Glossary

marine

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Of, relating to, native to, inhabiting, or formed by the sea or ocean.

Used in 95 species profiles

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Related terms

algae crab
Loose term used to describe any type of crab useful in an aquarium because it eats algae and/or diatoms. In marine aquaria this would include Sally Lightfoot, Emerald and various species of hermit crab. In freshwater the micro-crab Limnopilos naiyanetri fills the same role.
amphidromy
A form of diadromy in which fishes migrate between fresh and marine water as part of their life cycle for some purpose other than spawning, e.g., newly-hatched, arvae may be swept downstream into the sea where they spend a period of time before migrating back into fresh water to mature and eventually reproduce.
anadromous
Migrating from marine to freshwater environments in order to spawn, as many salmonids do for example.
aquaculture
Commerical production of marine or freshwater food fish or shellfish under controlled conditions. Sometimes referred to as 'fish farming'.
aragonite
Naturally-occurring, crsytalline form of calcium carbonate with a notable buffering capacity. Popular as a substrate or substrate additive in marine and freshwater aquaria where pH and hardness must be maintained at high levels, and has a more rapid, effective effect than coral sand, for example.
automatic top off
Automated system for adding water to an aquarium or sump in order to maintain a constant water volume. Particularly important in marine aquaria where salinity increases if water is allowed to evaporate without being replaced.
Berlin method
Method of biological filtration used in marine aquaria utilising live rock rather than a traditional, mechanical filter unit.
biome
A major regional or global biotic community normally characterised by the dominant vegetation and local climatic conditions, e.g., deserts, tropical rainforests, tundra. The two major aquatic biomes are freshwater and marine but these are often broken down into less-generalised categories.
broadcast spawner
A fish which releases its gametes into open water for external fertilisation, with no subsequent parental care. The strategy is more commonly-seen in marine than freshwater species.
brown algae
Vernacular term commonly used in zoology when referring to the largely marine class Phaeophyceae which includes many seaweeds, and in the aquarium hobby to describe growths of brown, diatomic algae.
cephalopod
Any marine mollusc of the class Cephalopoda which includes octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Characterised by possession of a large head and eyes, prehensile tentacles, and, in most species, a specialised sac containing a dark, inky fluid used in defensive behaviour.
copepod
Any member of the subclass Copepoda, a group of small marine and freshwater crustaceans of which the planktonic species are important to global ecology, forming the main constituent of oceanic zooplankton. Some species are parasites of fishes.
coral
Any marine animal of the class Anthozoa, these being characterised by possessing a horny or calcareous skeleton, aggregations of which form coral reefs and islands.
coral sand
Sand originating from marine environments via bioerosion of the calcareous skeletal structures possessed by some organisms. Coral is not the chief constituent, however, with the majority of material deriving from foraminifera, calcareous algae, molluscs, and crustaceans.
deep sand bed
Method of filtration, mostly used in marine aquaria, whereby the increased depth of the sand substrate facilitates formation of an anaerobic layer where nitrate can be converted into nitrogen gas. Also known as "Jaubert" or "plenum" system and often associated with live sand.
formanifera
Phylum of amoeboid microorganisms and a common constituent of marine plankton.
krill
Vernacular term for any small, shrimp-like, marine crustacean of the order Euphausiacea. Represent an important, sometimes principal, proportion of the diet of many marine fishes and mammals. Available as food for ornamental fishes, usually in frozen form.
live sand
Type of substrate mostly used in marine aquaria collected directly from natural marine habiats and packaged in such a way as to maintain the resident microorganisms. Significantly reduces the time required to mature a new aquarium.
mangrove swamp
Tropical or subtropical, tidal marine swamp chaaracterised by an abundance of mangrove trees.
Mesozoic (Era)
Interval of geological time covering the period from around 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago. Often referred to as the 'Age of Reptiles' because dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates.
Mysis
Genus of mysid crustacean of which members inhabit both marine and freshwater environments. Some species are used as fish food in aquaria, and usually available frozen.
nano aquarium
Small aquarium of arguable definition. Freshwater nano-aquaria are generally accepted to hold between 5-10 US gallons (4.16-8.32 UK gallons; 18.93-37.85 litres) whereas in the marine hobby any aquarium with a volume of 30 US gallons (24.98 UK gallons; 113.56 litres) is generally considered to be a nano-system. These definitions vary, however. Also known as a nano tank.
Oodinium
Genus of parasitic dinoflagellates occurring in marine and freshwater fishes and sometimes referred to as Piscinoodinium or 'velvet disease'.
Ostracoda
Class of crustacean, sometimes referred to as seed shrimp, characterised by possession of a bivalve-like protective carapace. Found in both freshwater and marine environments, and sometimes used as food for small fishes in aquaria.
pelagic phase
Period of time during the life cycle spent floating freely in the water column, usually as a larval constituent of plankton. Relatively common in marine fishes but also typical of amphidromous and diadromous species.
protein skimmer
Mechanical device used to remove organic compounds in marine aquaria via the process of foam fractionation.
Rhodophyta
Division of eukaryotic algae containing thousands of species, most of which are multicellular and inhabit marine environments, e.g., many seaweeds.
trace element
Any chemical element required in small proportions by a given organism in order for certain physiological and biochemical processes to function properly. Often added to marine aquaria using proprietary liquid products and require regular replenishment as they are used up.
wave maker
Electrical, often programmable, timing device that alternates power supply to multiple, submerged powerheads at predetermined time intervals. Most often used in marine aquaria to simulate natural wave action.
wet/dry filter
Type of filter normally placed under the aquarium, and often home-made. The basic premise is that water trickles vertically downards through separated compartments containing mechanical and biological filter media with spaces inbetween so that it is also exposed to the air briefly. It then collects in a base chamber or sump from where it is pumped back to the main aquarium. There are many commercial designs available, some of which are more effective than others. Not popular in marine reef aquaria due to the associated accumulation of nitrates as by-product.

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