Ron Shimek, author and one of the decent marine biologists in the hobby especially when it comes to invertebrates, is offering you the chance to learn more about inverts through the Reef Stewardship Foundation’s online course starting this January. The 10-week course titled “Invertebrate embryology and larval biology for reef aquarists” will definitely take you above and beyond simple information and concepts diving into (no pun intended) college-level discussion on the reproduction and development of invertebrates in general, with an emphasis whenever possible upon coral reef animals. For those of you looking to explore different sides of the hobby from a scientific perspective, a course like this is a bargain at $150 compared to traditional college courses and a truly unique opportunity. For those of you who haven’t seen a textbook in ages, it might help to brush up on some basic biology and grab yourself a good dictionary and get ready to not only learn but be challenged by one of the best. A complete course description, syllabus, requirements and a full rundown of Ron’s street cred can be found on the Reef Stewardship Foundation website.

The California Academy of Sciences’ Steinhart Aquarium recently became the first aquarium in the U.S. to successfully breed Sepia bandensis, more commonly known as dwarf cuttlefish. Pioneered by Academy marine biologist and Reef Builders’ own Rich Ross, the breeding program has reared over 350 dwarf cuttlefish with most being distributed to other aquariums and research institutions. Despite the name, dwarf cuttlefish are not “fish” but members of the class Cephalopoda, which also includes octopus, squid, and the chambered nautilus.

“By establishing a stable breeding population,” Ross, who has been working with cuttlefish since 2002 and put this project in motion last spring, explains, “our hope is to make it easier for aquariums to showcase cuttlefish and their remarkable characteristics without impacting wild populations.” In a 120-gallon aquarium at the aquarium, anchored to an algae-covered a cluster of inky-colored eggs is beginning to swell and will soon become hatchlings. The parents of this batch consist of two males and four females. Eggs were collected with Ross hatching and raising them. Males and females are shuffled in as they became sexually mature to increase the chances of mating and spawning. Hundreds of tiny-hatchlings, exact replicas of their adult counterparts, get hand fed at least twice a day by Ross and his team. As with most new breeding programs, the feeding strategy is the key to survival and growth to adulthood and this was no different. Without other successful programs and literature to guide him, Ross was on his own. He soon discovered young cuttlefish require live meals beginning with mysis shrimp, increasing in size with age. Hunting with a pair of feeding tentacles, dwarf cuttlefish can devour prey the length of their own bodies.

“Consistent feeding is important. They have been getting live cragnon shrimp twice a day as adults, and live mysis as hatchlings,” said Ross. “Getting a group to successfully live together has also been important, and consists mostly of separating fighting males before they do damage to each other, and feeding them enough so they don’t start to eat each other.”

Typically cuttlefish range in size from 15 to 25 cm with the largest of the species reaching up to 50cm in length, the adult dwarf cuttlefish, native to the Indo-Pacific region, range from 5-10 cm requiring less resources to keep as its larger relatives. Being the first of its kind providing a sustainable captive source, the Academy hopes other zoos and aquariums will take advantage of the opportunity to share these intriguing animals with their visitors.

Known for their highly developed brains, nervous systems, and eyes, cephalopods’ advanced capabilities pose a host of unanswered questions about the nature of intelligence in invertebrates and vertebrates. Sepia bandensis frequently flash moving patterns across its skin, and can quickly blend into its surroundings and beneath that ever-changing exterior it’s physiology is equally remarkable, with three hearts and an esophagus that passes through its brain.

For those of you who have had the experience of breeding and raising marine fish in your systems, the cuttlefish differ in one big way. “The nice thing about these guys is that the hatchlings emerge as mini adults, there isn’t really any transformative stage,” said Ross. “The real pain is providing appropriately sized live food for the different stages of growth – it can be expensive and time consuming.”

Located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the Academy and the Steinhart recently reopened in its new location in October 2008. The Steinhart first opened in 1923 and is home to an estimated 38,000 animals representing more than 900 separate species. So if you happen to be in the area, stop by and give Rich and his tank-bred cuttlefish a visit.

Related Posts

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• TONMOCON III: Monterey Bay, CA – June 19 – 21, 2009.
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Post from: Reef Builders

Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish

Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish

The fourth issue of ReefLife focus on my favorites, the Cephalopods. In the issue I discuss the striking Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia Sp) and some of the pros and cons of even trying to think of keeping these amazing animals. I also discuss some recent work on the Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus (Octopus chierchiae) which, with a lot of work and a lot of luck, could become the perfect home octopus. But the issue isn’t just about me. Naturalist/photographer Mark Strickland explores the mating behavior of the Pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) and also shares an amazing encounter he had with a muddy argonaut (Argonauta hians). James Wood and Roland Anderson take us on a look at the cephalopod eye. There is also a pictorial of some of the cephalopods the diver is likely to encounter in the tropical coastal waters of the western Pacific, as well as the cool waters of southern Australia. Cephalopods are not the only marine creatures examined in this issue; Kevin Kohen introduces the rare orangeface angelfish (Chaetodontoplus chrysocephalus), zoologist Tristan Lougher surveys the genus Ptereleotris (the dartfishes) and take a look at some of the more common brittle stars, Dr. Ron Shimek investigates the class Ascidiacea, while James Fatherree take us diving on the fringing reefs of San Salvador, Bahamas. Check it out in print or online.

Related Posts

• Steinhart Aquarium the first to successfully breed dwarf cuttlefish
• Reef Life and Advanced Aquarist: A new magazine charts a course and the original online magazine diversifies
• Follow us on Twitter and be entered to win a 1yr subscription to Reef Life Magazine
• Aquarium Stimulus Program: Win a free one-year subscription to Reef Life Magazine
• Reef Life Magazine now available in a digital edition subscription for half of the price of print

Post from: Reef Builders

Cephalopods are brought to focus in the newest issue of Reef Life Magazine

Cephalopods are brought to focus in the newest issue of Reef Life Magazine

This video posted up by an “internet buddy” of Nat Tarbox goes to show why I hate crabs for aquariums. In the video you’ll see Mr. Crab walk around, become curious of the camera and as Nat points out, around the 1:50 start to turn mean. This in a nutshell is why I hate crabs. They are mean. They look cute and nice, but they are evil and will eat your fish and pick and then kill your corals for fun.  I’m not sure who decided that we all need crabs in our aquariums. I’m sure it was someone selling us on the fact that they help with “scavenging” the leftover food and what not. But I am one that refuses to have any crabs walking around on my aquarium sandbed. The only crabs I like, are ones severed with butter from the New England area. Do you have crabs in your aquarium?

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Post from: Reef Builders

This in a nutshell is why I don’t like crabs for aquariums

This in a nutshell is why I don’t like crabs for aquariums

Rose Bulb Anemone
(Entacmaea quadricolor)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Lighting: Moderate to High
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Red
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Singapore
Family: Actiniidae

The Rose Bubble Tip Anemone is a less common form of the Bubble Tip Anemone which is often referred to as the Four-colored, Bulb Tentacle, Bulb Tip, or Bulb Anemone. At rest, the enlarged tip at the end of the tentacles is a rose to red color.

The Bubble Tip Anemone is usually found in coral rubble, or in solid reefs. Its pedal disc is usually attached deep within dead coral. It stretches its tentacles to become sweeper tentacles when hungry. That is, the tentacles become elongated to capture a meal, then the tentacles shorten and the bubble tips return.

Handle this invertebrate, and all Anemones, with care. They can sting other Anemones, as well as Corals.

In order for the Rose Bubble Tip Anemone to keep its bright coloration and bulb tips, it needs strong illumination supplied by metal halides, or intense florescent lighting of at least 6 watts per gallon. They require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons, as they can grow up to 12″ across in the aquarium. These anemones will typically remain compact and will gain bulb tips under intense lighting. If the lighting is insufficient, they will expand their bodies to great lengths to make the most of the available light. It should be kept with a Clownfish for best results. At times, the tentacles may appear stringy; this may be due to insufficient light or the need for food.

Its diet should include chopped fish, shrimp, or worms if a clownfish is not present.

Shop for Rose Bulb Anemone at LiveAquaria.com