BALISTIDAE BALISTIDAE (TRIGGERS) Triggers live in reef areas where the water is in constant movement, so you must plan a large aquarium for them (at least 400 liters) with highly agitated and well-oxygenated water. Their jaws and teeth allow them to graze on coral, crabs, and mollusks. In captivity they accept animal food, such as […]
LIVE FISH SCORPAENIDAE (LIONFISH) Lionfish are not only stunning to look at, but they can also constitute a real danger for an aquarist: some of their spiny spokes emit a venom similar to that of certain snakes. They are placid and majestic fish, easy to keep in an aquarium of at least 300 liters. The […]
ACANTHURIDAE Acanthurus sohal The sohal tang is one of the most beautiful of the Acanthurids. It can accept artificial vegetable food, but it prefers to feed on brine shrimps and ground mussels. Its territorial behavior sometimes makes it aggressive. Size: 25 cm. Naso brevirostris Young longnose unicorn fish do not have a horn. A related […]
LIVE FISH ACANTHURIDAE (TANGS) Native to the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, the tangs are less common in the Atlantic ocean. An upright spine on the caudal peduncle has earned them the alternative name of surgeonfish, as this spine resembles a scalpel. It plays a defensive role and can represent a danger […]
ZANCLIDAE SIGANIDAE These are distinguished by spiny spokes which secrete a venomous substance. A prick is painful for an aquarist, although not as much as one caused by a lionfish (but it is still advisable to consult a doctor). These small-mouthed fish are herbivorous. Siganus Several of these species are commercially available. The peaceful rabbitfish […]
LIVE FISH Bodianus mesothorax The young are brown-black with dark patches on the fins that disappear in the bicolor adult. The harpfish swims continuously, and it must therefore be given a large space with room to move about, although the aquarium must also provide it with shelters. The adults do not tolerate members of their […]
LABRIDAE Gomphosus coeruleus The birdmouth wrasse can live in couples, but two males will not tolerate each other. it is easy to keep and its feeding poses no special problems. The adult male is greenblue, the female brown-purple. Size: 30 cm male), 20 cm (female). Labroides dimidiatus This wrasse is “cleaning” an Acanthurus […]
LIVE FISH CLARIFICATION Occasional variations in color and name changes can lead to confusions in this group, especially in the species that are predominantly blue. The latter includes a blue-green damsel, while the blue damsels can present yellow coloring on the tail and belly, although this varies from one specimen to another. They are all […]
POMACENTRIDAE DAMSELS Damsels are pretty fish that are easy to raise, and some live in association with anemones. They adapt well to captivity and often accept artificial food (though live prey, mussels, and ground shrimps are clear favorites); they lay eggs quite easily. With these characteristics in mind, and not forgetting their modest price, damsels […]
POMACENTRIDAE Premnas biaculeatus The maroon clownfish is distinguished from the Amphiprion genus by the spine on its operculum. It is quite aggressive, towards both its own species and Amphiprions. Size: 13-15 cm. Amphiprion frenatus The juvenile’s small white band in the middle of its sides disappears in adulthood. Highly territorial, the tomato clownfish lives in […]