West African Biotope

[Mentat]

Been planning a 210-240 gallon West African Biotope tank for a few months now. Display will be centered around a Golden Heart Trigger and few other compatible organisms from same area. Collecting data has not been easy, although lots of information is available on other biotopes (i.e. Great Barrier Reef, Red Sea, etc.), could not find much on the West African Coast.

Surprisingly, was browsing today the June Advance Aquarist Online Magazine and found a good article on
Aquarium Fishes of the Tropical Eastern Atlantic Ocean (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/fish). Those keeping fishes from area might find it very interesting. If other members have links to other similar sources, please share with me here.

[kirkaz]

Interesting idea...Goldheart Trigger, African Angel, and Monrovia Tang would be musts in the tank IMO. These fish seem more readily available than a few years ago for sure....Which means a drop in prices.

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15282950#post15282950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kirkaz
Interesting idea...Goldheart Trigger, African Angel, and Monrovia Tang would be musts in the tank IMO. These fish seem more readily available than a few years ago for sure....Which means a drop in prices.
Thanks, been saving some $ for African Angel. Need to verify the Monrovia (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=1800&genusname=Acanthurus&speciesname=monroviae) for compatibility with GHT & AA, a Tang in display should be nice.

From the article, I really like the Swallowtail Seaperch (http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountrySpeciesSummary.cfm?c_code=288&id=1692), have to check those in terms of hardiness and behavior, a small group would add some reds to balance out tank.

[JHemdal]

Mentat,

I'm glad you found the article interesting. I should clarify that although the Swallowtail seaperch is found in that region, the ones I acquired came from the Monaco aquarium. I'm unsure if the divers in W. Africa have the equipment/ability to go deep for those fish.


Jay

[iLLwiLL]

theres a really cool eel on divers den from west africa that might work out nice in that kinda setup.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=55411

just a thought :cool:

~Will.

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283159#post15283159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JHemdal
Mentat,

I'm glad you found the article interesting. I should clarify that although the Swallowtail seaperch is found in that region, the ones I acquired came from the Monaco aquarium. I'm unsure if the divers in W. Africa have the equipment/ability to go deep for those fish.


Jay
Thanks for article Jay, it filled an existing gap and was a blessing to me. Would love to get those Swallowtails, but might not be able to afford them if rare and from deep waters. The African Angel is going to burn a big hole in my fish budget, maybe they come down in price in a few months like GHTs did. So far looking at one ea. GHT, AA, Monrovia, and a small group of Swallowtail's if feasible.

Do you know of any good picture sources for West African Reefs? Just want to see what they look like, since I've never dived there.

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283532#post15283532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iLLwiLL
theres a really cool eel on divers den from west africa that might work out nice in that kinda setup.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=55411

just a thought :cool:

~Will.
Thanks Will, did some research on them and found they grow bigger than I like. If something goes wrong (like when LisaD's moray attacked her Puffers), would not be able to set-up a tank to keep a 1 meter Moray alone. Presently have two eels, but they are relatively tiny ones (a Barred Moray and a Golden Moray). Now if I can find a West African Moray that will stay 1.5 to 2 ft. and is only semi-aggressive, that would be cool.

[Umbriel]

I actually might be interested in doing some research for you.

There isn't a lot of data around...or what sort of fish you can find from the eastern Atlantic/western african area, but the goldheart trigger, african angelfish (holacanthus africanus), and monroviae tang (acanthurus monroviae) are ones that you'll find easily.

In that article you listed, I noticed it listed coris atlantica. If you can find one, it's a gorgeous fish; I saw one on Diver's Den awhile ago and it was absolutely stunning.

Perhaps I'll be able to find something. I'll let you know. :)

[espocrespo]

just a little inspiration

http://www.ezmarines.com/west-africa-angelfish.htm

[JHemdal]

Mentat,

Helmut Debelius has a "Mediterranean and Atlantic Fish Guide" that covers the fish in this area pretty well. There is a companion guide for invertebrates. From Ikan press I think.


Jay

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15286635#post15286635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Umbriel
I actually might be interested in doing some research for you.

There isn't a lot of data around...or what sort of fish you can find from the eastern Atlantic/western african area, but the goldheart trigger, african angelfish (holacanthus africanus), and monroviae tang (acanthurus monroviae) are ones that you'll find easily.

In that article you listed, I noticed it listed coris atlantica. If you can find one, it's a gorgeous fish; I saw one on Diver's Den awhile ago and it was absolutely stunning.

Perhaps I'll be able to find something. I'll let you know. :)
Thanks Umbriel! Took a look at Coris atlantica (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=58407&genusname=Coris&speciesname=atlantica) and it's nice. Think with one ea. of GHT, AA, MT, and a CA got enough fish to start. Swallowtail seapearch is probably a no go, just read they require cooler temperatures.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15287175#post15287175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by espocrespo
just a little inspiration

http://www.ezmarines.com/west-africa-angelfish.htm
Thanks for the link Espocrespo; cool to see pics of an adult African Angel.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15287359#post15287359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JHemdal
Mentat, Helmut Debelius has a "Mediterranean and Atlantic Fish Guide" that covers the fish in this area pretty well. There is a companion guide for invertebrates. From Ikan press I think.
Jay
Thanks Jay! Found a source for book online and will order a copy in a couple weeks. Went back to your article looking for an off color fish to break the dominant golden-yellow tones provided by GHT, AA, & MT. Then, noted the cold temperatures recommended for a Swallowtail Seaperch, so scrubbed them from display list.

[anbosu]

Are the blue line triggers from that area also?

[joetbs]

no, fuscus are from the other side of africa across to indonesia.

Coris atlantica would be an awful choice to go with the Goldheart as they are very frail and even though large, they are big wimps. Newton's Wrasse would be a great choice, as well as the West African Hawkfish (Cirrhitus atlanticus). Monroviae tangs get very nasty so i'd be wary of keeping it with the Africanus. There are a few other smaller Eels and Coral Groupers that would be good tankmates. Cephalopholis taeniops is especially pretty and is basically a slightly smaller version of a Miniatus with different markings. It also turns from red to purple when comfortable with bright blue spots & facial markings.

Jay is correct about the Anthias - they do not have the means to catch them since they are nearly 200' down.

[Juggler]

i believe the radiance wrasse is from west Africa as well. no?

[joetbs]

nope, east africa.

other than jay's great article, there is a paper by Dr. Peter Wirtz of Spain. It is a PDF and documents species found at the nearby West African reefs at Sao Tome & Principe Islands located here: http://research.calacademy.org/research/herpetology/bdrewes/pdfs/wirtz_et_al_2007_zootaxa.pdf

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15299010#post15299010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joetbs
nope, east africa.

other than jay's great article, there is a paper by Dr. Peter Wirtz of Spain. It is a PDF and documents species found at the nearby West African reefs at Sao Tome & Principe Islands located here: http://research.calacademy.org/research/herpetology/bdrewes/pdfs/wirtz_et_al_2007_zootaxa.pdf
Thanks for the link and compatibility information Joetbs. Took a look at Thalassoma newtoni (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=61674&genusname=Thalassoma&speciesname=newtoni), Cirrhitus atlanticus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=22480&genusname=Cirrhitus&speciesname=atlanticus), and Cephalopolis taeniops (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=4936&genusname=Cephalopholis&speciesname=taeniops); all are very interesting species. The African Hind has special merit because it's coloration would be a good contrast against other fish in display.

[joetbs]

The Newtoni is pretty peaceful and live in groups. I've had multiple smalls with a large male and they do wonderfully. They are also the only Thalassoma i've ever seen sleep in the sand which is pretty neat. In the wild they congregate with Bodianus, Serranus wirtzi, and Coris atlantica. How big is the tank you're doing? There is a panray that comes from there that stays pretty small and would be fine with the fish provided the proper space & conditions.

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15299365#post15299365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joetbs
... How big is the tank you're doing? There is a panray that comes from there that stays pretty small and would be fine with the fish provided the proper space & conditions.
Estimate 210 to 240 gal. depending on length (7 to 8 ft. long x 2 ft. deep x 2 ft. tall). Have another location at house could set-up a deeper tank, but length would be limited to only 6 ft.

[joetbs]

ah, with any rockwork in that depth i would advise against the Panray. would be cool to see setup. Maybe you'll get lucky and find the Prionorus that comes from there :D It's a sweet fish

[Big E]

They are also the only Thalassoma i've ever seen sleep in the sand which is pretty neat.

Fyi, T. lunare sleep in the sand...........at least mine did every night & it was a 7 inch adult.

[helicoprion]

A quick thought- the Fangtooth Moray (enchelycore anatina) comes from west Africa and is one of the best looking morays out there...it does get somewhat bigger than you were looking for, but my .02 none the less.

If you do find one and don't want it I'll grab it in a hear beat ;)

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15338199#post15338199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by helicoprion
A quick thought- the Fangtooth Moray (enchelycore anatina) comes from west Africa and is one of the best looking morays out there...it does get somewhat bigger than you were looking for, but my .02 none the less.

If you do find one and don't want it I'll grab it in a hear beat ;)
E. anatina (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=8087&genusname=Enchelycore&speciesname=anatina) is a gorgeous moray, but easily reaches over 3 ft, in a tank. If aggressive and with a fearsome mouth full of sharp teeth, it can be a problem to other fish I plan.

[Recty]

I didnt read through the entire thread, but if you're interested in powder blues, Diver's Den has a West African powder blue for sale right now. It looks great too :)