Questions About Saltwater Aquariums

Marine fish and invertebrate animals, such as sea anemones, are exquisitely beautiful and exhibit interesting behaviours. Many aquarists consider a marine aquarium to represent the ultimate in fish keeping, but these tanks are challenging to manage. Although many hobbyists set up the largest tanks they can afford, "nano" aquariums are becoming popular among the more skilled marine aquarists.

  1. Are Saltwater Aquariums More Difficult to Keep than Freshwater Ones?

    • Conditions on a coral reef remain particularly stable. Marine fish and invertebrate animals have not evolved mechanisms to cope with changing water parameters. For this reason, marine aquarists need to ensure that the water quality in their aquariums is correct and remains so, for as long as the aquarium is set up. Both marine fish and invertebrates pollute their water with metabolic waste and hobbyists need to use appropriate filters and dilute toxins through regular partial water changes. Aquarists must also check the water parameters in their aquarium on a regular basis and make the necessary adjustments to water chemistry on an ongoing basis.

    Can Marine Fish and Invertebrates be Kept Together?

    • Many coral reef fish species will coexist with invertebrate animals. The beautifully marked clownfish will live among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones. These little fish introduce themselves fleetingly to the anemone, by briefly rubbing against the invertebrate column or tentacles. Through repeated contacts, the clownfish coats its body with mucus from the anemone, thereby disguising its presence. In this way, the little fish eventually takes up residence in the jelly-like invertebrate.

    Can Living Corals Be Grown in a Saltwater Aquarium?

    • Modern advances in aquarium lighting and filtration have made it possible to grow pieces of live coral in the saltwater aquarium. The many species of coral, particularly those which build hard skeletons, are sensitive to poor water quality and aquarists must ensure pristine conditions for these animals at all times. Corals photosensitize as terrestrial plants do and require lighting of the correct spectrum and intensity. The tiny polyps which cover the body of hard or stony corals continually capture minute organisms in the water and these animals must also be fed plankton on a regular basis.

    Can I Keep Marines in a Nano Aquarium?

    • Large volumes of water are chemically more stable than smaller ones and marine aquarists have typically opted to keep very big aquariums. Knowledgeable hobbyists have more recently begun to set up very small aquariums of under 10-gallons. Small, peaceful fish and invertebrates, such as shrimps and tubeworms can successfully be housed in these nano tanks, as can slow swimming creatures, like seahorses.