Table of Contents

CONTENTS
OF
TABLE
CHIEF EDITOR

Terry Siegel
(terry@advancedaquarist.com)

WEBSITE AND PRINT

DESIGNERS

Shane Graber (liquid@reefs.org)

Leonard Ho (len@reefs.org)

FEATURED AQUARIUMS

D. Wade Lehmann
(wade@reefs.org)

ADVERTISING TABLE OF CONTENTS

Leonard Ho Volume VI, Issue XI November 2007
(advertising@advancedaquarist.com)

COVER PHOTO

Photograph by Mikel Cortes

ANNOUNCEMENT
Escalante
ADVANCED AQUARIST TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN PDF
WEBSITE & FEEDBACK
FORMAT! .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Advanced Aquarist:
By Shane Graber
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/
Our magazine issues from November 2007 and forward will be available in both an online AND
Feedback: downloadable PDF format for your added reading enjoyment. Read more for the details!
feedback@advancedaquarist.com

REPRINTS EDITORIAL

Back issues are available for NOVEMBER 2007 ..................................................................................................................... 6

reading and download at By Terry Siegel
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/.
Tank maintence is a necessary task.
PUBLISHER
FEATURE ARTICLE
Pomacanthus Publications, Inc.
CORAL COLORATION, PART 8: BLUE AND GREEN CORAL
PUBLICATION INFORMATION
FLUORESCENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING
Advanced Aquarist's Online
Magazine (ISSN 1931-6895) is FLUORESCENT PIGMENTATION ..................................................................................... 7
published monthly online by
Pomanthus Publications, Inc. A By Dana Riddle
central goal of this publication is to For our purposes, we'll say that blue and green fluorescent pigments are in the range of 400nm to
promote exchange between the
scientific community and amateur
565nm.
aquarists, for the benefit of both
disciplines and the environment. To
achieve our combined goals of FEATURE ARTICLE
greater understanding of the
natural world and honing our
NUDIBRANCHS: BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGEROUS MARINE
husbandry skills we will rely heavily
on science and scientists. CREATURES.................................................................................................................................... 11
Advanced Aquarist's Online By Mª Victoria Bengoa Ruigómez
Magazine will always emphasize
protection and understanding of They are considered the most beautiful creatures of the sea and as they move very slowly, they are
the natural environment. very popular among submarine photographers.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 1 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Table of Contents

REEFKEEPING EVENTS

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA? ............................................................................................................................... 19

By Advanced Aquarist Readers
Check to see if an event is happening in your area!

LATERAL LINES

MIND THE GAP, PART I: A GLOWING EXAMPLE ..................................................................................................... 22

By Adam Blundell, M.S.
My position was that the many groups involved in the hobby were not working directly with each other and far more could be done.

ONLINE COURSES

MARINE AQUARIST COURSE SCHEDULE FOR 2008 ............................................................................................. 25

By D. Wade Lehmann
Marine Aquarist Courses Online (MACO) will be offering a whole host of new educational courses for you starting in January 2008!

WHAT IN NEPTUNE'S WORLD

WHAT IN NEPTUNE'S WORLD? ............................................................................................................................................... 26

By Terry Siegel
Guess the mystery coral.

PRODUCT REVIEW

SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF AQUARMCKZO AND CATALINA METAL HALIDE LAMPS ..................... 27

By Sanjay Joshi
Sanjay presents spectral data on a low cost bulb found on EBay and data on the Catalina lamps.

HOT TIPS

TIPS FOR GROWING OR MAKING YOUR OWN TANK FOOD ............................................................................31

By Advanced Aquarist's Readers
This month, our readers give tips on food recipes for their tank.

ONLINE NEWS

REEFS IN THE NEWS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 32

From Online News Sources
Media coverage of the state of our world's reefs, interesting information, and other marine-related news.

SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! .......................................................................................................................................... 36

We would like to thank the sponsors that make this publication possible! Through their generous sponsorship, they have made this
website and online magazine available to all. Make sure that when you do business with our sponsors that you tell them that you saw
their ad on Reefs.org or Advanced Aquarist.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 2 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Table of Contents

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

All the information and content (content being text, design, layout and graphics) If you are interested in writing for Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine, please
posted on this Web Site and in this PDF are the property of Advanced Aquarist's email our Editor, Terry Siegel. We offer very competitive pay rates for articles. Or, if
Online Magazine (AAOLM) / advancedaquarist.com a website owned by you are interested in having your marine aquarium featured in an upcoming issue,
Pomacanthus Publications Inc., and are protected by U.S. and other foreign please email Wade Lehmann for instructions on submitting your tank for
copyright and trademark laws. By accessing this Web Site and reading this publication.
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All text, design, layout and graphics (unless otherwise noted) on this website are
ADVERTISING
©2002-2006 Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine /advancedaquarist.com a website
For information on advertising with Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine, please
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Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 3 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Advanced Aquarist to be Made Available in PDF Format!

ANNOUNCEMENT

ADVANCED AQUARIST TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN

PDF FORMAT!
By Shane Graber
Our magazine issues from November 2007 and forward will be available in both an online AND downloadable
PDF format for your added reading enjoyment. Read more for the details!
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

J ust as we were the first to introduce a 100% web-based

THE DETAILS
reefkeeping magazine back in 2002, we continue to innovate by
Each PDF issue will be provided FOR FREE two weeks after
introducing a new way for you to read Advanced Aquarist — in
publication of the online version. We will keep a complete list of
PDF format! We are excited to announce that in two weeks time,
all the PDFs that are available for download at
we will be making downloadable PDFs available for the
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/pdf. You can get there by
November 2007 issue and future issues of Advanced Aquarist.
simply clicking on the PDF link in our header menu or by clicking
This project has been in the making for almost a year and a half
the PDF icon at the top of every article. We encourage you to
and was undertaken due to numerous requests for downloadable
spread the word, print out the PDF issues, and take them
PDFs of the magazine from readers. You've asked for it, we heard
wherever you go — reefkeeping meetings, stores, etc. Let
you, and we worked hard to provide you, our readers, what you
everyone know about it!
asked for.
We have noticed that there are problems viewing the cover of
Starting December 1st you will be able to download Advanced
the magazine if you're running Adobe Acrobat 5, so please make
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head over to the Adobe Reader page and download it.
easy on the eyes as well as printer ink. Advanced Aquarist is
confident you will find the PDFs an invaluable addition to our Announcements for the PDF availability will be on our homepage
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THE DESIGN email list, or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Our layout inspiration for the magazine has come from the PDF We plan to continue to publish our online version as we always
versions of technical journals like PLoS Biology as well as proven have. We started with an online magazine and intend to keep it
magazine layouts such as Discover Magazine and Scientific online so that everyone can quickly and easily access our
American. The magazine cover has been completely redesigned information from any PC.
and now features a full-page cover photo plus highlights of select
content from within each issue. The table of contents at the
beginning of the PDF will be internally linked so that you can click
on an article title, taking you to that article page in the PDF. Each
issue will be roughly 30-45 pages in length and will support
hyperlinks throughout the article so that you can click through
the issue as well as click on links for other websites. The
download size will be somewhere between 6 MB and 12 MB
depending on the content inside each issue.

File downloads and podcasts will not be included in the PDFs.

However these will be linked from the article so that you can
download them from our website at your leisure.

We've put together a preview of a magazine article that

showcases what you can expect when published on December
1st. Download it to see how it will look once available!

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 4 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Advanced Aquarist to be Made Available in PDF Format!

BACKGROUND AND FUTURE PLANS We are very interested in your feedback; If you have any
questions or comments, please email us at
feedback@advancedaquarist.com. If you are an author and
PDFs will be available for free until September 2008's issue, at
would like to write for us, please email
which point Advanced Aquarist will decide on how the PDFs shall
terry@advancedaquarist.com for article proposals, authoring
be distributed. Producing a magazine in this format is
guidelines, and current article pay rates. If you have an aquarium
time-consuming and is not free, but we have chosen to provide a
that you'd like to showcase in our magazine, please email Wade
year's worth of free downloads for everyone to enjoy and
Lehmann at wade@reefs.org. For information about advertising
appreciate this new medium. Future issues may include sponsor
with Advanced Aquarist, please contact Leonard Ho at
ads and product announcements to help defray the publication
len@reefs.org. We have a variety of packages that should be
costs as well as to inform you of new and exciting products from
suitable for your business needs.
marine hobby manufacturers. As this project progresses, other
changes to the format and layout may take place in order to We've put a lot of time and energy into this project and we hope
better optimize the magazine. Currently, there are no plans to that you enjoy it. See you on December 1st!
make our back issues available as PDFs.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 5 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 November 2007

EDITORIAL

NOVEMBER 2007
By Terry Siegel
Tank maintence is a necessary task.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

I just finished a too long needed maintenance on my reef tank.

but not scratch the plastic. It does take several hours - even with
my various gadgets - and usually I manage to add a few new
scratches despite my best efforts. A company called EverClear
It was getting to the point where there was so much coralline
algae growing on the front pane that visibility was seriously has send me equipment to remove these inevitable scratches. I
compromised, and to make matters worse I was unable to enjoy do plan on writing up a review of this well made equipment. So
looking at my captive critters. My reef tank was fast becoming an far, I have used their stuff on the outside with great success, but
unweeded garden so to speak. I also knew that I would have to the real test will come when I try to remove the ones inside,
spend the good part of a day, and didn't really want to. I'm sure under water.
that many reef keepers out there have had similar feelings.
Sometimes it seems to me that I have spent a good part of my Finally, it's all done, and I can step back and really enjoy the tank
life doing tank maintenance, and for almost 60-years. again. Slowly, all of the fish come out from hiding and life in my
captive reef returns to normal. In fact, it looks so good I grab my
camera and take some new pictures, which are shown here. The
First, I had to empty the canister that holds my activated carbon numbers on one of the pictures tells how long that particular
and "Phosguard." Once cleaned out I added a layer of new animal has been with me.
carbon, followed by a layer of Phosguardtm, and that followed by
another layer of carbon. With that back on line I turned to my
two large skimmers, where even though the skimmate is
collected in external canisters, the inner walls of both skimmers
had about 3/8 of an inch of muck clinging to them. Using a plastic
spatula I collected about a gallon of this muck/detritus, which I
then saved for use as fertilizer for my terrestrial plants. I, at this
time, checked the ozonizer, which I use to inject ozone into one
of the skimmers. With the skimmers cleaned they were put back
on line. Incidentally, these two skimmers process about
4,000-GPH.

Next comes the coral gardening; that is, trying to keep various
animals from stinging one another as they grow. There was a
time when I was thrilled to see Acroporas grow, but now I'd like
to slow their growth down. Fortunately, I no longer have to
concern myself with invasive anemones, like Manjano sp. and
Aiptasias. My double saddle back butterfly (C. ulietensis.) has
completely eliminated them. I have heard from a reef keeper who
insists that the butterfly that I have is really a C. Falcula. These fish
look a great deal alike so I'm not sure who is correct. In fact, they
could be morphs of the same species.

Finally comes the part that I really dislike: cleaning coralline algae
off of the 8x3-foot acrylic front pane. Over the last few years I
have constructed various tools that will both remove the algae

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 6 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Coral Coloration, Part 8: Blue and Green Coral Fluorescence: Environmental Factors Affecting Fluorescent Pigmentation

FEATURE ARTICLE

CORAL COLORATION, PART 8: BLUE AND GREEN

CORAL FLUORESCENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
AFFECTING FLUORESCENT PIGMENTATION
By Dana Riddle
For our purposes, we'll say that blue and green fluorescent pigments are in the range of 400nm to 565nm.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

I n Part 7, we examined some environmental factors that can

This time, we'll look at those factors known to influence corals'
'blue' and 'green' fluorescent pigments. For our purposes, we'll
say that blue and green fluorescent pigments are in the range of
affect coral non-fluorescent chromoproteins. Also presented was
the concept of light reflectance and how corals generally fall into 400nm to 565nm. There are at least 66 described pigments in this
either 'brown' or 'non-fluorescent blue' coral modes (although it category; in reality there are probably hundreds (see Part one of
seems apparent that light intensity - particularly 'blue' light - can this series for a listing of fluorescent pigments
promote the transition from one state to the other). www.advancedaquarist.com ). We will also observe how
fluorescence can impact our perceived coloration of two coral
specimens.

TERMS
A review of terms is probably in order before we begin our
discussion.

Fluorescence. Fluorescence is a phenomenon in which a material

absorbs light of one color (wavelength) and emits it at a different
color (wavelength). Absorption occurs when an incoming photon
(light particle) causes an electron to move from a stable ground
state to a higher energy, unstable excited state. One of the ways
for the excited electron to return to the ground state is to 'jump'
back down, emitting a photon of light. There is always some
energy lost to heat in the process, so the emitted photon has less
energy than the original photon. The energy of a photon is
related to its wavelength, which we perceive as color - higher
energy corresponds to shorter wavelengths, lower energy to
longer wavelengths.

Emission spectrum. The emission spectrum is a measurement of

the emitted energy as a function of wavelength. It is generally
presented as a graph (see Figure 1). The spectrum will have a
maximum but may also have secondary peaks, called 'shoulders'.
In text the spectrum is often described by the wavelength of the
emission peak. Some emission spectra cover a broad range of
wavelengths, while others are quite sharp. This is described by
the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM), the spectral width in
nanometers at the level that is 50% of the value at the peak. The
emission spectrum can be measured with a basic spectrometer
like the units from Ocean Optics.

Excitation spectrum. The excitation spectrum is a measurement

of the relative ability of different wavelengths of light to
stimulate (excite) the fluorescence. Like the emission spectrum,

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 7 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Coral Coloration, Part 8: Blue and Green Coral Fluorescence: Environmental Factors Affecting Fluorescent Pigmentation

the excitation spectrum will have a maximum but may also have deeper depths. They comprise about 42% of the total number of
secondary peaks. The excitation spectrum tells you what fluorescent coral colonies found at depths greater than 10m on
wavelengths of light will be good at making that particular the Great Barrier Reef (Salih, 2003 - see Figure 2).
substance fluoresce. Unlike the emission spectrum, the excitation
spectrum is difficult to measure without specialized, expensive
instrumentation. To make the measurement you have to vary the What, if anything, does this information tell us? It certainly seems
wavelength of the incident light in very fine increments and to suggest that blue fluorescence could be a trait of
measure the fluorescence response at each one. deeper-water corals. That blue fluorescence is found in shallow
water could mean little - perhaps corals there are shaded, live in
Fluorescence lifetime. Fluorescence is short lived - once the crevices, etc. - Shallow water does not always equate to high
excitation wavelengths are absent, fluorescence decays in a light intensities!
fraction of a second (billionths of a second), and the
phenomenon ends. PAM fluorometry (a 'photosynthesis meter') shows us that the
Superman Montipora does not require a great deal of light and
will in fact bleach when exposed to 300-400 µmol·m²·sec during a
DETERMINING FLUORESCENCE photoperiod of 11 hours (Riddle, in press).
For practical purposes, any pigment that 'glows' under an
excitation source (usually a 'blue' actinic lamp or high kelvin BLUE FLUORESCENCE OF THE 'SUPERMAN'
metal halide lamp) is considered fluorescent (Be aware that some MONTIPORA
non-fluorescent proteins may appear as a 'flat' blue or
purple-blue when viewed under these light sources). Fluorescent
Parts 1 through 6 examined the known pigments found in marine
pigments are generally readily apparent and identifying them is
invertebrates. After scouring hundreds of references, I felt fairly
usually quite easy when using a fiber optic spectrometer - spikes
confident that the planned spectrometry work would find coral
not due to the spectral signature of the lamp are fluorescence!
pigments that had been previously described. I was in for a rude
awakening. The very first fluorescence analysis revealed at least 3
However, we must exercise care when analyzing these signatures
pigments that, to my knowledge, had never been reported
and understand the spectral quality of the excitation light source.
before in corals (see Figure 3 for the fluorescence of the
A 'backlight' was used to excite all fluorescent pigments reported 'Superman' Montipora).
in this article. Figure 1 shows the spectral signature of the
'common' backlight where the output is largely in the ultraviolet
Blue fluorescence peaks at 487nm (P-487 has been noted only in
range (and thus invisible to the human eye). Note that there are
Caribbean corals - this is the first report of this pigment in a
two broad bands of visible light at 400-408nm (violet) and
Pacific coral). Also note the strong fluorescent spike at 611nm
429-439nm (violet-blue). Therefore, we must be especially careful
(this is the first report of this pigment in a coral).
when analyzing fluorescent signatures and not mistake spikes in
these two ranges as that of fluorescence - they could well be
mere reflections of the excitation source. GREEN FLUORESCENCE
Green fluorescence is perhaps the most common of all coral
BLUE FLUORESCENCE AND LIGHT fluorescent pigments (hundreds of corals contain one of more of
the 45 or so described 'green' pigments).
Our broad definition of 'blue' fluorescence includes those corals
exhibiting violet fluorescence, blue fluorescence, blue-green
fluorescence and green-blue fluorescence.

While the generation of non-fluorescent chromoproteins seems,

in many cases, to be linked to light intensity/quality, it may seem
surprising that blue fluorescent corals are most abundant at

Figure 1. The spectral signature of a common black light (Wal-Mart variety).

Besides the ultraviolet spike at ~365nm, there are two 'shoulders' in the
Figure 2. Salih's 2003 data suggests blue corals are most common at deeper
visible portion of the spectrum.
depths.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 8 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Coral Coloration, Part 8: Blue and Green Coral Fluorescence: Environmental Factors Affecting Fluorescent Pigmentation

EFFECTS OF FLUORESCENCE ON PERCEIVED COLOR The fluorescent pigment does not always determine the
apparent color of a coral. For instance, Figure 8 is the reflectance
of a 'Purple Monster' Acropora. The reflectance signature is
Fluorescence can, in some cases, determine the apparent
clearly that of a 'blue' coral (see Part 7 of this series for an
coloration of a coral. The example in Figure 7 demonstrates that a
explanation of 'brown' and 'blue' coral, if necessary). There is a
green fluorescent pigment can become the dominant pigment,
minor contribution of green fluorescence peaking at 515nm
thus 'over-powering' the coral's reflectance (see Figure 6 for a
(apparently the same pigment seen in the Montipora in Figures 6
photo of this Montipora).
and 7). However, the green pigment fluorescence is not strong

Figure 3. Fluorescence of the Superman Montipora (seen in the introduction

photo).

Figure 5. There seems to be no real correlation between depth and corals

displaying green fluorescence.

Figure 6. This Montipora's green fluorescence is most apparent in the polyps.

Figure 7. Green Montipora reflectance - its spectral signature falls into the
Figure 4. The green fluorescence of the 'Bali Slimer' Acropora. 'brown' coral category, but fluorescence peaking at 515nm makes the coral
appear green.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 9 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Coral Coloration, Part 8: Blue and Green Coral Fluorescence: Environmental Factors Affecting Fluorescent Pigmentation

enough to make the coral appear green under full-spectrum vapor lamps, it is possible for coral skeletons to act as heat-sinks
lighting (it is, of course, purple). and actually become slightly warmer than the ambient water
temperature. This rather disturbing news (especially for those
corals maintained in aquaria teetering on the edge of acceptable
TEMPERATURE upper-scale temperatures) is discussed by Riddle, 2006 (see
www.advanceaquarist.com/2006/2/aafeature2 ).
Fabricius (2006) reported that dark corals absorb more heat than
brightly colored corals. Next time, we'll look at orange and red coral fluorescence and
how they are distributed by water depth, and examine if some
This is a most interesting report - but is her observation pigments are really photoprotectants.
applicable to reef aquaria? Evidence suggests it is - darker
(zooxanthellae brown) corals can, under certain conditions,
absorb heat and become warmer than the surrounding water. In
POST SCRIPT
general, reef aquarists are advised to keep water temperatures in
the mid-to-high 70ºF range. When using metal halide or mercury Those interested in discussing coral coloration can contact me at
RiddleLabs@aol.com.

The Atlanta Reef Club will host the Marine Aquarium Conference
of North America (MACNA) in September 2008. See
www.masna.org for details.

Many thanks to Steve Ruddy (www.coralreefecosystems.com)

for his assistance in gathering data.

REFERENCES
1. Fabricius, F., 2006. Effects of irradiance, flow and colony
Figure 8. 'Purple Monster' Acropora reflectance - it is a category 'blue' coral pigmentation on the temperature microenvironment
(due to the presence of at least one non-fluorescent chromoprotein) with
minor contribution of broadband green fluorescence. When viewed under
around corals: Implications for coral bleaching. Limnol.
broadband light sources, the green fluorescence plays little part in our Oceanogr., 51(1): 30-37.
perception of this coral's coloration.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 10 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

FEATURE ARTICLE

NUDIBRANCHS: BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGEROUS

MARINE CREATURES
By Mª Victoria Bengoa Ruigómez
They are considered the most beautiful creatures of the sea and as they move very slowly, they are very popular
among submarine photographers.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

I n 1943 Jacques-Yves Cousteau used aqualung on French south

ANATOMY AND MORE
coast for the fist time in the history. From that very moment,
Nudibranchs are little marine animals between 3 mm to 15 cm
both scientists and divers were able to admire and discover the
long, though some species can reach 30 cm. They can be very
wonders of the sea, unachievable for them until then. Among the
different in shape, but generally are elongated and symmetrical.
fascinating creatures that live under the sea, nudibranchs are the
They are really ephemeral; normally the life span for a nudibranch
most stunning of all of them due to their incredible colours, their
is one year or less, though some more evolved species can live 3
beauty and their exotic forms. Also are known as sea slugs and
years. They are benthonic species, living in nearly every marine
butterflies of the sea due to their undulating way of swimming.
bottom and can be found all over the world, from Antarctic to
They are considered the most beautiful creatures of the sea and
tropics, even in our coast. This group can be divided into two
as they move very slowly, they are very popular among
main groups, Dorids, with just two structures on its back, a pair of
submarine photographers. Exactly, thanks to these submarine
photographers, nudibranchs are so famous and admired by
divers and marine naturalists.

Nudibranchs are invertebrates from the Phylum Mollusca, which

major groups are clams (Class Bivalvia), squid and octopus (Class
Cephalopoda) and snail and slugs (Class Gasteropoda). There are
more than 7500 molluscs alive today and they arouse on Earth
more than 600 millions years ago. During evolution gastropods
went through a torsion process that twists the animal head and
foot counterclockwise by 180°. So a new anatomical
configuration was reached and then the mantle cavity, anus, and
gill were positioned over the head, on the unique shell opening.
Class Gastropoda is divided on three subclasses and
Opistobranchia (marine slugs) exhibits a major evolutionary
trend, the reduction or loss of the shell and a new distortion, aas
in Order Nudibranchia. There are more than 3000 different
species of nudibranchs all over the world. Although the shell is
present during their larvae stage, disappears during
metamorphosis, so when adults shell is not present. Nudibranchs
have gills totally "naked" and secondary respiratory structures
called cerata. In fact, the word "nudibranch" comes from Latin
nudus meaning "naked", and Greek brankhia meaning "gills". Due
to their shell lack, they have not been very known through the
history, and actually, Linné in his 12th edition of "Sistema Naturae"
on 1767 just described 17 species. On 1817 Cuvier described nine
new genera and set up the group with that name, Nudibranch.
The Englishmen Alder and Hancock created systematic basis of
the group at the end of XIX century. But only last years, and
thanks to the submarine technology development, study this
fascinating animal group has been possible.
Berghia coerulescens. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 11 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

rhinophores in the top of the head and a tuff of feathery gills on like spider crabs, some other kind of crabs and fishes. They also
the back, and Aeolids, also with rhinophores but with the back can suffer from parasitic copepods.
covered with numerous finger-like appendages called cerata.
Their small eyes are located below the tissue of the animal on the
head near the brain, and they cannot see actual images but only Sea slugs are simultaneous hermaphrodites, which means that
take measures of light intensity. As every molluscs, nudibranchs they possess both male and female sex organs at the same time,
have a file like organ on the month called radula, used to scrap though auto-fecundation is rare. This strategy increases the
off their food. This organ is covered on top with rows of chitinous probability of finding a mate, since nudibranchs are solitaries and
teeth, which are produced by the radula sac as they are warned they use to be scattered. Copulation is usually reciprocal, so both
down. But the most distinctive characteristic is the pair of function simultaneously as male and female, giving and receiving
tentacles on the head, the rhinophores, chemical sensors used to sperm and both partners will lay eggs. The genitalia are located at
smell and taste that can be retracted for protection. Dorids have the right side of the animal, so for copulating they position
a branchial plume surrounding the anus. These "naked" gills are themselves opposite side-by-side, subsequently the right sides of
very irrigated so gaseous exchange occurs. Aeolids have not gills, their bodies are next to each other. After mating sea slugs lay
but cerata function as gills. Cerata are branching extensions of their spiral egg masses on or near the prey they feed on.
the digestive system with three functions, breath, digestion and Normally eggs are white, though the colour could change and be
defence. The cerata epidermis is so thin that gaseous exchange pink, orange or red depending on diet. Egg development can take
can occur. between 5 and 50 days, depending on temperature. Usually from
eggs arise little planktonic larvae, called veliger, with shell, which
will lose during metamorphosis, when they begin their benthonic
Opisthobranchs are carnivorous feeding on sponges, cnidarians life as adult.
(anemones, soft corals, hydroids, etc.), tunicates, ascidia,
bryozoans, and sometimes on algae and even on others SOPHISTICATE DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
nudibranches. Each specie tends to be very selective feeders and
may only eat one certain prey species. Thanks to their capacity to
In most molluscs the shell is the primary defence in which the
digest preys that often are toxic, as sponges or anemones, and
animal can retreat from danger. But shells are heavy and make
even to be able to use these toxic metabolites for their own
difficult to move and slow down growth. So the loss of the shell
defence, nudibranchs have been able to feed on those dangerous
gave them freedom to evolve spectacularly shaped bodies, they
preys avoiding competence of other predators that will dye due
could growth more rapidly and move faster. But sea slugs had to
to preys' defence systems. But nudibranchs also have enemies,

Chromodoris krohni. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Chromodoris luteorosea. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

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 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

evolve a series of strategies to protect themselves from to be seen and also nutrients that travel through it. In many
predation. Those amazing, effective and sophisticated defence cases, slugs can vary their colour as they change the food source.
systems not only reduce death in direct predators' attacks but
also have dissuasive effect, which means that enemies that had
attack a nudibranch before will not do it again because they Some other nudibranchs have a bright and spectacular colour
remember that bad experience. These defence systems, real patterns. These colours are used to warm potential predators
chemical and biological weapons, could have been either a that these animals are full of distasteful chemicals and not worth
post-adaptation to shell loss, either a pre-adaptation that made to attempting to eat. This is known as aposematic colouration.
the shell loss possible. Even have the ability to change their colours when danger.
Normally these slugs contain distasteful or even toxics
compounds and one a fish has attacked one nudibranch it is not
One of the easiest defence strategies is escape. Some likely to forget this odd experience, which will correlate with this
nudibranchs have evolved muscular foot that can secrete mucus colour pattern, and will not attack it again. Nudibranchs can
to be able to escape, sometimes even swimming, though never obtain the pigments from their diets, sponge or cnidarians, or
very quickly. But they also present some other defences like even they can produce de novo themselves. Sometimes different
tubercles that vary in size, shape and number and calcareous species, both toxics, have evolved similar colour patterns to
spicules in the mantle tissue that can heart the enemy. There are "help" predators to remember their danger. This is known as
a number of species that have evolved the ability to drop parts of Müllerian mimicry. But in other cases, a non-toxic specie evolved
their body, which can be rapidly regenerated, to confuse the toxic specie's colour pattern to confuse and to avoid been
predators and escape. This behaviour is called autotomy. attacked by predator. This is known as Batesian mimicry.

Other species have developed colour patterns entirely for

defence against predators, mainly fishes. The first line of defence But usually nudibranchs have a chemistry or biological active
is to try to become invisible. In some cases both the texture and defence. Sometimes slugs possess skin glands that secret toxic
the colour of the body of the nudibranch match the colour and products, like sulphuric acid. In some cases these compounds are
the texture of the prey or the substrate they live on. It is called known to be toxics and can kill animals near them, but in other
cryptic coloration. Nudibranchs can obtain the pigments from cases they are not so toxics but still enough repellents to confuse
their diets, though sometimes they can produce pigments predators. But the sophisticatest defence system is known
themselves. Their translucent body permit the digestive system cleptodefence. Slugs are evolved to be immune against other
invertebrate defences, swallow them and transport them along

Chromodoris krohni. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Chromodoris purpurea. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

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 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

tracts to the cerata, where they are used for defence, being species acquire the mucus from the cnidarian and trick their prey.
replaced every few days. Some species are able to use really toxic Once the aeolids eat them, cnidocystes are transport and stored
compounds from sponges and accumulate them in some glands in cnidosacs in the tip of their dorsal cerata ready to be used.
ready to be used if is in danger. Some others, like aeolids, fed on
cnidarians (hydrozoans, corals, anemones, jellyfish, etc.) that Defence compounds of nudibranchs present biological activity,
content cnidocytes, sting and toxic cellules with nematocysts and are being investigated to be used against some really
used to defence themselves from predators. To avoid them, dangers disease like cancer.
some aeolids are able to secrete mucus, which change with
cnidarian species, and that inhibits nematocyst discharge. Other NUDIBRANCHS IN OUR AQUARIUMS?
These colourful and exotic creatures are categorically
inappropriate for casual keeping. It is more advisable to admire
these animals from the photographs that divers take directly
under the sea.

Most sea slugs are either very difficult or impossible to keep in

small private aquariums. They are very delicate to ship and
sensitive to acclimation. Their diets are very specific, and, as
much species are toxics, after dying, there is a very real danger
that, due to their decomposition, some toxic compounds could
be released into the aquarium and disturb or even kill other
organisms.

Discodoris rosi. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Discodoris atromaculata. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Doriopsilla areolata. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Crimora papillata. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

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 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

If these advices do not frightened the future keeper, a long too to be able to find its food or to culture it. Also it is essential to
quarantine and then to limit their number and mass in the system select for a healthy and active specimen, because a sick one will
are recommended. Normally, nudibranchs are peaceful and, die and dissolve quickly and release its toxic compounds in our
because sea slugs are toxic animals, usually they are very active aquarium.
by day. They are not gregarious and, as they are hermaphrodites,
there will not be any problem to find the right mate. But before
buying our specimen it is of paramount importance to know all its Once the healthy specimen has been chosen, the animal must be
needs, especially diet, and buy it on or with the food it eats, that quarantined at least for one month. In isolation, information
can be algae, sponge, anemone, coral, worms, etc. It is needed about the animal, specially its diets, must be verified.
Nudibranchs are able to live long time, weeks even months,
without eating, so if you cannot confirm that the animal is eating

Janolus cristatus. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Eggs. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Flabellina babai. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante. Eubranchus farrani. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

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 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

during quarantine, do not send the animal to the aquarium. Many Beyond any issues of stress from feeding, compatibility or
aquarists on seacoasts may be able to collect nudibranchs, which acclimation, we will find that sea slugs' life expectancy is really
is further better than ship and stress the animals. Above all, you short and they will die within months naturally. Normally they are
will have the opportunity to verify the specific food they eat and collected as adult and few live more than a year. After their
collect together, and also pick up more in the future. But do not sudden death, their toxic compounds will be released on our
forget to investigate local regulations first. aquarium. To reduce the danger, good chemical filtration like
carbon changed weekly, adequate water flow, skimmer and
ozonation, and huge water changes will be needed.
Little is known about nudibranchs and even less about their diets.
Some of them are fed on sponge, others on anemones, even So, it is understandable that there are many reasons for leaving
corals, and few on algae. A lot of sea slugs are very specific in these beauties in the sea.
their diets and just eat one sponge or cnidarian's specie. So
before buying a nudibranch, their diet must be known, and you
must be able to give it to the animal, buying the prey or culturing BIBLIOGRAPHY
it, or do not buy nudibranchs at all. In recent years, Scientifics
have discovered that some nudibranch species are fed on 1. Barnes, R.D. 1983. Zoología de los invertebrados. Ed.
nuisance organisms in the aquarium, like Berghia verrucicornis Interamericana.
that eats pest anemone Aiptasia, Chelinodura sp. that eats
2. Bertsch, H. Nudibranchs: marine slugs with verve.
flatworms, or Lettuce slugs Elysia spp. that eats algae.
http://siolibrary.ucsd.edu/slugsite/nudi_han.htm

3. Benkendorff, K. 2000. Molluscan medicines. Nature

Due to its extraordinary diversity and distribution in habits of the
Australia. Winter 200, pp. 50-57.
world's sea, there are not standardized water parameters for the
sea slugs and they are very different for each specie. For tropical 4. Calfo, A.; Fenner, R. 2003. Reef invertebrates. An essential
species, for example, stable and high Redox, high-saturated guide to selection, care and compativility. Reading trees &
oxygen levels, and very stable salinity are required. Medications Wet Web Media Publications.
in the form of metals, organics dyes and other products like some
kind of antibiotics are not safe to use. 5. Clavin, J.C. Nudibranquios. La belleza del ataque.

Flabellina pedata. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Hypselodoris cantabrica. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 16 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

6. Cousteau, J.Y.; Dumas, F. 1959. Un mundo silencioso. Ed. 13. Greenwood, P.G.; Garry, K.; Hunter, A.; Jennings, M. 2004.
Éxito, SA. Adaptable defense: a nudibranch mucus inhibits
nematocyst discharge and changes with prey type. Biol.
7. Cimino, G.; De Rosa, S.; Se Stefano, S.; Sodano, G.; Villani, G. Bull., vol 206, pp. 113-120.
1983. Dorid nudibranch elaborates its own chemical
defense. Science, vol. 129, pp. 1237-1238. 14. Hall, S.; Todd, C.D. 1986. Growth and reproduction in the
Aeolidia papillosa (L.). J. Moll. Stud., vol. 52, pp. 193-205.
8. Debelius, H. 1996. Nudibranchs and sea snails. Indo-Pacific
field guide. Ed. IKAN.

9. Doe, J. 2005. Adaptations for defense by the nudibranch

Aeolidia papillosa. Biol., vol 105.

10. Faulkner, D.J.; Ghiselin, M.T. 1983. Chemical defense and

evolutionary ecology of dorid nudibranchs and some other
opistobranch gastropods. Marine Ecology, vol. 13, pp.
295-301.

11. Ghazali, S. 2006. Displays of defense: behavioural

differences in antagonist avoidance four opisthobranch
molluscs. Water Resource Archives, Biology and
Geomorphology of Tropical Islands (ESPM 107/IB 158).

12. Grassé, P.P.; Poisson, R.A.; Tuzet, O. 1985. Zoología.

I-Invertebrados. Ed. Masson.

Hypselodoris tricolor. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Hypselodoris cantabrica. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Polycera quadrilineata. Photo by Mikel Cortés Escalante.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 17 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Nudibranchs: Beautiful but Dangerous Marine Creatures

15. Harrigan, J.F.; Alkon, D.L. 1978. Larval rearing,

metamorphosis, growth and reproduction of the eolid
nudibranch Hermissenda crassicornis (Eschscholtz, 1831)
(Gasteropoda: Opisthobranchia). Biol. Bull., vol. 154, pp.
430-439.

16. Karisson, A.; Haase M. 2002. The enigmatic mating

behaviour and reproduction of a simultaneous
hermaphrodite, the nudibranch Aeolidiella glauca
(Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia). Can. J. Zool., vol. 80 (2), pp.
260-270.

17. Mayer, A.M.S.; Gustafson, K.R. 2003. Marine pharmacology

in 2000: antitumor and cytotoxic compounds. International
Journal of Cancer, vol. 105, issue 3, pp. 291-299.

18. Mebs, D. 1985. Chemical defense of a dorid nudibranch,

Glossodoris quadricolor, from the red sea. Journal of
Chemical Ecology, vol. 11 (6), pp. 713-716.

19. Menendez, J.L. http://www.asturnatura.com

20. Nakumara, K. 2007. Especies bentónicas de

Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) presentes en el
litoral del norte peruano. Reu. Peru. Biol.., vil. 13, pp.
255-257.

21. Sisson, C.G. 2005. Life history dynamics and biogeography

of a nudibranch with contrasting development models: A
hypothesis for the evolution of larval types. Journal of
Natural History, vol. 39 (20), pp. 1719-1733.

22. Todd,C.D.; Doyle, R.W. 1981. Reproductive strategies of

marine benthonic invertebrates: A settlement-timing
hypothesis. Marine Ecology, vol. 4, pp. 75-83.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 18 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 What's Happening in Your Area?

REEFKEEPING EVENTS

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA?

By Advanced Aquarist Readers
Check to see if an event is happening in your area!
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

MARINE AQUARIUM SOCIETY OF VENTURA volunteers, people talked about our hobby over frosty beverages
(responsibly of course), and you left feeling like you truly scored
COUNTY, CALIFORNIA FIRST ANNUAL F.R.A.G. some great stuff? We believe it's possible to bring back that great
vibe!
SWAP
On December 01 (12:00pm) we will open the doors to a 2,000 sq.
Date: December 1, 2007 ft. warehouse for some good old fashioned frag swapping. We're
Time: 12:00 PM trying our best to keep this event like the classic frag swaps of
Place: 1891 Goodyear Avenue, Suite 612, Ventura CA 93003 past.
Website/Contact Information: http://www.masvc.org
Here's what you can count on from this event:

Remember the days when everyone brought coolers full of

corals, burgers and dogs were cooked to perfection by • Great prizes raffled off after Brad (our President of Vice)
finishes each beer!

• All the burgers, dogs and chips you can eat (please consider a
$3 donation to our club).

• SPS, LPS, Zoanthids, Hardware and just about anything else

you could want for your aquarium!

• Great deals!! (What's the point in a swap if you can have it

delivered to your door from the latest
Ultra-Mega-Reef-Farm-Warehouse-Superstore for less?)

• A wonderful time!!

We need your help!!

• We need some of the local growers/backyard hobbyist who

are dedicated to promoting this hobby because they love it
and want to share (you know who you are).

• We need people to contribute to a potluck because Reefers

cannot survive on burgers and dogs alone.

• Spread the word! This IS the BEST way to stock your tank!

Amenities:

• A warehouse with electrical outlets galore!

• Free WI-FI (PayPal!!)

• Ray promises to raffle off a full-body seaweed and wheat

germ wrap to one really lucky prize winner!!

• PLENTY of Free parking

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 19 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 What's Happening in Your Area?

Please note: There will be limited commercial vendor space so Dates and Times:
please PM (private message) any of the following MASVC
members for details at MASVC.org: • Saturday, April 5th 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM

• blown63chevy • Sunday, April 6th 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• abendx • Calendar Information

• d0cdave
Event Information:
• cayecaulker
• Over 100 exhibitor's booths!
If you've ever wanted to attend a classic frag-swap, want to sell/ • Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Retailers, Exhibitors
trade some coral or hardware, or just want to hang out with
people who have similar interests, come by. Everyone is • Livegoods/Drygoods for sale throughout the building
welcome!!
• 8 major Speakers lined up! (4 per day)
THE MANHATTAN REEFS FALL FRAG SWAP • Multiple Workshops and Demonstrations
Date: Sunday December 9th • Children's Petting Pool and education area (pending)
Time: 10AM – 6PM
Place: Pace University, NY • Frags! Frags! and more Frags! need I say more?
RSVP Required
Website: Manhattan Reefs
Admission: Adults $10.00, Seniors $5.00, Children 12 & under are
Guest Speakers: Free!

MAX is held in Building #12, (22,000 sq. ft. fully-enclosed,

• Dr. James Fatherree
air-conditioned exhibit hall). An adjoining 7,000 sq ft. covered
• Dr. James Cervino courtyard will host much of the peripheral activities (speakers,
workshops, raffles, seating area, etc.). This greatly enhances the
space available inside building 12 for commerce. In other words:
And as usual, admission includes: More room for everyone!

HUGE RAFFLE at the end of each day! Special Note: 50% of ALL
• Manhattan Reefs Frag Auction
Raffle Proceeds will go to 10 select public charities, all of whom
• Reef Pest Inspection Station are participating in MAX either directly or indirectly. (some
represented by hobbyists doing a workshop on behalf of the
• Equipment demonstrations charity)

• Livestock vendors This is a VERY family-oriented event, so please plan on bringing

the entire family for a weekend of spectacular exhibits, speakers,
• Several group buys workshops, displays, and other entertainment. Great food, clean
restrooms, even a seating area.
• Food, snacks, soft drinks

• Baggies, rubber bands, warmed saltwater

Due to University security requirements, you MUST preregister

by RSVPing. You must pay in advance, no tickets will be sold at
the door.

Hope to see you there!

MARINE AQUARIUM EXPO, SATURDAY, APRIL 5

AND 6, 2008

The First Annual Marine Aquarium Expo (MAX) is a TWO DAY

EVENT at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center (Costa
Mesa, CA) April 5-6 2008!

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 20 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 What's Happening in Your Area?

Ladies and Gentlemen, this event is expected to attract over IMAC 2008 will take place in Chicago, Illinois, USA - May 30, 31 and
3,000 hobbyist from all over the United States! Participating June 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chicago IL:
vendors and attendees alike are coming from all parts of the
country. In fact, MAX is soon to become the largest event of its Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chicago O'Hare
kind in the entire North American continent in terms of overall 5440 North River Road
attendance. You don't want to miss this one! Rosemont, IL 60018, USA

For more information, visit us at: For more information, visit http://theimac.org/ or contact Dennis
http://www.marineaquariumexpo.com Gallagher.

Contact Information: MACNA XX, SEPTEMBER 5-7, 2008

Kevin T. Adams, MBA, Promoter
Presented by Atlanta Reef Club and MASNA, MACNA is the
"Marine Aquarium Expo 2008"
largest hobbyist marine conference in North America. New
8072 Central Avenue
aquarium products, vendors will often wait until MACNA to
Garden Grove, CA 92844
release new products into the hobby. Hobby professionals, you
info@MarineAquariumExpo.com
will have a chance to meet and mingle with professionals in the
(714) 530-1094 office
hobby like Eric Borneman and Anthony Calfo. A chance to be at a
(714) 260-6660 cell
conference with hundreds of other people just as obsessed with
(please note: MAX is not affiliated with any club organization) aquariums as you are.

INTERNATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM CONFERENCE

'08, MAY 30-JUNE 1, 2008
Just Imagine...a weekend where you can see live presentations
by the most widely known, well-respected authors and lecturers
in the marine aquarium hobby.

We have selected the Westin Peachtree Plaza as the host hotel

for this event. It is the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere.
Our negotiated room rate is $119.00 per night with discounted
At the International Marine Aquarium Conference the speakers parking. Everyone that stays in the hotel will be given free
will be covering all the latest information and research on marine internet access from their rooms.
aquarium fish, corals and invertebrates. Meet with them socially,
see exhibits by some of the foremost manufacturers and dealers This 73-story tower, topped by the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant,
in the aquarium hobby, and get some great deals on conference Bar & View, graces the heart of Atlanta. Connected to
specials. AmericasMart, The Westin Peachtree Plaza, is steps from CNN,
Georgia Aquarium, Georgia World Congress Center and the
IMAC is open to ALL hobbyists . You do not have to belong to a Georgia Dome.
marine aquarium society or even own a reef tank to attend, just
be interested in learning more about this fascinating hobby. Contact Information:
IMAC is a non-profit venture by hobbyists for hobbyists to insure
the continuation of an annual educational event for aquarists, at MACNA XX
a reasonable cost. 1266 West Paces Ferry Rd.
Suite 194
Whether you are a seasoned aquarist or just a beginner, IMAC is Atlanta, GA 30327
something you need to take in. And IMAC is put on each year by PHONE:
the same people, so if you attended IMAC in 2003, 2004, 2005, FAX: 860.540.2351
2006 or 2007 you know the high quality of the show that we will E-mail: info@macnaxx.com
put on. Contact Form

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 21 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Mind The Gap, Part I: A Glowing Example

LATERAL LINES

MIND THE GAP, PART I: A GLOWING EXAMPLE

By Adam Blundell, M.S.
My position was that the many groups involved in the hobby were not working directly with each other and far
more could be done.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

D uring the Marine Ornamentals conference of 2004 I

(which I refer to as the Mystic Aquarium) in Mystic Connecticut.
Erin had been looking for information on coral fluorescence and
her search was most difficult. She couldn’t locate many sources
presented a lecture… more like a challenge… to the attendees
to “bridge the gap” as I say. The basic concept of my lecture was of info on coral fluorescence in captive aquaria. Her main source
to draw attention to the varying aquarium hobby constituents of information happened to come from an article I wrote here for
and their separation. More important than their separation is the Advanced Aquarist Online Magazine (Blundell 2005). That email
idea of removing that separation. seemed to start it all (queue the dreamy music used in movies for
flashbacks).
In general this means seeing research scientists get their findings
directly into the hands of hobbyists, seeing those hobbyists
request specific animals from retailers, which in turn causes a THE EXHIBIT
shift in collection sites. Along those lines collection sites can
provide invaluable information to research scientists on the After several emails and a few phone calls between me and the
natural settings of these animals. My position was that the many Mystic Aquarium staff the project idea seemed plausible. It was
groups involved in the hobby were not working directly with each time for me to make my way to the aquarium (about as far across
other and far more could be done. the country from me as possible). I visited with the staff and
presented general information on fluorescence, and more
importantly fluorescence within the aquarium hobby. After that it
BACKGROUND was time for the fluorescent guru to take charge. Dr. Charles
Mazel (www.nightsea.com) is amazing. He has pioneered the
Who is Adam Blundell? Adam Blundell is the bridge. After study of coral fluorescence and delivered the information to the
challenging people within the industry to work together I set out hobbyists. Many thanks to Dr. Mazel; I wish we had more people
to serve as an example. My whole life has been spent as a like him.
hobbyist. My career has been research, and now education. With
the laboratory I operate and the articles that I publish, I hope to You see I said this whole thing started when I received that email
bridge the cap between the research science world and the from Miss Hisrich. But in fact it began much earlier. Dr. Mazel has
hobbyists world. I hope it is working… and it appears to be been working with coral fluorescence for years. He is a true
working.

On July 11th 2006 I received an email from Miss Erin Hisrich, an

intern at the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration

Shown here Marzena Blundell is using NightSea fluorescent equipment to

locate minute marine organisms.
This photograph was taken at the Mystic aquarium using fluorescent filters.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 22 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Mind The Gap, Part I: A Glowing Example

research scientist. He wanted to share his work and finding with about it being about fluorescence, the impressive part is seeing
the hobbyists and did so with a breakout presentation at the how well all the gaps were bridged to bring about this project.
International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC) in 2004. His
presentation was “enlightening” to say the least. It was my first For more information, or to plan your visit to this exhibit please
opportunity to meet Dr. Mazel in person. From that point on I’ve visit www.mysticaquarium.org.
been in contact with him, and have been using his stellar
products. Needless to say I owe my studies, my publications, and
the Mystic Aquarium owes their exhibit, to this man.

CONCLUSION
Where to begin? Let me begin by thanking Jeff Myjak of Enfield,
CT. Jeff has been a great help in providing photographs for this
publication. The opening of the fluorescent exhibit at the Mystic
Aquarium and Institute for Exploration is beacon of hope for
what can be done. This project utilized the scientific studies of Dr.
Mazel, the hobbyist work of Adam Blundell, the public outreach
efforts of the Mystic Aquarium, the vision of William “Bill” Kelly
(Mystic Aquarium’s first president) and the desire of one person
to bring it together. Congratulations Erin. I’m so pleased to see
an exhibit that showcases the wonders of life. Forget the part

Shown here is the entrance to Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration.

Shown here are the entrance to the new exhibit, and a couple photographs of
displays within the exhibit. Photos provided by Jeff Myjak.

Adam Blundell presenting information on fluorescent animals and the

equipment used to see this phenomenon.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 23 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Mind The Gap, Part I: A Glowing Example

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Adam Blundell M.S. works in Marine Ecology, and in Pathology
for the University of Utah. 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. While not in the lab he is the former
president of one of the Nation's largest hobbyist clubs, the
Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society (www.utahreefs.com). 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.

REFERENCES
1. Blundell, A., (2005) “The Seen and Unseen World of Coral
Fluorescence”, Advanced Aquarist Online Magazine,
Dr. Charles Mazel and Adam Blundell http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/2/lines, USA.

2. www.NightSea.com Dr. Charles Mazel’s website which is

filled with information on aquatic fluorescence.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 24 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Marine Aquarist Course Schedule for 2008

ONLINE COURSES

MARINE AQUARIST COURSE SCHEDULE FOR 2008

By D. Wade Lehmann
Marine Aquarist Courses Online (MACO) will be offering a whole host of new educational courses for you
starting in January 2008!
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

P revious topics have covered everything from the science

interactive course materials, reading assignments and
discussions, and many other avenues just like in a real classroom
course, but on your own time! Even if you can’t make a weekly
behind light and lighting to manual construction of acrylic and
wood items. chat session in person, the transcripts from the session will be
available to you. Course participants get permanent access to
their course on the website and a private forum to post questions
to allow users to get to know each other. Instructors can be
contacted by email, via the forums, or at the chat sessions during
the course to answer your questions or assist you in any way. The
website is always available, so the readings and other
information can be picked up at any time.
This coming year will offer a host of new, never seen before
courses that include:
Head over to the Marine Aquarist Courses
(http://www.aquaristcourses.org/) website for complete details
Reef Microbiology – This course will cover the basics of nutrient
flux, bacterial presence and colonization, and focus in tightly to
what has been published in the scientific literature recently. The
design of the course is such that anyone can learn the details of
microbiology as it relates to aquarium maintenance. This course
will last for 6 weeks and start in January 2008.

Reef Chemistry – Also on offer starting in early 2008, reef

chemistry! This course starts at the beginning and builds a
scientific base upon which all aquarists can stand. Topics include
alkalinity, acid-base relationships, and even the more complex
buffering system in marine aquaria. If you want to know more
about why your alkalinity is so low, and what that really means…
this is the course for you! This course will last for 6 weeks.

Digital Reefkeeping – How to take images, create webspace

(blogs, webpages, photo sharing, etc) on your own! Learn how to
create and manage your own domain name and set up an
awesome webspace for yourself.

Fish Husbandry – This 8 week course gets into the nitty gritty of
culturing, maintenance and the biology behind the fish we keep.
Check it out!

Aquaculture in Practice – This course will detail how to culture

various living items for your tanks. Everything from algae to
zooplankton, this course will cover the details for anyone who
wants to learn more about maintenance of a more natural state
by growing live foods.

SOUNDS GREAT, BUT HOW DOES MACO WORK?

MACO is a web-based instructional website run by instructors
who have intimate knowledge of the course they are teaching.
Courses are primarily run online via weekly chat sessions,

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 25 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 What in Neptune's World?

WHAT IN NEPTUNE'S WORLD

WHAT IN NEPTUNE'S WORLD?

By Terry Siegel
Guess the mystery coral.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

W elcome to "What in Neptune's World" - a column intended to explore the wonders of the coral reefs in an entertaining,
interactive manner.

This month, we have a mystery coral seeking identification. Can you identify it?

Feel free to discuss the possibilities with other hobbyists in this thread in the Reefs.org's General Reef Discussion Forum.

Can you identify this coral?

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 26 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Spectral Analysis of Aquarmckzo and Catalina Metal Halide Lamps

PRODUCT REVIEW

SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF AQUARMCKZO AND

CATALINA METAL HALIDE LAMPS
By Sanjay Joshi
Sanjay presents spectral data on a low cost bulb found on EBay and data on the Catalina lamps.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

T his article presents an analysis of the Aquarmckzo and

AQUARMCKZO 250W DE 10000K
Catalina metal halide lamps. The lamps tested along with the Table 2: Aquarmckzo 250W DE 10000K
ballasts used are shown in Table 1 below. The Aquarmckzo lamps
Unshielded Shielded
were sent to me by a reefs.org member. These lamps are being Ballast Power Voltage Current
PPFD CCT PPFD CCT
sold on ebay for around $10. At this price it definitely increases HQI – M80 349 122.4 3.05 166.1 6458 137 6230
the curiosity to determine the type of value these lamps Reef Fanatic 258 123.7 2.22 112 6956 92.2 6771
represent. The Catalina Reef Grow series of lamps are sold by Icecap - New
Blueline
263
252
123.7
123.5
2.25
2.15
116.1
110.4
6832
7051
95.5
90
6562
6940
Catalina Aquarium (www.catalinaaquarium.com). EVC 263 122.3 2.37 116.3 6608 95.3 7049
Icecap 253 121.6 2.33 111.6 7090 91.3 6820

Table 1: List of lamps and ballasts tested

175 Watt 250 Watt 400 Watt
Aquarmckzo
10000K
Aquarmckzo
14000K
Aquarmckzo
Lamps Catalina 15000K 14000K
Aquarmckzo
20000K
Catalina
15000K

PFO-HQI PFO-HQI
(ANSI -M80)
Taiwan HQI
IceCap
(Electronic) EVC
(Electronic)
Magnetic (M57) Blueline
(Electronic) Icecap
Icecap (electronic) (Electronic)
Ballasts Reef Fanatic
Lumen General (Electronic) Coralvue
(Electronic) (Electronic)
EVC
(Electronic) Magnetic
(M59)
Icecap
–New Blueline
(Electronic) (Electronic) Figure 1: Spectral Plot of the unshielded Aquarmckzo 250W DE 10000K
Lamp with the different ballasts

COMPARISION OF LAMP PERFORMANCE UNDER

DIFFERENT BALLASTS
This section presents the results of testing the different lamps
using different ballasts. For each lamp tested different ballasts
were used to fire the lamp and data is presented for the
unshielded and shielded case. Spectral data is only provided for
the shielded case, since we feel that most lamps will be used in
this manner.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 27 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Spectral Analysis of Aquarmckzo and Catalina Metal Halide Lamps

AQUARMCKZO 250W DE 14000K AQUARMCKZO 400W MOGUL 14K

Table 3: Aquarmckzo 250W DE 14000K Table 5: Aquarmckzo 400W Mogul 14K

Unshielded Shielded Ballast Power Voltage Current PPFD CCT
Ballast Power Voltage Current
PPFD CCT PPFD CCT Icecap 432 122 3.68 62.8 31024.8
Blueline 388 121.9 3.34 64.7 -
HQI – M80 322 121.8 2.92 62 7217 51.3 6903 EVC 422 122.2 3.62 65.2 57329.8
Reef Fanatic 258 122.7 2.23 55.4 10498 44.4 9213 Magnetic (M59) 378 122.2 3.65 62 -
Icecap - New 264 122.4 2.28 46.4 7135 37.9 6666 Taiwan-HQI 442 122 3.92 93.9 -
Blueline 252 122.7 2.18 52.4 10537 42.4 9495 PFO-HQI 524 121.4 4.95 123.7 30519
EVC 263 120.9 2.31 48.2 7804 38.8 7303
Icecap 252 123.2 2.28 54.1 8836 36.8 8199

Figure 4: Spectral Plot of the Aquarmckzo 400W Mogul 14K Lamp with the
Figure 2: Spectral Plot of the unshielded Aquarmckzo 250W DE 14000K different ballasts
Lamp with the different ballasts
AQUARMCKZO 400W MOGUL 20000K
CATALINA 250W DE 15000K
Table 6: Aquarmckzo 400W Mogul 20000K
Table 4: Catalina 250W DE 15000K Ballast Power Voltage Current PPFD CCT

Unshielded Shielded EVC 423 121.8 3.65 74.4 52462

Ballast Power Voltage Current Icecap 431 121.4 3.72 76 55272
PPFD CCT PPFD CCT Blueline 392 121.4 3.38 69.7 -
HQI – M80 302 122.3 2.74 59.7 - 48.6 67272 PFO-HQI 516 121.5 5.33 103 17614
Reef Fanatic 256 122.7 2.23 57.3 - 46 - Taiwan-HQI 444 122.2 3.9 88.4 -
Icecap - New 263 122.9 2.27 60.8 - 46 - Magnetic (M59) 436 123.5 3.98 75.7 -
Blueline 250 122.3 2.17 53.9 - 39.1 -
EVC 262 122.8 2.27 57.2 - 46.7 -
Icecap 250 123.2 2.31 47.6 - 39.1 -

Figure 5: Spectral Plot of the Aquarmczo 400W Mogul 20000K Lamp with the
different ballasts

Figure 3: Spectral Plot of the unshielded Catalina 250W DE 15000K Lamp

with the different ballasts

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 28 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Spectral Analysis of Aquarmckzo and Catalina Metal Halide Lamps

CATALINA REEFGROW 175W MOGUL 15000K

Table 7: Catalina ReefGrow 175W Mogul 15000K

Ballast Power Voltage Current PPFD CCT
Magnetic (m58) 185 123.1 2.04 27.8 -
Icecap 179 122.3 1.64 38.8 -
Lumen General 179 121.9 1.65 39 -

Figure 6: Spectral Plot of the Catalina ReefGrow 175W Mogul 15000K Lamp
with the different ballasts

DISCUSSION
Fig 7, 8 and 9 and show how these lamps compare in PPFD values
to all the other lamp and ballast combinations tested over the
last few years. The data for all the lamp ballast combinations is
grouped into categories (6500K, 10000K, 12000-18000K, and
20000K as specified by the lamp manufacturer’s ratings) and
plotted on a chart showing the complete range of PPFD output
for a given class of lamps.

Fig. 7 shows all the data for 175W mogul lamps, and
superimposed on it is the data for the Catalina 175W Mogul
15000K lamp. As seen from the chart, the PPFD values for
Catalina 15K lamp falls in the bottom third of all the lamps tested
in the 12000-18000K range. Furthermore, the spectral plot for this
lamp indicates that it will appear very blue since it has a spectral
plot similar in profile to the lamps sold as 20000K. This lamp
tends to perform better with the electronic ballasts. Comparing
the output to 20000K lamps shows that this lamp performs
around the middle of the range of the 20000K lamps.

Figure 8, shows the comparison of the Acquarmckzo 250W DE

10000K and the 250W DE 140000K lamp against all the other
250W DE lamp and ballast combinations previously tested.
Interestingly, the 10000K 250W DE lamp tested has quite high
output when compared to the others in its class, especially on the
HQI-M80 ballast. The performance with the other ballasts is quite
good and compares well with other lamps. The tested correlated
color temperature is in the 6200-7000K range, which is very
similar to a lot of the 10000K lamps. The 14000K 250W DE lamp
on the other hand is a very poor performer when compared to
lamps in its class. Spectrally this lamp has a higher correlated
color temperature than the 10000K lamp, but the output is
significantly low.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 29 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Spectral Analysis of Aquarmckzo and Catalina Metal Halide Lamps

The Catalina 250W 15000K DE lamp has a spectral output more For example, these lamps could be adequate if you could mount
similar to the 20000K rated lamps, and as seen in the chart the them lower and use them on shallower tanks, or with corals that
output is quite low compared to the lamps in the 12000-18000K require lower light levels.
range.

Figure 9, shows the comparison of the Acquarmckzo 400W

14000K and 20000K lamps against all the other 400W mogul
lamp and ballast combinations previously tested. The best
performance of the 14000K lamp on the PFO HQI ballast puts it in
the middle of the pack, and on other ballasts the performance is
quite poor. However, once again the 14000K lamp has a spectral
plot that is quite similar to the 20000K lamp, and if compared to
the other 20000K lamps the output is quite comparable to lamps
in the lower middle of the pack.

CONCLUSION
When compared against other lamp and ballast combinations,
these lamps tend to have lower output. However, this does not
mean that the lamps are not useable. Given the low cost of the Figure 8: Comparison of the PPFD of unshielded Aquarmckzo 250W 10000K,
140000K DE Lamp and Catalina 250W DE 15000K to all other 250W DE
lamps, their use can be justified. Knowing that the output lies in lamps and ballast combinations.
the lower half to the lower third of comparable lamps, this
information can be used to extract the most out of these lamps.

Figure 9: Comparison of the PPFD of Aquarmckzo 400W 14000K, 20000K

Figure 7: Comparison of the PPFD of Catalina ReefGrow 175W Mogul DE Lamps to all other 400W DE lamps and ballast combinations.
15000K Lamp to all other 175W lamps and ballast combinations.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 30 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Tips for Growing or Making your Own Tank Food

HOT TIPS

TIPS FOR GROWING OR MAKING YOUR OWN TANK

FOOD
By Advanced Aquarist's Readers
This month, our readers give tips on food recipes for their tank.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

A selection of useful tidbits of information and tricks for the

To prepare the food, keep out ~1/2 c of the shrimp, combine all
others except nori in a blender. Add fresh saltwater (or
microwave (to boiling) some tank water to use) and blend until
marine aquarist submitted by Advanced Aquarist's readership.
Readers are encouraged to post them to our Hot Tips sticky in smooth. Add nori, chop, but don't completely blend into oblivion.
the Reefs.org General Reefkeeping Discussion forum or send Chop remaining shrimp into small pieces by hand, ~1-4mm in size,
their tips to terry@advancedaquarist.com for possible add to the mash and combine, but don't blend thoroughly. If the
publication. This month's Hot Tip theme is "Christmas Wishlist blend is too thick, add more salt water. Another option is to add
and Why You Want and/or Need It." concentrated phytoplankton (such as DTs).

Spoon/pour the mash into individual ziplock baggies (usually 4-6

HOT TIPS: TIPS FOR GROWING OR MAKING YOUR of them) and lay flat in the freezer (I use a baking pan until they
OWN TANK FOOD are semi-solid to prevent them from being really thick in spots).
Be careful not to make it too thick in the baggies as its hard to
Here is one way to make your own food for your reef tank. break apart later. This keeps it in a few batches that should last if
well sealed.
• ~2 c. Uncooked, de-shelled fresh shrimp To use the food: Break off (typically can snip off pieces, if its not
too thick, by hand) and defrost the food in a cupful of tank water.
• ~1/2 c. Uncooked, frozen "white" fish (any type of non-fatty,
You can either leave it whole and let the fish tear it apart or do as
white ocean fish is good... flounder, whitefish, etc)
I do and create a snowstorm out of it by allowing it to defrost
• ~1/2 c. Uncooked, fresh mussel or clam or oyster or and then using a turkey baster to break it all apart in the cup. All
combination of the various particle sizes allow all of your animals (corals and
detritivores) to feed.
• 1 full sheet Nori (unsalted, unspiced, dried)
Submitted by: Wade
• 1 tsp Selcon (Selco)
For many other ideas, please take a look at this search on
• 1 tsp lemon juice (to preserve and provide vitamin C) Reefs.org.

• Many other items can be thrown in for variety. A mixture of Or search Google for ideas.
prepared retail foods is common, brine shrimp, greenwater,
vitamins, etc. Just be certain to use high quality foods.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 31 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Reefs in the News

ONLINE NEWS

REEFS IN THE NEWS

From Online News Sources
Media coverage of the state of our world's reefs, interesting information, and other marine-related news.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUES SHIP OWNER, PILOT REEF KEY TO DISEASE FIGHT (THE COURIER MAIL)
IN SF BAY OIL SPILL (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE) Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 30, 2007 01:00 PM
National Marine Sanctuary in the News
November 30, 2007 09:43 PM AN underwater treasure trove of new species found off the
Queensland coast could hold the key to miracle cures for
The federal government on Friday accused a ship pilot and the hundreds of diseases.
owners of the container ship Cosco Busan of breaking
environmental laws when the ship struck a bridge support in San Read More...
Francisco Bay, spilling 58,000 gallons of toxic oil. The Justice...
Source:
Read More... http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=12mhrvqnl/
*http%3A//couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,22850997-3102,00.html?from=public_rss

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=13aum8s26/
*http%3A//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/30/financial/
f121417S24.DTL&feed=rss.business SANTA CRUZ FISHING CREW WRECKS NEAR PIGEON
POINT (SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL)
OFFICIALS REMOVE OIL FROM SUNKEN SHIP (SAN National Marine Sanctuary in the News
November 30, 2007 10:15 AM
FRANCISCO CHRONICLE)
National Marine Sanctuary in the News PIGEON POINT -- The night was dark, maybe a bit stormy and
November 30, 2007 05:06 PM something struck the starboard side of Leo Morelli's crab fishing
boat as he and his son checked their crab pots just south of
Officials removed 370 gallons from a commercial fishing boat Pigeon Point.
that hit the rocks and sank off Pigeon Point early Thursday
morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The agency Read More...
contracted Parker Diving Service to remove the oil, which
Source:
authorities feared could... http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12b1p4lke/
*http%3A//www.santacruzsentinel.com/story.php?storySection=Local&sid=51159

Read More...

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12ru6nq3h/ MOSS LANDING, MARINA BIRD DEATHS BELIEVED
*http%3A//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/30/MNDKTM10F.DTL&feed=rss.news
TO BE LINKED (SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL)
National Marine Sanctuary in the News
November 30, 2007 10:14 AM

As the number of seabirds sickened or killed over the past three

weeks in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties surpasses 750,
officials say they believe incidents in Moss Landing and Marina
that caused near- and off-shore birds to lose their waterproofing
were both likely caused by the ongoing red tide.

Read More...

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12bjpmto7/
*http%3A//www.santacruzsentinel.com/story.php?storySection=Local&sid=51160

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 32 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Reefs in the News

SEASONAL SEAS MAY HELP CORAL REEFS SURVIVE UM STUDENT DISCOVERS NEW FISH (THE MIAMI
GLOBAL WARMING (ANI VIA YAHOO! INDIA HURRICANE)
NEWS) Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 30, 2007 12:05 AM
Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 30, 2007 08:21 AM When an oceanographer traveled to a coral reef atoll off of
Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in 2006 to study how the
Washington, Nov 30 (ANI): A new study has found that corals environment affects fish populations, he solved another
might survive rising ocean temperatures in 'tough love' seas with scientist's 25-year-old mystery.
wide-ranging temperatures. Coral reefs are composed of tiny
creatures that live in colonies in mostly tropical and subtropical Read More...
waters. Corals are home to beneficial algae, which gives reefs
their stunning colors. During prolonged, unusually high surface ... Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=136g3nlp3/
*http%3A//www.thehurricaneonline.com/news/2007/11/29/News/
Read More... Um.Student.Discovers.New.Fish-3122424.shtml

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=11il940ok/
*http%3A//in.news.yahoo.com/071130/139/6nw8a.html
STUDY FINDS SEASONAL SEAS SAVE CORALS WITH
'TOUGH LOVE' (PHYSORG)
MORE THAN 400 INDONESIANS EVACUATED AFTER Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
FERRIES HIT REEF: OFFICIAL (ANTARA NEWS) November 29, 2007 09:43 PM

Yahoo! Coral Reefs News Finally, some good news about the prospects of coral reefs in the
November 30, 2007 07:40 AM age of climate change. According to a new study by the Wildlife
Conservation Society, corals may actually survive rising ocean
More than 400 Indonesians were evacuated to safety from two temperatures in ‘tough love` seas with wide-ranging
ferries that plunged into a coral reef off Sulawesi island on Friday, temperatures.
a rescue official said.
Read More...
Read More...
Source:
Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=11d7589el/
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=13h1dqsap/ *http%3A//www.physorg.com/news115576326.html
*http%3A//www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/11/30/
more-than-400-indonesians-evacuated-after-ferries-hit-reef-official

FONTES AWARDED FOR COAST CARE

'YOUNG GUNS' OF CORAL REEF RESEARCH HEAD (WHITSUNDAY TIMES)
DOWNUNDER (UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND) Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 29, 2007 09:15 PM
Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 30, 2007 06:14 AM TONY and Beverly Fontes of the Order of Underwater Coral
Heroes (OUCH) have been awarded a prestigious Coastcare Local
A worldwide network of the next generation of leading coral reef Hero medal for their outstanding contribution to repairing and
scientists and managers is set to meet for the first time at The protecting the Whitsunday s magnificent coast.
University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane on December 10-14,
2007. Read More...
Read More... Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=1497juv4f/
Source: *http%3A//www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/localnews/
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=11mlhvf10/*http%3A//www.uq.edu.au/ storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756916&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
news/index.html?article=13573

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 33 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Reefs in the News

LIFE IN THE DEPTHS (BANGKOK POST) RESEARCH VESSEL DAMAGES REEF, DOES NOT
Yahoo! Coral Reefs News REPORT INCIDENT (THE MIAMI HURRICANE)
November 29, 2007 07:06 PM
Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
One might think that an aquarium is a place for children, but a November 29, 2007 01:06 PM
visit to Bangsaen Institute of Marine Science of Burapha
University might change your mind. A University of Miami marine research vessel crashed into a coral
reef in Biscayne National Park on Oct. 13, but the crew did not
Read More... notify authorities, said Jennifer Johnson, a U.S. Coast Guard
spokesperson.
Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=123n14iqu/ Read More...
*http%3A//www.bangkokpost.com/291107_Horizons/29Nov2007_hori07.php

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=13u7u9v93/
*http%3A//www.thehurricaneonline.com/news/2007/11/29/News/
HURRICANE SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE Research.Vessel.Damages.Reef.Does.Not.Report.Incident-3122432.shtml

NOAA Government News Releases

November 29, 2007 03:58 PM
NO RESCUE FROM STATE, FEDS FOR BIRDS AT
Fourteen named storms formed in the Atlantic Basin this season FARALLONES, MONTEREY BAY (SAN FRANCISCO
â€" of which six became hurricanes, including two major
hurricanes. While the U.S. was spared the season’s worst, CHRONICLE)
Central America was hit by two destructive Category 5
National Marine Sanctuary in the News
hurricanes.
November 29, 2007 09:36 AM
Read More...
Federal and state wildlife officials have decided to ignore two
Source: large groups of contaminated birds, saying they lack resources to
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/20071129_hurricaneend.html rescue the Farallon Islands victims of the recent San Francisco
Bay oil spill as well as hundreds of birds injured in an...

TOXIN FROM CORAL-REEF BACTERIA COULD Read More...

BECOME NEXT-GENERATION CANCER DRUG Source:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12rk6tg5t/

(SCIENCE DAILY) *http%3A//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/29/MN3ETKP1C.DTL&feed=rss.news

Yahoo! Coral Reefs News

November 29, 2007 03:07 PM CORAL REEFS LIVING IN SITES WITH VARIABLE
Researchers have acquired a new molecular tool that could help TEMPERATURES BETTER ABLE TO SURVIVE WARM
them transform a toxin from coral-reef bacteria into a
next-generation cancer drug. They uncovered new functions for WATER
an ancient, well-known family of proteins found in many ScienceDaily: Coral Reef News
organisms, from microbes to humans. November 29, 2007 05:00 AM

Read More... Finally, some good news about the prospects of coral reefs in the
age of climate change. According to a new study corals may
Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=121tftmq3/ actually survive rising ocean temperatures in 'tough love' seas
*http%3A//www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071128103345.htm with wide-ranging temperatures.

Read More...

Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129183829.htm

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 34 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Reefs in the News

HAWAII SUPERFERRY TO RESUME SERVICE (USA TRANQUIL AREA OF CANCUN IS HOME TO

TODAY) LAID-BACK LUXURY, CULTURE, AND
National Marine Sanctuary in the News ECO-EXPLORATION (BUSINESS WIRE VIA YAHOO!
November 29, 2007 01:05 AM
FINANCE)
The 866-passenger Hawaii Superferry will resume service Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
between the islands of Hawaii on Dec. 6 after a bruising legal and November 28, 2007 04:08 PM
legislative fight.
CANCUN, Mexico----Vacationers to Mexico's Yucatan peninsula
Read More... can experience a recipe of relaxation and exploration in the quiet
village of Puerto Morelos, an area of Cancun located just 12 miles
Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12hsvv36r/ south of the International Airport.
*http%3A//www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-28-hawaii-superferry_N.htm?csp=34

Read More...

INDONESIA'S CORALS THREATENED BY CLIMATE

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=11rtnubie/*http%3A//biz.yahoo.com/
bw/071128/20071128005752.html?.v=1
CHANGE (PLANET ARK)
Yahoo! Coral Reefs News
November 28, 2007 08:55 PM WHALE GROUPS APPRECIATE VOLUNTEER AID TO
JAKARTA - It is a country with some of the world's richest coral MANAGE VESSEL STRIKES (NEWSWISE)
reefs. But scientists fear many of Indonesia's pyschedelic reefs, National Marine Sanctuary in the News
already significantly damaged by blast fishing and pollution, now November 28, 2007 02:26 PM
face an even graver threat: global warming.
With three reported whale deaths by ship strike last summer, the
Read More... Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and other New
England-based conservation groups have been faced with
Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/coral+reef/SIG=126mim030/ increased management pressures. Meeting the challenge are
*http%3A//www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/45598/story.htm local volunteers--collaborating with researchers and federal
authorities--to give whale protection added buoyancy.

Read More...

Source:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/%22National+Marine+Sanctuary%22/SIG=12l8c36mv/
*http%3A//redirect.alexa.com/redirect?www.newswise.com/articles/view/535697/?sc=rssn

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 35 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Thank you to our Sponsors!

SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

We would like to thank the sponsors that make this publication possible! Through their generous sponsorship,
they have made this website and online magazine available to all. Make sure that when you do business with our
sponsors that you tell them that you saw their ad on Reefs.org or Advanced Aquarist.
Published November 2007, Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. © Pomacanthus Publications, LLC

HELLOLIGHTS
H elloLights has been in business since 1997 providing the aquarium industry with high quality lighting products and accessories.
Throughout the years, our mission has been to be the aquarium hobbyist? one stop source for all of their lighting needs. With
unsurpassed customer service and high quality products, we truly believe we are the clear choice for aquarium lighting. We realize
that lighting is one of the major purchases that the hobbyist will make when setting up an aquarium, and we take great pride in our
role in this process.

MARINE DEPOT
M arineDepot.com is the current leader in supplying marine and reef aquarium supplies. We simply try to make as many people
(including both our staff and our customers) as happy as possible. We found that we have been able to accomplish this by
maintaining extremely low prices, providing friendly customer service, and simply liking what we do.

PREMIUM AQUATICS
P remium Aquatics is a family owned and operated aquarium business. We have been in business since April 1996 and we are
dedicated to serving the aquarium hobbyist. Our mission is to bring you the highest quality aquarium products and livestock
available and at a reasonable price and to provide honest non-bias information on all of our products and our competitors. Our goal
is customer satisfaction, we want your return business.

THE CORAL BROKER

T he Coral Broker has fantastic LPS, SPS, Soft, Rare and Exotic and Live Corals and Clams at affordable prices. Our live corals come
from around the world. We get weekly shipments from Jakarta, Fiji, Tonga, Australia, etc. We provide the ultimate corals at prices
you can afford, even without one of our amazing sales.

TWO PART SOLUTION

T he Two Part Solution is a method of adding calcium, alkalinity and magnesium to your reef aquarium. What's unique about this
solution is many of the items used are household items or just bulk supplies of the very same products you are buying two cups of
for $20 just because it has a fancy package. It has been time tested by thousands of aquarists and proven to not only be incredibly
effective and easy to use but also extremely affordable. There is simply no other balanced calcium, alkalinity and magnesium
solution out there that is so ridiculously cheap and has no expensive and intimidating equipment to buy.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 36 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Thank you to our Sponsors!

AQUAC PROTEIN SKIMMERS REED MARICULTURE

A quaC, Inc. was founded in 1998 as a small one-man M arine Larviculture & Aquarium Feeds. Providing Superior
operation that focused on providing exceptional products and Feeds for Superior Results. We produce marine microalgae
stellar customer service. Since that time, the company has concentrates as a food source for the world's aquaculture
rapidly developed into one of the fastest growing marine industry. Our product line includes Instant Algae©, Instant
filtration manufacturer's in the industry. Although we now Zooplankton©, ClorAm-X©, Phyto-Feast™, Macro-Feast™,
offer a variety of product lines and manufacture thousands of Instant Zooplankton©.
units each year, our focus remains the same - quality products
and top-notch customer service.

DELTEC USA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CAULERPA ACTION

TEAM
D eltec aquarium equipment is renowned throughout the
world for its high performance and superior quality. Deltec has
been in the marine aquarium business for more than 20 years
An important goal of the Southern California Caulerpa
in Europe, and developed the pinwheel more than 19 years Action Team is the detection of undiscovered infestations of C.
ago. taxifolia or other invasive species of Caulerpa, and the
prevention of their spread.

GLOBAL AQUARIUM SUPPLY SUNLIGHT SUPPLY, INC.

W e are your one stop source for all your Salt Water S unlight Supply Inc. is a manufacturer and importer of High
Aquarium needs! We carry Aquariums, acrylic aquariums, Intensity Discharge (H.I.D.) and fluorescent lighting fixtures.
Hamilton Lighting, Metal Halide lighting, Power Compacts, We specialize in fixtures with applications in the hobby &
Protein Skimmers, ASM Skimmers, Euroreef skimmers, AquaC commercial horticulture and reef tank aquarium industries.
Skimmers, Iwaki pumps, Eheim Pumps, Rio pumps, MagDrive Sunlight Supply Inc. is a recognized and respected leading
pumps, SeaSwirl, AquaUltraviolet, UV Sterilizers, Salifert test brand in the marketplace.
kits, CPR Filters, Calcium reactors and more.

J&L AQUATICS

Q uality Aquarium supplies, equipment, and livestock at

reasonable prices. J&L Aquatics was formed in December
1997. Our business was started from our love of the aquarium
hobby. We at J&L Aquatics felt that the Canadian aquarist
should have the option to purchase top quality supplies,
equipment and livestock other than the generally over priced
local retail stores. With this philosophy in mind we have
successfully operated and grown our business for the past five
years.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 37 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI

 Thank you to our Sponsors!

ALL REEF E.S.V. COMPANY, INC.

Your source for premium quality marine livestock. Specialty Chemicals and Products for the Advanced Aquarist.

AQUAFX JELLIQUARIUM
The Leaders in Aquarium Water Treatment and Purification. Specializes in custom made aquariums for jellyfish.

AQUARIPURE MARINE AQUARIUM EXPO

An aquarium setup to reduce aquarium maintenance, nitrates, Marine Aquarium Expo is southern California’s premier indoor
and improve water quality for all fish tanks. consumer tradeshow, bringing together manufacturers,
retailers, and saltwater enthusiasts into one centralized
location.

AQUARIUMPART.COM RED SEA

AquariumPart.com is an online retailer of many hard to find A leader in the development and introduction of new and
parts for various aquarium lights, pumps, protein skimmers, innovative technologies and products for the serious
meters, UV sterilizers and filters. aquarium hobbyist.

CHAMPION LIGHTING & SUPPLY SALTWATERFISH.COM

USA's largest distributor of exclusively Saltwater products. We offer live Saltwater Fish, Corals, Invertebrates, pictures,
and information.

DIYREEF.COM LLC SALTY CRITTER

Quality Reef Aquarium Lighting and Supplies Quality Reef Your source for saltwater and reef aquarium supplies and
Aquarium Lighting and Supplies. equipment here online, or come visit us at our full service
walk-in retail location.

ECOSYSTEM AQUARIUM TWO LITTLE FISHIES

Through extensive experiments since 1987, EcoSystem Products and Information for Reef Aquariums and Water
Aquarium proudly brings only time tested and proven Gardens.
products to the Aquatic Industry.

Advanced Aquarist | www.advancedaquarist.com 38 November 2007 | Volume VI, Issue XI