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Chaetodontidae- Butterfly fish are attractive, reef- dwelling fish of tropical seas. They typically have flattened bodies and spiny dorsal fins. Their mouths are tiny and beaklike so they can pick out bits of food from crevices in the reef. |
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A number of species are very specialized feeders, living in association with a particular species of coral, and are not easy to keep in the aquarium.
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| Labridae-wrasse- The wrasse family is a large widespread group comprising about 600 species, several of which live in the cold waters around the shores of North-Western Europe. They are strong swimmers with elongated muscular bodies. |
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They propel themselves forward with powerful movements of their pectoral fins, and can dive down to the bottom to dig into gravel very easily.
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Pomacentridae-clownfish, damselfish- Both damselfish and clownfish are very popular with marine aquarists. They are very hardy in the aquarium and seem to be tolerant of a range of conditions. |
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Most are very easy to feed, taking a wide range of foods, and do not grow to a great size, so several can be kept in a moderate size tank. They are more tolerant than most reef fish of a build-up of nitrates in the water.
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| Serranidae- groupers- This family is more familiarly known as groupers, large fish in tropical and temperate waters. Some reach enormous sizes and can be tame when encountered by divers. Their bodies are solid and powerful, with spiny fins and attractive markings. |
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Only a few species are small enough to be kept in aquariums. They are usually very secretive, remaining hidden for long periods and only emerging when food is offered, quickly returning to their hiding places when the meal is over.
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Pomacanthindae-angelfish- Angelfish are similar to butterflyfish, but have thicker bodies and a sharp spine on the lower edge of the gill covers. They can become quite large and are beautifully colored. |
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Angelfish are highly territorial and fight others of their own species quite aggressively, but they are usually less combative when given a cave in the coral in which to hide from time to time. This family has very exacting requirements for food, which must contain some vegetable matter, and water conditions, which must remain constant.
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| Acanthuridae-surgeonfish or tangs- Tangs are noted for having a large, erect spine on either side of the tail. This spine is used in self-defense, and can inflict a nasty wound on the hand of an aquarist who does not use a net when handling one of these fish. |
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Tangs have rather thickened, oval-shaped bodies and are brightly colored. In the wild, they live in shoals, but they are unable to tolerate their own kind in an aquarium.
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