Is there something like a dictionary of fish?

[barnaby416]

I got this but don't know the name, I tried searching on the web and the closest thing is fresh water leaf fish, but mine is living in my salt water tank.

It is on its second life. After acclimatizing it I went out for dinner, and found it on my hardwood floor when I got home.

 

[mcgyvr]

matted filefish... and yes they are a jumper and feed on aiptasia.. Then start going after corals if you don't feed it..

Suggestion: Research your fish/corals,etc.. BEFORE you purchase them.. Many fish aren't reef safe or need specific diets or blah blah..

 

[mcgyvr]

I'm sure there is an "Encyclopedia" or "Pocket Guide" of marine/freshwater fish,etc.. Search amazon or a book store if you still have one..
Here is one example..
https://www.amazon.com/PocketExpert...d=1469570038&sr=1-1&keywords=marine+fish+book

But I typically just go here because they have MOST of what you will find in any local/online fish store
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15

 

[OrQidz]

Yep, file fish. Just browsing the categories at live aquaria will be helpful in recognizing at least what type of fish you're seeing. Damsel, wrasse, filefish, angel, etc all look a certain way that you'll learn to recognize. Then you're at least in the general neighborhood to narrow down what you've got. I have one of those pocket guide to reef fishes and it's handy to have.

But overall, I agree, ask the LFS what it is and do your research so it's a good fit for your tank.

 

[Breadman03]

There's an app called Aquaribase that can be quite helpful, though my best LFS is in a dead zone for data...

 

[eastlake]

the pocket expert book mentioned above is a great book and it errs on the conservative side as well. Before my copy was stolen, story for another day, I always had it in my back pocket to check anything I hadn't seen before and double check stuff I already had a good idea about.

 

[mcgyvr]

If needed I would simply check live aquaria as I was sitting in the LFS...Smart phones are great

 

[barnaby416]

Thanks mcgyvr. It likes frozen brine shrimp but I have to train it to eat pallets, otherwise it will go hungry when I go on vacation in October. I picked it because it has been in a coral tank for months without any problem.

 

[mcgyvr]

Mine jumped out too.. I never could find it... 6 months later my wife found it on the floor and picked it up thinking it was a piece of cardboard in the shape of a fish and the cats were playing with it..
She brought it to me an asked where I got that... I said "you mean the dried out filefish"... She screamed and threw it at me..

I laughed hard that day..