Coldwater species available?

d.w.

d.w.

Member
I asked this question in another thread but I thought more people might see it if I gave it it's own thread. I thought that I would look into possibly setting up a small coldwater system sometime in the future, but I'm having a really hard time finding information online about the different species available.
Does anyone know of a good source for researching coldwater species?
 
seamandrew

seamandrew

Member
Coldwater species are not necessarily very easy to care for and most aren't very attractive. In college, the Marine Sciences Lab where I worked kept two large tanks with species all off the coast of New Jersey. Well, with the exception of brittle stars and groupers, it was hard to keep anything in there and keeping the water cool in the summer was an energy nightmare! You'll also find that there are two kinds of cold water fish. You have those that come from temperate regions and those that come deep water tropics. The care for both is quite different, especially with food and lighting. The sea life in temperate regions is quite beautiful and if you're willing to accept a bit of trial and error, most good fish shops will be able to find species you might be interested in. Oh, I almost forgot that oxygen saturation at colder temperatures is not easy to manage! The water has to be much more saturated and you have to contend with lots of bubbles in an aquarium.
There's a book that might interest you but bear in mind, it's expensive as there's not much of a crowd for this book so they have to cover their costs. Also, it sort of reads like a college text book. 99% of marine aquarist collect tropical species I'm afraid. The only thing I've ever cared for from temperate regions was 3 serpent stars that I got from the Marine Sciences Lab when I studied there.
Here's the link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Coldwa...756217&sr=8-10
 
d.w.

d.w.

Member
I ask because I'm interested in getting a pair of Catalina gobies at some point and they won't work in my Reef as it would be too warm for them. I thought that I might get a 30 gallon tank and keep the pair of gobies and a coldwater seahorse, but I wanted to know what else I could put in there with them (corals, shrimps, starfish etc.)
 
seamandrew

seamandrew

Member
I stand corrected, most north-Atlantic species aren't attractive. The Pacific offers a much nicer variety. Thanks renogaw for correction. Also, crinoids are not easy to care for, be weary, but they are beautiful!
 
N

nereef

Guest
Originally Posted by seamandrew
Oh, I almost forgot that oxygen saturation at colder temperatures is not easy to manage! The water has to be much more saturated and you have to contend with lots of bubbles in an aquarium.
gases are more soluble in water at lower temps. what do you mean?
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
think of a soda or beer: if it is warm, the bubbles leave it making it flat. when brewed, they are cold so the CO2 gets absorbed into the water and the water keeps it dissolved.
now, bring this info to fish tanks. if the oxygen is absorbed in the water, and the water doesn't want to let go of it because it is cold, the fish have to work harder to extract it. cold water species evolved their gills to be able to do this.
 
seamandrew

seamandrew

Member
What I mean is that in order to maintain the proper saturation of oxygen in colder water, you need to ensure you have a higher concentration of oxygen in the water. The oxygen saturation is relative to temperature and salt water density (specific gravity) of the water. You're right, it is more soluble, and I've never kept a cold water tank, but the ones they kept at my old job had oxygen blowing in to maintain proper Oxygen levels. If that's not right, please correct me... it's been a few years since I worked in that marine sciences lab.
 
xdave

xdave

Active Member
The one big equipment consideration is that a chiller costs hundreds of dollars but a heater is around 30 bucks. A smaller consideration, at least $ wise, is lighting ventilation.
A comparably easy tank is a room temp one in a stable environment like the basement. At that temp having a surface area of at least 75% of the front side (that's pretty standard) along with some cheato in the sump will probably have enough oxygen as long as you don't overstock.
My favorite thing to keep in those would be the electric flame scallop.
 
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