltke. Peaceful but will eat small fishes and crustacoans. Foods; guppies, brine shrimp, prepared foods. Hardy.
235) HOLOCENTRIDAE
Squirretfishes. Generally peaceful, bul will eat small fishes and crustaceans Nocturnal; provide shaded hollows Very hardy and tolerant of water quality variations. Most species school, Some become quite large Foods: small feeder fishes, chopped clam, prawn, brine shrimp, bloodworms, all prepared foods.
236) POLYMIXIIDAE
Beardlishes- Generally similar to squirretfishes in temperament and care.
244) MACRUROCYTTIDAE, 245) ZEIDAE, 248) CA-PROIDAE
Dories, boarfishes. and allies Rarely seen in aquaria, but are fairly hardy. Many grow quite large. Feed on fishes and crustaceans but are usually peaceful with lankmates too large to swallow. 250) AULORHYNCHIDAE, 251) GASTEROSTEIDAE
Tubesnouts and sticklebacks. Often coolwater fishes. Very easy to keep but are territorial and fight viciously with conspecifics if crowded. Peaceful with other species Hardy. Very tolerant of salinity variations; many species can stand fresh water. Planted tank. *=oods: Brine shnmp. bloodworms, glassworms. prepared foods.
253) PEGASIDAE
Sea moths Slow-moving bottom fishes. Peaceful, not competitive; do not keep with swifter fishes. Not disease prone, but often difficult to feed. Prefer small living invertebrates: try bnne shrimp, bloodworms.
254) AULOSTOMIDAE, 255) FISTULARIDAE
Trumpetfishes and cornetfishes. Generally warmwater Fairty hardy. Ambush predators. Prefer planted tank for hiding. Eat small fishes, crustaceans; feed guppies, goldfish, prawn
256) MACRORHAMPHOSIDAE, 257) CEN-TRISCIDAE
Snipefishes and shrimpfishes. Armored but stow and shy. Do not compete well with other species. Not prone to disease, but sometimes difficult to feed Eat mostly small invertebrates; try live brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms.
258) SOLENOSTOMIDAE
Ghost pipefishes. Habits and care same as family Syngnatnidae
259) SYNGNATHIDAE
Seahorses and pipefishes Very slow and shy—do not keep with competitive species Have bred in aquaria Branched corals, sea fans, plants needed for shelter or anchorage Not disease prone but very sensitive to any decline in water quality. Sometimes difficult to feed, as tubular mouths accommodate only tiny foods, like bnne shnmp. bloodworms, glassworms, livebearer fry
260) DACTYLOPTERIDAE
Flying gurnards. Benthic: generally peaceful. Large pectoral fins easily damaged—transport with care. Eat mostly bottom invertebrates. small fishes. Hardy
262) SCORPAENIDAE
Scorpionfishes. Venomous; handle with extreme care. Usually very hardy; not sensitive to water variations, not disease prone. Can swallow fishes nearly their own size, but peaceful with fishes too large to eat. Prefer coral-aquascaped tanks with ledges and caves. Many grow large Foods: goldfish, prawn.
263) SYNANCEIIDAE
Stonefishes. Similar in care to scorpionfishes, but venom is deadly to humans. Best not kept at all!
264) CARACANTMIDAE, 265) APLOACTINIDAE, 266) PATAECIDAE
Velvetfishes. Benthic. Generally peaceful and small. Good for reef tanks, as plants and invertebrates supply good camouflage. Feed small feeder fishes, prawn Generally hardy but uncommon in captivity.
268) TRIGLIDAE
Searobins. Active benthic predators. Like a fairly open substrate area on which to "crawl" around. Spiny but nonvenomous. Wili eat anything that can be swallowed. Sometimes aggressive with con-specifics. Very hardy.
269) PLATYCEPHALIDAE Flatheads. Similar in care to searobins.
271) ANOPLOPOMATIDAE,
272) HEXAGRAMMIDAE
Sablefishes and greenlings. Large, midwater or benthic. Often cold-water speaes that require large tanks Feed mostly on crustaceans, molluscs, fishes; good captive foods include chopped fish or clam, shrimp, crab, squid. Rocky tanks with plants.
276) COTTIDAE
Sculpins. Generally small (but there are exceptions), very territonai with conspecifics but relatively peaceful with other species. Spiny; handle with care. Usually very tolerant of environmental variations, and many are very adaptable to salinity changes. Like plenty of hiding places and a cool, dim tank. Will eat small fishes and invertebrates; good foods include guppies or goldfish, brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. chopped clam, prawn.
280) AGONIDAE
Poachers. Coldwater. benthic. Peaceful. Sensitive to variations in water quality. Generally eat small invertebrates try brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. small prepared foods.
281) CYCLOPTERIDAE
Lumpfishes and snailfishes Benthic. coldwater. Need water that is heavily aerated. Some rather large Very hardy; few disease problems. Peaceful with anything too large to swallow Foods chunks of clam, squid, shrimp, crab, also brine shnmp and bloodworms for smaller species.
282) CENTROPOMIDAE
Snooks. Large shallow water, estuarine predators: too big for most tanks Require plenty of open swimming room. Eat mostly live fishes but may accept chunks of fish, mollusc, crustacean meats. Fairly tolerant of salinity variations Fairly hardy Related family (Ambassidae—often considered subfamily of Centropomidae) includes the small, planktivorous glassfishes. which are peaceful and harmless
283) PERCICHTHYIDAE
Temperate basses. Very large, generally suitable only for large public aquaria. Very active fish eaters. Sensitive to water quality fluctuations.
284) SERRANIDAE
Groupers and sea basses. Large-mouthed predators, often aggressive with conspecifics but peaceful with other fishes if they cannot be swallowed. Will eat crustaceans and some molluscs but leave most other invertebrates alone. Like to dig in bottom substrate Coral aquascape with shadowy grottos preferred. Many very large when full-grown. Foods: feeder fishes, chopped clam, s-quid. shrimp, crab Very hardy.
285) GRAMMISTIDAE
Soapfishes Peacoful but will eat small fishes. Hardy, disease resistant. However, when stressed or attacked, may release a toxic mucus that can kill tankmates. Shy, coral caves preferred. Often tame easily. All foods accepted qo)
286) PSEUDOCHROMIDAE, 287) GRAMMIDAE
Dottybacks and bassfets respectively. Mostly tropical. Small, peaceful grouper-like fishes, generally do not bother fish or invertebrate tankmates May be aggressive with conspecifics, however. Prefer heavily aquascaped tanks with lots of hiding places. Good in reef aquaria. Most are hardy fishes. Small foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. small slivers of chopped clam or shrimp. Most will learn to take flake foods and other prepared diets.
288) PLESIOPIDAE
Devilfishes or roundheads. Shy at first, but very hardy. Uke shadowy grottos May be aggressive with conspecifics. Usually slow to feed at first—start with live guppies and wean over to brine shrimp, prawn, chopped clam, prepared foods. Very disease resistant.
289) ACANTHOCLINIDAE
Habits and care as for dottybacks (Pseudochromidae).
290) GLAUCOSOMATIDAE
Similar to serranids in appearance, habits, and care.
291) TERAPONIDAE, 293) KUHLIIDAE
Grunters and ahoieholes. Schools preferred. Large, spacious aquaria. Very hardy; not prone to disease; very tolerant ol water quality fluctuations. Wide salinity tolerance. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, prawn, all prepared foods, feeder fishes.
297) APOGONIDAE
Cardinalfishes. Most small and peaceful. Good for reef tanks. Somewhat light-shy Many are schooling fishes. Have spawned in aquaria. Mostly trop;cal temperatures. Hardy and resistant to disease and water quality variations Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. chopped clam, shrimp Large species will accept small guppies.
299) SILLAGINIDAE, 300) MALACANTHIDAE
Smelt-whitings and tilefishes. Most aquarium species are small, colorful. and shy. Feed mostly on small invertebrates. Good for reef aquaria. Often feed poorly, but good foods would include live brine shrimp, bloodworms: glassworms. chopped clam. They are very sensitive to any fluctuation in water quality. Prone to transport shock; acclimate with care.
301) LABRACOGLOSSIDAE, 302) LACTARIIDAE
False trevallies and relatives Midwater schooling fishes; large spa-clous tank needed Feed mostly on small fishes; incompatible with smaller fishes.
303) POMATOMIDAE
Bluefishes. Ravenous schooling predators; incompatible with all other species. Very large tanks needed. Fairty hardy. Wide salinity tolerance.
304) RACHYCENTRIDAE
Cobia Active, very largo. Feed on fishes and crustaceans, so incompatible with most other species.
296) PRIACANTHIDAE
Bigeyes Nocturnal predators, peaceful and shy with all they cannot swallow. Prefer dartt overhangs and grottos in their tanks. Hardy, but some too large for average home aquaria.
305) ECHENEIDIDAE
Remoras. Very hardy in aquaria. May attach to larger fishes with sucker disc (for transport only; no injury is involved). However, this does annoy some fishes. Best hosts are sharks. Live, frozen, prepared foods accepted with gusto
306) CARANGIDAE
Jacks. Fast-moving schooling fishes. Fairly hardy but require large tanks. Somewhat prone to transport shock, Many species have wide salinity tolerance. Will eat small fishes but are usually peaceful with fhose of like size. Foods: fish, chopped clam, prawn, squid.
307) NEMATISTIIDAE ROosterfish. Care similar to Carangidae.
308) CORYPHAENIDAE
Doiphinfishes. Young specimens sometimes kept but are delicate; feed brine shrimp, bloodworms. Adults are swift, pelagic—not suitable for any but large public aquaria.
309) APOLECTIDAE
Habits and care similar to Carangidae.
310) MENIDAE, 311) LEIOGNATHIDAE, 312) BRAMIDAE
Moonfish, slipmouths. pomfrets, respectively. Mostly oceanic schooling fishes. Peaceful but active: spacious tanks necessary. Sensitive to fluctuations in water quality. Foods: small fishes, brine shnmp, bloodworms, squid, chopped clam. 314) ARRIPIDAE
Australian salmon. Midwater schoolers feeding on small fishes. Cool water, large tanks. Hardy but seldom seen.
318) LOBOTIDAE
Tnpletails. Very hardy, euryhaline Young specimens need planted tanks for camouflage. Peaceful with large fishes, will eat small ones. Most grow large but are fairly sedentary; provide caves for shelter
319) GERREIDAE
Mojarras. Small, active schooling fishes Peaceful, relatively hardy, euryhaline. Need plenty of open swimming room. Feed on plank-tonic crustaceans—live brine shrimp is a good substitute.
320) HAEMULIDAE, 321) INERMIIDAE, 322) SPARIDAE
Grunts, bonnetmouths. porgies. respectively. Generally, snapper-like fishes. Midwater- to bottom-schoolers. Very hardy; disease resistant; tolerant of variations in water quality. Coral/rock/plant aquascapes. Often aggressive. All foods taken, but many species also graze on algae.
324) LETHRINIDAE, 325) NEMIPTERIDAE
Emperors ana threadfin breams. Similar in appearance, behavior, and requirements to snappers.
315) EMMELICHTHYIDAE, 316) LUTJANIDAE, 317) CAESIONIDAE
Rovers, snappers, fusiliers, respectively. Bottom to midwater schooling fishes. Very hardy, not prone to disease. Not sensitive to water quality fluctuations, and many species are euryhaline. Peaceful with fishes too large to swallow. Many species grow large and need big tanks. Coral/rock aauascape. All foods accepted.
326) SCIAENIDAE
Drums. Bottom dwellers feeding on benthic invertebrates. Fairty hardy, but tropical species are prone to Cryptocaryon infection. Most species (except the very largest) are peaceful and shy. Coral/ rock aquascape Prefer groups of same species. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms, chopped clam, frozen prepared foods.
327) MULLIDAE
Goatfishes. Use barbels to find benthic invertebrates. Excellent scavengers. Hardy when acclimated, but very prone to transport shock. Peaceful Soft substrate preferable. Foods, chopped ctam. prawn, crab, brine shrimp, bloodworms, all prepared foods.
335) EPHIPPIDIDAE
Spadefishes and batfishes Very hardy (with the exception of Platax pinnatus) but grow quite large. Very peaceful. Young prefer plant thickets for camouflage. Need very deep tanks. Coral,'rock aquas-cape for mature specimens. All foods taken vigorously.
328) MONODACTYLIDAE
Monos. Brackish to marine Planted aquaria, roots and rocks as decorations Prefer groups of same species, but tend lo be scrappy. Generally peaceful with other species. Not overly sensitive to water quaiity. but prone to ich. Foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, glassworms. prepared foods.
329) PEMPHERIDIDAE
Sweepers. Small fishes, school in massive shoals in open water adjoining reefs: large tanks necessary Very delicate and sensitive: not often seen in the hobby. Feed on planktonic invertebrates—try brine shrimp and bloodworms. 334) KYPHOSIDAE
Sea chubs. Open-water schoolers; large tanks Often reach a large size. Very hardy. Peaceful but will eat small fishes. Algae necessary in diet. Other foods include clam, squid, crab, prawn,
336) SCATOPHAGIDAE
Scats. Brackish to marine; very hardy but prone to lymphocystis. Not overly aggressive but sometimes nip at fins. Prefer schools but are often scrappy with conspecifics. Algae necessary in diet. Other foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, prepared foods.
338) CHAETODONTIDAE
Butterftyfishes. Very beautiful reef fishes. Of variable hardiness Some feed only on live corals and are almost impossible to koep alive in captivity. Most are sensitive to any change in water quality, and some are fairly disease-prone. Butte rflyfishes are very peaceful with other species but may be aggressive with conspecifics. except for mated pairs collected together. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms. glassworms. chopped clam, frozen prepared foods.
339) POMACANTHIDAE
AngeHishes. Hardy with relatively tew exceptions. Not sensitive to most variations in water quality, but some suffer in the presence of high nitrates. Most are fairly disease-resistant but some species are prone to lymphocystis. Generally peaceful, but large specimens are often dominant fishes. Often aggressive with conspecifics. Coral/ rock aquascape with lots of nooks will partition territories Algae very necessary in diet. Other foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. chopped clam, prawn, boiled spinach.
340) ENOPLOSIDAE
Oldwife. Hardy, accepts all foods. 343) OPLEGNATHIDAE
Knifejaws, Peaceful but may eat small fishes Will consume most crustaceans and many molluscs CoraUrock aquascape. Foods, shrimp, crab, chopped clam. 345) EMBIOTOCIDAE
Surfperches. Most need cool aquaria, but are otherwise hardy. Some reach a large size. Livebearers. Peaceful but will eat small fishes. Algae necessary in diet. Rock/plant aquascape.
346) POMACENTRIDAE
Oamselfishes (including anemonefishes). Very hardy and resistant to disease. Very scrappy with conspecifics. and very territorial in relations with other species. Lots of coral decorations will help to break up terntories. Among the easiest of marine fishes to breed; they are parental-guarding substrate spawners. Anything edible will be accepted. Algae is also welcome.
- Hawkfishes. Benthic predators. Like high coral heads as "perches" and vantage points. Some species grow rather large. Peaceful, extremely hardy. Coral/rock aquascape. Foods: guppies, bloodworms, brine shrimp, chopped clam, prepared foods.
350) APLODACTYLIDAE, 351) CHILODACTYLI-DAE, 352) LATRIDIDAE
Morwongs and relatives. Generally similar to hawkfishes in habits and care, but most are somewhat larger.
353) OWSTONIIDAE, 354) CEPOLIDAE
Owstomids and bandfishes. Somewhat delicate, not generally available. Feed on small invertebrates.
355) MUGILIDAE
Mullets. Fast-swimming schoolers. Euryhaline. Excellent lumpers— tank must be well-covered Feed on small invertebrates in substrate. but will accept most aquarium toods. Sensitive to tungal infections. Prone to transport shock; acclimate carefully. Large spacious tanks necessary.
356) SPHYRAENIDAE
Barracudas Large midwater predators. Some are schooling fishes. Very large tanks needed. Toothy, handle with care. Usually accept only live fishes, but acclimated specimens will sometimes accept chunks of fish. Hardy and long-lived, but aggressive and difficult to house with other fishes
357) POLYNEMIDAE
Threadfins. Benthic fishes Peaceful, active. Feed on small fishes and crustaceans.
358) LABRIDAE
Wrasses. Most very hardy and peaceful. Most are at least territorial with conspecifics—provide plenty of room. Most invertebrates will not be molested except for small crustaceans. Many burrow in sand; soft substrate needed Coral aquascape. With few exceptions. all foods will be taken. Good for reef aquaria.
359) ODACIDAE
Weed whitings. Wrasselike, care similar. Cool water and plant rock aquascape. Seldom seen.
360) SCARIDAE
Parrotfishes Moderately hardy, but some species are delicate. Often difficult to feed. Coral heads heavily encrusted with algae necessary in diet. Other foods: brine shrimp, chopped clam, bloodworms. Peaceful with other fishes but sometimes aggressive with conspecifics Some species very large and need big tanks
361) BATHYMASTERIDAE, 362) ZOARCIDAE, 363) STICHAEIDAE, 365) PHOLIDIDAE, 366) ANARHI-CHADIDAE
Eeipouts, wolffishes. and relatives. Bottom dwellers, some very large Cool to cold water. Most eat benthic invertebrates, but fishes that can be caught will also be eaten Rock aquascape with caves preferred. Very hardy Foods: whole or chopped fish, clarn, squid, also shrimp and crab.
375) OPISTOGNATHIDAE
Jawfishes Secretive Excavate burrows in sand and gravel bottoms. Very territorial with conspecifics. but conflicts a/e largely bluff Peaceful with other species. Good with most Invertebrates; excel lent in reef aquaria Hardy Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. prepared foods.
376) CONGROGADIDAE
Eelblenmes Very hardy Some are euryhaline. Aggressive; will eat many tankmates (both fish and Invertebrate). Bred in captivity. Foods: goidfish. chopped clam, prawn. Rocks and caves needed for shelter.
379) NOTOGRAPTIDAE
Similar to eelblenmes in habits and care.
380) PHOLIDICHTHYIDAE
Convict blenny. Hardy Prefers groups of conspecifics Coral, rock aquascape with shady hollows. Peaceful. All foods accepted.
381) TRICHODONTIDAE
Sandfishes. Ambush predators. Need soft sand for burying. Incompatible with fishes small enough to swallow. Somewhat delicate and disease prone. Food: Small feeder fishes
382) TRACHINIDAE
Weeverfishes. Venomous, some iethally so. Ambush predators Seldom kept.
383) URANOSCOPIDAE
Stargazers. Capable of delivering startling but sublethal electrical shock. Ambush predators; soft sand needed for burrowing. Will eat any fishes and crustaceans small enough to swallow. Some quite large and need big tanks. Foods small live fishes as well as shrimp and crab meat Very hardy
384) TRICHONOTIDAE, 385) CREEDIIDAE, 386) LEPTOSCOPIDAE, 388) MUGILOIDIDAE
Sanddivers, sandperches, and relatives Similar to sandfishes and lizardfishes in habits and care.
390) TRIPTERYGIIDAE, 391) DACTYLOSCOPIDAE, 392) LABRISOMIDAE, 393) CLINIDAE, 394) CHAE-NOPSIDAE, 395) BLENNIIDAE
Btennies and their relatives. Most are small, benthic fishes. Often very territorial with both conspecifics and other species: provide plenty o1 room. Extremely hardy, disease resistant, and tolerant of variations m water quality. Provide rocky caves and plenty of plants. Most eat small invertebrates, and algae is an important dietary item to many species, Other foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glass-worms. chopped clam, most prepared foods including flake food
409) ACANTHURIDAE
Surgeonfishes Algal grazers. Peaceful with other species: may be aggressive with conspecifics. Generally hardy but somewhat prone to Oodinium and Cryptocaryon. Coral aquascape. Foods: boiled spinach and vegetabie-based prepared foods, brine shrimp, bloodworms. chopped clam.
399) CALLIONYMIDAE
Dragonets. Benthic micropredators. Some hardy, others very delicate. Excellent for reef tanks. Very peaceful with other fishes, but may fight among themselves. Very slow-moving, deliberate feeders that cannot compete with voracious feeders like damselfishes. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. 402) ELEOTRIDIDAE
Sleeper gobies. Ambush predators. Euryhaline. Lethargic: need shadowy holes for shelter Very hardy and disease resistant. Many grow large; big tanks needed Rocks, plants, driftwood. Foods; small fishes, chunks of beef heart, darn, squid, shrimp.
403) GOBIIDAE
Gobies. Benthic micropredators. Most small and peaceful, but tern-torial with their own species. Most fairly hardy. Some commonly bred in captivity (especially Gobiosoma sp.). Coral aquascape including empty mollusc shells. Excellent in reef tanks. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms, glassworms. prepared foods.
404) GOBIOIDIDAE, 405) TRYPAUCHENIDAE, 407) MICRODESMIDAE
Eel-tike gobies. Some are burrowers; soft substrate needed. Feed on small benthic invertebrates. Delicate and seldom seen.
410) SIGANIDAE
Rabbitlishes. Dorsal spines venomous: handle with care. Habits and care as for Acanthuridae.
412) GEMPYLIDAE, 413) TRICHIURIDAE
Snake mackerels and cutlassfishes. Elongate, pelagic, often deep-
water. Piscivorous. Delicate; never kept
414) SCOMBRIDAE
Tunas and mackerels. Extremely active pelagic schooling fishes. Too large except for public aquaria. Delicate and prone to shock. Many very large. Food almost exclusively small fishes.
415) XIPHIIDAE, 417) ISTIOPHORIDAE Swordfishes. Pelagic pisctvores. Do not adapt well to captivity—bills easily damaged.
419) CENTROLOPHIDAE, 420) NOMEIDAE
Medusafishes and driftfishes. Often commensal with jellyfishes or other pelagic cnidanans Usually small and peaceful, but other fishes will be In danger from cmdarian host Somewhat delicate and sensitive to water quality variations. Feed on planktonic invertebrates: good substitutes are brine shnmp and bloodworms. 423) STROMATEIDAE
Butterfishes. Open-water schooling fishes. Delicate; prone to transport injury and shock. Foods: brine shrimp, bloodworms.
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