Tropical Fish Forums

[FloridaBoy]

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on this article.
I have seen similar posts on other forums and decided to start one here for the benefit of new marine aquarists (and their livestock).
If you are a beginner, may I encourage you to please read this carefully, hopefully it will save you considerable heartache and frustration as you venture into this beautiful hobby.

Trust me, one of the primary ways to pick good fish is knowing which fish NOT to pick. This list includes fish/invert species NOT for the beginner; in many cases not for any average home aquarium, due to various demands which must be met in order to keep them healthy and happy. If you have had success with one, by all means share your knowledge here with others, but understand; the purpose is not to limit your choices as a marine aquarist, only rather to expand your success, and to observe good stewardship of the natural reefs by leaving some animals where they belong. By learning which species to avoid, hobbyists will reduce demand for them and also reduce the chances of outright bans on all wild imported species. This is by no means a complete list, surely I have forgotten something here; I will edit/update this from time to time so feel free to add your comments with full details (specifics on food, filtration, tank size etc.) of your success so others will benefit.
That said, here goes...

Marine Species NOT for the Beginner:
Copyright

Last edited by FloridaBoy on 2011.06.18(Sat)15:34; edited 180 times in total

[snydemi]

Great article and look forward to more of the same. Many ignore the importance of selecting those species of marine life that have the best odds of survival in a captive environment. Maybe in the future you could post and discuss the best way to select a healthy and appropriate specimen for one's tank.

Thanks,

snydemi
_________________
Michael

[sirreal63]

Excellent work!!! I wish people would spend at least a few months researching what they are doing before attempting any salt tank. Even after a full year of research, there is still so much I have to learn. I think a lot of the issues come from LFS's who don't educate thier employees and more importantly their customers. Impulse buying for a salt tank is just a disaster waiting to happen. There are aso many things I want to do with mine...but I am being patient. I hope everyone who even thinks of a saltwater tank would spend a minute or two and read the above post.
_________________
Out on the road today...I saw a DeadHead sticker on a Cadillac...
Jack
110 Gallon DSA Pentagon

[SLACkra]

very nice. the bird breeder I used to go to had a blue ribbon eel. and guess what it died. of cource they had to get a zebra moray. and there tank had some tangs, clowns ect. very nice article.

andrew

[FloridaBoy]

Thanks for your comments, hope others benefit.
_________________
Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[GothicAvatar96]

One can only hope ... but I digress. Great article, great wisdom, lets keep up this positive imformation and pray it works .
_________________
Dead I am the dog hound of hell you cry . Devil on your back I can never die !

[MattTVI]

FloridaBoy,

I think it would be a good idea to submit this as a draft in article prep!

excellent, informative reading!
_________________
65g Future Anemone Home

[MarkLehr]

This is definate article quality. I say post it there & lets get it in the articles section.

I've said it before and I still agree... saltwater success is 90% proper fish selection.

[DanG]

This is one of the first sites to mention the cowfish. I'm really glad that you said what you did. I've been wanting a pair of them for the longest time, ever since I saw my first one.

Do you have anywhere I can read more about them?

[FloridaBoy]

Sure, plenty of info here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/boxfishes.htm
_________________
Keepin' marines happy for 25 years