MarineFishEZ FastStats
Index of Information
1. Maxium Size and Marine Care Levels
2. Temperament
3. Reef Safe
4. Diet
5. Origin
6. Family
7. Compatibility
8. Minimum Tank Size
9. Shipping Size
10. Lighting
11. Water Flow
12. Supplements
13. Acclimation and Water Parameters
14. Friendly Fish System
1.Maxium Size and Marine Care Levels
The Maximum Size of the marine life listed is taken from full grown species in the wild and may not translate well to your own tank due to growth stage of species purchased, tank size, population and feeding habits within the tank. However, this size is a good indication of how much marine life you can stock in your tank. A general rule for sizing is three inches of fish per square foot of surface area in the tank. All fish should be able to swim around freely in the tank.
The outline of Marine Care levels will provide you with necessary information on level of experience required before you make a purchase on the fish or invertebrates you are interested in.
Easy
This category has species that can thrive in various water conditions and readily accept many types of foods. The marine life can be cared for by an aquarist with minimal experience providing the tank is cycled well.
Intermediate
This category includes species that are a little more challenging and may require specific foods and water requirements. The aquarist should be knowledgeable on many types of fish, corals and invertebrates.
Demanding
This category requires the aquarist to have precise water conditions. One must also know the exact requirements for the particular species, including feeding habits, food supplements, lighting and water movement. The aquarium must maintain a continuous stable environment to replicate the origin in which the species is from.
Expert
This marine life should only be attempted by confident, qualified aquarists who have experience in working with these specific species. This category of species is extremely sensitive to changes in environment and may be vulnerable to conditions that are not ideal, therefore they are not covered under the 14 Day Live Guarantee. While the 14 Day Live Guarantee does not apply to the Expert category, we still guarantee that your Expert marine life will arrive alive. Please refer to our Shipping Policy – Returns section.
Venomous
These species have fins that sting or stinging cells that are harmful to people. Care must be used when handling or being in close proximity to this Marine Life.
Each fish has its own personality, and generally fits in the mold of its species. This outline will give you a general idea of what to expect from your fish.
Peaceful
This species is docile and reserved and will not bother other inhabitants of the tank.
Semi-Aggressive
The Semi –Aggressive species may dominate when food is present and may chase or pick at tankmates. Have lots of swimming area and retreat areas in the tank.
Aggressive
In this heading species are territorial and are usually carnivores and should all be added with other aggressive species simultaneously if possible in larger size tanks. Some aggressive species in their juvenile form seem harmless housed with smaller peaceful fish, however this is not a good practice as the aggressive fish will eventually molest or worse consume another tankmate.
Reef Safe designates whether a species will molest or consume any coral, clam, crustacean or other sessile invertebrate or mobile invertebrate in a reef environment. Some species of fish may be not bother soft and stony corals but will molest other corals and invertebrates. We have listed those species also as (Not Safe). Occasionally a fish may act differently than described and cause damage in the reef aquarium. MarineFishEZ does our best to give you as much information as we can to help you make informed decisions; however we do not guarantee that a fish will act as described, thus it is best to always monitor your new marine life in the beginning and check progress in its new surroundings.
Many fish will eat a wide range of foods, however for proper well-being of your Marine Life, it is very important to offer each individual species similar foods that they normally consume in the wild. The majority of Ocean Nutrition Food products that we sponsor are terrific choices for most marine life.
Carnivore
Will eat or ingest only meaty foods.
Herbivore
The Herbivore can be seen sometimes eating live foods but the main staple is algae or plant material.
Omnivore
The Omnivore will consume a combination of meat and plant material.
Planktonivore
This Species only consumes Zooplankton.
Filter Feeder
This Species consumes floating organic matter in the water columns.
The Origin is the home where the particular species is gathered. This can be in any area of the world. Our Caribbean and Atlantic specimens are closer to us so availability and costs are usually better.
This classification helps identify species. It is broke down first as family than genus and lastly species. Many species will have similar traits and demeanor. This will help you make informed decision about your new marine life purchase and requirements necessary to accommodate them.
Compatibility is very important for the over-all well-being of each fish and invertebrate on a daily basis. The best scenario is to introduce members of the same species simultaneously into the largest tank you can provide and be aware of the tendency of each fish, and keep alike fish together.
This is the smallest size aquarium that will be suitable for housing this species of fish or invertebrate; considerations like growing habits and tendency’s plays a major role in tank size. Many large sized species in their juvenile state can be kept in a smaller aquarium, but will quickly outgrow and put unnecessary pressure in the aquarium environment.
The shipping size of the marine life is located in the FastStats area on the right side of the image. The values given are approximate sizes and are by no means exact; however, they are generally within range of the industry’s rating for size and price.
The following Lighting descriptions will direct you in making a choice of lighting for the given species mention throughout our website. It will also give you an idea on placement in the tank of your marine life. Most lighting manufacturers will recommend amount of watts for a specific gallon of water amount that you are trying to light.
Lighting descriptions are based on a 24” deep rectangular tank. The deeper the tank the more wattage of light you will need to penetrate.
Types of lighting
Metal Halides produce full powerful light but will also get hot and can cause glass breakage and melted PVC connections. Cooling fans, spacing and supplemental compact fluorescent lights help relieve the heat. VHO (Very High Output) and T5 fluorescent lighting can achieve a favorable light with lower heat. LED lights are a good choice and produce adequate results for some corals in shallower tanks and stay fairly cool.
Moving the light closer or further away from the tank is a matter of experimenting what will work best for your set-up. Corals can also be placed closer or away from the light source.
Some lights such as LED moon lights may scare your fish. Testing the light over the tank at a reasonable distance is always recommended before implementing your lighting schedule.
Levels of Lighting
Low
Are species that will not need the suns energy to survive. Such habitats of deeper water, crevices, rocks and caves.
Most Marine fish from easy to intermediate will only require this type of light.
Regular low-wattage fluorescent fixture turned on for 4-6 hours a day will be adequate for these species, providing they are near a natural lighting source such as a room with windows or skylights nearby.
Medium
Medium Lighting is designated for species requiring mid-level depth reef simulation.
Most Polyps and mushrooms and invertebrates that are usually easy to care for are more forgiving, T-5, VHO, Low wattage metal halide lights are all acceptable.
Full
Corals and invertebrates that require full lighting are gathered from shallow tropical waters. Shallow generally translates to more continuous water movement and more favorable water quality. These species may be labeled demanding. High wattage metal halide light or Large LED fixtures for shallower tanks and multiple rows of T-5 will produce good results.
Waterflow does many thing in the Ocean, it circulates heat, nutrients, and removes waste and distributes oxygen through the ocean. On a smaller scale this can also be accomplished in your aquarium.
Below are a list of 3 categories of water movement that some species will prefer. It that can be accomplished with power heads or pumps of different sizes.
Gentle
Gentle water flow is flow that can be achieved by very small power heads or depending on the size of your aquarium the return water release back into the tank. Species requiring gentle flow maybe very small species of fish, substrate dwelling fish relying on burrows in the sand. Delicate corals that inflate to maximize their feeding. Small invertebrates that need to travel freely in the tank.
Moderate
Moderate water flow is achieved with medium wattage power heads hanging or fixed on the glass of the aquarium, aiming in an indirect manner. More than one can be used depending on the size of you tank. Most medium sized fish and most all corals will prefer this flow.
Strong
Species that require strong water flow originate from shallow rocky reef areas where food is delivered and waste is expelled via intermediate water transfer. High water power heads or wave makers can accomplish this.
Iodine
In natural seawater, Iodine occurs at 0.06 ppm. It is important to supplement iodine because it is quickly used up by the marine life that occupy your tank and your protein skimmer. Invertebrates use it to molt and helps prevent health disorders in fish such as goiter and other diseases.
Calcium
Calcium is a required mineral necessary for the growth of corals and invertebrates such as tube worms, snails and clams, as well as most forms of algae. Natural forms of calcium are present in live rock and aragonite which aid in maintaining favorable pH levels. In heavily populated reef tanks calcium is readily used by its inhabitants and must be supplemented with Calcium additives.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral present in all natural seawater and artificial seawater for aquariums. It is also present in most marine foods. However proper levels most be measured in reef environments for its inhabitants. Keeping proper levels of magnesium supplements will aid in maintaining calcium carbonate in seawater from prematurely depleting.
Strontium
Strontium is an element used by invertebrates and coral to help grow shells or skeletons. It usually does not become depleted like calcium and magnesium.
Many salt mixes during water changes contain a suitable level of strontium for you tank. There may not be enough evidence to add this to your reef tank.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that are needed by marine life in small amounts on a regular basis. They are used to maintain health, color, and facilitates biological reactions of all marine life.
13. Acclimation and Water Parameters
It is always necessary to acclimate your new marine life prior to adding to your tank. We have listed the critical steps in our Acclimation Guide and recommend following these procedures carefully.
One of the best ways to guarantee your Marine Life thrives is to maintain ideal water conditions. While most Marine Life will adapt to your current water conditions other more delicate species will not, and need specific water parameters. It is best to read and understand each species description listed.
Temperature
The water temperature is highly important and will set a solid foundation for the marine environment. Fish react to temperature changes and any sudden temperature change can cause stress to your fish. Buy a good proven heater for your aquarium. Check to see if your heater will handle the amount of gallons of water that your aquarium will use. Always purchase the heater that is rated a little more than less for your aquarium. Check heater operation on a regular basis to insure that it is functioning properly. Chillers are necessary for aquariums using Halide light fixtures that produce considerable heat that will raise water temperatures immensely.
pH
PH is the measurement of the acidity or alkaline in a given amount of water.
A pH rating of 7.0 is considered neutral, with readings higher than 7.0 being alkaline and readings lower than 7.0, acidic.
Marine aquariums need an average of 8.0 - 8.5, There are various test kits used for easy testing. Gradually raise the pH back up to where it needs to be. Do not try to raise it all it all in one day. Use sodium bicarbonate or baking soda and diligent (20%) water changes once a month. Mix one teaspoon of Baking Soda per gallon of water. Also try adding an air stone next to a water jet in the tank for maintaining raised PH levels and transporting toxins from water.
Specific Gravity
Specific gravity or "sg" measures the relative salinity (amount of dissolved salts) in your aquarium water. Always test the amount of specific gravity on a regular basis to maintain the marine environment in your aquarium.
Typically Specific Gravity can be slightly lower in fish only tanks. The lower salinity level allows more oxygen in your tank making it easier for your fish to breath and a great benefit is it will keep diseases down such as ich. We keep our shipping water for fish and invertebrates at 1.018 - 1.021.
For reef inhabitants such as coral the salinity must be maintained at higher levels such as 1.023 – 1.026
Friendly fish system is a term used to mean friendly fish-only with live rock tank (FFOWLR) in which all fish in this system have a peaceful personality and get along with one another.
Damage in the reef aquarium, MarineFishEZ does its best to give you as much information as we can to help you make informed decisions, however we do not guarantee that a fish will act differently than described, thus it is best to always monitor your new marine life in the beginning and check progress in its new surroundings.
