Lagoon fish

[mr. bojangsjang]

What fish species of fish are commonly found in lagoons and/or seagrass meadows? So far I read that seahorses and pipes are hella common. (as are some sharks but I dont think I could have one lol)

[graveyardworm]

Sarah describes a few on he newest page of her website. you could add cardinal fish, juvenile barracuda. The species list is going to vary from place to place. Many species of gobies are found in that environment as well.

[Samala]

Juveniles of several species are super super super common right now I havent even identified them all yet. Pipes, seahorses, yep, plenty and by the pound. Bay anchovy, which are kinda pretty and shoal (good for a large tank perhaps), little grass blenny (sp. unknown so far), toad fish, sailfin mollies, top minnow killifish of unknown Fundulus sp., sheepshead minnows, and a few different snapper that I cant ID either.

I'll have to give you an update after Monday when I scour the ID books we have. :)

>Sarah

[mr. bojangsjang]

Thanks again graveyard and Sarah.

By the way, where is your webpage the graveyard mentioned Sarah?

[Samala]

Hit the red house icon at the top of this post and it will take you there. :) There's lotsssss of information on my tanks and such there, and weblog updates.

>Sarah

[algaeguy]

Sarah, do you have a pic of the "Grass Blenny"? I've heard about a few different Blennies found in seagrass beds, but I would love to see a pic so that we can try to identify it.

BTW, there are at least a couple of Halichoeres species wrasses that are found in Indo Pacific seagrass beds; you actually might see them in the trade from time to time.

I've been doing quite a bit of research on this topic myself for a project I'm working on, and I'll keep you updated, if your interested. Specifically, I'm looking into those species that are found in the aquarium trade.

I've seen quite a few cool Pipefishes lately at the L.A. wholesalers, particularly the "Alligator Pipefish", which practically screams "Keep me in a Seagrass aquarium!"

There are a few species of Cardinalfish which also are found occasionally or full-time in the seagrass environment.

I also plan on keeping a few Dragonets in my system, which also are found in seagrass beds, among other environments.

David, do you know which species of gobies are found in this environment?

Scott

[Dave Legacy]

Something like a school of silversides would be an excellent choice.

[algaeguy]

It would be cool if we could sort of pool our findings about appropriate fishes for this biotope on this or another thread, so that we can have a reference list to work of of.

Scott

[graveyardworm]

There was an article in Coral magazine awhile back i think written by Daniel Knop which described a few species of fish which would be appropriate for a seagrass bed. The yellow watchman goby was one and the others took alittle time for me to identify it doesnt appear that they are commonly available.

I would think that some species of clownfish and their host anemone would also be appropriate for a lagoon type tank. M Doreensis, and H Crispa ( I think ) are commonly found in the sand.

[graveyardworm]

There's two seagrass articles in Coral magazine that I'm aware of. I looked them up for you, The first which is the one I refered to is in April/May 2005 Leather corals under the heading European Reefkeeping Perspectives, and the second is in Dec/Jan 05-06 under the heading Seagrass Aquariums both articles are excellent.

[algaeguy]

Thanks for the referral, David!

Scott

[graveyardworm]

If you have trouble locating the magazine or article I can post the latin names given in the article.

[algaeguy]

David:

I'll try to find those back issues...The publisher's rep. for Korrale is usually at MACNA, so maybe I can locate a couple of these copies next month.

That would be great, if you don't mind. I can use the other resources available to find out common names, etc.

I'll post when I've gotten them ID'd.

Thanks again!

Scott

[Samala]

Scott would you like me to mail you the Coral magazine with Sprung's seagrass article? I didnt realize you hadnt seen it yet. I could photocopy it easy, or just send the whole thing.

I'll try to get picture for your of the fish. Its hard to remember in all the excitement sometimes. Today I was going through older photo files and I realized they were pulling up dwarf seahorses in a not too salty area where even typical lined seahorses weren't living. Very interesting. I think I have earned another nerd title.

>Sarah

[ejaustin]

Something like a school of silversides would be an excellent choice.

How big do silversides get? How can you tell a silverside? I went on a collecting trip with some people several weeks ago and in the little spaces between the rocks by the jetties, there were schools of these little fish that, well, when they were wiggling in the net looked like they had silversides, and I wondered if that's what they were.

ej

[algaeguy]

Sarah- I'd love it if you could send a copy, thanks! I actually never saw the piece. I thought my collection had just about every article written to date on seagrass aquariums, but I flat-out missed this one!

BTW- Do you have any idea what genus the "Grass Blenny" you referred to is in? I'm curious, because I have found scant few references to this family of fishes in seagrass beds, but I think that they would be perfect for seagrass aquariums!

Have you noticed any wrasses in the lagoon that you're managing?


Scott

[Dave Legacy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7985645#post7985645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ejaustin
How big do silversides get? How can you tell a silverside? I went on a collecting trip with some people several weeks ago and in the little spaces between the rocks by the jetties, there were schools of these little fish that, well, when they were wiggling in the net looked like they had silversides, and I wondered if that's what they were.

ej

There are many species of silversides. They're long an slender, looking similar to an anchovey, minnow, or grunion (if you've ever seen one). The typical atlantic ones get like 4"

[graveyardworm]

Here's the list of species of fishes suggested in Daniel Knops article. " Small groups of Monodactylus argenteus", Scatophagus argus, Halichoeres nebulosus, Pteragogus flagelliferum, Pteragogus cryptus, Cheilio inermis, parrotfishes like Leptoscarus vaigiensis. The article does mention that some of these get rather large.

[algaeguy]

Not to mention that Scats will eat just about anything, including plants!

Interesting stuff, though. Thanks!

Scott

[Dave Legacy]

I actually logged in tonight to suggest Monodactylus argenteus! Scats are totally out of the question since they will eat every spec of plant matter. M. argenteus would be an excellent choice, and beautiful. Look for M. argenteus in the freshwater section of your LFS. They are most commonly sold as freshwater even though they require mid to high-range brackish all the way into full marine to live successful and healthy lives.

Ensure that you acclimate them properly. I'd suggest a long period drip acclimation if going from full fresh to full marine. They are eurythline and can adapt much quicker than I give them credit for, but still it's a good idea to reduce stress.

[algaeguy]

Monos would be a good call, Dave!

They ARE really attractive, and possibly a nice alternative for a seagrass aquarium for hobbyists that just can't handle a tank without Tangs or Angels...Similar somewhat in appearance, but without the possible downsides.

Has anyone out there who has kept Monos in a "reef" type system had a problem with Monos eating coral and sessile inverts?

Keep the ideas coming!

Scott

Scott

[mr. bojangsjang]

monos will eat plants/algae, trust me on this one. In the wild it makes up the bulk of their diet.

[Dave Legacy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7995994#post7995994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr. bojangsjang
monos will eat plants/algae, trust me on this one. In the wild it makes up the bulk of their diet.

Not nearly at the same rate as scats. If offered enough veggies in thier diet I'd assume it would encourage them to not graze on your macro and seagrass. Monodactylus argenteus get about 10" in the wild and are often reported as maxing out at about 6-7" in captivity. They're very active and extremely fast so they'll need a lot of wide open space.

They're neat that they'll also give you the option to lower or raise your salinity if you wish. I'm sure they'd leave stuff like coral alone (although not 100% sure), I'd be careful of small shrimp though just to be on the safe side.

Monos are also very skittish and very prone to death due to stress. I've heard that stress will cause them to turn almost completely black (just like archers), so be easy on them.

[The_Nexis_One]

Thought I would add a note on the Scat:

I currently have a 3" Green Scat in my lagoon tank with various macro's, Turtle and Shoal grass. It's by far one of my favorite fish. I feed twice a week, and it nibbles on microalgae from the rocks and plants (but not the plant itself).

Thallasia sp., H. Wrightii, Halymenia, caulerpa (feather, racemosa, prolifera), chaeto, mangroves, GSP's, medusa worms, snails/Conchs, Adult and baby mollies, Grass shrimp, Uca Crabs, Zoa's, Anemone's, Cucumbers, etc. includeing a 25" Snowflake Eel are all untouched.

But, maybe mine is an odd-ball... dunno, as it's the only one I've ever seen/had. It has been a very welcomed addition over the last 6 months.

*** It does, however, nip at the feather on feather duster worms, and has completely erradicated my colony of red bubble algae (but doesn't touch the Haly). Additionally, it will eat/nip at the dead leaves of the seagrass and prolifera before I manually remove them.

John.

[mr. bojangsjang]

In your scat in a school?

[The_Nexis_One]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8016723#post8016723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr. bojangsjang
In your scat in a school?

Nope, he knew everything when I brought him home...



;)

as for the other kind of school, no - just a single scat that I stumbled across at the LFS... they didn't know what to do with him, so they sold him for 5 bucks to me :D

Great little fish. Big personality.

John.

[Azorean]

I used to catch alot of baby porcupine fish (with gloves) in the lagoon in Mauritius. They would hide in the grass. Also, lots of schools of saltwater catfish that would school like tumbleweeds.

Azorean