Glossary

Adsorbed—Adhesion of gas, liquids or substance to surface.

Aerobic—Able to live and grow only when oxygen is present.

Anaerobic—Able to live and grow when no oxygen is present.

Anthropods/Copepods—Very tiny invertebrates, some of which resemble shrimp, that come in live rock and sand and are excellent food for many reef creatures.

Aiptasia—Small, somewhat translucent, white to brown anemones that spread quickly in reef tanks and kill corals.

Bristleworms—Detritus eating worms with tiny bristles, often found in reef tanks. Larger species may cause problems as they grow; when touched, they release bristles that penetrate the skin and sting.

Caudal Fin—Tail fin of fish.

Cephalopod—A type of mollusk that has a large head, eyes and tentacles and includes octopus, cuttlefish and squid.

Chloramine—Chemical compound made up of chlorine and ammonia that is used to sterilize drinking water and is toxic to fish; must be removed from tap water before using in saltwater aquariums.

Chlorine—Chemical used to sterilize drinking water that is toxic to fish; eventually escapes from water as gas after 24 hours in an open container. Must be removed from tap water with a water conditioner before using in any saltwater aquarium.

Cyanobacteria—Bacteria that acts like an algae and forms a red film over rock and substrate. Sometimes called slime algae, cyanobacteria is usually found in new tanks and those with high waste levels, low light and/or low water movement.

Detritus—Accumulation of disintegrated waste material.

Dorsal Fin—Large fin located on upper portion (back) of fish.

Electrolytes—Chemicals and salts added to water to help match water conditions to chemical physiology of fish.

HLLE—Head and Lateral Line Erosion, a common disease in tangs.

Invertebrates—Animals without a backbone.

Lamellae—Appendages in fish gills that absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide.

Lateral Line—Sensory organ, sensitive to change in pressure and pulsations; also midline on the side of the fish body.

Macroalgae—Saltwater plants that include structure, such as a stem, leaves and roots; seaweed is a type of macroalgae.

Microalgae—Saltwater plants with no real structure that may be shaped like hair, bubbles or a rough mass; hair algae is a type of microalgae.

Microorganisms—Any microscopic bacteria, protozoan, virus, etc.

Mollusks—One of the largest groups of animals in nature, which includes many sea creatures, such as snails, slugs, clams, octopus and cuttlefish.

Motile—Organisms that self-propel or move themselves around in some manner.

Nanotank—Small saltwater aquarium that usually holds 10 gallons or less.

Necrosis—Death or decay of tissue

Nocturnal—Active during night hours.

Protozoan—Single-celled microscopic animals that can be parasitic.

School—Group of fish that swim in a synchronized manner, with similar speeds and direction.

Sessile—Organisms that cannot move themselves around.