FREE ISSN 1045-3520

Volume 20 Issue 1 - 2003

Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day Highlights Responsible

Aquarium Keeping Photo by Dr. Timothy Hovanec By Sylvia Spalding, Marine Aquarium Council More than 500 marine aquarium enthusiasts opted to attend the first Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific despite a conflict with Super Bowl Sunday celebrations. The Jan. 26th event at Long Beach, Calif., focused on responsible aquarium keeping. It attracted hobbyists and retailers from as far away as Arizona—-an eight-hour drive. Julian Sprung delivered the keynote address, “A Responsible Marine Aquarium Hobby: From Sea to Your Home,” to a standing room only crowd. Sprung is the co-author of the popular book The Reef Aquarium, Volumes I and II. “When properly handled, delicate marine creatures have better survival chances in captivity, and the proper handling of living creatures is both ethical and consistent with aquarists’ concern for For an aquarium like this, a nitrate level up to 20 ppm NO3-N is acceptable. their welfare,” Sprung noted. Sprung’s presence was made possible through a sponsorship by Marineland, manufacturer of aquarium filtration systems and accessories. The event was co-hosted by the Aquarium Nitrate in Marine along the research of friend/college chum and the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC), an Dr. Tim Hovanec who identified the true international not-for-profit organization dedicated Aquarium Systems species/groups actually involved, giving us new to protecting coral reefs by setting standards and By Bob Fenner names such as Nitrosospira and Nitrospira (Hovanec and DeLong 1996, Hovanec et al. 1998, certification for the global trade in marine “Oh no! I’ve got a “high” nitrate Burrell et al. 2001). aquarium organisms. MAC Certified exporters, concentration in my aquarium! What do I do!?”... The Nitrosospira, Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira importers and retailers are authorized to carry First, and foremost, an understanding of the groups of microbes do this conversion, called marine aquarium organisms labeled as MAC sources, ways of alleviation and relative nitrification, which can be summarized as: Certified, a sign to buyers that they have been placement of nitrate in the grand scheme of Ammonia to Nitrite to Nitrate harvested in a responsible, environmentally “water quality” is absolutely necessary for NH <=> NO <=> NO friendly manner and handled properly to ensure aquarists. In reality, nitrate by itself is not “that” 3 2 3 with the equal signs representing bacterial their good health. deleterious. What an increase in nitrate means is involvement. Nitrification is an oxidative process Marine aquarium enthusiasts were treated to an accumulation of nitrogenous wastes that may (the reactants on the left are “losing electrons”) free admission to the Aquarium, a series of signal that one needs to react (slowly) and change and results in a lowered pH value, loss of presentations on responsible aquarium keeping one’s management/maintenance procedures of alkalinity, and is an indicator of the aerobic and a dozen informational exhibits. The talks their marine aquarium. (oxygen using/needing) nature of the involved ranged from “What to Look for in a Good Local Here’s what I deem an overall picture of organisms. Fish Store,” by Rick Preuss, owner of MAC nitrate should be to most saltwater hobbyists; the Nitrification, by way of biological filtration Certified Preuss Animal House, Haslett, Mich., to sources, importance and some means of keeping (Wet-Dry filters, undergravel filters, fluidized bed “Saving Reefs with the Marine Aquarium Trade,” nitrate in check. by Gregor Hodgson, Ph.D., founder of Reef filters, etc.), produces nitrate which will Check, an international network that tracks the Sources: The Greatest Pet-Fish Story accumulate given sufficient nitrogenous foods, a global status of reefs. Ever Told! paucity of organisms or methods that “use up” “Marine aquarium hobbyists and public Oh for the good old days when real pet-fish- (export) the nitrate such as water changes to aquariums are both concerned about the ionados could recite the bacterial nitrification dilute the nitrate, efficient skimming to extract sustainability of marine ornamentals and the coral mantra by rout... “Ammonia is converted to them or some version of denitrification. reefs they come from,” notes MAC Executive nitrite by Nitrosomonas bacteria species and nitrite Director Paul Holthus. “Events like these help to nitrate by Nitrobacter species...” Then came Continued on page 2 Continued on page 4 ©2003 Aquarium Systems, Inc., Mentor, OH - Printed in U.S.A. Nitrate in Marine Aquarium Systems Continued from page 1 About Testing Methods/Units of Measure A brief mention that there are two common ways of expressing the nitrate concentration. Photo by Dr. Timothy Hovanec One is as the nitrate ion itself (NO3) and the second is nitrate as nitrogen (NO3-N). Due to the latter’s consideration of the three oxygen atoms atomic weight per molecule, measuring the nitrate ion by itself results in value 4.4 times as much as nitrate-nitrogen. However, it’s like measuring in inches or centimeters: both give the right answer, just in different units. Do check your test kit so when comparing your values with others or recommendations in book you are comparing apples to apples, so to speak. Importance Most fish groups are remarkably tolerant of practical concentrations of nitrate (30-40 ppm Nitrate levels in fish only systems such as this can safely be 40 to 50 ppm NO3-N. nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). A few tens of ppm in their water, changes in same over days time is not Detritus in the substrate can be a manage/manipulate when employed in the life-threatening or stressful compared with reservoir and manufacturer of nitrate. main/display system. Aquarists are encouraged fluctuations of temperature, varying light/dark Vacuuming a portion of your substrate along to build these in separate sump/refugium where cycles, measurable ammonia or nitrite or hobbyist with your water changes can reduce this source. their utilization will not disrupt the principal tank hands coming into their space, for instance. For Similarly, mechanical filtration media that traps they service. fish-only or FOWLR (fish only with live rock) food and wastes needs to be cleaned and ASD: Autotrophic sulfur systems, nitrate by itself is rarely a worry. replaced on a regular basis to limit the denitrification, a type of anaerobic denitrator Some invertebrate groups are notably decomposition of trapped organic materials utilizing elemental sulfur as a chemical feed source touchy to too much or sudden increases of and subsequent release of nitrate. for reducing nitrate has been advanced and used nitrate in their water. Fifteen to twenty ppm in places. The reaction series (4NO + 3S = 2N Dilution 3 2 NO3-N are upper limits for most non-vertebrate + 3SO4) involved is acidic, can be best tied-in with marine livestock. Many corals are reported to Here comes the usual pitch for frequent melting down a source of carbonate, does result being adversely affected at even lower levels of partial water changes. Obviously switching out in excess sulfate, but these don’t appear to be nitrate but controlled scientific studies are lacking ten-twenty percent of your water with water of problematical (natural seawater contains about to support these claims. zero nitrate reduces the percentage of nitrate 2,700 ppm of sulfate. (and other metabolites) by the same amount. Methods of Control Skimming/Foam Fractionation Ammonia is the main excretory product of Bio-mediation/Bacterial Aggressive foam fractionation, also known as fishes and invertebrates. And toxic to them at Denitrification protein skimming, removes much organic matter sufficient concentration. It must be dealt with. The so-called “reverse reaction” of before it is converted to nitrate. I’ve stated this a The easiest, simplest, surest, most fail-safe nitrification: denitrification is a largely anaerobic bazillion times: almost all marine systems should method is through biological conversion. Hence, set of reactions by microbes that serve to utilize skimming, even if only on a punctuated the great hub-bub regarding “cycling” convert nitrate ultimately into dinitrogen. A time basis. (establishment of beneficial microbial populations) summary of the reactions involved is: in new captive systems and the protection of said Nitrate to Nitrite to Nitrogen Chemical Filtration bacteria… Ammonia becoming nitrate is a good NO3- <=> NO2- <=> N2 Entails many possible areas for discussion. thing. Note, these reactions are reductive (the Of most practical importance is that while there But there are techniques, gear, and reactants on the left are “gaining electrons”) are “nitrate chemical filter materials” sold in the approaches that can be employed for reducing which is this case are supplied by H+ (protons) hobby/trade; they don’t work in many sets of and removing nitrate, or even preventing some thus the pH is elevated. (Editor’s note: in circumstances, and never directly. There is no nitrate production. improperly run denitrifying systems the nitrite practical chemical means of removing nitrate can be reduced to ammonia, a process called from aquarium systems. Prevention dissimilatory nitrite reduction). Feeds, Feeding and Livestock Loads. Biological Uptake/Export Too much nitrate is the result of too much food Live rock, sand use In the early days of reefkeeping, mid- to input, simply put “you’re feeding too much” and NNR: Natural nitrate reduction systems late-1980’s, vigorous algal growth was touted your maintenance routine can’t keep up with the include such propositions as Plenums (Jaubert et as a/the sure-fire means of reducing nitrate nitrate production. One easy approach for al.), DSBs (Deep Sand Beds), and various accumulation. In actuality, a good deal of limiting nitrate is to simply stock and feed your contraptions that are anaerobic to hypoxic nitrate can be taken up by many groups of system lightly, particularly with foods of high containers (boxes, coils, trays) for culturing and algae, microbes and other photosynthetic life protein content. feeding denitrifying microbes. All makes and forms. With regular harvesting considerable Some supplements and sea salt-mixes models of the latter have proven fickle. It is tricky nitrate can be exported from a system. have an appreciable amount of nitrate in them. to slowly drip system water into the filters and Other Methods provide “bacterial feeder media” (typically Read labels and if in doubt test these products by These are numerous and, for the most part, sugars, alcohols, even sulfur). Plenums and DSBs diluting with pure water and using a test kit. unrealistic or otherwise impractical for aquarium (Editor’s Note: Instant Ocean is nitrate-free.) can be great expedients to reducing nitrate accumulation, but are often difficult to Continued on page 4 Protein Skimmers skimmer. But any aquarium with high levels of pollution is a sure candidate for a skimmer. by Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec Many people involved in the marine aquarium What Are The Location hobby seem to think that protein skimmers are Requirements? relatively new devices (i.e., developed in the last The most simple skimmers, although not that 10 years). Actually, protein skimmers have been common anymore, fit inside the aquarium, in the hobby for at least 40 years in the United hanging from the top lip of the tank. An airstone States and longer in some European countries. placed at the bottom of the column produces the What follows are some basic questions and foam which is collected at the top. This type has answers about skimmers to provide a better no water pump, no hoses. A more common understanding of their nature and function. version hangs on the outside back of the aquarium. Water is pumped into the unit, either What Is A Protein Skimmer? co- or countercurrent, and returns to the tank A protein skimmer is a device that via a spillway at the top. Perhaps the most concentrates and removes dissolved material commonly used type of skimmers sit in sump from aquarium water using air bubbles. In general, under the tank. Exit water is diverted into the a skimmer consists of a tube (the contact sump, where it is pumped back up to the column) for the concentration and mixing of aquarium. No particular placement is superior to bubbles and water, an aeration device, a water another. Selection is usually a matter of individual inlet and outlet, and a collection cup. Some units space and budget restraints. may add additional features but the basic design is the same. Will I Still Need Activated Carbon? The name “protein skimmer” is essentially The primary benefit of activated carbon is misleading. These devices do not skim the water the removal of organics. Since this is also the surface and they remove more than just protein. function of the foam fractionator, does the A more appropriate name for a protein skimmer hobbyist really need both? The answer is yes. is “foam fractionator,” due to the fact that the Studies show that foam fractionation does not remove all types of organics; nor will it bubble concentrations (foam) serve to separate The SeaClone skimmer is a versatile, cost-effective unit (fractionate) dissolved material from the water. remove 100% of any one of them. The same Most of this material, termed DOC (Dissolved can be said of carbon. The two filtration that the hydrophobic end is “inside “ and in devices effectively complement each other. Organic Carbon), is produced by the contact with the air. The bubble carries the DOC biodegrading activity of certain bacteria, but some to the water surface, where the bubble bursts to How Long Should I Run The is released by algae and other organisms. Because form foam. The air-preferring DOC stay at the Skimmer? the DOC is dissolved in the water, DOC cannot surface rather than re-dissolve into the water. Twenty four hours a day. There will be be removed by mechanical filtration methods. This process is repeated tens of thousands of some periods of the day when the skimmer Why A Protein Skimmer? times a minute and a large amount of foam can will produce more foam than others, but that The accumulation of DOC in an aquarium be generated. The foam grows over time, is is natural. can, among other things, inhibit the nitrifying collected in a cup and is removed at regular Is It Possible To Over Skim? intervals. While there is considerably more bacteria and increase the biochemical oxygen No. While some may disagree with this, demand (a way of measuring water pollution), physics involved than mentioned here, this is the basic operative mechanism involved in no studies have shown a deleterious effect thus lowering water quality. Preventing this from from over skimming. occurring is, therefore, a worthwhile goal. protein skimming. What Kinds Of Protein Skimmers What Maintenance Is Required? How Does A Skimmer Work? To retain its effectiveness, a protein Two keys to effective foam fractionating are Are There? The difference between brands of skimmers skimmer must be clean to allow the bubbles to air bubbles and surfactants. DOC are form at the top and flow into the collection surfactants—compounds whose surface is defined is most evident in the ways they move water and generate bubbles. There are two basic types of cup. A greenish brown sludge will form on the as “active.” This means that when a surfactant walls of the skimmer. This should be brushed compound is in water, its non-polar end, labeled protein skimmer: co-current and countercurrent. Current pertains to water flow, while “co-” or off regularly. The airstone should be replaced hydrophobic or “water hating,” seeks the surface, each month. For a venturi skimmer, the or the air. “counter-” indicate whether the air is moving with or against the water current, respectively. venturi should be cleaned often to prevent the Normally, the only “air surface” in the build-up of calcium or other deposits. aquarium is the surface of the water. However, if Other skimmers employ a venturi air injection bubbles are added to the water, more air surface system instead of an airstone to produce bubbles Is Ozone Required With My is created. More air surface means more without an air pump. These skimmers pump Skimmer? surfactants (DOC) are attracted and removed. water through an injector using a water pump or It is not necessary to use ozone with a Smaller bubbles have more surface area than powerhead. The injector has a narrowed pathway protein skimmer. While ozone can be beneficial, larger ones. Also, the longer the bubble stays in in its center and an additional opening that admits it is dangerous to the aquarium inhabitants and, the water, the longer its contact time with the air into the unit. therefore, should be carefully considered and surfactant. Bubble size and contact time Differential pressure is generated at the other studied before added to any system. determine how effective and how fast a skimmer end of the restriction which causes air to be Foam fractionators, can prove a welcome will work. sucked into the water stream. Venturi operated addition to many types of aquarium filtration Protein skimmers take advantage of these skimmers can be very effective and tend to be systems. By understanding the basic operative physical properties by producing a large amount smaller than other skimmers—a positive mechanisms and functional nuances of these of bubbles in a controlled space—the contact consideration in areas of limited dimensions. devices, you should be able to use them column. This serves to concentrate the bubbles Who Needs A Protein Skimmer? effectively and reduce the time needed to service and the DOC. As the bubbles in the column rise, In most cases, every saltwater aquarium these units. Good fishkeeping! the DOC attach to the surface of the bubble so would benefit from the addition of a protein Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day “Click Set” Temp Highlights Responsible Aquarium Select Dial Quality Keeping That “Clicks.” Continued from page 1 Waterproof Double them, and the public, understand how we can Insulation work together to ensure the responsible marine aquarium trade and hobby do support healthy reefs and fish, healthy fishing communities and a Three-Position Viewing Window healthy marine ornamentals industry and hobby.” “The Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day attracted a variety of hobbyists and industry Double-Suction Available in eight models: 25-watt to 300-watt operators, which ran the gamut from young Mounting Bracket aquarists who had recently acquired their first The New saltwater tanks to seasoned retailers who have High-Visibility ® been in the business for up to 25 years,” noted Temperature Setting Visi-Therm MAC Communications Coordinator Sylvia Spalding. “Many of the aquarists wanted to know Deluxe On/Off Indicator Submersible Aquarium Heater if there were any MAC Certified retailers in their area, and many of the retailers wanted to know For years, the name “Visi-Therm” has been “clicking” with consumers. Now there’s how to become MAC Certified. This event to the Visi-Therm Deluxe -- an advanced- promote responsible aquarium keeping Double-Strength Glass Component design, fully submersible powerhouse… succeeded in bringing together marine aquarium Housing the next important step in aquarium enthusiasts with different experiences and a heating technology. A simple “click” of common value.” Insulated Heating the dial is all it takes to choose your ideal For more on MAC Certification and a list of Elements water temperature -- certified accurate to within one degree. And every Visi-Therm MAC Certified marine aquarium companies, visit • SA BLE FE IA Deluxe is CSA listed. . .designed to exacting the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org L E E R IM standards for extended submersion and ET TY IF AN L RR operational safety. Precision. Strength. A E MACNA XV W T Quality. Now we’re clickin’. AC C U RA hosted by the Louisville Marine Society For a dealer near you call Aquarium Systems will be held Sept. 5-7, 2003. (800) 822-1100 • www.marineland.com See www.masna.org/m15

or www.Imas.org for details. FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR FISH

PUBLICATION INFORMATION SeaScope® was created to present short, informative articles of interest to marine Nitrate in Marine Aquarium Systems between the inputs of nitrate and their removal. aquarists. Topics may include water chemistry, Ideally, you want your nitrate to be as low Continued from page 2 nutrition, mariculture, system design, ecology, as possible. For delicate reef systems 10 ppm and below NO -N is acceptable, for invertebrate- behavior, and fish health. Article contributions hobbyist use. Some have involved electrical 3 containing marine systems up to 20 ppm current (yes, with saltwater aquariums), ion- are welcomed. They should deal with pertinent NO -N and 40 ppm NO -N for fish-only exchange resins for removal of nitrate from tap 3 3 topics and are subject to editorial reviews that systems. Just having “some” nitrate water (where there is generally little to start in our opinion are necessary. Payments will be concentration present in the grand scheme of with). Folks would/will be better off utilizing an made at existing rates and will cover all things is not a real menace to livestock health. author's rights to the material submitted. inexpensive reverse osmosis (RO) filtration rig for their personal and pet-fish use if they have Bibliography: SeaScope® is published quarterly for free appreciable nitrate in their source water. Most Anderson, Frank. 1992. NTS. New tank syndrome may be on its way to oblivion. FAMA 4/92 distribution through local aquarium dealers. R.O. units remove 95% plus nitrate. Atz, James. 1971. Some principles and practices of water Dealers not receiving copies of SeaScope® Close management for marine aquariums. Marine Aquarist SI. for distribution to their customers should call Any amount of investigation into “dreaded Booth, George. Nitrate reduction. The next step in water quality. Aquarium Systems, Inc. to be added to the nitrate” in hobby literature, the Net and AFM 7/96. conversations with others will reveal an Burrell, P. C., C. M. Phalen, and T. A. Hovanec. 2001. Identification mailing list. Telephone: 1-800-822-1100. The of bacteria responsible for ammonia oxidation in freshwater aquaria. SeaScope® newsletter is now available on-line enormous amount of differing opinions on the Applied and Environmental Microbiology 67(12): 5791-5800. at www.marineland.com under the News tab. importance/significance of nitrate. Is nitrate Emmens, C.W. 1989. Water quality in the marine aquarium. FAMA Go to the “What’s New” section and choose poisoning most marine livestock? By and large, for 8/89. SeaScope® newsletter for the most recent most species of aquatic life, no. Can the routine Frakes, Thomas A. 1993. Nitrate menace? SeaScope v.10, Winter 93. issue. measurement of nitrate be useful as an overall Goemans, Bob. 1997. Plenum. FAMA 10/97 indicator of system health, trends in water quality Hovanec, T. A. and E. F. DeLong. 1996. Comparative analysis of nitrifying bacteria associated with freshwater and marine aquaria. Address comments, questions, and suggestions changes, wake-up calls for altering and/or Applied and Environmental Microbiology 62(8): 2888-2896. to Dr.Timothy Hovanec, Editor. Marineland, enhancing methods of overall system Hovanec, T. A., L. T. Taylor, A. Blakis, and E. F. DeLong. 1998. improvement? Sure. Nitrospira-like bacteria associated with nitrite oxidation in freshwater 6100 Condor Dr., Moorpark, CA 93021 aquaria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 64(1): 258-264. Without implementing some of the above or E-Mail: [email protected] methods of control, nitrate will accumulate in Klostermann, A.F. 1992. Biological denitrification. FAMA 4/92. Aquarium Systems is a Marineland Company Patel, Shilpin. 2000. ASD: Autotrophic sulfur denitrification. FAMA marine aquariums. Your role as the “creator”, and 12/00. on-going manager, is to devise and impose balance FREE ISSN 1045-3520

Volume 20 Issue 2 - 2003

The Purple Tang, Zebrasoma xanthurum,

Functional and Gorgeous! Photo by Robert Fenner Bob Fenner While at the pet-fish industry’s largest trade show in Nurnberg, Germany (the biannual InterZoo Show) recently, I was reminded of the relative interest and “worth” of currencies while viewing a very large exhibit containing most all species of Sailfin (Zebrasoma spp.) Tangs. While I was commenting to my friends regarding the beauty of the Purple Tangs on display, another fellow (from Europe) was most impressed with... the Yellow Tangs! Yes, turns out that Purple Tangs are one of the least expensive fishes in western Europe, whereas Flavescens Tangs command a big price. Despite its big price tag in the U.S. Z. xanthurum is a perennial favorite of fish-only marine to reef aquarists in the New World. It’s hardy, beautiful, generally easygoing (more on this below), and typically readily accepts all A Purple Tang in captivity types of foods with gusto. The few downsides for this species involve a penchant for developing “environmental” and nutritional diseases like HLLE (Head and Lateral Line A Comparison of Coral undergravel filter and recirculate it back into Erosion). With adequate provision for set-up, the aquarium. feeding and maintenance, these problems are Reef Filtration Systems: Another type of fixed bed biological filter easily avoided or even cured. Preliminary Results for use in coral reef aquaria was also Distribution: Purple Tangs are endemic introduced in the last 10 years. This system is to the Red Sea southward to the Arabian Sea Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec called the BioWheel® (Marineland Aquarium about Oman. The trickle filter was first introduced to the Products) and differs from the trickle filter in Size: Reported to nearly nine inches (22.9 marine aquarium hobby in the United States by that the media sits half submerged in the water cm) in length. Most are about half that in a series of articles by Smit (1986). The trickle and continuously rotates. The constant turning maximum size in captivity. filter, a type of fixed bed biological filter, uses a of the BioWheel® in the water ensures that all Selection: As with most species of the stationary bed of plastic filtration media to the filtration media is wet and available for Tang family, Acanthuridae, Purple Tang provide a substratum for the attachment of colonization by the nitrifying bacteria. specimens should be graded/sorted by three nitrifying bacteria. There are various shapes Two other types of filtration systems, general criteria: and sizes of the filtration media but all have a which expressly do not use a dedicated 1.) Index of Fitness: healthy specimens are few basic properties which include a high void biological filter, were introduced to the marine full-bodied; in particular the head area space, so that water can easily pass over and aquarium hobby in the mid-1990’s. These above the eyes should not have a pinched- through the media without a chance of systems belong to a class of filters which are in appearance. There is an extended time clogging, and the media sitting above the water termed “Natural.” The idea being that the period from collection, holding, transport rather than submerged underwater. filtration in a Natural filtered aquarium is to wholesale transhippers over and The basic design of the trickle filter is in performed without man-made mechanical and through stateside. This can take several sharp contrast to the undergravel filter which biological filters. Instead, the liberal use of live days to a few weeks. If watching tangs in was the most popular type of biological filter rock and coral sand on the bottom of the the wild teaches you anything, it is that used in the marine aquarium hobby at the time aquarium is employed as the filtration. Delbeek they feed continuously. When deprived of the trickle filter was introduced. The and Sprung (1994) provide details on assorted grazing Surgeonfishes fade to thinness and undergravel filter consists of a perforated or Natural systems as well as the trickle and pale color, at some point giving up on slotted plastic plate which sits on the bottom BioWheel® systems. The two main Natural feeding altogether. Seek and pick out ones of the aquarium. An aeration system is used to systems are the Berlin method, so called move the aquarium water through the Continued on page 4 Continued on page 2 ©2003 Aquarium Systems, Inc., Mentor, OH - Printed in U.S.A. A Comparison of Coral Reef greater alkalinity and total inorganic carbon Filtration Systems values (Fig. 3). The differences, however, are Continued from page 1 not significant. The greatest difference in water quality because it originated in the city of Berlin, between the four filtration systems is that the Germany, and the Jaubert System, which was Jaubert filtered aquarium had a significantly developed by Dr. J. M. Jaubert of the University greater concentration of total organic carbon of Nice, France. (TOC) (Fig. 4). The trickle, BioWheel® and In the last several years, the use of the Berlin systems had TOC values of less than 1 trickle filter, however, has fallen out of favor mg/L-C. However, the TOC in the Jaubert among the cognoscenti of mini-reef aquarium system never dropped below 2 mg/L-C. The because it is believed that the use of a water change on day 101 resulted in a dedicated biological filter will cause high temporary drop in the TOC concentration, concentrations of nitrate in the aquarium. from 3.4 to 2.4 mg/L-C, but this was short- Paletta (1999) states that “a major downside of lived and the TOC concentration was soon most trickle filters, as well as undergravel back up to 3.5 mg/L-C (Fig. 4). filters, is that they tend to produce nitrate as In terms of coral health, the corals in the an end-product.” Delbeek and Sprung (1994) Jaubert system did not do well and this may be write “our experience has shown that trickle linked to the increasing TOC concentration. filters are not only unnecessary for coral reef This was the only overt problem with coral aquariums with adequate amounts of live rock, health experienced with any of the systems. in fact, they can be detrimental in hard coral The water in the Jaubert aquarium was much aquariums.” But to date there have been no more colored (a brownish-green tint) than the published studies which compare the different metal halide fixtures and two 40 watt actinic others and the bottom substrate was types of filtration methods for mini-reef aquaria tubes. A water chilling unit was installed on blanketed by a film of green algae. The water with long term water quality data and each aquarium to maintain water temperature change on day 101 was done because the observations of coral health. at 26.5 °C ± 1°C. All aquaria received 32 kg of organisms in the Jaubert system did not look The goal of this test was to set-up and run cured Fiji live rock and had weekly additions of healthy. The other three systems did not need the four mini-reef aquarium/filtration types for Kalkwasser except for the Jaubert style tank. a water change but in an effort to treat all the an extended period of time and determine if a) The set-ups differed in the following aspects: systems equally they were given the same there were any significant differences in the Tank 1 (trickle filter) had an Amiracle™ trickle volume water change as the Jaubert system. filter, Knop protein skimmer (Model ss100), 9 DISCUSSION: kg of crushed coral, and used activated carbon; While replication is needed in future tests, Tank 2 (BioWheel®) had a Tidepool filter the results of this experiment show that mini- using a Bio-Wheel®, Knop protein skimmer reef aquaria with dedicated biological filters do (Model ss100), 20 kg of crushed coral, and not exhibit higher nitrate-nitrogen used activated carbon; Tank 3 (Berlin) was a concentrations when compared to other types Berlin style system with no dedicated biological of filtration methods. There were daily inputs filter, with a Knop protein skimmer (Model of ammonia into each aquarium via the ss100), 20 kg of crushed coral, and used resident fish population as ammonia is the chief activated carbon; Tank 4 (Jaubert) was a nitrogenous waste product of the fish. There Jaubert style system with a plenum using 50 kg are two possible fates for the excreted of crushed coral but no protein skimmer or activated carbon. The salinity of all the aquaria was maintained at 30 ppt. Details on the animals placed in the aquaria and methods of water chemistry determination can be found at www.marinelandlabs.com. RESULTS: The results for several water quality characteristics, over the first 156 days of operation of the aquaria, are presented in Figures 1-4. The ammonia-nitrogen and nitrite- nitrogen trends for the four filtration systems are presented in Figure 1. Comparisons of the nitrate-nitrogen and water chemistry of the four systems, b) if the orthophosphate concentrations for the four systems with dedicated biological filters (the filtration systems show that there were no trickle and BioWheel® aquaria) had higher differences among the systems for the first 100 nitrate concentrations, as some would predict, days (Fig. 2). However, at day 114 the nitrate and c) if coral health and growth is different in concentrations increased in both the Berlin and any of the systems. Jaubert aquaria (Fig. 2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pH, alkalinity and total inorganic Four identical 284 L all-glass aquaria were carbon trends are presented in Figure 3. There set-up in a temperature controlled room in are no major differences between the filtration which the air temperature was a constant types. The Jaubert system had a slightly lower 26°C±1°C. Each unit had a lighting system pH than the other three systems since day which consisted of two 10,000°K “Euro” style 100, and this same system also had slightly Transform Your Aquarium Into A Wondrous Work Of Art…With SeaGarden Aquarium Décor

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ammonia; 1) the ammonia could be oxidized, via bacterial nitrification, to nitrate or 2) the ammonia could be utilized by algae, including the symbiotic algae in the coral, for growth. For the first choice to be correct, denitrification must be occurring at virtually the same rate of nitrification as there is no net increase in nitrate, the end product of nitrification. While this scenario cannot be dismissed it seems unlikely that a newly set-up aquarium would be able to establish the conditions for denitrification so quickly. The most likely explanation for the low nitrate concentrations seen in the four aquaria is the ammonia produced by the fish is utilized by Distributed by primary consumers which live on the live rock and are part of the coral community. A Marineland Company While it is beyond the scope of the present www.marineland.com Aquarium Systems • Mentor, Ohio 44060 (800) 822-1100 study to definitively answer the question of the fate of the ammonia produced in the aquaria, one can look for common factor(s) amongst the test aquaria in an effort to find the possible Latest Research authors suggest that the bacteria then entered location of the ammonia consumers; be they into what is called a viable-but-not-culturable autotrophic nitrifiers, working in close Results (VBNC) state. This is basically a resting stage conjunction with denitrifying bacteria, or A research paper published just before this where the bacteria wait until conditions are primary consumers. The common component issue of Seascope went to press gives more favorable for their multiplication. of the four systems is the live rock. Thus, a additional cause for the active removal of the Many questions remain such as the mode strong correlation can be drawn between the fireworm, Hermodice carunculata from your of transmission as not all coral that bleach may presence of an adequate amount of live rock reef aquarium. The paper by M. Sussman, Y. come in contact with an infected fireworm. and the stable water chemistry exhibited in the Loya, M. Fine and E. Rosenberg entitled The Furthermore, as previously mentioned, aquaria. Live rock is the main filter device for marine fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a whether the results of this study can be applied nitrogen and phosphorus via the action of winter reservoir and spring-summer vector for to a reef tank are unknown at this time. In any microorganisms. However, there does not the coral-bleaching pathogen Vibrio shiloi, was case, it is better to be safe than sorry and seem to be a process associated with live rock published in Environmental Microbiology 2003 removing fireworms from your tank might to remove organic carbon from the water Vol. 5, No. 4 pages 250-255. prevent a disaster. which is why the Jaubert system, without a Using fluorescence in situ hybridization protein skimmer or activated carbon, had such (FISH) with a oligonucleotide probe specific for high a TOC concentration. V. shiloi, the authors were able to demonstrate The most often asked question, in terms of that V. shiloi resides in H. carunculata during the setting-up a mini-reef aquarium, is what winter when the surrounding water filtration system should one use? The results of temperatures drop to below 20°C. Previous this test show that the filter system most likely research has demonstrated that the bacterium plays a secondary role. To be successful, over V. shiloi is the causative agent of coral bleaching Photo by Dr. Tim Hovanec the long term, one needs a large amount of live of the coral Oculina patagonica in the rock, a good lighting system, and an organic Mediterranean Sea. carbon removal system. Having a dedicated Whether their results are applicable to our biological filter may be an added plus but it is aquaria is not known. However, their research certainly not a detriment to the goal of setting- showed that once the fireworms were infected up and maintaining a healthy mini-reef with V. shiloi within a short time (about 48 aquarium. hours) the bacteria penetrated into epidermal Marine fireworm Hermodice carunculata cells of the fireworms. Once this occurred the References Upon Request The Purple Tang, Functional and Gorgeous! Continued from page 1 that have a convex appearance when viewed head-on. 2.) Behavior: this is very telling with Photo by Robert Fenner Surgeons. Healthy Tangs are curious about their surroundings. Buy ones that are checking you and their tank out; never ones skulking in corners or otherwise “spaced-out” 3.) Color: Purple Tangs of good health and behavioral adjustment are very purple with extremely deep yellow tail fins. Be wary of ones that lack radiance in these areas. Related to poor color and quality in general are degrees of “open pores” on this species’ head and body associated with their lateral line system. This is manifestation of HLLE, and unless you intend to nurse such animals back to health, it is best avoided by not buying them in the first place. This being stated, Filtration & Circulation: This should be plants for marine fish nutrition. it has become easier and faster to do just this in a word: brisk! These fishes live in high Disease: Purple Tangs are not as readily with improvements in water quality and motion waters with near saturation oxygen. susceptible to the common protozoan nutritional quality of prepared fish foods. Surgeons eat and defecate large quantities yet infections of other Surgeon fishes, and can Good filtration and high quality feeds are are intolerant of waste. Adequate filtration happily be easily treated by common methods. exemplary in this regard. coupled with frequent partial water changes HLLE is a common developmental disorder of Habitat: Purple Tangs inhabit rocky and are requisite. the species and can be the results of coral-rich reef areas where they forage and can Inter- and Intra-specific Aggression: diminished water quality, malnutrition, low pH, duck under cover for sleep and safety. You Purple Tangs are almost always fine tankmates high organics, vitamin deficiency or a disease should provide similar habitat for your aquatic as juveniles (under 3 inches/7.5cm in length). organism, to name a few. Water changes and charges sense of place. Often, growing up in under-crowded proper feeds all help prevent HLLE. Concerning inclusion of this tang in “reef circumstances with other fishes, they grow to As with almost all species of marine fishes, tanks”; I do suggest it. This fish will nibble be the same as larger adults. As is often stated quarantine of Zebrasoma and other away at pesky undesirable algae, as well as as a rule of thumb, this Surgeonfish is better Tang species should be standard operation many filamentous forms. Purple Tangs have, not stocked with similar-appearing fishes, procedure. By pH-adjusted freshwater however, been noted to nibble on some large especially other Acanthurids that occupy a dip/bathing and keeping new specimens in a polyp stony corals (notably Trachyphyllia and similar niche; especially those in the genus separate system, all parasitic disease can be Catalaphyllia spp.). As is common for most Zebrasoma. Under-crowding is always the avoided in your main/display systems. marine fish, start with small ones and keep an safest bet, followed by introduction of smaller In Conclusion: Other than a tendency to eye on your fishes’ behavior which is always individuals first. More aggressive species like become testy with their tankmates with good aquarium husbandry. Purple Tangs should be the last fish to be growth and disposition for developing HLLE, placed. But there is no sure-bet with stocking Zebrasoma xanthurum ranks high as a species of this species. Careful observation is a hallmark use for reef and general marine aquariums. Do of a successful aquarist. start with smaller species and if possible, make The acanthus or thorny spine on Tangs’ your Purple Tang your last fish introduced to PUBLICATION INFORMATION caudal peduncles is a formidable weapon, the system. Keep up water quality, provide a SeaScope® was created to present short, informative which they can and will unsheathe and use. varied, supplemented diet and you will be articles of interest to marine aquarists. Topics may Have no doubt, while mainly for show, Purple richly rewarded with a hardy, startlingly include water chemistry, nutrition, mariculture, system Tangs are capable of cutting up newcomers colored specimen. design, ecology, behavior, and fish health. Article they consider a threat. contributions are welcomed. They should deal with Foods, Feeding Nutrition: All Tangs are Bibliography/Further Reading: pertinent topics and are subject to editorial reviews herbivorous to a degree. Observing Purple Blasiola, George C. 1990. A review of hole in the head disease of that in our opinion are necessary. Payments will be Tangs in the wild and aquariums, and examining fish. FAMA 5/90. made at existing rates and will cover all author's rights their stomach contents has shown that they Burgess, Warren E. 1979. The genus Zebrasoma. TFH 11/79. to the material submitted. ingest principally micro-algae, secondarily Fenner, Robert. 1998. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. SeaScope® is published quarterly for free distribution macro-algae, and that the bulk of the rest is Microcosm, VT. 432pp. through local aquarium dealers. Dealers not receiving Fenner, Robert. 2000. Surgeons, tangs, and Doctorfishes, family material (associated invertebrates, fish eggs) Acanthuridae. FAMA 12/00. copies of SeaScope® taken incidental to these. In captivity, surgeons for distribution to their customers should call Fenner, Robert. 2001. Fische mit skalpell; teil 3 (Schluss): Seebader require regular offerings of “greens”. Vegetable der gattung Zebrasoma und der palletten-doktorfisch, Aquarium Systems, Inc. to be added to the mailing list. Paracanthurus hepatus. Das Aquarium Nr. 381, Marz, 01. ® flake, pellet and frozen prepared foods are to Telephone: 1-800-822-1100. The SeaScope Michael, Scott W. 1992. A guide to the tangs of the genus newsletter is now available on-line at be had in pet fish stores; better and cheaper Zebrasoma. Seascope vol.9, Fall 1992. www.marineland.com under the News tab. Go to the are dried and fresh algae from the Asian food Michael, S.W. 1995. Fishes for the marine aquarium, part 7. Tangs “What’s New” section and choose SeaScope® sections of human food stores. The very best of the genus Zebrasoma. A.F.M. 4/95. newsletter for the most recent issue. opportunity is to provide some live material Michael, Scott W. 1998. Surgeonfishes; Meet their strict care requirements, or else... AFM 9/98. Address comments, questions, and suggestions to that your tangs can nibble on at their leisure. Though others endorse their use, I am very Randall, John E. 1983. Red Sea Reef Fishes. Immel Publishing, Dr.Timothy Hovanec, Editor. Marineland, 6100 London.192pp. Condor Dr., Moorpark, CA 93021 unimpressed with the results of feeding Rashad, Byron K. 1996. Red Sea fish for the reef aquarium; jewels or E-Mail: [email protected] lettuces, boiled, frozen or fricasseed to of the desert sea. FAMA 5/96. Aquarium Systems is a Marineland Company Surgeons. Be leery of relying on terrestrial FREE ISSN 1045-3520

Volume 20 Issue 3, 2003

Life History and Treatment of Uronema marinum Photo by Michadel P. James by Rand Kollman The parasite Uronema marinum has been receiving a large amount of attention from public aquaria, zoological parks and home aquarists. Uronema marinum is a free-living ciliated protozoa (suborder Hymenostomata) that can cause fatal infections in marine fish. It affects both coldwater and tropical saltwater fish. Due to the recent surge of interest in seahorse exhibits at public aquaria and zoos, and the fact that seahorses are highly susceptible to this parasite, attention to prevention and control has become a priority. Many times it is difficult to identify disease problems and provide the proper treatment of sick marine animals. Sometimes the disease is not diagnosed properly and the recommended treatment does not work. Other commonly encountered protozoans in aquaria are An aquarium overgrown by Asparagopsis taxiformis. Amyloodinium ocellatum, a flagellated protozoan, and Cryptocaryon irritans, a ciliated protozoan. These parasites are usually easily identified and can be controlled with proper husbandry Asparagopsis taxiformis: A testing occasionally an algae can appear that defies methods such as routine water changes, proper conventional reasoning and solutions. Such is the feeding and not overcrowding. troublesome reef algae case with the red hair algae, Asparagopsis U. marinum are single-celled, microscopic, By Michael P. Janes taxiformis. ciliated, opportunistic invaders that normally feed The genus Asparagopsis contains two species on bacteria in the aquatic habitat. They are A. taxiformis and A. armata. They belong to the red constantly in an energy acquisition phase (always In the past, the thought or mention of algae was something that conjured up concern, algae division Rhodophyta that has about four looking for food). When the fish’s immune thousand described marine species. Examining the system is stressed, U. marinum will attack the fish, emotion, and even fear in some marine aquarium hobbyists. Today, most modern coverage on the branches in sexual forms at medium magnification invading muscles and internal organs, eating red can separate the two species of this genus. As its blood cells and other cells. Uncontrollable or topic of algae emphasizes the important role they play on a healthy coral reef and how they may do name suggests the species A. armata has small recurrent infestations are typically indicative of spines on the branches. Asparagopsis taxiformis has underlying problems such as introduction of new the same in your tank. A relationship exists on coral reefs between algal growth, nutrient smooth branches. fish, overcrowding, and poor water quality. Some Red algae have the most elaborate lifecycles of the symptoms of U. marinum infected fish are processing, and grazing. Nuisance algae in aquaria can be the result of a change in the pathways by of all the marine algae. Successive generations as follows: alternate between an asexual sporulation stage • Skin scraping which nutrients are processed. These changes can be subtle and difficult to detect. By the time a and a sexual stage composed of male and female • Pale discoloration plants. The physical appearance of these two • Loss of color problem occurs it can be too late for any kind of rapid correction. Another important component stages is quite different making identification • Weight loss difficult at times. Early investigations into the • Dehydration of algae control in aquaria is herbivore diversity. Typically excessive algae growth is the result of an species A. taxiformis initially lead to its asexual • Flashing stage being classified as a different species! • Rapid breathing insufficient variety of algae consuming animals and/or excessive nutrients. The characteristic red color in the • Lesions Rhodophyta is the result of a water-soluble Because U. marinum is very difficult to Even among reef keeping hobbyists who are well aware that over feeding and insufficient pigment called Phycoerythrin. This pigment not identify, the above symptoms can also be only reflects light but also absorbs and converts it indicative of other parasitic and bacterial water changes can contribute to algae problems, and who diligently do maintenance and routine to a narrow band which it reemits as a fluorescing Continued on page 4 Continued on page 2 ©2003 Aquarium Systems, Inc., Mentor, OH - Printed in U.S.A. Asparagopsis taxiformis: A orthophosphate levels reading 0 parts per million troublesome reef algae (ppm) and nitrate 0 to 10 ppm in various aquaria Continued from page 1 tested with low range test kits. Kalkwasser will often reduce the abundance of unsightly filamentous algae and may also assist in the control of these red algae over time. It is

used as a means to encourage encrusting coralline Photo by Michadel P. James algae to flourish and at the same time bind orthophosphate. Iodine tests on a number of systems revealed levels that were most often 0 or Photo by Michadel P. James did not exceed 0.06 ppm, which is near natural seawater concentrations. Interestingly, Codmier et. al. (1979) working on Asparagopsis armata Algae pressing of the asexual form of Asparagopsis found that iodine levels of 0.6 ppm provided the taxiformis. most rapid growth in this algae species. Growth was inhibited when concentrations of iodine were were observed to consume enough of the algae increased above 1.8 ppm. to overcome its prolific growth. Control of Asparagopsis Fortunately there are two ways to control a case of excessive red hair algae. The first is the The first line of defense is prevention. least effective and that is manual control. In Carefully inspect the substrate of new corals and essence, the hobbyist becomes the “grazer” and even live rock for signs of the red hair algae. physically removes the tuffs of algae from the Consider placing new specimens in a quarantine aquarium. The best a hobbyist can hope for is a tank for the first one to two weeks. Not only will stalemate where the problem algae do not get this quarantine period reveal the unwanted algae much worse, but it remains an unsightly presence but it will also allow time for the coral to be Photomicrograph of the gametophyte or sexual stage in the aquarium. Perhaps a more realistic solution monitored, feed, and given a period to adapt to taken at 10x. Scale bar = 0.5 mm. is in finding a grazing organism that has a taste for captive conditions. Unfortunately for the reef Asparagopsis. Such is the case with the Pacific aquarist the most common herbivores offered for red color. Phycoerythrin also assists in Turbo Snail, Turbo fluctuosus. It finds red algae sale do not rapidly consume this algae. A number photosynthesis by making light usable at low very palatable and preferable to other green and of algae eating fish and invertebrates were rotated intensities. brown micro-algae. This species should not be through a large tank with an outbreak of confused with another turbo snail sold in the Aquarium Observations Asparagopsis taxiformis. These included the hobby, Astrea tectum from the Caribbean. Ten rabbitfishes Foxface (Lo vulpinus), and Gold-saddle Asparagopsis taxiformis is typically introduced Pacific Turbo Snails can typically be supported in a (Siganus guttatus), Yellow Tangs (Acanthurus into aquaria attached to the substrate of coral fifty-five gallon aquarium where micro and flavescens), Desjardini Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii), specimens. Cured or uncured live rock does not filamentous algae are present. the Lawnmower Blenny (Salaris fasiatus), and a seem to harbor these algae, suggesting that it is Patience is a key component in controlling an number of invertebrates such as the Sally not usually associated with fish only tanks but outbreak of any algae. It is more important to Lightfoot Crab (Percnon gibbesi), Emerald Crab rather reef aquaria. It initially appears as small tuffs maintain a more diverse assemblage of herbivores (Mithraculus sculptus), Blue leg reef hermit or balls growing to about one inch in diameter. than to keep too many of one kind. Certainly (Clibanarius tricolor), Red leg reef hermit (Calcinus They are soft to the touch and are comprised of there are bound to be other grazers out there tibicen), a Sea hare (Elysia sp.), and a variety of thin, segmented threads that break apart easily. that feed on Asparagopsis taxiformis and other red Once present, this insidious alga usually spreads snails from the Atlantic. None of these animals quite rapidly. It is often epiphytic and will attach to almost any available surface including the fronds of macro-algae, sand, coralline covered rocks, and even corals where any skeletal portion is exposed. Fortunately this alga does not cause direct harm to corals resulting from any chemical secretions or allelopathy. It will, however, shade corals and also create a barrier that prevents coral tissue from being exposure to passive water flow. Both of these events ultimately produce ill effects on corals. Environmental conditions such as light and water chemistry would be the typical trouble- shooting areas to investigate. Unfortunately, no direct link has been found to indicate lighting or a particular water parameter was to blame. Examination of parameters from a number of aquaria showed that Asparagopsis taxiformis can grow in low light refugia, brightly illuminated reef aquaria with metal halide and/or power compact lighting, and even dark sumps. Water chemistry of the systems tested revealed no abnormal parameter. Nutrients were low with The Pacific Turbo Snail, Turbo fluctuosus. algae. But many are not regularly available in the Herbarium Press them from the formalin fixative and gently rinse trade. Thus far the Pacific Turbo Snail appears to Reef aquarium hobbyists are consummate them in a little saltwater. Inspect the algae for any be the best solution for marine aquarists. collectors. Whether it is equipment and spare bits of substrate or sand and remove excess Conclusion parts, books, or even logs of their tank’s history debris at this time. Three and a half by five-inch Algae will always be present in aquaria and the accumulation of aquarium materials is almost cards can be cut from waterproof, acid free paper their control is combination of minimizing inevitable. Many hobbyists will even hang on to and be used to mount the specimens. This kind of excessive nutrients, maintaining water quality and coral skeletal samples or clamshells from previous paper can be obtained from aquaculture supply having a diverse population of herbivores. inhabitants of their tank. It is both possible and sources. Larger or smaller cards can be made Eventually a state of equilibrium will be reached advantageous to preserve algae samples as well. depending on the size of the samples and how which is unique to each tank where algae growth Preserved algae specimens offer a hard copy they will be stored. Place the cards in a shallow will be matched by algae consumption. By record of the types encountered over the lifetime bowl containing RO/DI water. Using forceps or carefully inspecting new specimens and of a tank. Preservation is also a convenient way to an artists paint brush spread out the algae maintaining a variety of herbivores (particularly help identify a particular type of algae by taking it samples in the bowl over the cards. Gently lift the the Pacific Turbo Snail) Asparagopsis will be just to a local aquarium shop, photographing it, or cards out of the water at a low angle. This will one more interesting life form to be observed sending it off to a university or museum. A simple cause the water to run off of the cards away from and identified in the amazing microhabitats we herbarium press can be built to dry algae samples. the algae and help to spread the branches in a keep rather than a pest. The procedure for preserving soft, fleshy algae is single layer. Cards should be placed on a paper as follows. towel to absorb excess water. Pressing the samples is both easy and Acknowledgments Specimens must first be fixed to harden the tissue and prevent them from breaking down inexpensive. Cut pieces of corrugated cardboard, I would like to thank the kind assistance of over time. Place samples in a small jar with just cheesecloth, and wax paper six or seven inches Dr. Allan Miller, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, enough saltwater to cover them. Prepare a square. Crumple wax paper so it is wrinkled and Australia, and Dr. D. Wilson Freshwater, Center solution of formalin that has been buffered to a has an uneven surface and lay it on top of the for Marine Science, University of North Carolina, pH of seven with a little pH buffer (Caution algae cards. Next lay a few squares of cheesecloth Wilmington for help in identification of the algae formalin is a toxic substance and needs to be handled down then follow with a few pieces of paper pressing. I also appreciate the project support very carefully – Ed). Add three to five percent of towel. For multiple samples, just place a piece of offered by Scott Davidson, Sandy Shoup, Dr. the buffered solution to the total volume of the the cardboard between each layer and repeat the Ronald Shimek, and AquaTouch, Inc., Phoenix, jar. Cover with a tight fitting lid and store in the procedure. Bundle this package between two Arizona. dark away from ambient light overnight or longer. squares of corrugated cardboard and strap To prepare the samples for drying remove together with a few taunt rubber bands. Place a brick or other heavy object on top of the press and store in a warm dry place. Check the pressing daily and replace paper towel pieces as needed. It may take a week or more for the Build A Better Ocean samples to completely dry. Once complete check ® ® the algae to see if it has remained attached to the With INSTANT OCEAN And REEF CRYSTALS paper card and if not, tack it in place with a few Synthetic Sea Salts drops of hard setting glue. The finished pressing should be labeled. It can then be stored in a transparent sleeve like those used to hold photographs.

References

Codmier, L., et al. 1979. Effects of iodine on the growth of the fronds of Asparagopsis armata (Rhodophyceae, Bonnemaisoniales) in culture from spear bearing branches. Giornale Botanico Italiano 113 (5-6): pp 387-393.

Dawes, C. J. 1998. Marine Botany. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, N.Y. 480 pp.

Fossa, S. A., and Nilsen, A. J. 1996. The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium. Vol. 1. Birgit Schmettkamp They’re the most carefully marine animals. Reef Crystals is vitally enriched with Verlag. Bornheim, Germany. 367 pp. formulated, most extra measures of calcium, selected trace elements universally preferred and vitamins to optimize the growth of corals and synthetic sea salts in the invertebrates. Each provides a clear solution in Silva, P. C., Basson, P. W., and Moe, R. L. 1996. world - the perfect solution minutes...quickly achieving and maintaining the Catalogue of the Benthic Marine Algae of the Indian for creating the ideal marine perfect pH for your aquarium. Ocean. University of California Press. Berkeley, environment. So perfect, in fact, each is performance-certified by Marineland Labs - INSTANT OCEAN & REEF CRYSTALS California. 1259 pp. your assurance of superior quality, consistency and Backed By Science, Preferred By Experts. value. Instant Ocean contains every major, minor, CALL (800) 822-1100 for additional information Sprung, J. 2002. Algae: A Problem Solver Guide. and trace element necessary for the health of your Ricordea Publishing. Miami, Florida. 80 pp. FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR FISH Aquarium Systems • Mentor, OH 44060 • (800) 822-1100 • www.marineland.com Life History and Treatment of Uronema marinum but most marine fish can endure it with no lasting problems. Continued from page 1 A hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bath for ten infections (Uronema can cause lesions similar to seconds has also been shown to work. Hydrogen those produced by bacteria such as Vibrio spp. and peroxide is a colorless, heavy, strong oxidizing Pseudomonas spp.) When viewed under the liquid. It is also an environmentally friendly microscope, U. marinum is pear shaped, contains a disinfecting agent: the only by-products are water single macronucleus, and has long caudal cilium (a and oxygen. For this application, 35% hydrogen tiny hair-like structure that is used for locomotion Photo by Riverbanks Zoological Park peroxide is commonly used. To make a 3% and/or feeding). Salinity, temperature, and pH solution using 35% H2O2 and dechlorinated influence the motility of U. marinum. U. marinum freshwater use the following formula: • For a gallon of 3%: Remove 10 oz. of water replicate by binary fission and low salinity can Uronema marinum, host Squirrelfish affect their ability to produce daughter cells. from a gallon of dechlorinated water and These protozoans are also greatly affected by add back 10 oz. of 35% hydrogen peroxide since this drug is light sensitive. Additionally, it is to the water. temperature which is a key factor influencing difficult to dispose of so proper care should be their activity and metabolism. As the temperature • For 3/4 pint of 3%: Mix 1 oz. of 35% with 11 taken. oz. dechlorinated water. increases the metabolic activity of U. marinum Formalin (37%) added to the quarantine tank increases. The warmer water speeds up the life Again, the water temperature of the bath should at a dosage of 2 drops per gallon has also been be the same as the aquarium. cycle of the parasite. used to aid in eradicating the parasite. Care Survival of the aquarium population requires Another approach is a low salinity should be exercised when handling since formalin (hyposalinity) treatment. Lower the salinity in the the elimination of virtually all parasites, prevention is consider to be a carcinogen and can be harmful and treatments will not work unless followed quarantine tank to a specific gravity of 1.011 and to humans. maintain at this salinity for 21 days. The parasites through to completion. The best way to eliminate Malachite green can be used to control U. problems with U. marinum is to prevent its when exposed to this low salinity will die due to marinum. At 50% strength, Malachite Green is changes in osmotic pressure. This treatment introduction into the aquarium by quarantining normally administered by adding one drop per new arrivals. Quarantining new fish in a separate should not be used for invertebrates or especially gallon and treating for 3 days straight. Care sensitive fish such as sharks and rays, but most holding tank will prevent infecting the whole should also be exercised when handling this aquatic habitat. It is recommended to quarantine marine fish will tolerate it well. medication. When fish are stressed by overcrowding or them for a period of three weeks and observe Copper Sulfate is an effective treatment for their eating and swimming habits. There are a introduction to a new aquarium, the fish’s ability U. marinum also. This treatment should be to fight off parasites is greatly reduced. In a number of medications and methods that can be administered at levels of 1.6 to 2.5 ppm directly used as a possible cure. healthy aquatic habitat, fish normally are able to to the quarantine tank to provide adequate levels. fight off parasites but when there is a husbandry Chloroquine has been shown to work very Keep the temperature at 78ºF. Maintain a specific well in eradicating these parasites. This drug is problem, the fish may suffer weight loss, gravity of 1.022 to 1.023 and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4 dehydration and their protective covering, which used to treat and prevent malaria in humans. and maintain proper levels of copper sulfate for Chloroquine appears to be the drug of choice by usually keeps parasites at bay, can be the three weeks. compromised enabling these parasites to attack most public aquaria and zoological parks. One Freshwater baths have produced good results treatment will cover a three week cycle but is the animals. Secondary bacteria can also occur as in removing this parasite. The infected fish should the fish weakens and is unable to mount a difficult to use and can also be harmful to humans. be placed in the freshwater bath for a period of The quarantine tank lighting should be reduced defense. If untreated, the fish immune system is three minutes or until the fish shows signs of overcome with the fish dying as the result. stress. Due to a change in the osmotic pressure, Timely water changes will aid in parasite the cell wall of the parasite will burst. Be sure the removal but water changes alone are not temperature of the water in the bath is the same completely effective because some parasites will PUBLICATION INFORMATION as the quarantine tank to help reduce stress. This inevitably attach to fish before they can be SeaScope® was created to present short, informative treatment should not be used for sensitive fish removed. By improving water quality through articles of interest to marine aquarists. Topics may proper water changes, fish are not as stressed. In include water chemistry, nutrition, mariculture, system summary, the best way to control problems with design, ecology, behavior, and fish health. Article contributions are welcomed. They should deal with U. marinum is to prevent its introduction into the pertinent topics and are subject to editorial reviews aquarium in the first place. Quarantining new that in our opinion are necessary. Payments will be arrivals for a period of three weeks and treating made at existing rates and will cover all author's rights with medication mentioned above as a to the material submitted. prophylaxis, will keep your current fish safe from ® SeaScope is published quarterly for free distribution parasitic infection. through local aquarium dealers. Dealers not receiving ® copies of SeaScope for distribution to their Photo by Riverbanks Zoological Park customers should call Aquarium Systems, Inc. to be References: added to the mailing list. Telephone: 1-800-822-1100. Cully, Jolene. 2003. Uronema: Observations on an The SeaScope® newsletter is now available on-line at Invader. Newport Aquarium. RAW conference www.marineland.com under the News tab. Go to the 6/6/2003 Riverbank Aquarium. Columbia, SC. “What’s New” section and choose SeaScope® newsletter for the most recent issue. Howerth, Elizabeth W. 2003. Uronemiasis in Address comments, questions, and suggestions to Riverbanks Zoological Park Fishes. RAW Dr.Timothy Hovanec, Editor. Marineland, 6100 conference 6/6/2003 Riverbank Aquarium. Condor Dr., Moorpark, CA 93021 Columbia, SC. or E-Mail: [email protected] Aquarium Systems is a Marineland Company Uronema marinum, host Waspfish FREE ISSN 1045-3520

Volume 20 Issue 4, 2003

Editor’s Corner This issue of Seascope is dedicated almost exclusively to an article by Martin Moe, Jr. on a Photo by Martin A. Moe fantastic project that he and Ken Nedimyer conceived and implemented regarding the reintroduction of the sea urchin Diadema to reefs off the coast of Florida. Martin needs no introduction to readers of Seascope and I won’t ruin the punch line here but, as with all of Martin’s writings, this article is important, educational and shows what two concerned individuals can do! Congratulations are due to Martin and Ken for a fine project that yielded important results. Still on my soapbox: pH One part of water quality that I have constantly talked about is pH. pH has to be the most misused term in the fishkeeping hobby. It is difficult to discuss many important processes in aquaria without a correct understanding of pH. pH plays an important role in subjects such as ammonia and nitrite toxicity, calcium carbonate A Diadema long-spined sea urchin on the reefs before the plague of 1983. The reefs are clear of algae and Diadema and carbon dioxide chemistry, alkalinity and many are everywhere. others. In most articles, pH is usually defined as the measure of acidity or alkalinity of a liquid. This definition is not correct. Simply put, pH is a Coral Reef Restoration: exploitation and disease; and global warming (probably also anthropogenic) that raises surface measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a Returning the caretakers to the reef liquid. Technically, pH measures the molar seawater temperatures. This warm water so concentration of the hydrogen ion (the weight of stresses corals that they release their symbiotic one mole, abbreviated “mol”, is equal to the Martin A. Moe, Jr. zooxanthellae algae (termed bleaching), weaken, molecular weight of a material in grams). For our Despite the growth of civilization and the and then die if the warming is severe and purposes a good working definition of pH is the impacts of developing human populations, the reefs prolonged. The relative importance of these hydrogen ion intensity or activity in a liquid. The of the Florida Keys and the Caribbean thrived for various factors vary with the location of the reefs. “p” stands for power while the “H” stands for hundreds of years while human populations There is one factor, however, that was Hydrogen ion (always capitalized because it is a exploded on the coastlines and islands, but then, constant. Through the millennia, the long-spined chemical element), together they mean the power suddenly, something changed. Within the geological sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, were the keystone of the hydrogen ion. The concentration of the blink of an eye, about 20 years, these reefs, those herbivores that grazed the reefs and maintained hydrogen ion is measured on a logarithmic scale near human populations and those far from human the balance between coral and algae growth that which ranges from 0.1 to 0.00000000000001 impact, have precipitously declined. Coral cover on allowed the corals to flourish and build the vast mol/Liter (L). These numbers can be rewritten as the Florida reef track has declined from about 70 calcium carbonate structures of the reef. There 10-1 to 10-14 mol/L. To make it easier to read, the percent in the 1960s and 70s to less than 10 were immense populations of long-spined Diadema mathematical definition of pH was written as the percent today. Coral reefs throughout the world urchins on these reefs. Throughout this vast region negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion are in decline and none more so than the reefs of the long-spined urchins were present in numbers concentration which converts the above numbers the tropical western Atlantic. of 2 to 20 urchins per square meter on the reefs to the familiar pH scale of 0 to 14. For example, if So what happened? Well, there are many and in the Florida Keys, 4 to 6 Diadema per square the pH is 4, then there are 10-4 or 0.0001 moles factors implicated in the decline of tropical meter could easily be found on most reef per liter of hydrogen ions in the solution. western Atlantic reefs. Broadly, these factors are formations. Small patch reefs could be easily Since higher levels of hydrogen ion activity increased nutrients, sedimentation, and turbidity identified from the surface by a mysterious white mean an increased acidic level, it should also be from coastal development; direct impact from ring of exposed sediments that surrounded them. apparent from the above discussion why a ‘lower’ human visitation, over fishing, and destructive Research showed that these rings of exposed coal pH is more acidic than a ‘higher’ pH. A solution fishing methods; great ecological changes in reef sand were caused by Diadema urchins moving off Continued on page 4 organism diversity stemming from human the reefs at night and feeding the surrounding Continued on page 2 ©2003 Aquarium Systems, Inc., Mentor, OH - Printed in U.S.A. Coral Reef Restoration: Returning algae cover on the shallow reefs increased from 1% the caretakers to the reef to as high as 95% within two years of the loss of Continued from page 1 the Diadema urchins, and at St. Croix, algal biomass increased by 27% within five days of the Diadema mortality and then algae biomass increased by 300 to 400% above the pre Diadema mortality levels. Similar increases in algal biomass following the Photo by Martin A. Moe mortality were observed throughout the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic reefs.

Photo by Martin A. Moe After 20 years, even the limited return of the Diadema populations that has occurred in the Caribbean has not been seen along the Florida reefs. The return of Diadema to Florida waters may The same star coral head in September of 2002, one year after placement of Diadema urchins on the reef. not occur for decades, if ever, and by that time The algae on both coral heads have been greatly there will be little left of the glorious coral reefs of reduced and the coral tissue appears healthier. the Florida Keys. It may be possible, however, to aid the return of these urchins to the reefs and it is Four patch reefs: two experimental and two The Caloosa Rocks reef off Lower Matacumbe Key in 2 imperative that we at least research this possibility. controls, varying in size from about 44 to 96 m September 2001. Algae and sediment coat the giant were selected for the study. During the period dying coral heads. Perhaps the first step would be to find out what would happen to a reef in the Florida Keys if a pre from September 2001 to December 2001, 434 sediments and grass beds because algae on the plague population of Diadema could be returned to juvenile long-spined urchins were placed on 2 reefs could not growth rapidly enough to fully the reef. And this first step has already been experimental reef #1 (96 m ), a total potential 2 support the urchin population. accomplished. density of 4.5/m , and 262 were placed on 2 The urchins are gone now. Seagrass grows up Ken Nedimyer, a marine life fisherman, and experimental reef #2 (88 m ), a potential density 2 to the edges and into the patch reefs and fleshy Martin Moe, a retired marine biologist, both of 3.0/m . An additional 16 urchins were placed on algae growth dominate the eroding limestone members of the Florida Keys National Marine reef #2 on 10/23/02 bringing the total urchins skeletons of ancient coral formations that were Sanctuary Advisory Council, were convinced that placed on reef #2 to 278, a potential density of 2 alive and vibrant only two decades ago. The the loss of Diadema on the Florida reefs 3.2/m . No Diadema urchins were placed on the complex ecological structure that built and precipitated the drastic decline of these reefs and control reefs. The translocated populations were sustained these reefs is rapidly disappearing and the were determined to demonstrate what would evaluated for number and placement of surviving ecological web of diverse organisms that inhabits happen if Diadema were returned to the reefs. urchins 10 times on reef #1, and 11 times on living coral reefs diminishes with every passing year. They obtained a small grant from a NOAA reef reef #2 over various intervals during the period The long-spined Diadema sea urchins of the restoration fund and began work on a Diadema from September 8, 2001 to February 5, 2003. tropical western Atlantic coral reefs died in 1983. restoration project with the support and counsel NURC (NOAA’s National Undersea Research Harilaos Lessios, a Senior Scientist at the of the Sanctuary staff. Center) was contracted to perform a rapid habitat Smithsonian Tropical Research Center, located on The project began in the fall of 2001 offshore assessment of the four project reefs on 08/31/01 Barro Colorado Island at the mouth of the of the Upper Keys. We wanted to explore the and 09/01/01, before translocation of the urchins Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal, noticed feasibility and ecological results of translocating and again on 09/18/02, about one year after in mid January of 1983 that the ubiquitous long- juvenile long-spined sea urchins from areas with translocation of the urchins to document the spined sea urchins found in immense numbers on relatively high settlement and extensive winter ecological changes that might occur on these reefs. all Caribbean and Western Atlantic reefs were in urchin mortality, the unstable reef crest rubble Initial survival after translocation of the juvenile trouble. Just how serious this trouble was would zones, to nearby deeper water (about 25 feet, 7.5 Diadema urchins was very good. Survival rates for soon be very evident. The urchins became m) patch reefs at densities approaching those on the juvenile urchins were 81 and 93 percent on lethargic, did not retreat to shelter during the day, Florida reefs before the Diadema mortality. This experimental reefs #1 and #2 over the first month lost color and began to drop spines, and became project, involving just the straightforward transfer of the project. Survival declined to about 45 easy prey for fish predators. Death followed of at risk juveniles from rubble zones to deeper percent on both reefs after about three months quickly after the symptoms were first observed and reefs, was designed to determine whether these and the slowly declined to about 20 to 25% after within a few days all the Diadema on the reef were juveniles could survive such translocation and if 17 months. On experimental reef #1, survival after dead. The disease spread rapidly. Soon the entire they did survive in adequate numbers, could they 17 months was 27%. The average density over this 2 Caribbean was affected and within a year urchin change the ecology of the reefs. 17 month period was 1.6 urchins/m , and the final populations from the Florida Keys and the density on 02/05/03 was 1.2/m2. On experimental Bahamas northward to Bermuda were devastated. reef #2, survival was 20% after 17 months, the It is estimated that 92 to 99.9 percent of all the average density was 1.0/m2, and the final density on billions of Diadema sea urchins in this vast 1.35 02/05/03 was 0.6/m2. The slow decline of the million square miles of oceanic habitat died within translocated Diadema population was due to steady 12 to 13 months. This was the most extensive predation on the urchins and lack of recruitment of mass mortality of any marine animal ever reported enough juveniles to maintain the population. and the species was suddenly very near extinction. Photo by Martin A. Moe No urchins were placed on control reefs #3 The rapidity and totality of the plague made it all and #4. (A small population of Diadema urchins, but impossible to identify the causative organism. about 6 to 10, was present on reef #4 before and Two species of bacteria, however, Clostridium during the study. perfringens and C. sordelli were implicated since they Results of the ecological assessments caused the same symptoms followed by death NURC carefully assessed the ecology of all when they were isolated from moribund urchins A coral head battling algae growth on experimental reef four reefs before and one year after translocation and injected into laboratory held Diadema. #1 in September 2001. Also note the algae growth on of the Diadema urchins. The ecological effects of The ecological impact of the loss of the the brain coral head behind and to the left of the central star coral head. Diadema urchins was soon apparent. In Jamaica, Continued on page 3 Coral Reef Restoration: of coral tissue at the point of interaction with survival of juvenile hard corals. Returning the caretakers to the reef macro algae. These data show that coral cover Continued from page 2 increased significantly on the experimental reefs Percent crustose coralline algae The presence of crustose coralline algae is the translocated Diadema urchins on the two and decreased significantly on the control reefs. very good for the reefs. Unlike foliose algae, experimental reefs in the short space of one year This was the first time since the decline of the reefs crustose coralline algae coats the rock surfaces and were remarkable. Some of the most significant of began 20 years ago, that human manipulation of the presents a smooth, hard substrate free of foliose the data developed from this project are ecology of a Keys coral reef reversed the decline of algae, sediment and algae turf. This is a substrate summarized here and the entire study is posted on coral cover and decreased the growth of macro that attracts settlement and survival of juvenile the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary web algae that shroud the reefs. Whatever the stony corals. In fact, it has been shown that lettuce site. This data reports the major changes in benthic dynamics of corals, algae, and urchins, this coral, A. agaricites, is stimulated to settle by the ecology between 08/31/01 and 09/18/02 as demonstrates that the presence of the urchins chemical secretions of coralline algae. documented by the NURC assessments. The results in recovery of coral cover. And this is the On the experimental reefs with the urchins, below comparisons are between the combined bottom line for recovery of the coral reefs of the crustose coralline algae cover went from 7.5% to results from both experimental reefs compared to Keys. 19.0%, an increase of 159.5% in one year. On the the combined results of both control reefs before Juvenile coral density control reefs without the urchins, stony coral and after the translocation of the Diadema urchins. The presence and density of juvenile corals is a cover went from 7.75% to 8.25%, an increase of Percent total stony coral cover measure of the success of settlement and survival only 0.5%. of larval and juvenile corals on a reef area. The Obviously the presence of the urchins Perhaps the most important statistic is the 2 percent stony coral cover. This measures the total mean density (#/m , number per square greatly stimulated growth of coralline algae on meter) of juvenile stony corals on the experimental the experimental reefs as these algae increased actual extent of coral tissue recovery and also 2 includes the amount of new coral tissue cover that reefs went from 6.17 to 15.3/m , an increase of three fold. 151% in one year. On the control reefs, the total may have developed from new settlement of Brown foliose algae juvenile corals. mean density of juvenile corals went from 6.57 to 2 This is the type of algae that competes directly On the experimental reefs with the urchins, 9.94/m , an increase of 54.5%. with corals for space and light. It grows much stony coral cover went from 9.75% to 15.25%, an Although juvenile corals increased on both faster than coral and diminishes coral cover where increase of 59% in one year. On the control reefs experimental and control reefs, the experimental it occurs on the reefs. These brown algae are without the urchins, stony coral cover went from reefs, with the translocated urchin populations, had typically in the genera Tubinaria, Lobophora, Dictyota 9.25% to 6.75%, a decrease of 24.5%. a much greater increase. This indicates that the and Padina. The pattern of change in brown foliose A decrease in coral cover may be due to loss presence of the urchins changed the ecology of the algae was more complex. On the experimental of coral tissue due to disease or bleaching, or loss experimental reefs to favor the settlement and/or Continued on page 4 Superior Salt, Superior Results

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For a dealer near you call Aquarium Systems (800) 822-1100 • www.marineland.com • 10/03 Coral Reef Restoration: Editor’s Corner Returning the caretakers to the reef Continued from page 1 Continued from page 3 with a low pH, such as 3, has a hydrogen ion reefs with the urchins, brown foliose algae cover activity of 0.001 mol/L while a solution with a higher pH, such as 8, has only 0.00000001 mol/L of went from 10% to 5.13%, a decrease of 45% in one Photo by Martin A. Moe year. On the control reefs without the urchins, hydrogen ions. Since 0.001 is a larger number than brown foliose algae cover went from 4.5% to 5.9%, 0.00000001 the solution with a pH of 3 has a much an increase of 31%. These combined figures for greater hydrogen activity, making it more acidic. both experimental reefs and both control reefs Pure water (H2O) consists of two hydrogen ion (H+) and one hydroxide ion (OH-) with the don’t tell the complete story. On experimental + - reef #1 that had the most extensive coral growth formula of H2O = H + OH . If there are equal and the largest population of urchins, brown foliose numbers of hydrogen and hydroxide ions than, by algae cover declined from 11.0% to 1.75%, an 84% definition, the pH is neutral and its value is 7 (the concentration of both hydrogen and hydroxide decrease. Control reef #4, with its small natural -7 population of urchins, started the project with only ions is 10 ). Pure water is one example of a a 3.0% brown foliose algae cover and ended the neutral liquid. The pH of a liquid can be either year with a 1.0% cover. Experimental reef #2 had a acidic, basic (also called alkaline) or neutral 6.0% decrease in brown foliose algae and control depending upon the concentration of the hydrogen ion. A basic solution has a concentration of reef #3 had a 79% increase. -7 The reduction of brown foliose algae on the Ken Nedimyer releasing diadema urchins on their home hydrogen ions less than 10 while in an acidic experimental reefs, especially reef #1, and the at experimental reef #1. The urchins quickly move into solution the hydrogen ion concentration is greater the rocky crevices of the reef as soon as they are than 10-7. increase on control reef #3 show without a doubt released. that the presence of the urchins greatly diminishes While the words acidity and alkalinity look like this competitive algae on the reefs. Its presence in they are adjectives for acidic and alkaline, they are low quantities on control reef #4 only supports it is possible to enhance the recovery of Diadema not. This has, in my opinion, resulted in some of this conclusion because of the presence of low on Florida reefs through human effort, it must be the confusion and misinformation about pH, as well numbers of adult urchins on this reef before and done soon. as alkalinity and acidity. during the study. There are two main pathways that should be Alkalinity is the acid-neutralizing capacity of a followed that may aid restoration of Diadema to water. Namely, it is a measure of the buffering Considerations on restoration of the the reefs. ability of the water. Water with high alkalinity can long-spined sea urchin, Diadema The first is the translocation of juvenile accept a lot of hydrogen ions before the pH starts antillarum to the reefs of Florida Keys Diadema from areas where they are at high risk of to drop. Conversely, acidity is the measure of the It is obvious that the restoration of Diadema to mortality from storms and predation, to small, ability of a water to accept a base (caustic) solution the coral reefs of the Florida Keys would be complex reef areas. We have demonstrated that before the pH increases. Both alkalinity and acidity immeasurably beneficial to the ecology of the coral the act of translocation causes little, if any, direct are commonly expressed in terms of mg/L of reefs and to the future economy of the Keys and mortality. Development of small reef areas with calcium carbonate (CaCO3), a much different scale all of South Florida. It may be that in time Diadema pre-plague population levels of urchins will allow than that of pH. Thanks for reading will repopulate the reefs of the Keys naturally. But for effective reproduction of the urchins by placing as we wait for this to occur, and it has already been them in close proximity to each other, and create two decades, our coral reefs continue to decline. If reef areas where corals can grow without intensive Future Events and Conferences algae competition. The second avenue is to work with hatchery Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec will be speaking at techniques to produce larvae and juveniles from the Brooklyn Aquarium Society Jan. 9, 2004 at captive brood stock of adult Diadema. This the New York Aquarium on Surf and West 8th PUBLICATION INFORMATION Street, Brooklyn, NY. More information at SeaScope® was created to present short, informative process would be more costly but would have www.brooklynaquariumsociety.org articles of interest to marine aquarists. Topics may the advantage of controlled production with include water chemistry, nutrition, mariculture, system release in specific areas at specific times of large Aquaculture 2004. March 1-5, 2004. design, ecology, behavior, and fish health. Article numbers of late larval and juvenile urchins. Honolulu, Hawaii. More information at contributions are welcomed. They should deal with There is little that can be done locally to www.was.org pertinent topics and are subject to editorial reviews reverse or mitigate the effects of global warming that in our opinion are necessary. Payments will be or pollution from far off sources such as the Marine Ornamentals ’04. March 1-4, 2004. made at existing rates and will cover all author's rights Honolulu, Hawaii. More information at to the material submitted. rivers that empty in the Gulf of Mexico, but it SeaScope® is published quarterly for free distribution may well be possible, through restoration of the www.hawaiiaquaculture.org/ through local aquarium dealers. Dealers not receiving long-spined sea urchin, to greatly reduce the algae marineornamentals04.html. copies of SeaScope® for distribution to their growth that is smothering our reefs. The value of Aquality – The 1st International Symposium of customers should call Aquarium Systems, Inc. to be a successful Diadema restoration program can be added to the mailing list. Telephone: 1-800-822-1100. Water Quality and Treatment in Aquaria and The SeaScope® newsletter is now available on-line at measured by the value of our coral reefs to the Zoological Parks. April 1-6, 2004. Lisbon, www.marineland.com under the News tab. Go to the economy of the Keys and South Florida. It could Portugal. More information at ® “What’s New” section and choose SeaScope be that efforts to restore Diadema to Florida reefs www.oceanario.pt newsletter for the most recent issue. may not succeed. The potential for restoration, Address comments, questions, and suggestions to however, is great enough, and the need for IMAC 2004. June 4-6, 2004. Chicago, IL. Dr.Timothy Hovanec, Editor. Marineland, 6100 restoration of this herbivore so critical, that it is More information at www.theimac.org Condor Dr., Moorpark, CA 93021 imperative that we at least make a strong effort or E-Mail: [email protected] MACNA XVI. Sept. 10-12, 2004. Boston, to return Diadema to our reefs. Aquarium Systems is a Marineland Company MA. More information at www.masna.org