Submerged Beauty

In my home, we are currently engaged in the care of saltwater fish and coral. While it has been a short period since we started keeping them, I have come to appreciate the charm of maintaining saltwater fish and coral, and I would like to share that with you.

Initially, the responsibility for the care of saltwater fish and coral lies with my partner. I, on the other hand, contribute by feeding small shrimp around noon as part of the twice-daily feeding routine. As my understanding of the care methods is still limited, I plan to continue learning and deepening my knowledge in the future.

The inspiration to start this endeavor came from my partner, who had a desire to try it since childhood. Initially, I had no interest in keeping fish, and I had never considered the differences between saltwater and freshwater fish care. However, understanding my partner's strong determination and passion for research on care, I ultimately agreed.

We chose a 42-gallon aquarium, and while I believe it is the perfect size, my partner regrets not opting for a larger tank. This is because he wanted to keep more fish and coral. Our tank is placed in a convenient location near the entrance and the edge of the living room, away from direct sunlight, making maintenance easy. We opted for an aquarium kit that includes lights, a tank stand, and a cabinet, finding it more beginner-friendly and economically advantageous compared to purchasing each item separately.

Now, let me introduce the saltwater fish we welcomed into our home. There are total of 7, and according to my partner, we don't plan to add more due to the tank size and the relationships between the fish.

First Batch, received on November 1, 2023:

• 2 Black Storm Clownfish

• 1 Firefish Purple

• 1 Multicolor Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse

Second Batch, received on December 14, 2023:

• 1 Royal Gramma

• 1 Flame Hawkfish

• 1 McCosker’s Wrasse

The Clownfish, fairy wrasse, and royal gramma have grown significantly in about a month. Especially the Clownfish are currently competing for leadership, leading to frequent small skirmishes. The fairy wrasse, initially shy, gained confidence when introduced with the second batch of fish and now swims around the tank confidently, displaying changing colors during feeding. Observing the growth and interactions of the fish adds an extra layer of enjoyment to our care routine.

Next, let's explore our coral collection, which consists of 13 different types.

First Batch, received on January 10, 2024:

• AOI Zoa

• Dragon Soul Torch

• Forest Fire Digitata

• Tubbs Stellata Montipora

• ORA Birds of Paradise

• Rainbow Ricordea

• Pavona

• Tricolor Valida

Second Batch, received on January 11, 2024:

• Sakura Zoanthids

• Miyagi Acropora tortuosa

• Raja Rampage Chalice

• Incredible Hulk Zoanthids

• Red Hornet Zoanthids

We received corals two days in a row. The corals from the first batch were immediately placed in the same tank as the fish upon arrival. The shop had already completed a 45-day quarantine period, ensuring the corals were free from diseases or parasites. The corals from the second batch, having no prior quarantine, are currently undergoing a separate quarantine period in a dedicated tank at home.

Corals are sensitive to environmental changes upon arrival, and they may close their polyps for self-defense. However, blue light, a spectrum preferred by corals, activates photosynthesis, making them vibrant and lively. Watching the Birds of Paradise lose some polyps initially worried us, but inquiries with the shop revealed it to be a characteristic of this particular coral species—nervous but quickly recovering.

Of particular fascination to me are the AOI Zoa and Dragon Soul Torch. The contrast of blue and yellow in AOI Zoa is a pinnacle of beauty. The subtle changes under blue light make their vivid colors stand out, and observing the opening and closing of polyps is always intriguing. Dragon Soul Torch shines with a vibrant yellow-green tip and delicate brown lines, resembling a natural art piece that stands out in the tank. The swaying motion of these corals is exceptionally beautiful.

Caring for saltwater fish and coral has turned out to be a wonderful experience, far different from my initial expectations, filled with beauty and tranquility. The tank emitting blue light creates a fantastical ambiance in the room, and the reflection of the water's movement on the surface adds an interesting element.