Glossary of Terms

leebca

Well-Known Member
There are many terms I and other aquarists use that the hobbyist may not fully understand or misunderstands. This is a short glossary of some FOWLR terms (I often use) relating to the marine hobby, which I hope will help the marine hobbyist and marine aquarist. Reef terms are only included if they are also used in FOWLR marine systems. If you note an error, please point it out to me. If some term is missing that you were specifically looking for, let me know.


Acclimation (acclimate) - The process of the marine life form getting accustomed to captive life. The process begins at time of capture and proceeds by getting the fish (for instance) used to the various tanks during transfer to the LFS and then to the hobbyist’s quarantine tank water (see: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/27305-acclimation-i-know.html ). Acclimation continues as the fish (for instance) grows accustomed to its owner, foods and feedings provided, tank mates, etc. The fish, for instance may take hours, days, weeks, months to properly acclimate, or literally never acclimate. Deaths can occur from specimens that won’t/don’t acclimate or which have been initially improperly acclimated to captive salt water life.

Aerobic - Requiring oxygen for a metabolic process (such as respiration).

Aggressive fish - I classify most marine fishes into one of three groups relative to how they act in captivity. The three groups are Aggressive fish, Assertive fish, and Shy fish. They are defined by 3 main response behaviors. The aggressive fish will recognize the feeder and swim forward without any hesitation. The aggressive fish will eat and if it can, it will try to get all the food. The aggressive fish usually swims in the open and watches what is happening in (and sometimes outside of) the tank. This fish doesn’t easily get along in a community tank, especially of the fish is an active swimmer. If the hobbyist/aquarist puts a gloved hand or equipment into the tank, the aggressive fish will just as soon bite as watch what is going on. This fish will defend an area of the tank or the whole tank if it ‘thinks’ it owns it, though some aggressive fishes don’t establish a defined territory.

Ammonia wastes - These are chemicals containing ammonia produced by marine fish and some marine life forms, in their normal excrement. Ammonia is formed by the breakdown of organic material, deadly to marine fishes in very low concentrations. More than just marine fish produce these wastes. Such wastes are produced by bacteria and other microbial life forms (pods, live rock inhabitants, worms, for example) when the necessary nutrients (organic material like leftover fish foods, detritus, etc.) are available to them. Ammonia wastes are a part of the bigger group of wastes known as ‘nitrogen wastes.’ See: Nitrogen wastes

Anaerobic - Requiring no oxygen for a metabolic process.

Anecdotal information - Also known as Anecdotal evidence. Look it up on the Internet for more info. My favorite example is this: People die because they swallow their own saliva. It is a fact connected to a conclusion which seems correct but isn’t supported by study, science, or veracity. The observation may be true in some cases, like the above statement (people who do swallow their saliva do in fact die), but the conclusion (they die because they swallow their saliva) isn’t necessarily true. Our hobby is plagued by this, which leads hobbyists astray. Most such info comes from rumors, hobbyists spreading mis-information, and the local fish stores. Just remember, the fish store employee and/or owner does not actually keep all of what they sell in their home aquarium for a long time, so their knowledge of long-term captive care is limited, gotten from books (by authors who also haven't kept fishes for long-term), or sometimes made up by extrapolating other information or just guessing. I have to add something here. . .This hobby is truly based upon scientific knowledge and decades of experience. Whomever you get advice from should be strong in these areas. Ask the background of those giving advice; check it out with other experts. See: LFS

Anoxic - A general term used by aquarists (sometimes) to describe a place in the marine aquarium where oxygen is in short supply -- not void of oxygen; just low in oxygen -- enough so that denitrification may occur. See: Denitrification.

Artificial rock - Cement or man-made shaped materials to act like live rock. Called ‘homemade rock’ too. Even though artificial rock may be placed next to true live rock, it will only have the bacteria, algae, pods, and mobile organisms that can move from the live rock to artificial rock. Some artificial rock is placed in the ocean where it can age and turn into a version of live rock. This is aquacultured live rock. The diversity of life on and in this rock depends upon a few factors such as the kind of material, the number of years it sat in the ocean, and the marine life forms in the area/environment. The concept of putting barren artificial rock or base rock next to live rock in order to ‘make’ live rock out of it is a false hope. The base and artificial rock will only take on the organisms that are mobile, bacteria, algae, etc. and never truly become ?live rock.? See: Live rock and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/61875-what-live-rock-anyway.html

Assertive fish - I classify most marine fishes into one of three groups relative to how they act in captivity. The three groups are Aggressive fish, Assertive fish, and Shy fish. They are defined by 3 main behavioral responses. The assertive fish recognizes the feeder and will usually come forward at feeding time or perch/take a position ready to eat. It eats well with other fishes, neither pushing other fishes away, stealing food, but getting its share. The hobbyist can usually find this fish right where the food drops into the aquarium. If the hobbyist/aquarist puts a gloved hand into the aquarium, this fish may come forward to investigate and/or then retreat to a safe place to watch what is going on. If the hobbyist/aquarist or another fish gets close to it or its territory it may make signals to warn the intruder off.

Base rock - There is no standard definition for this rock. The hobbyist and aquarist must ask what this means to the seller or provider. In general terms, it is marine suitable rock void of non-microbial life. (Remember, the bacteria responsible for nitrification will attach to any surface area). Some though prefer to consider base rock as rock that contains bacteria, coralline algae and other algae, but I don’t subscribe to this definition. Some people don’t make much money calling their rock for sale, ?base rock? so there is a push to call it live rock as soon as the seller can ?get away with it.? See: Live rock and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/61875-what-live-rock-anyway.html

Berlin system - It is a marine system consisting of live rock and live sand as its biological filtration, with circulation to move the wastes to the filter bacteria. See Flow rate, Biological filter, and Live rock.

Bio-load (bioload) - The biological impact put (in this case) onto the marine system. From fish, the biological impact includes gas and solid and liquid wastes. What most hobbyists don’t realize is that the bacteria that handle fish wastes also produce their own biological impact -- they consume oxygen and generate their own wastes. Other sources of the bio-load comes from foods and things added to the system, as well as those things that are dying. The amount/quantity of bio-load a marine system can handle is determined mostly upon the biological filter used, circulation, filtration and add-on equipment. See: Fish stock limit.

Biological filter - The name given to the process where bacteria convert ammonia wastes to nitrites and then converts nitrites to nitrates. This part of the biological filter is called nitrification. It’s given the name of ‘filter’ although it isn’t like a physical/mechanical filter. Some aquarists also think of a part of the biological filter as converting nitrates to nitrogen gas and other chemicals. This part of the process is called denitrification. When asked, ‘What kind of biological filter are you using?’ it means are you using live rock, an under gravel filter, a canister filter, a combo of these, etc. to hold/provide sites for the bacteria that perform the nitrification process?

Bristle worm - A marine animal that often comes with live rock. Some are referred to as “Fireworms.” They burrow into the substrate, but (without any threats from fish) will swim into the open to find new eating grounds, or boldly be seen on/in the substrate. In the group known as Polychaetes, bristle worms number at least 10,000 species. Very few are bad; some can sting a human bare hand; others can damage corals; but most, especially those of the Eurythoe sp. are very useful. They are usually less than a few inches long (down to less than half an inch), pink to orange with white bristles, sometimes with a bluish line running along the center of the body. They eat detritus, pods, and keep the substrate moving around and provide additional food for some fishes that eat them. Be thankful if you have small ones. However, if there is an exceptionally large number of them, that is usually a sign there are too many nutrients in the system for them. Don’t handle live rock and sand with bare hands, or put bare hands into the marine system where they are living. Large/long ones pose some harm to fishes and are a bit unsightly to hobbyists. Large ones can be destructive. One fireworm stings fish and people – much like a bee sting to a human, but sometimes fatal to a fish. These are not common though. (See Bristle Worm Photo).

Carnivore - Marine life (fish in this case) that obtains its protein from animals. Such fishes eat other fishes and other animal marine life forms. In captivity, some will eat sea vegetables, too, but at least a large portion of their diet must be whole animal sea foods.

Chemical filter - A means to remove wastes from the marine system by use of chemical reactions. Sometimes also includes absorbents (like resins and activated carbon). Such filters include those that remove nitrates, phosphates, etc. by ‘reactors.’

Circulating pump(s) - Sometimes called ‘powerheads’ these pumps circulate the water inside the display tank. They are located inside the display tank to move water around to prevent ‘dead spots’ where wastes and detritus may accumulate, and to keep the surface of the water in motion to aid in gas exchange. They are important to boost the flow rate in the display tank. See Flow rate.

Cleanup crew - Those marine life forms introduced into a marine system to perform one or more ancillary functions. These life forms may consume nutrients, algae, left over foods, detritus, detritivore, and microbes to name a few. They may perform certain needed or desirable functions like stirring the substrate. These life forms include snails, worms, some detritivore marine life forms, crabs, nudibranch, urchins, starfish, cucumbers, etc.

Curing live rock (cured, cure) - With regards to marine systems, this is the process to get rid of decomposing and dead organic materials in and on live rock. There is die off at almost every stage of handling of live rock coming into the retailer. If put directly into an aquarium, it would create a lot of pollution and slow down the maturing process of the aquarium. Thus curing such rock outside of the aquarium is usually the best course. If the rock is sold a cured live rock the buyer should ask what this means and whether or not some curing will still to be done, and if so, to what extent. Minor curing in a newly setup (no fish or higher/sensitive inverts in yet) aquarium is okay, but no curing of rock should be done in an established marine system. The process is not given here in the glossary.

Deep sand bed (DSB) - A term to describe a substrate in the marine system that is deep enough to create anoxic conditions so that denitrification may occur. The particle size and depth are important to the efficiency of the deep sand bed, sometimes abbreviated DSB. These can be setup in the display tank, sump, and/or refugium. They usually begin at about 4 inches deep and go as deep as 6 inches. See: Anoxic, Denitrification, and Marine system.

Denitrification - The process of converting nitrates into nitrogen gas and other compounds. This is a part of the nitrogen cycle performed by bacteria that don’t live well in an environment with oxygen in it. These bacteria are anaerobic in nature, but many will thrive in an anoxic environment. Denitrification may occur in areas of the aquarium where oxygen is in short supply, such as a deep sand bed, inside or in crevices of live rock, where live rock meets the substrate where there is very little water flow, and artificial areas such as a nitrate reactor. See: Nitrification, and Nitrogen cycle

Detritivores - Are animals that feed on detritus and use the nutrients therein.

Detritus - Clumps of solid decomposing organic materials. Mostly made up of left over food, dead algae, dead microbes, and marine lifework wastes. Usually accumulating in the areas of the marine system where water flow is low to dead. Often collected on a mechanical filter. It may appear brownish in color with a somewhat fluffy appearance when laying in a corner. It is a breeding ground for bacteria which consume oxygen and produce additional wastes in the marine system. Under certain circumstances where water may be anoxic, the bacteria may produce harmful hydrogen sulfide gas (smells like rotten eggs) which can wipe out an entire marine system.

Dither fish - A fish that comes forward to see its owner, doesn’t hide much (usually swims in the open), peaceful, and eats well, yet isn’t overtly competitive with tank mates. This fish is put in with a timid fish to teach it to be less afraid and to eat. I keep dither fish in my QT. They are disease-free. When I need to acclimate a timid or less hardy fish, I put it in with the dither fish or fishes.

DT - Stands for display tank. Just the tank where the fish and most of the marine life are displayed.

Filter sock - A useful type of mechanical filtration mechanism. A filter is fashioned into what looks like a long tube (sock) closed at one end; open at the other. The open end is fitted into a mechanical filter or is placed in-line of a marine system to collect solids. The open end is fitted to a plastic ring which fits specific equipment, or is fitted with a drawstring. Often, a filter sock is placed on the end(s) of the return plumbing from aquarium overflows where aquarium water is gravity fed into the sock. Socks come in different sizes and materials. They also are offered in different filtering ability, usually given in microns or mesh, controlling what size particle is allowed to go through the sock material. See: Micron, and Mesh.

Fish stock limit - The maximum quantity of fish that may be put into a marine system. This quantity is properly defined as the amount of total bio-load the fishes put on the system and the system’s ability to handle that bio-load. See: Bio-load and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/24702-marine-fish-stocking-limit.html

Flashing - The marine fish that is scraping itself on aquarium decorations or the substrate appears to be scratching an itch. This action causes the belly of the fish to turn sideways. Since the belly of the fish is sometimes lighter in color than the sides of the fish, the fish appears to be flashing like a light signal. Hence the behavior was given this name.

Flow (circulating) rate - The measure of how much water is flowing/circulating in the display tank. Aquarists put this into terms of ‘turnover rate’ or how many times the volume of the system is circulated in the display tank. The (total) flow rate is the sum of the flow rates created by each pump. Each (inside) circulating pump flow is added to the return pump flow rate to provide a total flow rate in the display. For FOWLR the desired flow rate is no less than 8 times the total volume of the system, per hour. For a reef tank, the desired flow rate is no less than 16. That is, 16 times the volume of the system is circulated in the display tank every hour. A 100 gallon FOWLR marine system is recommended to have no less than 800 gallons per hour flow rate. Note that things that reduce flow rate of a circulating pump include elbows in the line, raising water to a higher level, pipe length, etc. so be sure to reduce the flow rate of such system pumps when doing this calculation. See Head pressure, Circulating pump, and Return pump

Food forms - Is a term I use to describe the different ways of prepared and natural foods are made available to the hobbyist. See: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums.../23069-different-forms-marine-fish-foods.html

FOWLR - Acronym for: fish only with live rock. The live rock helps provide the function of sponsoring the bacteria that contribute to the nitrogen cycle, both nitrification as well as some denitrification. For the most part, the marine life in and on the live rock comes and goes both in kinds and numbers. The rock is usually there for appearance, aquascaping to provide the fish with a familiar surrounding, provide fishes with hiding places and territories, and performing biological filtration. The purpose of this marine system is to maintain marine fishes, but includes clean up crew and life forms that come with the live rock that may be invertebrates. See Live rock.

Head (back) pressure - The back pressure on a water pump or pressure source. It is resistance. A pump that is listed with a flow rate must also come with an indication of its flow rate at a specific head pressure, to be meaningful. Head pressure is often given in terms of feet to raise the water. So a pump with a flow of 100 gallons per hour at 6 feet would mean that if the pump had to pump water up 6 feet into the air, the flow rate of that water would be 100 gallons per hour. If the height is under 6 feet, then the water would move faster or the flow rate would go up. If there is more than 6 feet of back pressure on the pump, then the flow rate will go down. At a certain height, the pump would move no water. There are charts provided by the pump manufacturer which shows the flow at various head pressures or heights. Other things create head pressure. Every elbow in the plumbing can be counted as 1 foot back pressure. Raising water is straight 1 foot for every foot the water goes up. Length of plumbing also creates resistance such that about 1 foot of back pressure is given for every 10 feet of plumbing. A narrowing of the pipe diameter creates back pressure too. In this way a more or less reliable flow rate of an installed return pump can be estimated when the pump manufacturer supplies a graph showing the pump’s performance/flow rate at different head pressures/feet, and the back pressure in feet is estimated closely.

Herbivore - A marine life (fish in this case) that obtains its protein primarily from sea vegetables. Although in captivity most herbivores will act as omnivores, the goal is to be sure they get at least 65% of their protein from sea veggies.

Hyposalinity - Also known as osmotic shock therapy. The salinity of the salt water is lowered below normal ranges in order to treat only one kind of parasitic attack on marine fishes: Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans). Effective hyposalinity for curing fish of Marine Ich is 1.008 sp. gravity units controlled by the use of a refractometer. See: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...nts/23131-hyposalinity-treatment-process.html

Koi - A mutant carp. Freshwater. Avoid at all costs. :)

LFS - Stands for local fish store. Any advice gotten from a LFS owner or employee should be checked online from experienced and knowledgeable people. But your marine specimens from them, but don’t be emotional about the acquisition. (I know, easy to say). Be prepared by making of list of how to make your acquisition: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/34036-should-i-buy-fish-healthy.html

Live rock - There not being a standard definition, it ranges from what some would call base rock to true living rock. To get into the details, read this post: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/61875-what-live-rock-anyway.html
There being no standard, ask what live rock means to the seller and either see the rock in person, photos, or have it described in terms of what life is likely in and on the rock. See: Artificial rock, Base rock.


Macro algae - In the marine system, this is algae large enough to see the stems and/or leafy portions of the plant with the unaided eye. They include such plants of the Caulerpa sp.[/] Many are eaten by omnivore and herbivore marine life.

Marine aquarist - I use this term to mean seasoned people who are successful in the husbandry of marine life in the home/professional marine system. They have learned most of the terms in this Glossary, and know a lot about keeping marine fish and/or marine invertebrates. Their specimens thrive, and they have a ‘correct’ general understanding of what is going on inside their marine system as far as science and research has proven. These people provide the best nutrition and environment for their specimens, including excellent water quality. But I think, from a personal perspective there are two more attributes a marine aquarist needs in order to be called an ‘aquarist’ by me. One is this: ***They do no harm to marine life***. By this, it is meant that they don’t knowingly bother, stress, or cause pain to the marine life. They do not obtain marine life that should be left in the ocean. They do what’s in the best interest of the marine life. For instance, no way would a true aquarist treat all newly acquired marine fish with copper ‘just to be sure’ the fishes don’t have Marine Ich. Copper stresses the fish so fish that don’t need it are being stressed. The second attribute of an aquarist is: ***Acquiring specimens suitable for the marine system***. By this, it is meant they don’t put Tangs in small aquariums; they don’t buy fish that get very large unless they have the properly sized marine system; they acquire fish according to their ability to properly house them; and they acquire a fish for life, not just until it grows to an inconvenient size. See: Thrive, and Marine hobbyist

Marine hobbyist - The person who, as it relates to marine systems, could be just starting out, or reached a good level of marine life care. The person may be on their way to becoming a marine aquarist, or they may just consider marine husbandry as a hobby. These people are into or getting into the setup and controlling the system, but may lack knowledge, experience, and a ‘correct’ general understanding the basics of what is going on inside their marine system as far as science and research has proven. Their water quality is sometimes off or drifts outside of the normal parameters. Their specimens are sometimes fed with what is easy to feed, rather than understanding and providing the marine life forms with their nutritional needs. Hobbyists sometimes loose specimens from lack of understanding of what has to be planned for and what a particular lifework needs to thrive. Too often they listen to people who are other hobbyists with wrong ideas, rumors, or lack marine husbandry knowledge (sometimes out of not knowing whom to trust). They are often susceptible to anecdotal information. Marine life in their care are sometimes or often in the surviving mode, rather than a thriving mode. Lastly, the experienced and knowledgeable hobbyist is still a hobbyist if they do harm to marine life and/or acquire marine life unsuitable for their marine system. See Anectdotal information, Survive, Thrive, Marine aquarist.

Marine system - More than just the marine display tank (DT), this includes all the places the water goes, and all equipment for it. The system includes tank, sump, refugium, skimmer, filters, chiller, UV, generators (e.g., Calcium), ozone makers, the plumbing, lighting, heater, etc.

Mature marine aquarium (system) - The marine system reaches an age when it has (for the most part) chemically and biologically stabilized. Details are found here: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/29836-mature-aquarium.html

Mechanical filter - These filters act to remove particulate matter from the water in the marine system, including detritus when system circulation is high. They include canister filters, filter socks, filter floss, etc. Anything that captures solids and removes them from the water. Such filters can be problematic if not kept clean. Socks for instance, should be changed out/cleaned every two days the most or more frequently in a crowded fish marine system. A dirty filter accumulates detritus and wastes that are still adding nitrogen wastes into the marine system which may lead to water quality problems. Some such filters will accumulate nitrification bacteria and contribute to the biological filter. Some designs of these filters separate solid wastes (filter material) from the media that holds the nitrification bacteria.

Media - A broad term used by marine aquarists to describe a purposefully placed solid material into the marine system. It includes things like substrates, absorbents, resins, filter material, etc. Examples include but aren’t limited to: activated carbon, sand, bio-balls, resins that absorb wastes/pollutants, etc.

Mesh - Used to describe particle sizes. For instance, a mesh of 10 is 2000 microns (2 mm); 20 is 840 microns (approximately 1/32 if an inch); a mesh of 40 is 420 microns (about the size of a baby brine shrimp). A mesh of 70 is about a 210 micron sized particle. See Micron.

Micron - Technically this is one millionth of a meter. Most hobbyists and aquarists know what a baby brine shrimp looks like. That particular size is approximately 450 microns. This should give the reader some idea of the size of a micron. A 200 micron filter would hold back particles larger than 200 microns (or about half the size of a baby brine shrimp). Smaller sized particles would pass through such a filter.

Nitrification - Used to describe the action of a typical biological filter. The chemical reaction done by bacteria converts ammonia waste to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrates. See: Denitrification and Nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen cycle -In the broadest sense of the term to marine aquarists, this is the combination of the nitrification process and the denitrification process of all nitrogen wastes. That is, this term represents the chemical process that takes waste nitrogen products (such as in proteins) and changes some of it to ammonia, then changes the ammonia to nitrite, then changes nitrites to nitrates, then changes nitrates to nitrogen gas and other chemicals. There are two basic parts of the nitrogen cycle: See Denitrification and Nitrification

Nitrogen wastes - Most solid and dissolved wastes in the marine aquarium that contain nitrogen. They include ammonia, proteins, certain lipids and fats, organics, and amino acids to name a few. They come from things the aquarist puts into the system such a foods, vitamins, and fats, as well as things made in the marine system by marine fish, marine life forms, bacteria and other microbial organisms. Products such as proteins, toxins, ammonia wastes, etc. come from many life forms. Other wastes include phosphates (without nitrogen) or elements (like silica) or gases (like carbon dioxide) just to name a few. It is the nitrogen wastes that fuel the nitrogen cycle. See: Ammonia wastes, and Nitrogen cycle

Nutrients - Generally used to describe all the things needed by an organism to thrive. Most humans think in terms of food, but that is only a part of them. Nutrients include micro elements in the water for instance. See: Nutrition

Nutrition - This often separates the 'hobbyists' from the 'aquarists.' Knowing and using this information diligently will get the hobbyist to the aquarist level in marine husbandry: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...eeding-marine-fish-marine-fish-nutrition.html.

Omnivore - Marine life (fish in this case) that eats both animal and plant proteins. These fishes have the greatest choices of foods and are Nature’s favorites in that they have a lot of foods to choose from.

Osmoregulation - This is the word used to describe how the fish controls the amount of salt it has in its body. The environment the fish is in is high in salt content. The marine fish needs to obtain fresh (non-salted water) to carry out internal biological functions. The fish drinks salt water, removes the salt, and sends the salt back into its environment. The fish internal system controls the amount of salt inside the fish. This control is known as osmoregulation and it takes quite a bit of the fish’s energy.

Piping - When used to describe fish behavior, is a fish that goes to the surface to gulp air. Either the oxygen content of the water is too low, or the fish is having gill problems so that it can’t get enough oxygen into its system. This is of course excluding fishes with lungs that do this normally.

Powerhead - See Circulating pump.

Quarantine - Keeping a marine life form separate to verify health, train to eat prepared foods, and 7 other reasons found here: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums.../23584-fish-quarantine-process-step-step.html Don't be fooled when someone or an LFS says they 'quarantined' your fish. If the fish wasn't separate and not connected by system water to other fish or marine life, and kept alone in a tank without other life forms for no less than 6 weeks, then it wasn't quarantined.

Refugium - The part of the marine system where the aquarist has set up to contain marine life forms that wouldn’t survive in the display tank. This is often another tank in the marine system where macro algae, a deep sand bed, mud, and/or other marine organisms are cultured or maintained. Usually, the display tank inhabitants would eat or harass these life forms. The refugium is a place to perform additional filtration, contain a deep sand bed, or any combo of these elements to marine fish husbandry.

Return pump - This is the pump that take water from the sump and returns it to the display tank. It keeps the water going back to the display and overflowing into the sump. The flow rate of the return pump can be easily misunderstood. The pump is rated for a specific flow at a specific head pressure. That 'calculated' or 'actual' flow must be figured, depending upon the head pressure. See: Flow rate and Head pressure

Setup - Sometimes used instead of marine system. As a verb, it would mean the establishing of a marine system. A single common error made by hobbyists would be to try and put the setup together a piece at a time. For the sake of achieving stability and maturity as soon as possible, the assembly of the marine system should be complete at the outset. Adding bits of live rock to a system (as it can be afforded) is not advisable, for instance. Save money until there is enough to buy everything needed to set up a complete system from the start. See Marine system and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...arting-your-first-fo-fowlr-marine-system.html

Shy fish - I classify most marine fishes into one of three groups relative to how they act in captivity. The three groups are Aggressive fish, Assertive fish, and Shy fish. They are defined by 3 main behavioral responses. This fish doesn’t like to swim in the open and will usually retreat completely hidden or just be willing to watch from a total safe/secure place. It may come forward to greet the feeder after familiarity is well established and depending upon its tank mates. During feeding, this fish usually hangs on the fringe of the community group that is eating where the food drops in. If the hobbyist isn’t careful, the fish might starve because the other fishes are too assertive. If the hobbyist/aquarist puts a gloved hand or equipment into the aquarium, this fish will be totally out of sight even before anything enters the aquarium.

Specific gravity - The ratio of the density of the sample liquid to the density of pure water. This measurement has no temperature correction to it, so it is not the most accurate means of measuring the salt content of aquarium water. For more technical information see: Specific Gravity

Sump - In the designing of a marine system, a sump holds water coming to it by gravity from the display tank overflow(s). The sump may have inside of it several pieces of equipment to make more room for life forms in the display tank. Such things that may be found/put inside the sump include a skimmer, heater, chiller, mechanical filter, biological filter, etc. Water in the sump is pumped back into the display tank where it forces more water into the overflow(s) sending more water back to the sump. This cycle continues in this manner unless/until the return pump stops. Then all the excess display water goes into the overflow and then into the sump. The sump is sized to hold all water if the pump should fail/turn off, including the volume taken up by the equipment placed inside it (if any). A good place to connect a filter sock as part of or the entire mechanical filtration. See: Filter sock

Survive - The marine life form that holds onto to life in captivity but isn’t supplied with any extra or growth provisions.. See: Thrive and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/34034-survive-thrive.html

Tank hopping - Moving a fish from a display tank to a larger display tank when that fish gets too large for the tank it is in. Many marine fishes can be kept in small aquariums then, when they outgrow the tank, can be moved to a larger one. But some fishes, like Large (adult) Angels, Tangs, and Rabbittfishes for instance need a large swimming space right from the time they are acquired and would be stressed in a tank that to humans, would seem a large enough space or length. Thus these fishes should not acquired with the intent to 'later' put into a larger tank. It is also one of the most used excuses by hobbyists (who will not become aquarists) for housing a fish in a tank not recommended for the fish. The thing is, as time goes by, they can’t afford or don’t want to get a larger system. See: Fish stock limit, and Marine aquarist

Thrive - When a marine fish or life forms has all the nutrients it needs, is growing, healthy and its sexual organs are maturing at the proper rate, the fish is living to its fullest potential with a minimum of stress. This word is used to describe this state of animal husbandry. See: Survive and http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/fish-diseases-treatments/34034-survive-thrive.html
 
Last edited:

leebca

Well-Known Member
Thanks. Don't know how much value this post is. If people don't care about it or don't like it, I'll remove it. :surrender:
 

IXL

Member
You may edit your post and add this to it ...
* here's my contribution from research.


Marine and Freshwater Aquarium Glossary of Terms


asexual reproduction - Asexual means having no sex or sex organs, therefore asexual reproduction would be reproducing by means other than sex.

amyloodinium - Amyloodinium ocellateum is commonly called Oodinium, Marine Velvet, or Saltwater Ick. Possible signs of the disease are cloudy eyes, gasping for breath, listlessness, and white spots. Positive signs of the disease are gold or brown spots, rough skin, and rubbing against rocks, etc. Treatment can be done by a freshwater dip and copper (as long as inverts are not in the tank).

anal fin - Single fin mounted vertically below the fish.

anthostele - The lower part of the polyp, often stiffened, into which the distal portion of the polyp, the anthocodia (which includes the mouth and the eight tenacles) is withdrawn. The calyx.

barbels - Barbels are the whisker-like appendages found on both sides of the mouth of all catfish.

benthic - Benthos and benthic refers to living on or under the substrate at the bottom of aquatic environments including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, and oceans.

Sessile - means the organism is attached to the substrate.
Pelagic- refers to living in the water above the bottom. Pelagic organisms usually have some ability to move around.
brackish - water that is neither fresh nor saltwater, but is somewhere in between. In nature this occurs at the mouths of rivers and swamps near the sea.

Brackish water should have enough salt added to reach a specific gravity in the range of 1.002 to 1.008. Since brackish water is generally a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, a high quality saltwater mix works best but pure rock salt will work in a pinch. NEVER USE IODIZED SALT!
A hydrometer is needed to measure salinity but be sure that the one used will measure the necessary range. Most hydrometers found in aquarium stores are made for measuring pure saltwater so they will not measure the lower salinity needed for brackish. A couple direct reading of specific gravity and ppt. that will work for these lower levels are: Instant Ocean Salinity Hydrometer manufactured by Marineland Labs, and SeaTest Full Range Specific Gravity Meter manufactured by Aquarium Systems.
Some fish live in salt water but are spawned in brackish or fresh water and vice versa. There are several brackish species available in the aquarium hobby, see Freshwater Fish for descriptions.

Byssus Gland - The structure in clams that produces fibrous threads (byssus) that attach the clam to substrate. Sometimes permanent although more usually temporary attachment of tough organic threads secreted from a gland in the foot of the clam.

calcyes - plural for calyx. See anthostele.

capitulum - broad flat upper surface where the polyps reside on some Octocorals, also known as polyparium or more commonly the "head".

carnivore - Animals who hunt and eat other animals; meat eater. Sharks are a good example.

carapace - A bony or hard shell that covers part or all of an animal. Turtles, crabs, and boxfish are good examples.

caudal - The single fin mounted vertically at the rear of the fish. The tail fin.

caudal peduncle - The part of the body which attaches the caudal (tailfin) to the body. The surgeonfish's spines are located on the caudal peduncle.

coelenterate
- an aquatic animal of the Phylum Coelenterata which is characterized by a central mouth usually surrounded by tentacles bearing stinging cells, and no anus; includes sea anemones, corals, and jellyfishes.

coenenchyme
- a stiff gelatinous matrix found on certain soft corals that anchors and supports the polyps, and may be embedded with sclerites or other particulate matter. The tissue of a zoanthid that surrounds the polyps, consists of mesoglea and may have sand imbedded in it.

coenosarc - the soft tissue that lies over the stony skeleton and usually links the tissue between polyps

comensalism - one of several types of symbiotic relationships between the individuals of two (or more) different species In a comensal relationship one species benefits while the other does not (see symbiosis).

Competition - one of several types of symbiotic relationships between the individuals of two (or more) different species. In a competitive relationship neither species benefits (see symbiosis).
conspecific - Refers to animals of the same species.

corallivores - species that feed on corals/ coral polyps

cryptocaryon - Cryptocaryon irritans is a parasitic infection where white spots appear on the body and fins. Fish will scratch themselves against rocks and breathing may become rapid if gills are affected. Treatment can be done by copper or other anti-parasite remedies, but this is incompatible with inverts. Cleaner shrimps and wrasses will remove the parasites, but may not keep up with a major infestation. Cryptocaryon is often referred to as the marine equivalent of the freshwater white spot disease, Ichthyophthirius, or Ick.

cyanobacteria - Cyanobacteria is commonly referred to as red slime algae by hobbyists although it is not really an algae. It is a bacteria. Poor water quality with excessive nutrients are the usual causes. To combat, do frequent water changes, siphon out detritus, and use a good protein skimmer.

demersal - Sinking to or lying on the bottom; living on or near the bottom and feeding on benthic organisms.

detritus - Grayish piles of organic compounds that accumulate in the aquarium. Commonly will contain fish wastes, fragments of rock, leftover food, among other things. Usually detritus will accumulate in low water flow areas, sumps, etc.

detrivores - Animals that eat detritus. Common detritvores are urchins, stars, hermits, etc.

diatom - A diatom is any of a class of microscopic one-celled algae having walls of silica consisting of two interlocking valves.

dinoflagellates - Any of numerous minute, chiefly marine protozoans.

diurnal - An organism that is active during the day, and sleeping at night.

dorsal fin - The fin directly on the top of the body (it's the fin that sticks out of the water when you see a shark). Some fish have two dorsal fins one directly behind the other.

endemic - Restricted to a particular place. Means the animal lives in a certain place and nowhere else.

facultative - capable of living in varying conditions, ie. facultative cleaners do not rely strictly on parasites for food (compare to obligatory).

foraminiferans (forams) - , shelled ameboid protozoans, very small one-celled animals. Primarily marine although a few live in freshwater or in brackish conditions

gametes - Haploid reproductive cells that unite during sexual reproduction to form a diploid zygote. Male gametes are sperm and female gametes are eggs

genus - In the taxonomy classification, the genus is the category ranking below a family and above a species.

gonopodium - Particular to the Live-bearing tooth carps, the gonopodium is the pelvic fins of male fish that have been converted into genital organs.

gonochoristic - Species with sexes separate, each individual has either male or female reproductive organs. See also hermaphrodite and gynogenetic.

gorgonian - A Gorgonian is a tropical or subtropical octocoral with upright branchy plant-like or fan-like growths and a skeleton made of a horny organic material. For example, the Sea Fans (Scientific names: Gorgonia ventalina, G. flabellum, G. mariae, Pacifigorgia spp.)

gynogenetic -The consistent production of only female offspring where the paternal chromosomes are not incorporated in the embryo.

head and lateral line erosion - Also known as hole-in-head disease and lateral line disease. A fish with this condition will develop holes in its' head and sometimes along its' lateral line. The main cause is nutritional deficiency, especially vitamin C. Stress and poor water quality also play a role. Untreated cases will cause disfiguring or death. To combat and cure, ensure good water quality and provide vitamin enriched foods, especially vitamin C.

herbivore - Animals whose diet consists mainly of vegetable matter.

hermatypic - Refers to organisms that contain zooxanthellae. This usually means they need strong light to thrive.

hermaphrodite - Refers to both male and female in the same organism. This occurs either at the same time (synchronous hermaphrodite) or at different times (successive hermaphrodite). When the female form occurs first, this is referred to as protogynous hermaphroditism, otherwise protandrous hermaphroditism.

heterospecific - Refers to animals of different species. If two or more animals are heterospecific, it means they are not the same species.

hydrometer - A Hydrometer is an instrument used to determine the specific gravity of a fluid. Hobbyist grade hydrometers are temperature corrected to read the specific gravity at around 77F (25C) because specific gravity is temperature dependent.

ichthyophthirius, or Ick: see cryptocaryon.

invertebrate - Commonly called inverts by many in the hobby. Invertebrates are animals without backbones like anemones, corals, shrimps, snails, and crabs.

kalkwasser - German word meaning calcium water, kalkwasser is a mixture of calcium hydroxide in water. The ph is very high (around 12.0) and it is used as makeup water to replace calcium used by hard corals and clams to build calcerous skeletons.

larvae - The first stage of development after hatching for many fish and invertebrates.

lateral line - The lateral line is a line of perforated scales along the flanks of a fish which lead to a pressure-sensitive nervous system. This enables the fish to detect vibrations in the surrounding water caused by other fish and their own reflected vibrations against obstacles.

littoral - Pertaining to the edge of the lake, near the shore.

Mantle - Large, pigmented fleshy portion of tridacnid clams that is exposed to the light by gaping of the shell valves. Also called siphonal tissue. Also, the coral tissue in fleshy polyps (e.g. Catalaphyllia).

mimicry - When an animal mimics, or copies the appearance of another animal in order to gain an advantage, like camouflage or a better defense. A good example is the marine fish, Mimic tang.

Mutualism - one of several types of symbiotic relationships between the individuals of two (or more) different species. In a mutualistic relationship both species benefit ( see symbiosis).

nacreous - Resembling mother-of-pearl; lustrous. Usually used to decribe the appearance of pearlscale goldfish.

nauplii - The larval stage, of a crustacean such as the brine shrimp, Artemia salina or brine shrimp. "Artemia nauplii" are commonly used as a first food for fish.

nematocysts - The cells at the tip of an anemones' (corals) tentacles which "sting" when touched.

neutralism - one of several types of symbiotic relationships between the individuals of two (or more) different species. In a neutral relationship both species are unaffected (see symbiosis).

obligatory - obligate or required: ie. an obligatory cleaner fish relies entirely on this feeding mode to obtain nutrients (compared to facultative).

octocoral - Octocorals have eight tentacles on each polyp. There are many different forms which may be soft, leathery, or even those producing hard skeletons.

omnivore - Animals who eat both meat and vegetables like marine angelfish.

ocellus - A marking that resembles an eye, eye-like colored spot; an eyespot.

oviparous - Producing eggs which are fertilized, develop and hatch outside the body.

ovoviviparous - Producing eggs (usually with yolk) that are fertilized internally. Hatching may occur internally or external to the mother.

parasitism - one of several types of symbiotic relationships between the individuals of two (or more) different species In a parasitic relationship one species benefits, the other is harmed (see symbiosis).

pinnate - Feather like. The 'pinnules' which are found on many octocorals are small side branches of the polyp tentacle which give it a 'pinnate' appearance.

pelagic - Refers to living in the water of the ocean above the bottom. Pelagic organisms have the ability to swim around or move in some fashion. "Pelagic" is also used to refer (usually) to eggs that are basically at the mercy of the ocean currents. Benthos and benthic refers to living on or under substrate at the bottom of the ocean. Sessile means the organism is attached to the substrate.

pectoral fins - The anterior or dorsalmost paired fins of fishes. They correspond to the anterior limbs of the higher vertebrates.

pharyngeal teeth (throat teeth) - Tooth-like structures in the back part of the throat derived from gill supports. Primarily used for grinding, may be used to produce sound.

pharyngeal jaws - Specialized bony plates in the throat that bear teeth

photosynthetic - The process by which organisms, usually plants, use the energy contained in light, usually sunlight.

phytoplankton - Microscopic free-floating aquatic plants, mainly algae. It lives suspended in bodies of water and drifts about. See plankton.

piscivore - Habitually feeding on fish; fish-eating

Planktivore - A general term to describe an organism adapted to feed and survive from eating mostly plankton.

plankton - Plankton are the drifters of the sea. Although they may have some form of locomotion they are mostly carried by water currents. Plankton is divided into macroplankton (jellyfish, sargassum weed) and microplankton, organisms that can only be seen by a microscope. The microplankton is divided into zooplankton, tiny marine animals, and phytoplankton, or plants. Most fish start their lives as small animals in the plankton.

polyp - A polyp is the living unit of a coral.

predaceous - This means the animal will hunt and eat other animals. The old rule comes to mind, big fish eat little fish!

protogynous hermaphrodites - begin life as a female but able to change sex to a male if the need arises.

protozoan - A protozoan is a single-celled, microscopic (usually) organism. For example, an amoeba.

red Slime - see cyanobacteria.

septa - (plural of septum) - thin skeletal plates in stony corals that protrude from the corallite wall inward, toward the center where the polyps reside.

septum - a thin skeletal plate in stony corals that protrudes from the corallite wall inward, toward the center where the polyps reside

sessile - Sessile means the organism is attached to the substrate at the bottom of the ocean and therefore cannot move around. Pelagic refers to living in the water of the ocean above the bottom. Pelagic organisms have the ability to move around. Benthos and benthic refers to living near or under substrate at the bottom of the ocean.

setae - A bristle or stiff hairlike structures.

specific gravity
- As a hobbyist definition, specific gravity is the amount of salt in the water. See the hydrometer definition above for more information. Specific Gravity of seawater ranges from 1.022 to 1.030.

symbiotic - A relationship where two or more different kinds of animals live together and both benefit in some way from the other's company. The most famous example is the clownfish and the anemone.

Siphon - The inhalent and exhalent siphons of tridacnid clams are used to allow for gas exchange and to expel wastes.

sweeper tentacle/polyp - A coral tentacle or polyp that has an increased number of nematocysts and elongates in order to 'sting' neighboring corals and sessile invertebrates. See the Frogspawn coral, Euphyllia divisa for a picture of sweeper tentacles.

symbiosis - a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species. Sometimes a symbiotic relationship benefits both species, sometimes one species benefits at the other's expense, and in other cases neither species benefits.

taxonomy - The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.

ultraviolet (UV) light - Ultraviolet is a high energy, short wavelength of light. It is shorter than violet in the visible spectrum and on the border of the x-ray region.

Umbo / Umbones (plural) - The apparent "apex" or "beak" of each valve around which "radial" growth has proceeded.

UV sterilizer - A UV Sterilizer is a device that uses ultraviolet light to make the water treated with it free of microorganisms which may cause disease.

Weber's apparatus - described in 1820 by E. H. Weber, the Weber's apparatus connects the hearing organ with the swim bladder where it operates as a sounding board thus amplifying sounds.

zooplankton - Small, usually microscopic animals; includes tiny waterborne crustaceans and fish larvae, also includes corals, rotifers, sea anemones, and jellyfish. - See plankton.

zooxanthellae algae - (zo-zan-thel-ee) Zooxanthellae algae are tiny plants called dinoflagellates (single-celled microscopic organisms which belong to the Protista kingdom) that live symbiotically with corals, tridacnid clams, and some sponges. The algae provides food for the host and in return gets the nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dioxide it needs to grow. The scientific name is Symbiodinium spp.
 

leebca

Well-Known Member
Thanks. I'll definitely not try to weave that list into the post. Too much work! Also some of those terms are reef oriented more than FOWLR and some are more fresh water terms. They are still very useful however.
 
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Frankie

Well-Known Member
RS STAFF
Wonderful! You can be sure that I will utilize this in the near future. Thank you.
Frank~
 
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