The cartilaginous fishes; sharks, rays, skates and the weird chimaeras have always fascinated humans; the sharks for over-blown fear of attack (more people are killed every year by falling aircraft tools, pigs, tripping over shoelaces...); all for their grace and beauty. I have personally campaigned for decades, trying to educate people; for their protection in the wild as well as for their careful selection and adequate care by folks who would take the plunge in caring for them in captivity. It is indeed a travesty that tens of millions of sharks are fished for their fins alone; the rest of the animal usually returned as waste to the sea. I have tasted the slimy, tasteless liquid that is shark fin soup... As unacceptable to me is the mis-stocking and inadequate care afforded sharks and rays placed in too small environments; improperly filtered/maintained, and/or mis-fed and lost prematurely. It is my fervent goat to help you avoid these major sources of mortality through this written work.

Of all the facets (to put it nicely) of marine aquarium keeping that turn off hobbyists, likely none surpasses dealing with pest algae. Normal maintenance of our systems can be a breeze; not taking much time or physical exercise, given that time in investigation and proper set-up has been accomplished. However, run-away algal problems can be proverbial plagues... not only ugly to even smelly messes, but a root cause of livestock malingering and loss. The purpose of this book is to share with you how to avoid pest algae problems; and if they do occur, how to identify the source/s, the algae themselves and effectively solve (reduce to eliminate) noisome, unwelcome algae from your tanks. Avoiding Algae Problems: From the start, I want to impress upon you that while algae presence to some degree is entirely natural; to be expected in all systems suitable to support aquatic life; and the situations where there is an overabundance of undesirable species biomass is not To put this another way; DO expect some appreciable algae presence/growth in any/all viable aquatic biological systems; and DO be aware, observant concerning their over-proliferation in your aquariums... pro-active in limiting their over-abundance; for several good reasons: Pest algaes penchant for overgrowing/crowding out other desired life, using up too much of nutrients and minerals you may want/need for other chemosynthetic, photosynthetic life; and importantly; to limit the amount/concentration of metabolites these algae produce that may mal-affect your livestock; sometimes profoundly.

Small marine systems are "all the rage"; being cheaper to buy and operate, aquascape and livestock, and much easier to maintain than larger marine tanks. Being smaller and less money to purchase and keep however comes with some greater need for patience, more careful observation and limits on what one can easily, quickly or simply do. Smaller volumes of water are inherently less stable than larger... vacillating in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and much more, and having difficulties much more quickly than larger volume systems. As with all endeavours in our lives, there is a series of compromises, trade-offs in putting together and maintaining a small saltwater tank. As you will see/read here, there are still many options in gear and avenues to explore in decorating and stocking a salty world of a few to several gallons. You won't have to become a multi-field scientist, but knowing more of the actual background facts and rationale will greatly add to your enjoyment and appreciation for what is involved here. Similarly; sorting through what is currently available in the way of tanks, lighting, filtration and other components is not as daunting as it appears on first brush. Take your time, and good notes... Consider each part of your proposed set-up individually... per your space available, budget, desires... and then consider those parts, aspects as they relate, impinge and impact on each other. "Rome wasn't built in a day" and neither will your system be completed in days or even months. In putting this little book together I have purposely selected some, but not all possible makes and models of gear presently available. As these are constantly changing, and some lines are improving, while others become obsolete, you must take on the task of keenly reading through pertinent hobbyist literature (e-magazines and pulp) as well as carefully (not with a grain, but a fifty gallon bag of salt mix) sorting through input of the several excellent blogs and bulletin boards for actual users' experience with smaller marine systems.

Greetings; here you will be introduced to a myriad of organisms suitable for keeping in small (forty gallons and less) marine systems; with pertinent critical notes on their selection, introduction and care. It is my earnest hope/desire that you be successful; and my further fervent belief that after a life time well-spent in the field that you will learn sufficiently through this exposure to be so. Sorting through all that's offered, available in the ornamental marine livestock trade is a daunting task; and one fraught with dangers... Many, most of the life offered is not "mix-able"; too much of it is unsuitable for small aquarium use. Not to worry There's still a huge assemblage of biota to discover, enjoy for you to choose from (or be chosen).

Successfully discovering, determining, picking out the best species, specimens for under-40 gallon saltwater systems

THE Betta, scientifically Betta splendens, aka the Siamese Fighting Fish, is likely only second to the common goldfish as the most commonly kept pet-fish; and rightly so. Bettas are hardwired tough, easily able to survive being abruptly moved, having a wide range of tolerance for variable water quality, a ready acceptance of foods, and innate resistance to most diseases. Despite these positive human-use traits, way too many Betta splendens meet their fate unduly and too soon. What they do need is simple: steadily warm (tropical) system conditions with either provision of simple filtration, or steady change out of water with new that is suitable; and adequate nutrition. In this small book the simple requirements of this species captive care will be revealed in a pleasing manner; as it is my express desire that you too become a successful Betta keeper.

Hello, and welcome to the ever-wonderful field of aquariums. Thank you for allowing me to share with you the basics of goldfish care. You will find that though they've been human pets for centuries, and often referred to as "easy to keep," modern Goldfishes are quite different than commonly perceived. These minnows require a good deal more room than bowls can provide, attention to filtration, restraint in not over-feeding, and regular upkeep of their systems water quality. Not to worry; all will be revealed here.