Jul 22 2013
Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
Sea cage farming is also promoted in the mariculture zone as an alternative livelihood to the fishing communities to increase production and family income. Cages are usually installed in cove areas classified into floating and fixed cages for the culture of milkfish, tilapia, grouper, siganids, pompano, seabass and other fin fishes and crustaceans.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8446
Jul 22 2013
Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
An environment-friendly mangrove aquaculture system, aquasilvi promotes harmonious and co-existence between fishery species and mangrove trees in a semi-enclosed system.
The aquasilvi culture experiences demonstrate how aquaculture can be integrated with rural development as a strategy for poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.
The culture system helps in providing alternative livelihood to fisherfolk while instilling them the value of coastal protection and maintenance of the ecosystem.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8436
Jul 20 2013
Photo credit: To a gentleman who I met once and it is shame to miss his name (thanks friend for the collection you shared with me years ago and forgive my weak memory)
Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal
General information: There are more than 600 species of hermit crabs in the world; out of which few species are available as pets. Hermit crabs are walking decapods crustaceans that are classified as soft crabs which have soft and vulnerable abdomens. This implies their needs for protection from predators as reflected in their seek refuge in abandoned snail shells. Hermit crabs molt as they grow, which means that they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. A hermit crab has two pairs of antennae and round eyes on the ends of eyestalks. Hermit crabs have 10 legs (6 walking legs and 4 back legs).
Depending on species, sizes and color vary. Hermit Crab isn’t able to bite because they don’t have any teeth. However, they do have the ability to pinch when they are in danger.
In general, hermit crabs can live as long as 15 years although the majority of them live to around 6-8 years.
Feeding habits: Hermit crabs are omnivorous scavenges that feed on about whatever available within reach including small fish, invertebrates, algae, cyanobacteria, things as fresh fruit and vegetables and uneaten food. They can also obtain food by filtering organic particles from the water.
In captivity (aquariums) the hermit crabs are fed chopped sea foods and meaty bits.
Hermit crabs as pets: The fascinating nature of hermit crabs makes them popular exotic pets in marine aquariums because they are easy to look after and cheap to maintain.
Reproduction: Females carry eggs for around two months; afterwards, the pelagic larvae persist for a number of weeks. Maturity is typically reached before one year of age.
Symbiotic relationship: A number of animals may be associated with hermit crab, particularly the sea anemone, which lives on the shell of the hermit crab, and provides a camouflage and so protection against predators, while receiving improved food collection in return. In such symbiotic relationship, both parties benefit from the association.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8424
Jul 19 2013
Photo credit: To the gentleman who I met once and it is shame to miss his name (thanks friend for the collection you shared with me years ago and forgive my weak memory)
Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal
Introduction: The Longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus is a species that belongs to hawkfish family Cirrhitidae. Longnose hawkfish reach about 12 cm in total length. Longnose hawkfish is a highly territorial fish and this can lead to significant aggression in the aquarium.
Distribution and habitats: The longnose hawkfish is widely found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, the Red Sea, off the coast of eastern Africa to southern Japan, Noumea over to the eastern Pacific, and the lower third of the Sea of Cortez from northern Colombia down to the Galapagos.
Habitats: The Longnose Hawkfish is not a migratory species. It can be found on tropical reefs from a depth of 10 meters to 100 meters. A majority of the specimens live deeper than 30 meters.
Description: The longnose hawkfish enjoys a bright red color and white with mottled markings. The species has much smaller mouth with very long snout and conical teeth adapted for grasping benthic and free-swimming preys. The species possess large eyes. The male of this species is typically larger than the female and more colorful. Males have black margins on their pelvic and caudal fins. It is believed that the species is among the hardiest of all marine fish. The absence of the swim bladder in the species means that caught fish can be rapidly decompressed after capture.
Feeding habits: By nature, longnose hawkfish are carnivores. In nature, they spend most of their time perched on a rock, sea fan, or piece of coral, waiting to make a short, fast rush at a food item. Their conical teeth are modified for grasping benthic and free-swimming crustaceans (their principal diet in the wild), invertebrates and small fish. In nature, they spend most of its time perched on a rock or coral waiting for a suitable target prey to come by whereas the fish quickly strikes out seizes its prey.
In captivity (aquariums), the Longnose Hawkfish will usually accept live, fresh, frozen/defrosted foods, squid, shrimp, and mussels and even after some training, they eat prepared, dry feed.
Reproduction: All hawkfish that have been studied are protogynous, synchronous hermaphrodites—they start life as females and change into males later in life. The Longnose Hawkfish is believed to be monogamous. In captivity, pairs form and females lay demersal eggs. It is believed that the young have not been raised to maturity in captivity.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8417
Jul 17 2013
Photo credit: Waleed Masood (Egypt) Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal
Hamata is the most southerly diving resort in Egypt’s Red Sea; situated about 180 km south of Marsa Alam, and about 360km south of Hurghada. Recently, Hamata is quickly becoming one of the southern Red Sea’s finest attractions. The mangroves attract a wide variety of birds all year round, with many more passing by during migration times.
Hamata is one of the best dive sites in the Red Sea. Similarly, Hamata could be one of the best fishing locations in the Red Sea region. Along with the great coral life there is the chance to see a variety of marine life including Barracuda, Dolphins, Turtles, Napoleon Wrasse, Reef Sharks, Stingrays, Moray Eels, Pipefish and even the occasional passing Whale Shark or Manta Ray.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8410
Jul 17 2013
Photo credit : G. Venkata Raju (India) Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal
There are several fish quarantine stations/facilities located in India including the ones near the Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports. The Chennai quarantine facility is the one shown in the photo. These facilities have been established based on the recommendations of national committees as a mean to control potential problems associated with the imports of exotic species. In order to ensure an effective quarantine system, guidelines have been introduced along with a monitoring system whereas the co-ordination of quarantine facilities are carried out by centers located at different regions or points of import.
Note: We decided not to watermark the photos in order not to upset its clarity. However, we trust you will notify us if you wish to use a picture or more. This is expected and will be appreciated.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8399
Jul 17 2013
Credit : G. Venkata Raju (India)
The use of solar energy has been utilized in several processing plants. Examples are:
The photo shows an under-construction processing unit utilizing solar energy
Note: We decided not to watermark the photos in order not to upset its clarity. However, we trust you will notify us if you wish to use a picture or more. This is expected and will be appreciated
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8393
Jul 16 2013
Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
Seaweed farming is widely practiced activity in coastal areas, sheltered with strong winds and wave action. Various methods are used in seaweed farming depending on the location and area of the farm such as modified fixed bottom monoline, long line method, and bamboo raft method.
Note: We decided not to watermark the photos in order not to upset its clarity. However, we trust you will notify us if you wish to use a picture or more. This is expected and will be appreciated.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8386
Jul 16 2013
Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
Seaweed culture has gained a considerable adoption in the Philippines, in fact making up the large bulk of aquatic organisms production. The high cost of feeds for milkfish, tilapia and other farmed finfishes coupled with the growing market demand for seaweeds have encouraged many fish farmers to shift to seaweed farming following different farming practices whereas the inputs and requirements are based on the utilization of bamboo, mangrove poles, P.E. rope, polypropelene rope or “straw” and monofilament nylon twines. Seaweed farms do not exude effluents; instead, they act as nutrients sinks.
The growing interest in seaweed farming is reflected in the “Seaweed Development Program (SDP)” which is designed to ensure a socio-economic upliftment of subsistence fisher folk through improved aquaculture productivity and sustained supply of seaweed planting materials. It is being implemented through the establishment of a ¼ ha seaweed nursery in an identified area/municipality. Cultivars of seaweed being propagated in marine water are Kappaphycus alvarezii/, Eucheuma spinosum and Eucheuma denticulatum. The establishment and maintenance of seaweed nurseries is aimed to contribute to the expansion of seaweed farms undertaken by the private sector by way of providing adopters with seaweed seedlings.
Note: We decided not to watermark the photos in order not to upset its clarity. However, we trust you will notify us if you wish to use a picture or more. This is expected and will be appreciated.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8382
Jul 16 2013
Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
In this integrated system, 10% of the area is allocated for the culture of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii while 90% of the area is used for rice paddies. In this system, prawn ponds are located on the upper part beside the rice area. Water coming out from the prawn pond loaded with nutrients, uneaten feeds and feces will serve as an organic fertilizer to rice. The average production of marketable size prawn is about 40 kg/1000-m2 pond while rice production is about 420 kg. In this environmentally friendly farming practice, the use of pesticides and insecticides on rice is discouraged. The adoption of this technology generates some social benefits in the community.
Note: We decided not to watermark the photos in order not to upset its clarity. However, we trust you will notify us if you wish to use a picture or more. This is expected and will be appreciated.
Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=8372
