Posted by gerard on January 27, 2009 under Saltwater Fish | 
Parapterois is a genus of lionfish, a group of venomous fish in the scorpionfish family. There are two species, P. heterura and P. macrura. P. heterura is occasionally known as the blackfoot lionfish. The other species, P. macrura, is poorly known; this fish has only been mentioned in a handful of scientific papers and has remained obscure. These fish originate from marine environments in the Indian Ocean or near it. These venomous fish are occasionally seen as aquarium fish.
Anatomy and appearance
Parapterois heterura resting on the substrateParapterois is similar to the other lionfish in appearance. Their bodies are red and white, and their pectoral fins are expanded. These fish are venomous. P. heterura may reach a maximum of about 23 centimetres (9 in) TL. However, most specimens are much smaller; larger adults of both species are about 11 centimetres (4 in) in length.
A number of differences set this genus apart from Pterois, in which P. heterura was first described to. Parapterois have more (18-21) pectoral fin rays than Pterois (12-17), and, in the former, these rays may be branched, while they are never branched in Pterois. Parapterois have two anal fin spines, while Pterois have three. Also, as a more obvious trait, the caudal fin of these fish are truncated with longer upper and lower caudal fin rays, while the caudal fin in Pterois is rounded.
P. macrura and P. heterura differ in that P. heterura has scales in a pit between the posterior nostrils while P. macrura does not (except for a population of P. heterura found off the coasts of West India, South Africa, and Mozambique, which may be a different species). These species do not differ much in fin spine, fin ray, gill raker counts, and most body proportions. Their differences lie in a small difference in head proportions. Also, in adults, the upper margin of the eye of P. heterura is below the base of the first dorsal fin spine, while it is above in P. macrura (this trait is not consistent in juveniles, in which the eye margin may be below in both species).
Distribution and habitat
Parapterois originate from the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean. P. heterura is widely distributed on the southeastern coast of Africa as well as off Japan and in Indonesia. By contrast, P. macrura is only found off the west coast of India.
P. heterura may usually be found in sheltered coastal bays with a soft bottom, such as fine sand or mud. It’s found in depths ranging from 40-300 metres (130-1000 ft).
Ecology
Parapterois heterura showing the inner surface of its pectoral fins.Parapterois are sedentary fish. P. heterura may even bury itself within the substrate.P. heterura flashes its brightly-colored pectoral fins to startle predators and escape, but it may also use these fins to corner prey. This behavior has been demonstrated in other lionfish.
In the aquarium
Despite the popularity of other lionfish, Parapterois species are only rarely found in the aquarium trade. P. heterura can be found on certain online marine aquarium fish stores, but is not common.
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Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
Tags: aquarium, aquarium fish, blackfoot lionfish, caudal fin, fin spines, fish tank, Lionfish, marine environments, marine fish, Saltwater Fish, venomous fish
Posted by gerard on January 26, 2009 under Products & Reviews |
The Red Sea MAX features a complete 4-stage reef filtration system, designed to provide perfect water conditions for all reef inhabitants.
An adjustable height surface skimmer (a) takes water from where the highest concentration of waste materials is found.
The turbo air injection skimmer developed specifically for the MAX circulates the water volume through the skimmer more than 3 times per hour at an air/water ratio of 1:3 providing ideal skimming specifications for a hard coral (SPS) reef aquarium. The unique foam adjuster (b) ensures that foam can be produced in all water conditions.
Mechanical filtration removes the large organic substances while Phosphate-free active carbon acts as a large chemical sponge; absorbing dissolved organic carbons from the water. Highly porous bio-media provides a huge surface area for nitrifying bacteria.
Additional equipment such as a chiller or an external filter can easily be added with the Accessory kit (c) supplied with each unit.
MAX 250 filtration & circulation unit
1. Accessory Kit (inlet/outlet ports)
2. 1200 lph circulation pump with adjustable direction outlet
3. Compartment for accessory pump
4. Thermostat controlled heater
5. Mechanical filter sponge
6. Adjustable protein skimmer with a turbo aspiration pump
7. Highly porous ceramic biological filter media
8. Activated carbon chemical filter media
9. Cartridge for fine (water polishing) filter material
10. Sponge bubble trap
11. 2400 lph circulation pump with adjustable direction outlet
Complete lighting system
234W T5 linear (1 watt/ litre)
117W 10,000K/117W Actinic
Electronic ballast
High polish textured aluminium reflector
8 Blue LED moonlights
Fan-cooled hood for extended life of electronic components
High transparency, polished lens
Check out more at www.redseamax.com
Tags: active carbon, aquarium, biological filter, Coral, filtration system, fish tank, lighting system, marine fish, mechanical filter, Nano Reef, protein skimmer, Red Sea Max 130D, reef aquarium, reef inhabitants, reef system, Saltwater Fish, surface skimmer
Posted by gerard on January 14, 2009 under News |
Add your aquarium website or blog to our new link directory here at
http://www.super-fish.com/link
Posted by gerard on January 9, 2009 under Products & Reviews |
NextReef MR1 Media / Substrate Reactors
The MR1 family of Media / Substrate Reactors feature a massive 4-inch reaction chamber . The extra wide design maximizes water to media contact, increasing efficiency and minimizing dead zones in the reactor.
NextReef Reactors have the largest capacities around, giving you the ability to run large amounts of media, or multiple products simultaneously. They’re ozone-safe, and perfect for phosphate control, de-nitrification or fluidized sand filtration.
The NextReef MR1 stands over 14 inches tall… that’s over a half gallon, big enough for large reef systems – up to 250 gallons.
Need more room? Try the MR1 Monster – the dual 21″ chambers hold 2 gallons. The MR1 Monster is the only giant reactor to feature dual towers – big capacity that fits under a standard aquarium cabinet! The dual chambers can be setup independently for maximum flexibility, or in series from a single input.
Need a little less? The MR1 Shorty brings all of the same features to smaller systems.
Every NextReef Reactor is hand-crafted in the USA from the highest quality materials, and CAD engineered / CNC cut for a precise fit.
Reactor Use
MR1 Reactors are multi-functional – some suggested uses include:
Phosphate Control Media
Nitrate Control Media
Activated Carbon
Fluidized Sand / Substrate for Bio-Filtration
Sulphur De-Nitrification (Experimental)
Desiccant Air-Drying for Ozone Systems
Calcium Reactor Effluent Treatment / 2nd Stage
Check out more at http://www.nextreef.com
Tags: activated carbon, aquarium, aquarium cabinet, bio filtration, calcium reactor, fish tank, marine fish, media reactor, Nano Reef, nitrate, phosphate, reactor, reactors, reef systems, Saltwater Fish, sand filtration, substrate
Posted by gerard on under Saltwater Fish |
The moon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare, is a wrasse of the Labridae family found in the Indo-Pacific oceans at depths of between 1 and 20 m. Its length is up to 25 cm.
Adult moon wrasse have a large yellow crescent posteriorly in the caudal fin and blue pectoral fins with a large elongate pink area distally. Large males turn blue on the head that grades to green towards the tail. The body is dark green to blue with vertical red to purplish-red lines. The head is green to blue with irregular pink to violet bands. Juveniles have a large dark spot in the middle of the dorsal fin and a large diffuse black spot at the base of the caudal fin.
Juveniles are blue on the lower half of the body. They have a black spot in the middle of the dorsal fin and a black blotch on the caudal fin base.
They occur in the upper portions of lagoons and coastal reefs, and in protected seaward reefs, and they also enter estuaries. They feed mainly on small benthic invertebrates and fish eggs. They are protogynous hermaphrodites.
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Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
