JNK GLOBAL AQUATICS

26/01/2023

16/01/2023

Big shout-out to my newest top fans!

Vijay Varma, Pushparaj Gaikwad

15/01/2023

Blue ring angelfish
Pomacanthus annularis, Marcus Elieser Bloch, 1787

The blue ring angelfish (Pomacanthus annularis), also known as the Annularis Angelfish and the Blue King Angelfish, is an angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae. It is member of the genus Pomacanthus, composed of large marine angelfish.

Distribution
This species can be found in the Indo-West Pacific oceans from East Africa, throughout Indonesia and New Guinea to New Caledonia, north to southern Japan.
Habitat

These tropical marine fishes inhabits coastal rocky coral reefs and may be also encountered in caves or on wrecks, at depths of 3 - 30 mm.

Description

Pomacanthus annularis can noreach a body length of about 45 cm, but usually the total body length get up to about 30 cm. Bodies are deeply compressed and the mouth is quite small. They have 13 dorsal spines, 20-21 dorsal soft rays, 3 a**l spines and 20 a**l soft rays.
Adults of the blue ring angelfish exhibit a dark orange to brown or violet coloring with a blue ring near their head (hence the common name) and blue horizontal semicircular marks on the middle of the body. Two blue stripes cross the face. The caudal fin is white. Juveniles of the blue ring angelfishes are at first a dark blue, almost black, with broad turquoise and white vertical stripes.
These fishes show a considerable resemblance to the Emperor Angelfish in that it undergoes changes in coloring in its development from youth to maturity.

Biology and behavior

Blue ring angelfishes are frequently encountered in pairs. Similarly to other species of the genus Pomacanthus these angelfishes live in harem, as the male defends a territory and controls a few females. After a courtship ritual males and females release eggs and s***m. At the beginning of life all juveniles are females (protogynous hermaphrodites), becoming males during the development, with a complete color variation from the juvenile to adult stage. Juveniles prefer very shallow waters with rock or dead coral substrates and short filamentous algae. Adults mainly feed on zooplankton, sponges, filamentous algae and tunicates.

In the aquarium

Blue ring angelfish is a highly sought after and prized angelfish. Often it can reach a length near 12 inches in captivity. In the aquarium they are algae grazers but consume fish and coral flesh as well. They are known to eat shrimps and nibble on both large polyped stony and small polyped stony corals. Overall most seasoned reef aquarists do not recommend keeping this species in a reef aquarium due to these habits

13/01/2023

Yellow Tang : Zebrasoma flavescens

A most favorite fish of salt water aquarium.

The yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) is one of the most common saltwater fish due to its striking color, fantastic shape, bold personality, and relative ease of care. They can add a pop of vibrant yellow and “frenzied reef fish” motion we all love to even an already bright reef tank.

Yellow tang quick facts

Common Names: Yellow tang, Lemon surgeonfish, Hawaiian tang

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma flavescens

Size: ~8 inches (20-21 cm)

Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons + (341L)

Reef-Safe? Yes

Care or Experience Level: Easy/appropriate for all levels of experience

Preferred Diet: Algae-eater; Will eat meaty foods if offered

Captive-Bred Available? Technically, yes, and becoming more readily available

Original Part of the World: Hawaiian and Pacific Ocean reefs

Tank Size.

The Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens, will be most healthy in a tank size of 100 gallons (378.5 liters) or more. A tank of this size provides the 8-inch long adult fish enough room to swim and forage on the aquarium rocks and glass for algae films. Smaller tanks may lead to aggression, stress, and susceptibility to disease

Habitat

Yellow tangs live in subtropical waters from the western coast of Hawaii to the eastern coast of Japan. Their main population is found in Hawaii, where they have the honor as the only solid yellow fish spotted out on the reefs. This is probably why their Hawaiian name – lau’ipala – means “yellowed ti leaf.” (In case you wondered, “flav” is yellow in Latin, so their scientific name plays up that brilliant shade, too)

Most wild-caught yellow tangs come from the Kona Region of Hawaii (the west coast of the Big Island, if you aren’t familiar with the region). They inhabit coral reefs and shallow waters near the continental shelf, hanging out in small schools. They live lower in the water column (down to 100 feet/30m), where the water is calmer

Juvenile yellow tangs tend to live deeper and farther from the reefs, where it’s safer for them to grow and develop. This is due to their CLEAR larval stage (you got it – another color change). As part of the plankton, they hang out in the deepest part of the oceans. They don’t shift closer to shallower coral reefs until they mature into adults

Conclusion

If you haven’t already considered adding a yellow tang to your reef aquarium, you should. They’ve been an enjoyable and vibrant part of my tank for most of the years I’ve kept them.

13/01/2023

12/01/2023

Lionfish

The lionfish is a carnivorous fish native to the Indo-Pacific that is now an invasive species in the Atlantic.

Common Names: lionfish, zebrafish, firefish, turkeyfish, red lionfish, butterfly cod, ornate butterfly-cod, peacock lionfish, red firefish, scorpion volitans, devil firefish

Scientific Name: Pterois volitans (red lionfish) and Pterois miles (devil firefish)

Identification: Lionfish have distinctive brown or maroon, and white stripes or bands covering the head and body. They have fleshy tentacles above their eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; long, separated dorsal spines; 13 dorsal spines; 10-11 dorsal soft rays; 3 a**l spines; and 6-7 a**l soft rays. An adult lionfish can grow as large as 18 inches, while juveniles may be as small as 1 inch or less. Lionfish have cycloid scales (fish scales that are oval or elliptical in shape with a smooth edge).

Native Range: The South Pacific and Indian Oceans (i.e., the Indo-Pacific region). The range of the lionfish covers a very large area from western Australia and Malaysia east to French Polynesia and the United Kingdom's Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan and southern Korea and south to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. In between, the species is found throughout Micronesia.

Habitat: Lionfish are found in mostly all marine habitat types found in warm marine waters of the tropics. Lionfish have been found in water depths from 1 to 300 feet on hard bottom, mangrove, seagrass, coral, and artificial reefs (like shipwrecks).

Ecological Role: Lionfish are slow-moving and conspicuous, so they must rely on their unusual coloration and fins to discourage would-be predators from eating them. Lionfish are now one of the top predators in many coral reef environments of the Atlantic. Lionfish consume over 50 species of fish including some economically and ecologically important species. Lionfish are active hunters who ambush their prey by using their outstretched, fan-like pectoral fins to slowly pursue and "corner" them.

Behavior: Lionfish are thought to be nocturnal hunters, but they have been found with full stomachs during the day in the Atlantic. They move about by slowly undulating the soft rays of the dorsal and a**l fins. During the day, they sometimes retreat to ledges and crevices among the rocks and corals. Although in the Atlantic, lionfish are often seen moving about during the day, both alone and in small groups.

10/01/2023

Eels are some of the more interesting creatures of the sea, with about 800 marine eel species known to science. The moray and conger are common genuses of marine eels, in which many species exist with varying colors, sizes, diets, and habitats. Let’s take a look at just ten of these type.

Types of Eels

Snyder’s Moray

Snyder’s moray eel, also known as the finespot moray lives in the Pacific Ocean. It was discovered by Snyder in 1904 and is actually representative of several subspecies of eel.

Giant Moray

The giant moray lives in the reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. Adults have black leopard-like specks and feed mainly on fish and crustaceans.

Slender Giant Moray

The slender giant moray eel is the longest species of moray at a recorded 13 feet. This species has a grayish-brown dorsal fin that fades to white on the ventral. These types of eels are found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.

Snowflake Moray

The snowflake moray or clouded moray lives in the Indo-Pacific area and is typically about 20 inches in length. It lives at depths of 7 to 100 feet and feeds mostly on crustaceans and occasionally small fish.

Zebra Moray

The zebra moray gets its name from its black and white zebra-like stripes. These types of eels diet consists of crustaceans, mollusks, and sea urchins and it dwells amongst the reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

Fimbriated Moray

The Fimbriated moray can be found in the Indo-Pacific region as well. It can reach lengths of about 2.5 feet, has a yellowish-green body with black spots, and feeds mainly on small fish.

Whitespotted Conger

The whitespotted conger lives in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and can reach 36 inches in length.

Grey Conger

The grey conger lives in the Atlantic Ocean. The common length is about 35 inches but can reach up to 62 inches. It feeds mostly on finfish.

Longfin African Conger

The longfin African conger can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. It lives at depths down to 262 feet and can reach lengths of up to 4.3 feet.

Beach Conger

And lastly, the beach conger lives in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and reaches lengths of up to 4 feet.

09/01/2023

KOI VARIETIES: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Colour Guide
Many koi species, such as Ki Utsuri and Beni Kumonryu, refer to their scale colour within their name. This colour guide will help identify different koi varieties by name, but also by sight:

Sumi - Black
Kin - Gold
Shiro - White
Gin - Silver
Hikari - Metallic
Orenji - Orange
Aka - Red
Ki - Yellow

Doitsu

Refers to koi that have no scales, except for enlarged scales on the lateral line and two lines running alongside the dorsal fin

Gin Rin

Refers to koi with reflective scales that create a glimmering sheen as the fish move

Tancho

Refers to koi with a singular red marking on the head, akin to the red circle in the Japanese flag.

Maruten

Refers to koi with a "crown" pattern on the head, similar to Tancho but with additional red patterns on the rest of the body.

Koi Carp Varieties

1. Hariwake and Kikusui
Very similar and often confused with Kohaku, Hariwake are defined by their bright white metallic base colour. Unlike Kohaku, Hariwake can be defined with yellow or orange colours. The Doitsu version of a Hariwake is referred to as Kikusui; the only variation of which is Tancho. Hariwake are available in Tancho and Gin Rin varieties.



2. Goshiki
Translating to mean ‘5 Colours’, Goshiki have a solid base of white accentuated with blue and black edging. A red and blue pattern will overlay the white, black and blue base. Available in Gin Rin and Tancho varieties.



3. Goromo
Displaying similar patterns to Kohaku, Goromo differentiates themselves by showing a blue or black edge to their red scales. There are 3 distinctions to each Goromo: Ai Goromo which have a blue edging to the inside of the red scales, Budo Goromo which have a blue edge to the outside of the scales and Sumi goromo exhibit black edging to their scales. Available in Tancho and Maruten morphs.


4. Soragoi
Much like Chagoi, Soragoi are a very docile species and will be the first to learn to hand feed in a pond. They are identified by their solid silver or grey colour, enhanced by a netting throughout the body.



5. Hi Utsuri and Ki Utsuri
As with Shiro Utsuri, these Koi have a deep black skin with deep red or orange patterns overlain. Red Utsuri are considered to be of higher quality than oranges, however, most juveniles will show an orange colouration. Ki Utsuri displays a striking yellow colour over the body. Available in Gin Rin and Doitsu varieties.


6. Tancho Kohaku
Like other Kohaku, these koi exhibit a solid white base but are renowned for their singular red marking on top of their head. These are a highly sought after specimen amongst hobbyists, and Tancho Kohaku with oval and heart shape markings are becoming increasingly popular. These are also available in Gin Rin and Doitsu varieties.



7. Kujaku
Displaying a black net pattern on top of a solid white base and accentuated by splashes of red, yellow and orange, Kujaku can make a stunning individual. The black edging creates the net pattern by being present on the edge of each individual scale. Available in variations of Doitsu, Tancho and Maruten.



8. Shiro Utsuri
A stunning koi which have a black base overlain with patches of pure white. As with Showa, the blacks should be a deep inky colour. The head should exhibit an even split of blacks and whites. The definition between black and white areas should be clean with no bleeding of colour. Available in Gin Rin and Doitsu varieties.



9. Ochiba Shigure
Often referred to simply as Shigure, they combine the brown and silvers of Chagoi and Soragoi. They will also exhibit similar traits to these species such as their willingness to feed and calm down other koi. Their name also translates to ‘autumn leaves falling on water’. Available in Gin Rin and Doitsu variations.



10. Ogon
There are 2 main distinctions of Ogon; Platinum and Yamabuki. Platinum are a solid, metallic-white colour, and Yamabuki are a solid gold. It is important in both variations that the colour is pure and unblemished throughout the body and head. Varieties are to include Gin Rin and Doitsu.



11. Shusui
These are actually the scaleless or Doitsu variety of Asagi. Instead of having the blue netting along their backs, this is replaced with a single row of deep blue scales along the dorsal line. As with Asagi, the rest of the fish should display a solid red pattern throughout. Available in Gin Rin and Hi Shusui variations.


12. Taisho Sanke
Also known simply as Sanke, these koi have a red and black pattern over a solid white base. The colour should not have any tint of yellow, and the red and blacks should be strong and defined. It is not uncommon for the blacks to have a blue tinge on young specimens but should become an inky black as they mature. Available in Doitsu, Maruten, Gin Rin and Tancho varieties.



13. Kikokuryu and Kin Kikokuryu
A Doitsu variety of koi that have a white base with black areas inside the scales. They can also exhibit black along the back row of scales and around the head, eyes and nose. Kin Kikokuryu will also show flashes of orange and yellow patterns.



14. Showa Sanshoku
Not to be confused with Sanke, Showa are a black Koi with red and white markings. Strong definition with no bleeding of colours is essential for a high quality Showa. Like the Sanke, these are available in Doitsu, Maruten and Gin Rin variations.



15. Kohaku
Arguably the oldest and one of the most well-known varieties of koi. Kohaku display a solid white base with a red pattern overlay. Good quality Kohaku should have clear definition along the boundaries of the reds, and the reds should be deep and vibrant. Kohaku can come with a number of variations; including 2 step (Nidan), 3 step (Sandan), 4 step (Yondan) and Inazuma which is a lighting ‘zig-zag’ pattern across the backs of the koi. Other varieties include Doitsu, Gin Rin and Maruten.



16. Asagi
One of the most common varieties of Koi available on the market. Asagi are recognised for their deep blue netted pattern on their backs. This is then complemented by a display of red or orange on the belly, body, gill plates and head. High-quality Asagi will not display any red or colour above the lateral line, used as a distinctive divide between the blue netting on the back and the red colouration of the body. Available in Gin Rin and Hi Asagi variations


17. Kumonryu and Beni Kumonryu
A very interesting specimen to have in any pond as Kumonryu will change their pattern various times throughout their lifespan. Both forms of Kumonryu are Doitsu will exhibit patterns of grey, white or black, the Beni variation will also show reds. These patterns can change from complete black or white to a variation of all colours many times throughout their life.


18. Chagoi
Arguably an important form of Koi to have in any pond, famous for their ability to calm other varieties of koi and are often the first to train to hand feed – encouraging others to follow their example. Chagoi exhibit a solid brown or bronze with a net-like pattern across their back or body. Available in multiple variations including Gin Rin and Doitsu.


19. Matsuba
One of the few koi that only has 1 variation being Doitsu Matsuba.They show a solid metallic base with a black net pattern, primarily along the back but a good specimen will exhibit throughout the body.The colour of the base will vary, but must always be metallic in appearance.Gin Matsuba are white, Aka Matsuba are Red and Ki Matsuba are yellow.

09/01/2023

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Fahad Jamadar, Rajendra Kale, Krishan Kumar Tiwari

09/01/2023

OCTOPUS

Mysterious Yet Graceful

An octopus is one of the most fascinating and rewarding marine creatures you can keep in the home aquarium. Octopuses interest us with their behavior, their ability to learn, their interaction with us, and their incredible shape- and color-changing abilities. They are intelligent creatures and have their own personalities. If you’re willing to take some time and effort, and you can afford shrimp and crabs for food, then maybe you’d like to consider keeping an octopus.

Drawbacks

Some of the negatives of octopus-keeping include the short lifespan (less than a year for most), high cost of food, tendency to hide or remain camouflaged when you most want to see them, and the very restricted list of possible tankmates. You probably won’t be able to keep your favorite fish and corals in the same tank with the octopus. It’s also difficult for reef-tank owners to give up the sophisticated equipment (metal halide lights, UV filters, wavemakers, etc.) that are unnecessary and undesirable for an octopus.

Simple Tasks
Octopus-keeping can be easy in that they only need simple wet-dry filtration, don’t require much light, and don’t demand many of the precise conditions that sessile reef invertebrates need.
Challenges
There are also several challenging aspects of octo-keeping. Providing adequate food is the most difficult task for many, especially because favorite octopus foods like crabs and other crustaceans are expensive and hard to come by. Octopuses need some live food for enrichment and nutrition, but most also accept frozen shrimp and a few other foods.
The staple for octopus diets is often thawed frozen shrimp, supplemented with live crabs. Octopus-keepers living along the coast have an advantage because they have easier access to foods. Some find food along the shore, while others buy from bait shops or seafood stores. Octopus-keepers living further inland must rely on crabs and shrimp being shipped to their location. This can be expensive and incur delays.

How Do They Behave and Interact?

The dwarf species available now are often nocturnal and don’t interact much, but they can be fun to watch under a red light, which is invisible to the little octopus. The medium-size diurnal octopuses generally available are often interactive and can be interesting to observe and fun to play with. Many can be taught to open simple jars if a nice tasty crab is inside.
They might also surprise you with some of their other incredible activities. It’s common for them to accept food from your hand or a feeding stick, and they will often come out to observe you.

Tank Requirements
The best way to keep an octopus is actually the method we originally recommended: a tank of adequate size or better, lots of live rock in the tank (a pound per gallon), a one-inch sand bed, a wet-dry filter and sump, protein skimmer, powerhead for extra circulation, and a simple fluorescent light. No fancy equipment is needed—no metal halides (too much light), no UV filter, no wavemakers or other devices that a reef tank might require.
Make sure no copper has ever been used as a treatment in the tank you are using; copper is deadly to octopuses. Also, the tank must be very well cycled, and this will take three months or more if you’re just starting. Water quality is important, too. Start with RO/DI water—available at your local LFS—and use a good-quality salt mix.
Octopuses are especially sensitive to pH and ammonia. Water parameters should be: specific gravity about 1.026, pH around 8.2, nitrites and ammonia 0. Some nitrates can be tolerated—aim for less than 30 ppm.

Some Special Considerations

Feeding
Locate sources for food before you acquire an octopus, and price the cost of live crabs. You may be surprised at the expense of feeding, considering that you should provide some live food. You will spend much more on food than the cost of your octopus (unless you can catch your own octo food).
Constant Care
Octopuses require attention and care. It’s difficult to leave for a vacation (as it is with a reef tank). Avoid keeping them in an office or dormitory where they will be unattended for weekends or longer.
Escape Artists
Regardless of what you might read, octopuses do try to escape. Make sure the lid on the tank is well sealed (duct tape is your friend). Also, intakes and outlets within the tank should be protected with a sponge or mesh secured by rubber bands or cable ties.
DÉcor
Rocks in the tank must be very stable. With its great strength, even a small octopus can topple your rock structure.
Nothing is sacred within your tank. Be prepared for your octopus to romp around the tank, rearrange rocks and shells, dig through the sand down to the glass, and generally change the overall setup. They do this more as they get older.

Tank Parameters
Because of its sensitivity to ammonia and nitrites, your octopus must be put in a well-cycled tank—one that has been running for at least three months. There are no shortcuts; no chemicals can be used to speed up the process.
Acclimation
It’s important to acclimate your new octopus upon its arrival, and this should be done slowly, using a drip line.

Octopus Lifespan and Reproduction

The sad part of keeping an octopus is the short lifespan. Most last less than a year as pets because they’re already a few months old by the time they arrive. Under ideal conditions, bimacs have been known to live two years, but most home aquarists find them coming to the end of their lives at about 12 to 14 months.

Dwarfs live six to eight months, and larger octopuses like O. vulgaris live even longer. The giant Pacific octopus Enteroctopus dofleini, which requires such a large tank and cold water that it’s rarely kept by individuals, may live up to five years.

An odd thing about octopuses is that eggs are laid near the end of the female’s life. A male can transfer a s***m packet to her quite early in her life, and this accounts for eggs being laid in a tank with only one octopus.

The first sign an octopus-keeper may see is den building. The female builds a den for herself and her eggs, and her behavior may seem odd. When the eggs are laid, the female retreats to the den to protect and take care of the eggs. She may or may not eat during this period, but food should be offered. Around four to six weeks later the eggs hatch and the female usually dies within a few weeks.

If your octopus happens to be male, it will eventually become senescent and die soon afterwards.

08/01/2023

Marine tank...

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