TEMPERATE MARINE FISH/INVERTS

[kingwintergreen]

I'm a bit puzzled that temperate marine aquaria have yet to gain any prominence in the hobby. There appears to have been a mounting interest in the early to mid-1990's, but as a niche it lost traction because, I think, decent selections of coldwater aquarium livestock were so hard to come by. That's unfortunate not only because there is a huge variety of species with a lot of potential for the hobby, but also because they are, in many cases, more sturdy and forgiving of physiochemical stresses (more adaptive to captivity) than their tropical counterparts.

Additionally, an increased interest in temperate aquarium species would relieve pressure on natural tropical populations from overcollecting. Temperate marine ecosystems would themselves be less sensitive to the activities of responsible collectors for the following reason: These ecosystems are nutrient-rich (as opposed to tropical marine ecosystems which are relatively nutrient-poor). They are very highly productive (particularly intertidal and estuarine habitats) and as a result most critters that live there are too-- which means that their populations are not limited by resource availability but for space. When one such creature or plant is removed by a predator, human, natural disturbance, etc. another will very quickly take its place. Thus, collection for the aquarium industry would generally increase their turnover rate, rather than reduce their populations. Collection will be limited, however, once captive populations are established because these species (especially fish) have proven to be much simpler to aquaculture.

I'm happy to see nano-reef.com users engaging in this discussion; I invite any others out there who have a similar curiosity about this woefully underrepresented niche to share what they know here. Detailed and updated information on the subject is sorely lacking, to say the least. In a couple of other forums I have been dinking around on, I have come across some books, sites, etc. that might be of use. The Temperate Reef Aquarium by David Wrobel is a very general but complete approach to the subject (available through Sealife Supply, Sand City, CA). Aquarium Husbandry of Pacific Northwest Marine Invertebrates (available through the Seattle Aquarium) is also a decent reference. Steve Weast at www.oregonreef.com may yet end up becoming the Julian Sprung of the coldwater marine hobby, as his incredible temperate (and tropical) tanks increasingly gain well-deserved attention and admiration on nano-reef.com and elsewhere. Thanks, man! If anyone out there knows of any good literature on the subject or especially if someone knows of a dealer in temperate marine livestock, let us know about it here...

[Scucci]

I've wondered most of that myself... but I think the big answers are cost and availability. I don't think that interest is a huge factor here... granted, there are many people out there that like tried and true stuff. Water, rock, heater, light, sand, salt, xenia, done. But there are some of us that are still drawn to trying new things... unfortunately, cost is a huge factor.

[kingwintergreen]

I've wondered most of that myself... but I think the big answers are cost and availability. I don't think that interest is a huge factor here... granted, there are many people out there that like tried and true stuff. Water, rock, heater, light, sand, salt, xenia, done. But there are some of us that are still drawn to trying new things... unfortunately, cost is a huge factor.

True that, well put.

Where is everyone getting these catalina gobies from?

[reefeze]

chillers are expensive...

[Jamie]

My LFS ordered in my Catalinas from a place in SoCal. Sorry I don't remember the name, but maybe that'll help a little.

 

Also, Drs. Foster and Smith sell Catalina gobies:

 

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di....cfm?pCatId=155

 

hth

 

-Jamie

 

EDIT: Here is a pic:

 

[c est ma]

You might be interested in the link in this thread:

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=136995

 

--Diane

[kingwintergreen]

You might be interested in the link in this thread:

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=136995

 

--Diane

Yeah, too bad the pics are so shoddy, looks like there's some really cool unusual stuff in there. Makes one wonder what other stuff they've got lurking under the waters over there.

[C-Rad]

I have been dinking around on, I have come across some books, sites, etc. that might be of use. The Temperate Reef Aquarium by David Wrobel is a very general but complete approach to the subject (available through Sealife Supply, Sand City, CA).

 

Sea Life Supply (formerly "California Reef Specialists")

(831) 394-0828

[email protected]

The book is $20.00 plus $3.00 S&H

 

It's more of a large booklet than a real book, but the content, while dated (1991), is specific to keeping temperate animals of the North American West Coast, and has information that I haven't found anywhere else, which has saved me from learning many things the hard way. Since it's the best, and almost the only, source available, I think it's very well worth the price.