Saltwater Fish & Invertebrates

Identification

• The primary difference between saltwater fish and invertebrates and other fish and invertebrate species is the type of habitat where they live. These are fish and other species that cannot survive in any type of water but marine water, which is water with a specific density and salinity level. Marine fish cannot survive in a freshwater or brackish environment, and freshwater or brackish species cannot survive in a marine environment.

Saltwater Fish

• Saltwater fish can range greatly in size when full grown from one inch to several feet long depending on the species. There are many different species of saltwater fish that you can raise in a marine aquarium. Popular aquarium species include blue damsel, clownfish, Koran angel, hogfish, yellow tang, royal gramma, grouper, lionfish, Picasso trigger, coral beauty, flame angel, Coris wrasse, Naso tang and hawk fish.

Marine Invertebrates

• In addition to marine fish, there is also a variety of invertebrates that call saltwater environments their home. Examples of saltwater invertebrates include star polyps, anemones, shrimps, cowries, corals, sea sponges, sea stars, eels and crabs. Although these fish and invertebrates share the same desired habitat, they are all quite different from one species to the next when it comes to habitat requirements, behavior, eating, mating and life span.

Warning

• It is important to consider the differences in care required for saltwater fish and invertebrates in comparison to freshwater and brackish water species. Saltwater or marine aquariums are more complex by nature because you must maintain a specific level of salinity in order for the species in the habitat to survive. Another consideration with saltwater fish and invertebrates is that not every species can live comfortably with every other, and so creatures in a saltwater marine aquarium need to be paired up based on what species will best cohabit with others in order for every creature in the aquarium to survive and thrive.

Expert Insight

• "Marine aquariums offer a chance to experience something as fantastic as a coral reef on a small, maintainable scale," said Caroline Tanaka, DVM. "The thing that you need to understand with marine aquariums is that as much as the ecosystem is capable of operating on its own, there are still times when the marine environment relies on you for assistance. You must keep track of salinity and water chemistry in order to keep your fish healthy and thriving."