Historically, saltwater aquarium owners have avoided reefs. No one could understand why, when these coral reefs were placed in an aquarium, the reef had a depressing lifespan. Now, thanks to some very persistent aquarists, saltwater aquarium enthusiasts can enjoy the beauty of their own coral reef.
There are reefs for every aquarium owner, from the beginner to the experienced professional. The saltwater enthusiast can now find the saltwater coral that best suits their abilities, whether they are a beginner or an experienced professional.
Zoanthus Coral is a wonderful choice for the person just beginning to add coral reefs to their saltwater aquarium. Reef enthusiasts find that Zoanthus is a hardy coral that thrives in most saltwater tanks. Zoanthus coral does not like to be fed meat and prefers its food to be finely chopped.
Zoanthus coral can be found in a variety of colors, and many experienced saltwater reef aquarium owners like to use Zoanthus as a spinner coral for their more temperamental coral reef varieties. Zoanthus is also known as bottom polyps and sea mats.
Another good variety of starter corals is Cladiella, Cladiella is also commonly called Colt Coral and Finger Leather Coral. Cladiella Coral is known for its adaptability. Anyone interested in using Cladiella Coral in their saltwater reef aquarium should make sure it is securely anchored or it will not thrive.
Something like Siderastrea Coral. Siderastrea is a soft coral, which can tolerate temperature, light, currents, and changes in the water quality in the aquarium. It is usually beige or gray or white.
Although it can sometimes be found in round domes, the typical shape of Siderastrea coral is flat plates that can measure between 4 and 12 inches in diameter. Pink Starlet Coral, Starlet Coral, and Lesser Starlet Coral are three names that generally refer to Siderastrea coral.
Once the saltwater aquarium owner feels comfortable caring for their hardier varieties of coral, they may want to move on to something a little more challenging.
Fish and corals seem to go together, some types better than others. When an aquarium owner is looking to buy fish, he or she should consider the compatibility of the fish with the coral.
It is also important to make sure that the fish you purchase for your saltwater aquarium is in good health. Take the time to examine its eyes, scales, skin, abdomen, mouth, and fins before making your final decision.
Your fish's eyes should be clear and bright. A cloudy film that obscures the eye may be a sign of an internal bacterial infection. A saltwater fish with mottled scales is a fish that is potentially dealing with an internal disease.
Fish with bruised mouths can sometimes lack appetite, so look for a fish with a firm, unblemished mouth. Your potential fish should have a firm, slightly rounded abdomen. Fins should be neat and clean. A fish with tattered scales or fins that are starting to sag and droop.