Marine Biology Projects
2014-2015
Clownfish breeding (Tank 11, Tank B)
We have 2 reproductive pairs of clownfish in Tank B and Tank 11. This project will consist
of monitoring and predicting breeding patterns, as well as creating and maintaining
cultures of food for the fry and rotifers. You will create a mechanism for collecting the fry
when they hatch as well.
Clownfish breeding and behavior (Tank 10)
A new pair of clownfish was acquired last year. Spotcinctus two band clownfish (A.
bicinctus) was purchase from Ocean Reefs and Aquariums last April. They have been in
quarantine since. You will be exploring creating a habitat for them. You may choose to
encourage breeding between these two fish with a minimalist tank design. You may choose
to include rocks to build a reef for the fish to inhabit. Or, you can explore their choice of
symbiont by adding a fleshy coral and an anemone at the same time in the tank. You will
then track their behavior, doing what you can to encourage reproduction of these fish.
Raising jellies (krisels)
We will order jellies for our Lovett lab for the first time this year. The most important part
of raising jellies will be to maintain cultures of brine shrimp for their food. Jellies will be
housed in the kriesels. Jellies have an interesting breeding method that you will explore.
You’ll be tracking growth and breeding patterns of the jellies.
Bangaai cardinalfish reproduction and behavior (Tank 9)
In Tank 9, there are two (?) adult fish. This project will acquire more individuals in the tank
to encourage a reproduction population. You will study feeding and general behavior of
this elusive and rare fish.
Peppermint shrimp reproduction and behavior (Tank 3)
The peppermint shrimp is a common aquarium tank inhabitant. It is a reef janitor and eats
a common pest, the anemone Aiptasia sp. These shrimp are sequential hermaphrodites and
most will carry eggs at one point or another in their life. You will explore the frequency of
their breeding by establishing a tank of peppermint shrimp.
Comparison of behavior of different species of shrimp
We have three species of shrimp in our tanks (peppermint shrimp in most tanks, cleaner
shrimp in A and B, and coral banded shrimp in the invert tank). You will be able to explore
and decode patterns of behavior related to some or all of the following – territoriality,
molting, feeding, etc.
Coral propagation
Propagating corals is crucial to maintaining corals for the aquarium trade. This project will
focus on finding corals that are easily propagated and grown in our tanks. We will purchase
desirable corals and use corals from out tanks to ultimately trade with local aquarium
stores.
- Hard corals (Frag Tank)
- Soft corals (Tank 8)
Set up invertebrate tank (Invert Tank)
Our invertebrate tank has many organisms in it, but the goal is for the tank to house
invertebrates that excite anyone that walks into the room. It will be crucial to monitor the
tank conditions in order to provide the ecosystem necessary to maintain populations of
such organisms.
Pufferfish training (Tank 1)
The pufferfish in Tank 1 is driven by food. Your goal will be to design an experiment that
will challenge the fish to feed in ways that may not come naturally. Be creative.
Toadfish feeding and behavior (Tank 2)
The toadfish is an ambush predator that does not come out much during the day. You can
explore behavioral characteristics such as territoriality, feeding behaviors (predictability of
location of fish, etc.), and nocturnal movements.
Coral growth at different light intensities (Tank A and/or a square tank)
Corals have a relationship with the sunlight unlike any other animal. Symbiodinium require
optimal lighting to photosynthesize and provide corals with energy for growth and
metabolic function. This project will explore fragmentation techniques to produce replicate
coral colonies. You will then place them under 2 different light conditions and monitor
growth of the colonies under the different light regimes.
Building coral ecosystem
Many square tanks were set up with minimal coral cover. Your charge will be to design a
tank with coral growth in mind and execute your design. You will monitor coverage and
behavior of any fish in the tank as their environment changes.
1) Soft Corals (Tank 8)
2) Hard Corals (Tank 7)
Growing Acroporas (Tank B, Frag Tank)
Acropora is a genus of branching corals common to the Pacific Ocean. It is a fast growing
branching coral. This project will focus on acquiring and growing some number of different
species and/or morphologies of Acropora sp. colonies. You will research the best lighting
conditions as well as physical and chemical water parameters for the optimal growth of
these corals. You will be promoting as much growth as possible for these coral species.
Giant clam feeding and growth (Tank B, Frag Tank)
In our tanks, we have two species of giant clams of the genus Strombus. You will be
researching how to improve growth of these species. You may attempt different lighting
conditions and different foods. You’ll monitor growth of these clams.
Blue or green chromis behavior (Tank 4)
The two blue chromis in Tank 4 are a species of fish that is common for the beginner
aquarist. The fish typically school in nature and have interesting breeding patterns. Your
charge will be to create a school of these fish and create an ecosystem in the tank that will
encourage breeding behavior. In the wild, they inhabit colonies of branching corals
typically. Or, you could look at how they respond to sounds in the tank.
Fish population dynamics (A and B)
Tanks A and B have fish that have been living together for years. Your job will be to track
the populations of fish and notice any interesting behaviors. Do you notice certain
dynamics of their behavior during certain times of the day, including feeding time? Explore
any territorial behavior that the fish exhibit during the day. In addition, you could train the
fish to swim into a net to feed. You’d research fish behavior and how to encourage certain
patterns of behavior.
Anemones (Tank 5)
Anemones are related to corals and jellies and are in phylum Cnidaria. We have at least 4
different species of anemones in the aquariums here at Lovett. Some are in symbioses with
clownfish and others are not. You should explore the physiology of these organisms and
figure out what encourages the growth as well as asexual reproduction of the animals. You
can try direct feeding, indirect feeding, or different amounts of light, for example.
Damselfish aggression (Tank 6)
Damselfish are extremely territorial and aggressive fish. We currently have a three stripe
damselfish in Tank 6. They tend to be the most aggressive of all the damselfish. You will
explore whether the three stripe will tolerate a tank mate. We can also explore such traits
in the yellowtail damselfish in the invert tank. They tend to be less aggressive, but still
exhibit aggressive behaviors. Your project will be to track specific behaviors over time of
these fish and determine if there are any species specific patterns.
Coral growth/movement and water flow
Corals grow in almost all water flow conditions. This project will explore your choice of
coral and water flow to determine optimal conditions under which your species will grow.
You will able to use the different functions of our new powerheads to change the flow rates
in the tank.
Frags on plugs vs. frags hanging – This project will model the Coral Restoration
Foundation techniques of creating “coral trees” to increase surface area on which water
may flow, hopefully improving growth. Your job will be to examine how coral growth
changes when a coral hangs from a “tree” verses growing on a plug.