OUsnakebyte

These types of "ripple effects" are well documented in a number of different cases. A few years back I was reading an article about the return of wolves to the northwest national parks (after being killed off for about a century; seen as a pest) and how that was reshaping the ecosystem. If I remember correctly... without wolves, the elk were foraging in the open, closer and closer to the rivers, which impeded the growth of trees and other plants that would stop erosion. The return of the wolves were driving the elk back into the forest. We simply cannot keep eliminating members of an ecosystem and expect it to remain unchanged. Our oceans are a finite resource.

Dave makes some good points as well. I have seen both hammer and frogspawn corals do this - I don't have any experience with torches. Keep looking for good polyp extension - that is one sign of a healthy coral. If the polyps start to expand less and less, the coral might "be coming down with something..." Cheers Mike

Could be waste or it could be expelling excess zooxanthellae. Either way, sounds like it is a healthy coral - so long as you are getting nice coloration (ie no bleaching) and good polyp extension. Cheers Mike

Those are fantastic shots, Chris! Not to mention some pretty sweet zoas too... BTW, I have some zoas for you whenever you want to stop by. Cheers Mike

Jen and I just got back from a class that we took through George Mason where we spent a week on a live-aboard in the Bahamas. The class was called Coral Reef Ecology, and there were several different components. We had (got to...) to learn about 130 species of Caribbean/Atlantic reef fish, we did some Diadema translocation, some "reef cleanup," and our own independent project. For the reef cleanup, we actually took big nets down with us on some very damaged reefs and scooped up all the algae that we could in about 50 minutes. Jen's and my project was actually trying to estimate health of the reef, using two different methods, by looking at coral versus algal coverage. We visited about 15 different sites total. The network/turf algae is really amazing how it can cover and smother corals in almost no time at all... Of couse I photo-documented the entire trip, I just have not had time to post on it yet. Anyway, thanks for posting this Larry - I'll look for this issue. Cheers Mike

They would not last 5 minutes in a regular reef tank - sucked into a powerhead, down the overflow... They require a circular tank where they can be rotating and kept free from pumps. They can be kept at full salinity (1.025), but do better at about 1.015 and at cooler temps. Yup. C'mon down! But, please do not eat the comb jellies...

Sea nettles rule!!! Hope to have some soon here at the Invertebrate Exhibit!!! "...comb jellies can also be found, but they are less dangerous..." Ha! comb jellies are NO danger, that is, unless you are oyster larvae or some other member of zooplankton... They have no nematocysts (not even cnidarians). Getting more comb jellies this Thursday! Cheers Mike

June 14, 2006 A deadly fish virus has been found for the first time in a variety of freshwater fish in the northeastern United States by Cornell University researchers. According to experts at the Aquatic Animal Health Program at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), which causes fatal anemia and hemorrhaging in many fish species, was discovered in upstate New York. It poses no threat to humans. In May 2006, the researchers, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), isolated the virus in round gobies that died in a massive fish kill in the St. Lawrence River and in Irondequoit Bay, which is on the southern shore of Lake Ontario near Rochester, N.Y. VHSV was also found in a muskellunge from the St. Lawrence River in May. VHSV is classified as a reportable disease by the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), which means it must be reported to OIE if detected. The international agency usually imposes restrictions on any host country with VHSV to prevent fish from being moved to other areas and countries. "If you think of VHSV, you think of the most serious disease of freshwater rainbow trout in Europe," said Paul Bowser, Cornell professor of aquatic animal medicine, noting that the virus does not currently pose as great a threat in North America. "Right now, it's a matter of trying to collect as much information and as fast as possible so we can to notify the DEC so they can make management decisions." Cornell's role is to diagnose and research the disease for the state agency. Bowser and colleagues are trying to develop a rapid diagnostic test, called a PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which would amplify and detect small amounts of viral DNA or RNA in a blood or tissue sample. Although no management decisions have yet been made, the DEC could recommend that boaters clean their boats before traveling from one body of water to another and not dump bait minnows into open water after a day of fishing. VHSV was first reported in 1988 in the United States in spawning salmon in the Pacific Northwest. It was reported in North American freshwater fish in 2005 in muskellunge in Lake St. Claire, Mich., and in freshwater drum from the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, Canada. The virus appears to have now traveled east. "For the sport-fishing public, this specific virus does not appear to be host specific to the species it infects," Bowser said. The virus is known to infect round gobies, muskellunge, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass, bullhead, yellow perch and crappie, but more study is needed to determine all the species at risk. "The significance to the sport-fishing industry is not known at this point." Sport fishing for chinook and coho salmon is a $100 million annual industry for the Lake Ontario region alone. Ecologically speaking, the impacts are equally unknown. The virus has the potential to alter the freshwater food web with both predators like muskellunge and prey fish like perch and crappie equally at risk. "In a large ecosystem -- we're talking about the lower Great Lakes -- there really is no treatment," said Bowser. "The best management option is to try and contain the spread of it as best we can." Hot summer weather impacts how the virus spreads because warmer water can stress fish, thereby lowering their natural defenses and making them more vulnerable. Cornell University News Service/Chronicle Online 312 College Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850

"Coral Reef Restoration Handbook" Edited by William F. Precht ISBN: 0849320739 Publication Date: 5/26/2006 Number of Pages: 384 Publisher- CRC Press Boca Raton, FL --------------------------------------------------------- About the Book "... this book is the first to describe, in detail, the art and science of coral reef restoration. It is to be hoped that the information that can be gleaned within the pages of this book will set a path towards continued preservation of this valuable underwater treasure to be used, appreciated, and experienced for future generations." -- Senator Bob Graham (retired), Miami Lakes, Florida, from the Foreword The Coral Reef Restoration Handbook is the first published volume devoted to the science of coral reef restoration. It offers a scientific, conceptual framework along with practical strategies for reef assessment and restoration. Contributors from a variety of disciplines discuss engineering, geological, biological, legal, and socioeconomic factors to create a text that is designed to guide scientists and resource managers in the decision-making process from initial assessment of the injury through conceptual restoration design, implementation, and monitoring. An excellent selection of relevant case studies is utilized to illustrate concepts and challenges inherent in the process of restoration. This 20-chapter volume gives reef scientists, managers, consultants, and policy makers the opportunity to glean significant information from previous efforts. It provides them with the opportunity to build on the lessons learned and develop successful restoration efforts into the future. Topics include: Assesses aesthetic components of ecological restoration. Analyzes the role of technology transfer on the rehabilitation process. Examines applied experimental ecology. Provides fresh insight from practical restoration case studies. Explores methods to help determine how much compensatory restoration is necessary. Considers the benefits of a cooperative Natural Resources Damage Assessment. Discusses ethical dilemmas in coral reef restoration.

Summer Field Courses 2006 Marine Mammals and their Marine Environment - Biology, Conservation & Management Archipelagos Institute, Patmos - Aegean Sea, Greece 15-24 July 19-28 August 16-25 September Location: Island of Patmos, Northern Dodecanese Lecturers Frank Veit, PhD - Free University of Berlin, Marine Mammal Research Co-ordinator Anastasia Miliou, PhD cand. - Scientific Director of Archipelagos Institute Catriona Lynch, MSc - Archipelagos Institute, Coastal Zone Manager & GIS Expert Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara (guest lecturer in the first two courses) Topics covered in the field course 1. Biology and conservation of marine mammals of the Aegean Sea. 2. Visual survey methods to assess the abundance of cetacean populations. 3. Passive acoustics: a modern tool to study cetacean behaviour, habitat characteristics and estimating cetacean abundance. 4. First aid to marine mammals & turtles. 5. Coastal ecosystems. 6. Fish fauna of the Eastern Aegean Sea: biology and conservation. 7. Algae and invertebrate biodiversity of the Eastern Aegean Sea. 8. Application of GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis in marine biodiversity studies. 9. Fisheries: Socio-economical importance and impact on marine ecosystems. 10. Management of marine & island ecosystems. Archipelagos, Institute of Marine & Environmental Research of the Aegean Sea, announces its field courses for the summer of 2006, held on the island of Patmos, Northern Dodecanese. These ten-day courses present an integrated perspective by introducing active areas of research in studying the marine biodiversity, with a special emphasis on the marine mammal populations of the Aegean Sea. Participants of the course will gain from the expertise and hands-on experience during the course. Combined with informational seminars and lectures, they will be trained during this field and laboratory-intensive course in ecologically-relevant research techniques, including bioacoustics, line-transect studies of the ecology of coastal ecosystems for different target species, passive acoustic monitoring, behavioural sampling, acquisition and application of GIS databases with demonstrational computer workshops, and photo-identification of cetacean species in mark-recapture analysis. The course content is highly applied, as is the daily work of the Archipelagos Institute, which aims at developing sustainable management concepts for the natural wealth of the Aegean Sea in co-operation with the local community. The waters around the islands of the Northern Dodecanese are home to an abundance of habitats (e.g. Posidonia seagrass-beds) and marine species, many of which are particularly rare and under international protected status, as for example a large population of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), the last known in the entire eastern Mediterranean Sea, or the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), with a world wide population of only a few hundred individuals one of the most endangered mammal species altogether. In total six species of marine mammals inhabit the waters of the area. Beside the two former mentioned marine mammals, there are bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). The design of the course is aimed at students and graduates of marine and environmental sciences, as well as all related fields. Course language is English. Field work will be partly done during boat-based surveys and partly during snorkelling-based surveys. Boat surveys depend on weather conditions and might start very early in the morning, when observational conditions are usually best. The price for the course is Euro 950, including accommodation, half board meals (breakfast and lunch), boat trips, and all other day activities. For more information about the course and application details, please visit the homepage of Archipelagos at www.archipelago.gr or contact: frank@archipelago.gr About Archipelagos The non-profit environmental organisation Archipelagos conducts for over five years the first comprehensive study on the biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial island ecosystems in Greek waters, focussing on the application of established as well as innovative research techniques in assessing and modelling environmental data. A further emphasis of the organisation's activities is the information exchange with local communities, including educational programs, and a close collaboration with national and international institutions. Based on these efforts, the creation of the 'National Park of the North Dodecanese Islands and Islets' is being prepared together with Greek governmental bodies, its establishment being planned for the near future. This national park, which will constitute one of the largest marine parks of the Mediterranean, will encompass over 50 islands and islets of the North Dodecanese and the surrounding waters. More information and an extended photo archive can be found on the Web page of Archipelagos. www.archipelago.gr

FYI... Cheers Mike http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2625.htm

What about gauges of wire...? I actually had a fire b/c I was using a cord that was actually too small for the MH lights I was using. I now buy the largest cords (smallest gauge...???) I can as extensions. Is there some way to know what gauge is appropriate for different wiring applications and why is that important...? Cheers Mike

Why thank ya, Howard! I actually used a the digital camera that has an underwater housing that I use when I go diving (same one I used for my Cozumel dive pics...). It seems to take better pics below water than above.....???? Cheers Mike

I have responded via pm to all those who expressed interest. Cheers Mike

My apologies for not getting pics posted earlier, but here is what I have: Monti hispida - tons of this available A. yongeii - tons of this available A. loisetteae - tons of this available A. valida (tricolor) Purple Cap Orange Cap Teal green star polyps Once again, I have a bunch of these green rimmed, purple center zoas Some things I could not get good pics of: Blue Milli Green w/ purple rim cap Plenty of green digitada TONS of 'regular' green star polyps that NEED to go... Cheers Mike

A pic of A. palmata, the Elkhorn Coral...

Ugh... you would have to ask me that.... Hmmm, let's see... what did I do...? As I recall, it's a very scientific formula of ~1/3 of a large breed dog pill for my (what use to be) 75 gallon tank. But, here is the link to the reefs.org page with the cure: http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45859 Cheers Mike

Tegastes acroporanus, or "red acro bugs" are acroporid-specific parasitic copepods. If left unchecked, they can reach plague proportions in our tanks, as they likely do not have a predator to keep them in check. If you have acros and have never treated with Interceptor, then you likely have them. I was hesitant to "nuke" my tank, as I am always fearful of adding meds to an established reef - too many horror stories. But after I did, I experienced a (albeit undocumented) growth explosion. Polyps were out on my acros, they colored up, and now I am having to trim corals back - a problem I never had before. Before anything goes into my tank - it goes through a 6-hr Interceptor bath. If my corals could - they would have jumped out of the water and given me a big 'ol kiss. But then I'd have a walking, talking acro, and I'm famous - Leno, Letterman, SNL, you name it. Of course, all you would be wanting a frag, I'm sure.... Cheers Mike

Hmmm..... might they be flatworms? They kinda have that same coloration, and are slightly bigger; they also do not travel on the corals themselves. Maybe not... flatworms might be too big for what you are talking about. Yup, need a pic...

The 5-headed candy cane will go nice in Jen's tank - I'll take it! Cheers Mike

Yup - that's exactly it. I saw little to no growth with this coral in what seemed like forever, but after I "Interceptered" my tank and no more red bugs.... man has this coral (and a few others) really experienced a growth explosion. The difference is simply amazing. I would LOVE a tenius! I'll see what else I have that I can dig up for ya... Cheers Mike

It's a medium green about like this. I got it from Robie some time ago, and it has just taken off... Here is a web page where you can see what it looks like: http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/...20pages/837.htm

I will add pics, and update what else I have later, but.... off the top of my head I have FS/FT: Monti hispida - tons of this available blue milli bali slimer - tons of this available A. loisetteae - tons of this available A. valida (tricolor) green w/ purple rim cap purple cap orange cap Plenty of green digitada TONS of green star polyps that NEED to go... various zoas that I will post pics of later Don't need anything really green now - I have a bunch of green in my tank (teals, however, are of course always nice!)... I am looking for: bottlebrush acros nearly anything monti A. aculeus A. tenuis A. echinata (I *think* these are referred to as "bottlebrush...?") A. samoensis A. humilis Cheers Mike

I am looking for a 1 x 96 watt PC ballast (would like it with cords, but it's not totally necessary...). Let me know if you have one you don't need! Cheers Mike

Nope, it didn't. It never looked like it would fully recover. I've got pics somewhere - I'll see if I can dig them up. Cheers Mike