Delicatessen Part II: Displaying a system for
rare and delicate animals
Photographs by the author and also courtesy
of Atlantis Marine World
In a previous research project I explored the "do it yourself" aspect
of creating a system for delicate animals (Blundell 2004).
This project is a follow up intended to provide examples and
encouragement for the care of seahorses, pipefish, juvenile
fish, jellyfish and more.
Background
The care of delicate animals is under constant improvement.
As we learn more about the needs of various marine life our
construction of captive systems improves. For example seahorses
have historically been animals to avoid in captivity because "their
unique husbandry requirements make them quite difficult to
maintain and display" (Burhans & Melechinsky 2004). However
a decade ago great progress was made in breeding programs for
Hippocampus sp. by using kreisel systems like those described
here.
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Currently there is a shift taking place. That shift is from
the need for public aquaria to breed animals to a new found
responsibility for aquaria hobbyists to conduct such efforts.
This shift is demonstrated by public aquaria working to educate
hobbyists. One of the most successful people in this field
is Todd Gardner of Atlantis Marine World. Gardner has presented
and described simple home systems for the use of jellyfish
culture. Shown here are examples of Gardner's systems.
System Care
According to Gardner the most difficult aspect of jellyfish
care is the need to feed, and the difficult in filtration (Gardner
2004). As with juvenile fish or seahorses "the increased bio-load
in the tank leads to water quality problems" (Burhans and Melechinsky
2004). While biological filtration is increasingly popular
many of these kreisels systems are set up without substrate
to allow for siphon removal of waste products. Foods for such
tanks are highly variable depending on the animals being raised.
In general most systems use small portions of enriched foods,
rather than high quantities of standard foods to prevent excess
waste.
Overall appearance of the aquarium is another
important factor to consider. Some of these aquariums are designed
for a specific husbandry or culturing purpose. Likewise some
of these aquaria are showpiece items of great aesthetic beauty.
I think of this like the old biology saying "form vs. function".
Animal Care
The needs of each animal being raised are also of great importance.
In many cases water flow and turbulence need to be controlled
which is why we use these systems. Additionally water speed,
intakes, outputs, walls, other animals, are all items that
need to be thought of well before adding animals to these systems.
Remember these systems are not designed as ways to cure problems,
but as ways to help provide optimal care.
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The following pictures show the systems in action. The first
picture is a picture from my previous article showing the construction
of the kreisel. The second picture shows the same tank now
in use four months later. Notice that the tank now has a glass
fish bowl in the tank. This is useful as many small seahorses
can be raised in these small glass bowls early on, and then
these bowls can be moved into larger kreisel systems as is
shown here.
Conclusion
Home aquarists can (and some have the responsibility to) care
for delicate marine organisms. The examples shown here provide
encouragement for the growth and reproduction of animals that
were previously viewed as unsuited for captivity. With hope
the future will bring these systems to a successful and common
locale in the marine aquarium hobby.
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Acknowledgements
First off I would like to thank Todd Gardner of Atlantis Underwater
World. Todd is a wonderful addition to this hobby and his willingness
and ability to bridge the gap between public aquaria and home
hobbyist are impressive to say the least. Secondly I would
like to thank Bob Burhans from the Birch's Aquarium at Scripps
for his insight and knowledge about seahorse husbandry. He
is not only knowledgeable but eager to help those who wish
to contribute to the aquaculture of these ill-omened animals.
Funding for this project was provided by The Aquatic & Terrestrial
Research Team, and publication and support was generously provided
by The Advanced Aquarist Online Magazine.
Author Info
Adam Blundell M.S. works in Marine Ecology, and in Pathology
for the University of Utah. While not in the lab he is the
president of one of the Nation's largest hobbyist clubs, the
Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society (www.utahreefs.com).
He is also Director of The Aquatic & Terrestrial Research
Team, a group which utilizes research projects to bring together
hobbyists and scientists. His vision is to see this type of
collaboration lead to further advancements in aquarium husbandry.
Adam has earned a BS in Marine Biology and an MS in the Natural
Resource and Health fields. Adam can be found at adamblundell@hotmail.com.
