Ahermatypic- corals are corals that don’t contain zooxanthellae.
Adsorbate- is the liquid collected by the skimmer.
Acontia- poisonous tentacles able to extend and sting neighbouring corals.
Acrylic- is sometimes used to build tanks instead of glass because is has less chance of cracking and is lighter but it is scratched a lot easier.
Acclimatization- is gradually adjusting the fish to adapt to a new environment.
Actinic tube- is a blue coloured tube with a spectrum that is designed to imitate the light received by the coral. As the water gets deeper the spectrum fades, blue is the part of the spectrum that is able to penetrate deepest. So in order to sustain the coral this tube is important. If you have lighting over 10000k you do not need an actinic because the light is already powerful enough. Even so it is still advisable to have one.
Activated carbon- is a chemical filter, which pulls waste out of the water. It should be replaced every month or it can release what it has collected back into the environment again. Activated carbon has fewer impurities than charcoal.
Aerobic-bacteria- are bacteria with the presents of oxygen. It converts high level waste into low level waste.
Ahermatypic- animals are not photosynthetic.
Autotrophic- is capable of photosynthesis.
Albino- lacking pigments, an albino is caused by a genetic mutation.
Algae- is a unicellular plant that has no roots, stems or leaves, they can colour the water green, or grow on glass or decorations.
Algae bed filter- is a filter that uses algae to filter the water.
Alga farm- is a tank that is dedicated to growing algae to feed the fish.
Airstone- is a small rock designed to disperse air, run by an air pump.
Amphipods- is a tiny crustacean often introduced in live rock. They come out at night and are great algae eaters.
Ammonia (NH4/NH3)- is a high level waste that is converted into nitrite by bacteria. You can think of as it first-degree fish waste (it is expelled from the gills). Ammonia consists of two chemicals- ammonium hydroxide (NH4) and ammonia gas (NH3); ammonia gas is extremely toxic.
Ammonium hydroxide- is a toxic inorganic pollutant that is released through the gills of fish as waste.
Anaerobic-bacteria- grow without the presence of oxygen; they are able to break down nitrate and can be responsible for the accumulation of toxic hydrogen sulfate.
Anaerobic-zone- is an environment that has no oxygen. This zone can grow anaerobic-bacteria
Anal fin- is the fin under the fish next to the tail, behind the pelvic fins.
Anoxic-zone- consists of low oxygen (about 1ppm), it is where anoxic bacteria grow.
Anoxic bacteria – live in the anoxic zone, they are able to break down nitrate into nitrogen and oxygen.
Aiptasia- is a colonial anemone that can be a real pest in a reef tank.
Alkalinity- measure the water`s ability to avoid rapid drops in pH. Alkalinity takes all buffering elements into account.
Artemia- is brine shrimp.
Asexual reproduction- is when an organism contains both male and female genders and does not need the interaction of another organism in order to reproduce.
Base-rock- is a term used (mainly for salt-water tanks) to describe the rock at the bottom of the reef. This rock is generally not visible, it basically elevates the live rock to create a reef look and allow the live rock and corals to be closer to the light.
Ball valves- are used to close the line or control the amount of flow.
Barium- is a trace element that may help coral.
Barbel- is a growth on either side of the mouth for locating food.
Bacteria enhancer- is a chemical used to promote the growth of bacteria. This is very handy for new or well-stocked tanks because it reduces the toxic period. It allows you to increase stock with reduced risk.
Berlin system- is a type of natural system using protein skimmers created in Berlin by Peter Wilkens.
Bleaching- is when corals turn white.
Budding- is where an organism divides as a way of reproduction.
Buffer capacity- is the ability to stabilize pH; this can be achieved with carbonate and hydrogen carbonate ions
Bio- filter- is an abbreviation for biological filtration.
Biological filtration- uses living organisms e.g. bacteria to filter the water.
Bio-balls- are a filter medium designed to grow bacteria on it.
Brine- is highly salty water.
Bio-wheel- capacitates nitrifying bacteria that are able to break down high level waste. The reason why they are effective is that the bacteria on the wheel is exposed to the waste in the water that flows through it, and that bacteria is then exposed to the air as the wheel spins around. The benefit of this is the oxygen makes the bacteria more powerful.
Bivalve- means two valves.
Brackish water- is found at the mouth of a river where salt and freshwater meets. A standard brackish tank is made up using about 10% saltwater.
Calcareous- means it contains calcium.
Colour temperature- is a colour in relationship to its temperature.
Carbonate hardness (KH)- is one of the alkaline reserves (the water’s capacity to neutralize acid). See alkalinity.
Calcium- is the building block of coral. It is advisable to monitor calcium levels in reef tanks.
Calcification- is the ability to use calcium from the water.
Calcareous algae- is considered to be good algae.
Carbon- see Activated Carbon.
Charcoal- is a chemical filter, which should not be used in salt-water tanks because it is not pure enough. See Activated Carbon.
Caudal fin- is the tail of the fish.
Caudal peduncle- is the part of the body that the tail is joining.
Conductivity- measures salinity. The more salt in the water the higher the conductivity will be.
Coralline algae- is a red crusty alga that is beneficial to the tank.
Canister filter- is one of the most popular and versatile filters available. A canister filter is simply a canister filled with filter medium with a pump on the top. The water siphons into the canister and is exposed to the water to the filter medium it is then pumped back into the aquarium. The canister filter generally sits under the tank with only an inlet and an outlet tube from the tank.
Center brace- is a strip of glass that runs across the top if the tank from the front to the back. It supports the lids and strengthens the tank.
Chemical filter- uses chemicals to aid in the filtration of an aquarium such as sponges and carbon.
Colonial anemones- are anemones that like to live in a group. They can reduplicate quickly and can be considered a pest if they start to take over the tank and sting your coral.
Common Name- is a simple name used in the trade. Can be different from one place to the next.
Community Fish- is a fish that mixes well in a community tank. (Community fish are generally thought of as peaceful fish).
Community Tank- is a tank of fish that mix with one another
Copper- is dangerous to any invertebrates. This makes it an effective medication especially against parasitic infection.
Check valves- (one way valves) stop water from being able to flow backwards through airline.
Colour rendition index (CFI)- measures how close the reflected visual colour of an artificial light is to sunlight. The higher the reading, the better the light.
Cured- generally means seeded live rock. Cured live rock is a benefit to the aquarium, this occurs after the waste from the initial organisms that died after transport have gone. This is rock that is ready for the tank.
Cured live rock- is a rock that has been is an aquarium long enough to be beneficial to the tank.
Chromaticity- is the colour of the light.
Copepod- is a small crustacean that feeds on debris, they can become over populated if the tank is feed too much.
Cirri- is a natural growth above the eye of some fish.
Cynobacteria- is also called blue-green algae, it is related to bacteria.
Cycled- is a term used for the completion of the nitrogen cycle.
Cryptocaryon- is a parasite (white spot).
Daphnia- is a freshwater flea that can be used as a food.
Dorsal fin- is the fin or fins on top of the fish.
Dropsy- is a disease that results in a bloated belly and protruding scales.
Dosing pumps- add a particular amount of liquid every set amount of time e.g. trace elements.
Dead spots- in the back corner of a reef you often get dead spots due to stagnant water, this is mainly under the substrate or between the piles of rock.
Detritus- is the visible build up of organic waste.
Disease- means a state of ill or bad health, sick.
De-ionization- can be used to purify the fresh water for top ups or before the salt mix is added.
Denitrification- is the process by which nitrate is broken down. The process of denitrification results in nitrous oxide then the release of nitrogen gas.
Diatoms- are unicellular algae that feed mainly on silicates.
Diatom filter- uses diatom powder and a fine mess to sift out microscopic particles and impurities.
Dinoflagellates- are single celled microorganisms that are bad news.
Drip tray- is a perspex tray used to distribute water. The tray is mounted flat and water is poured on top.
Dominion- the territory ruled by a individual or group.
Dominant- the dominant fish is the fish that is the boss of a group of fish.
Eye spot- A name for a dot near the tail of a fish that is to trick predators into thinking it is an eye.
Efimech- is the noodles used in the bottom of canister filters. They are effective because they have a smaller surface area and don’t clog up too quick.
Eutrophic- means rich in nutrients.
Family- is a related group of genus.
Fertilizers- only needs to be used if you are trying to grow lots of algae in the tank.
Fifty/ fifty light tube- is one single light tube that is half full spectrum and half-actinic.
Fry- is a young fish.
Fungus- is a cotton wool-like growth.
Float switches- may be installed to switch the pump on or off in regards to the water level. They are useful because if the pump is allowed to run dry and burn out, this will save your pump.
Filamentous algae- is a strand algae that looks like hair.
Fish only tank- is a tank designed to keep saltwater fish with no invertebrates. A reason why you must make a clear cut decision to have or not to have inverts is because a tank that has no inverts can be run containing copper in the water which will help fight disease.
Flux- is the intensity of the light.
Flush system- is a high surge of water that flush detritus out of the tank.
Fluidize bed filter- is an extremely powerful biological filter that works by passing water through a bed of sand in a cylinder.
Foam fractionator- is another name for a protein skimmer.
Filter feeders- sifts nutrients out of the water.
Filter medium- is a substance used in the filter it can be mechanical, biological or chemical.
Fin rot- is a fungal or bacteria deterioration of the fins.
Freshwater dip- is a method of treating saltwater fish that are sick. The idea is to use the freshwater to kill the problem e.g. parasite and hope the fish itself is strong enough to survive the whole ordeal.
Gang valve- is a devise that enables you to run several airlines off one tube with individual control taps.
Genus- is a scientific term internationally recognized for a group of fish. The genus can be regarded as like a person’s surname (It is displayed first with fish).
Gills- are used to achieve respiration, they absorb oxygen.
Gill flukes- is a parasite that attacks the gills; the fish will stress and breathe rapidly.
Hard coral- has a hard skeleton. It is another name for a stony coral.
Head height- is refereed to how high and often at what speed a pump is able to pump water.
Heater- is to simply heat the tank water.
Head- or head height is referred to how high up the water has to or can pump.
Hierarchy- The order of dominance.
High level waste- (e.g Protein, amino acid, ammonia)have not been broken down.
How many parts NH4 or NH3 you get depends on the pH, temperature and oxygen levels present.
calibrated for a temperature of 25’C, so ensure that your water is of that temperature if you are to receive an accurate temperature.
Hose clamps- is for securing flexible hose to a ridged pipe. It is important that they are used whenever pressure is involved.
Hydrometer- is used to measure the salinity or specific gravity (salt level) of the water.
Hydrogen peroxide- will temporarily raise the dissolved oxygen content of the water; it can be handy to maintain oxygen levels to keep the fish alive if the power has been cut. Thiel recommends 15 drops of a 3% solution per gallon up to 3 time an hour.
HQL- is an abbreviation for a mercury vapour lamp.
HQI- is an abbreviation for halogen quartz iodine a metal halide lamp.
Hermatypic- corals are corals that contain zooxanthellae.
Hetrerotrophic- is incapable of photosynthesis.
Hetrerotrophic Bacteria- carries out mineralisation (consuming the carbon).
Hood- is a frame that surround the top of the tank, which contains the light, used for decorative reasons.
Hydrogen-sulfate- is extremely toxic; it can be caused by anaerobic-bacteria breaking down sulfate, if the oxygen level is too low. It smells like rotten egg gas.
H.O. tube- is a high output tube.
Hydroxyl ions- sets the equilibrium of ammonium hydroxide to ammonia gas with in the ammonia level.
Hybrid- is a result of hybridization.
Hybridization- is if one variety breeds with another (cross breeding).
Hyper-dominant- is a phase that a fish goes though, often if it is maturing or if it is settling it to a new tank.
Infrared- is light above the visible spectrum red 780 nm.
Iodine- is a trace element used by coral.
Irradiate- is to illuminate.
Impeller- is the propeller in the water pump.
Inbreeding- is where direct blood relatives (such as brother and sister / mother and son) breed with each other.
Internal canister filter- is basically a powerhead with a larger prefilter.
Invert tank- contains primarily invertebrates.
Inorganic phosphate- A salt of phosphoric acid.
Inorganic- (doesn’t contain carbon) is a chemical element not produced by a living organism.
Jaubert system- is a method of filtration developed by Dr. J. Jaubert. Using natural live sand filtration.
Kalkwasser- is a saturated chemical solution of calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide. It is used to increase hardness and add calcium to the tank.
Kelvin- is the spectrum, the higher the number the whiter the colour, the lower the number the more reds and yellows in the spectrum, the higher the number the better for corals because the more blue in the spectrum. Higher readings also make fish look better.
Laminar flow- is a consistent flow in one direction.
Lateral line- is the line that runs along each side of the fish; it is used like a sonar system, to detect obstacles and company.
Live Rock- Live rock is rock generally out of the ocean. This rock is considered alive because it is covered in so many types of microscopic organisms, crustaceans, algae and bacterias etc. Live rock can spread on to dead rocks in an aquarium making them alive too.
Lux- is the light’s ability to penetrate with intensity deep into the water.
Live sand filters-
Lumen- is the intensity of the light.
Low level waste- (Nitrate, phosphate) is a good source of food for any photosynthetic life but it is toxic at higher levels. Try to keep the level of low level waste as low as possible because it will minimize chemical fluctuation when you do a water change.
Low-level waste can also effect the body slim of fish. This is mainly a problem when you are introducing new fish to the environment. The body slime of the new fish will take longer to adjust if there is waste present and increases the chance of getting diseases such as white-spot. This seems to be particularly a problem with fish that have skin not scales (such as Tangs and loaches)
Lithium- is a trace element that is believed to help coral.
Live sand filter- uses bacteria and micro-organisums that grom in the sand to filter the water.
Lymphocystis- is large fluffy white spots on the body and fins.
Marcoalgae- multicellular algae.
Manganese- is an important fertilizer.
Maturing fluid- adds or enhances living bacterial culture to minimize the toxic period associated with a new tank.
Mechanical filter- removes particles out of the water before they start to decay.
Metering pumps- can be used for the slow release of additives e.g. trace elements because they have a specific output.
Metal halide- Very powerful light bulbs.
Mineralisation- is the process by which organic compounds (amino acids) are reduced to inorganic compounds (ammonia).
Micron filter- is a media fine enough to remove micro particles, including parasites.
Micronutrients- is another name for trace elements.
Microalgae- is unicellular algae.
Magnetic valves- (Solenoid valves) are set on timers they allow you have the water flow change from one output to another to achieve irregular flow.
Minor element- is larger than a trace element.
Molybdenum- is a trace element that is believed to enhance bactera.
Molecular absorption sponge- is designed to remove particular organics from the water. They should be placed in very high water movement.
Mercury vapour lights- aren’t recommended in reef tanks
Monoculture filters- contains cultures of plants or animals that help filter the water.
Mysis- is a shrimp that can be used as a good source of food (brine shrimp).
Nomenclature- is naming for classification.
Nanometer (nm)- is the unit of measuring wavelength.
Natural systems- is totally dependent on biological decomposition for its filtration. Lee Chin Eng first recognized this method. Most natural systems are run with a protein skimmer so can be seen as semi-natural systems.
Nudibranch- are small sea slugs with feathery gills visible on their back.
Nitrate (NO3)- is a low-level waste (produced by nitrobacter), which is a good fertilizer of any photosynthetic life such as plants. It can be toxic at high levels. (NO3 is the total nitrate reading).
NO3-N is the total nitrate-nitrogen reading. To convert NO3-N to NO3 multiply the reading by 4.4. (Nick Darkin)
Nitrite (NO2)- is a level of organic waste that is toxic to the fish inverts. Nitrite is (produced by nitrosomonas) a temporary stage in the breakdown of organic matter between ammonia and nitrate.
Nitrobacter- is the aerobic bacteria that break nitrite down into nitrate.
Nitrogen cycle- is the breakdown of waste. Bacteria grow with the presence of ammonia and break the ammonia down into nitrite. The presence of the nitrite provokes another bacteria to grow that breaks the nitrite into nitrate, which is not as toxic.
Nitrosomonas- is the aerobic bacteria that break ammonia into nitrite.
Nitrification- is the process of breaking ammonia into nitrate, which is carried out by aerobic-bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria- (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) carries out nitrification; break high level waste in to low level waste.
Nauplii- is baby brine shrimp.
Oligotrophic- means not rich in nutrients.
Organic- (contains carbon) Produced by living organisms.
Oodinium- (velvet decease) is a highly contagious single-celled parasite.
Overflow chamber- is mounted in the back of the tank containing a mechanical filter.
Oxygen reactor- is to enhance the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Oxidation- is decay, which lowers the oxygen content of the water. It is the gaining of an oxygen atom.
Ozone- consists of 3 oxygen atoms; it is a powerful oxidant for lowering organic waste in the water, it is often fitted to a protein skimmer.
Ozonizer- creates ozone by exposing oxygen to a high electric tension. It converts O2 to O3.
Ozone reactor- is to inject ozone into.
PAR- is photosynthethetically available radiation.
pH- is the acid and alkaline (Base) levels in the water. (If there is more than seven hydroxide ions the water will be alkaline, if there is more then seven hydrogen ions the water will be acid) seawater has a pH of about 8.3.
Parameters- are what is referred to the log book readings e.g. the levels of waste, salt or pH.
Pelvic fins- is the two fins under the fish closes to the head.
Pectoral fins- are located behind the gills, one on each side of the fish.
Plenum- is often referred to a layer of stagnant water underneath substrate that is suspended by a plate. See the question how do you set up a Jaubert system.
Prefilter- is a mechanical filter placed before another filter to stop debris.
Photosynthesis- is a complex chemical reaction used to produce energy from light.
Photoperiod- refers to the length of time the aquarium receives light
Phosphate (PO4)- is a low-level waste. Algae are a good indication that phosphate is present.
Phytoplankton- is a unicellular algae that floats in the water.
Parasite- is an organism that benefits at the expense of another.
Pectoral fins- is the fins on the side of the fish
Permanganate- will temporarily raise the redox of the tank quickly, which is unsafe for the fish. It may discolour the water and decorations. It is a dangerous chemical.
Pelvic fins- are the two fins that are next to each other under the fish.
Plexiglass- is a brand of acrylic.
Probe- is used to send information about the water to a computer e.g. to a digital thermometer or redox meter.
Protein skimmer- is a devise that is used to skim high level waste out of the aquarium. It is the key to any salt-water tank.
Power head-is a term used of an internal water pump.
Polyp- a single unit of a coral.
Poly filter- is a highly absorbent filter material that won’t release what it has collected even when it becomes full. Even after it is washed it remains a brown colour. Poly filters should be washed in R.O. water or distilled water.
Post filter- is generally an extra mechanical filter that is after the main filtration system e.g. an algae bed filter should be run with a post filter to stop the loose or dead algae getting in to the tank.
ppm- is short for parts per million.
Quarantine tank- is a tank set up to observe fish that are new or causing concern.
Quartz halogen light- gets too hot to be recommended to a reef tank.
Radiation- is electromagnetic oscillations. Coral require a certain size wavelength for each of the oscillations.
Red pest- is a name used to describe red slime algae.
Refractometer- measures salinity in ppt.
Reef tank- is an aquarium that imitates a coral reef. It generally contains a mix of fish, live coral and other invertebrates.
Refugia- is a term that describes areas that enable organisms to thrive with out the presence of predators e.g. a live sand filter or settling filter.
Red slime- algae is an ugly type of blue/green algae.
R.O water- is water that has been run though a reverse osmosis unit.
Residual ozone- is the ozone that has found its way into the aquarium water. This level should be 0 and it is only a problem if you are currently running an ozonizer. There are various test kits available.
Reduction- is the loss of an oxygen atom.
Redox- is short for reduction and oxidation. It is used to measure the water purity. Redox measures the amount of reduction and oxidation that is going on in the tank. It is used often to test ozone.
Saturation- means as high as possible.
Silicates- are often present in tap water. They can lead to blooms of algae.
Sulfates- are often present in tap water. They can lead to blooms of algae
Substrate-The term substrate is what is referred to gravel, shell grit or coral sand that is commonly used in the bottom of an aquarium. Substrate can also refer to a biological medium that goes in the filter e.g. Eheims Efisubstrate.
Stony coral- have a hard skeleton, they are responsible for building the reef.
Strontium- is an element present in natural seawater that is believed to help the coral it is a similar chemical to calcium.
Spawning- is the fertilization of eggs.
Spectrum- is made up of all the different wavelengths (colours) in light.
Spray bar- is a pipe run along the back of the tank as a water return with a series of holes drilled into it to evenly distribute water.
Settling filter- is a chamber designed to flow water though allowing debris to settle on a glass bottom that is easily siphoned.
Seeding- is what they call the toxic period after live rock has been transported.
Sodium Vapour light- isn’t recommended in reef tanks.
Salinity- is the amount of salt in the water.
Sub-dominant- is the fish that is second in charge. The dominant fish often bashes the sub-dominant fish because it is a direct treat to the dominance of the dominant fish.
Surge- is a back and forward motion.
Surface skimmer- clears the surface of the tank by overflowing water into a mechanical filter.
Salinity- is the total dissolved salts in the water measured in ppt.
Specific gravity- is the density of the water compared to the weight of distilled water; the tank water should be about 1.023.
Sea squirts- look like a blob with two open holes on them, they are often introduced with live rock. They are not true vertebrates or true invertebrates.
Seeded- means that the working bacteria level has equaled the present waste level.
Sweeper tentacles- are used by corals to physically sting surrounding corals.
Swim bladder- is an organ that the fish use to enable them to maintain a set position in the water.
Soft coral- has eight tentacles per polyp.
Species- is a scientific term for a particular type of fish with in the genus. It can be thought of as like a person’s first name (It is displayed last with fish).
Sump- is a reservoir of water below the tank.
Strontium- is an element similar to calcium present in natural seawater that is believed to help the coral.
Check valves- (one way valves) stop the water from being able to flow backwards.
Solenoid valve- is a magnetic valve.
Surface skimmer- feeds the filter from the surface of the water.
Turf algae- looks like lawn grass; it is generally found on live rock, it is considered to be good algae.
Tentacle- elongated flexible organs that are present in some animals.
Temporary hardness- is when you have high pH with low hardness (buffering capacity).
Thermostat- is a part of the heater that tells it to cut off once the water is at the desired temperature.
Thermometer- tells you the temperature of the water.
Turf algae- looks like lawn grass; it is generally found on live rock, it is considered to be good algae.
Trace elements- inorganic substances essential in minute amounts, to ensure growth and development of most living organisms e.g. Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, Potassium, Chlorine, Strontium, Sulfur, Bromine, Fluorine, Boron.
Turbulence- is a swirl of water cause by a clash of currents.
Turn over- is the amount of water flow.
Tungsten- is a type of light that produces too much heat and an unbalanced spectrum.
Trickle system- is a method of filtration where water is trickled over the filter material enabling the bacteria to be more heavily oxygenated.
Water changers- refers to the partial replacement of water.
Water chemistry- is the parameters of the aquarium e.g. pH, salinity, ammonia.
Water quality- refers to how close the water chemistry of an aquarium is to where the fish requires it.
Wave maker- creates a back and forth wave effect in the tank.
Wavelength- is the frequency of electromagnetic oscillations. Each wavelength shows up a different colour.
Wet and dry system- is a type of canister filter that fill up with water exposing the water to the bacteria on the media then it empties exposing the bacteria to the high oxygen of the air. This enables to bacteria to be more powerful. Wet and dry sometimes refers to a trickle filter as well.
White bait- dead whole fish used to feed larger ones.
Worm-feeder- this is a cone with small holes in it that is stuck to the glass at water level. The way this works is the worms stick their head out of the holes and the fish pull out the worms and eat them. This is to prevent worms getting away, burying themselves in the gravel and possibly dying, which may pollute the tank.
Uncured live rock- is live rock that has never been in an aquarium before. This rock will often create levels of waste as some of the organisms on it that aren’t suited to the new environment die.
Under gravel filter- is a type of biological filtration that sits under the gravel, the water moves through the gravel where the bacteria grows. It can be used by sucking water through the gravel using uplifts with a powerhead or airstone or by pushing the water up through the gravel preferably with a canister filter. I rarely suggest under gravel filters for saltwater tanks.
Ultraviolet light- light below the visible spectrum Violet 380 nm. It will kill anything that it comes in contact with.
UV sterilizer- works by running water past UV-C light, which is extremely harmful to all living tissue.
UV-A- is 320-400nm.
UV-B- is 280-320nm.
UV-C- is an extremely poisonous spectrum (200-280nm) it does not penetrate the earth’s atmosphere only a germicidal lamp produces UV-C light.
Vitamins- can be a benefit to a reef tank as long as they are added sparingly.
Variety- (in regards to classification) is a way of recognizing a fish within a species. It is often named on its appearance or after where it is from.
Ventral fin- is another name for the pelvic fins, the pair of fins under the fish.
Ventral- is the under side of the fish.
V.H.O. tube- is a very high output tube.
Zooxanthellae- is a symbiotic alga that lives in the corals and shares in a beneficial relationship with it.
Zooplankton- are tiny animals that many organisms feed on.
Zoe anemone- is a colonial anemone (aiptasia). Sold in a colony as zoe rock.

By Paul Talbot