is there a depth list somewhere?

[treesprite]

I am wondering if there is a list somewhere of marine aquarium fish made by the depth of the ocean where they live. Anyone have one, or a link to one?

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Not directly. The field guides to a specific region usually have this info. Also, fishbase.org generally has this info.

 

Are you looking for info on specific species?

[treesprite]

I really wish there was an actual list of common aquarium fish so that it would be possible to choose fish that way in the future, without having to look up every single fish individually.

 

I think it would be cool to have a speaker to discuss specifically the depths at which fish normally live, and how it would affect the care of our tanks, especially when it seems to be a detail many people don't think about (I haven't been, until now).

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

John Tullock's book "Natural Reef Aquaria" or somesuch divides fish (especially commonly kept fish) by biotope.

 

I can ID corals and fish from Hawaii by depth/reef area; I've been meaning to write an article on R2R on that.   I have sort of expanded that to some corals from the pacific and caribbean.   I actually kind of like finding that out for unknown species.  
 

So, if there's something you're interested in, feel free to ask.  The World Catalog of corals, fishbase.org, and the IUCN database are very valuable resources for this.  But you'd best know the scientific name.  

[treesprite]

I am starting to think that I should have been doing a biotope tank, because it might be easier to maintain for the optimal well being of the living things I would be keeping. It would also make selections easier.

 

I think I really need to focus more on learning about specific biotopes, then pick an area of special interest.

[zygote2k]

All of the fish you keep are found in deeper water than your tank,

[Origami]

All of the fish you keep are found in deeper water than your tank,

Now, if I were drinking a cup of coffee right now, I'd be reaching for some napkins to dry the keyboard. 

[treesprite]

Duh.

 

The environment is different at different depths.

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

I am starting to think that I should have been doing a biotope tank, because it might be easier to maintain for the optimal well being of the living things I would be keeping. It would also make selections easier.

 

I think I really need to focus more on learning about specific biotopes, then pick an area of special interest.

 

 

I'm all for this.   Many fish we keep come from similar environments, or are adaptable.  But some may prefer lower or higher, lighting and flow, depending on where it came from.   

 

I'd imagine corals are even more particular.  I read someone speculate once that sometimes chemical warfare problems can be compounded due to keeping corals from different areas or parts of the globe together.