Oxymonacanthus longirostris pair enters a mixed reef environment

[jmaneyapanda]

jmaneyapanda you bring up a good point. I'm actually surprised that researchers that have examined the gastric contents of these fish haven't commented on their digestive tract morphology. Is it unique? Tangs have unique digestive tracts compared to carnivorous fishes. Koalas have unique digestive tracts as well.

Yep. This is my point. There are a lot of "we dont knows" for speculation on alternatives successes to be claimed.

 

[Makenna]

Some other options as to WHY they eat the coral polyps in the wild is because 1. They are plentiful, 2. There is almost no other competition for the same diet, and 3. Protection. I think their body shape indicates the ability to feed on the polyps withn the structure of most acropora (elongated body, long snout) as well as provide them protection while feeding. That is it is more difficult for a predator to get them while feeding when they are within the branches of a large Acro colony.

For arguments sake, if even one of those reasons may be valid, that does not mean they would not eat other items in the wild if it was more convienent or safe to do so.

Your point about them evolving from a physiological point of view would make sense not matter what the reasons for them eating the polyps from the wild.

I just believe that the idea that they eat polyps in the wild as a convienence/survival choice should be presented as an option as well as the polyps containing a specific nutrient they need.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Some other options as to WHY they eat the coral polyps in the wild is because 1. They are plentiful, 2. There is almost no other competition for the same diet, and 3. Protection. I think their body shape indicates the ability to feed on the polyps withn the structure of most acropora (elongated body, long snout) as well as provide them protection while feeding. That is it is more difficult for a predator to get them while feeding when they are within the branches of a large Acro colony.

For arguments sake, if even one of those reasons may be valid, that does not mean they would not eat other items in the wild if it was more convienent or safe to do so.

Your point about them evolving from a physiological point of view would make sense not matter what the reasons for them eating the polyps from the wild.

I just believe that the idea that they eat polyps in the wild as a convienence/survival choice should be presented as an option as well as the polyps containing a specific nutrient they need.

1) As are every other type of corals, besides acroporas. So why specialize in acros, and not softies, pocilloporas, leathers, anemones, filamentous algae, etc etc?

2) No competition, as compared to what?

3) As seen in the video, as well as wild footage, these fish are not reclusive or secretive. They are active and flamboyant. So I find it a stretch to say its for "protection".

 

[small alien]

Want to try to get some algae in their diet.

Tried Formula 2 flakes. Nothing.

Also got some Formula 2 frozen gel. Will try that tomorrow.

Also tried some Rod's food. The whole tank seemed perplexed.

 

[small alien]

Greetings friends.

I want to suggest we shift the focus of the discussion a bit.

Let's try to get some consensus around what would qualify as "success" with these fish.

Someone back a ways (sorry, I can't remember your name and am feeling too lazy to look ) suggested determining their wild populations and if they can reasonably sustain some experimentation from us reefers. I think that is a key question.

Second, what is a natural lifespan for these fish?

Third, how do we define "healthy"?

These fish are captive now and we're not going to be shipping them back to the ocean, so let's try to make the most of this amazing opportunity to study this fish close-up and learn from our experiences together.

Let's try to begin to answer some of those "don't knows".

Cheers, small the alien

 

[mrwilson]

(1) Wild population?

Don't know, but agree it's an important question.

(2) Natural lifespan for these fish?

Also don't know.

(3) How do we define "healthy"?

I think for M/F pairs, observable spawning is a reasonably good measuring stick. Also initial weight gain (if the fish is thin to begin with) and then subsequent weight maintenance.

 

[uhuru]

I always assumed observable spawning was a good measuring stick too but it seems from this discussion that it isn't. I understand in invertebrates it can be from stress but I don't know about fishes.

Since we can't do things like draw blood for CBC, biochem, etc., I would think the only thing we have left is scoring the body condition, which would be from purely visual estimation. Obviously using this method alone has its shortcomings.

 

[small alien]

Many plants will reproduce in response to stress. My instincts tell me it's unlikely this fish would act in a similar fashion. Spawning combined with behavior and body condition seem a reasonable set of metrics for "health".

I am a little embarrassed to say I know next to nothing about this fish in the wild other than its coralivorous nature. I would like to know the geographic range of this fish, its preferred habitat (I imagine delicious Acropora forests!) and its habits. And, of course, it's population densities therein and it's reproduction rates. As an aside, does anyone know where the specimen(s) collected for the gut contents sample were taken?

Cheers.:rollface:

 

[suta4242]

I think for M/F pairs, observable spawning is a reasonably good measuring stick....

Not so sure about this. If we bring in a sexually mature pair and put them in our glass boxes, I'd say theres something seriously wrong if the fish aren't trying - once adjusted to captive conditions - to spawn. Its a strong biological urge (I think). Not a reflection of an ideal environment.

OTOH if the fish are immature juvies and you raise them over a period of time and they eventually begin spawning, then IMO thats a better achievement.

 

[flying_dutchman]

I am a little embarrassed to say I know next to nothing about this fish in the wild other than its coralivorous nature. I would like to know the geographic range of this fish, its preferred habitat (I imagine delicious Acropora forests!) and its habits. And, of course, it's population densities therein and it's reproduction rates. As an aside, does anyone know where the specimen(s) collected for the gut contents sample were taken?

Checkout fishbase.org great site

 

[small alien]

Checkout fishbase.org great site

Thank you. Interesting.

 

[small alien]

Fairly wide range, it seems, correct me if I'm wrong.

Nothing there about reproduction rates. That would be interesting but that data may not exist.............I'd be pretty surprised if it does. Anyone ever hear of that?

Cheers.

 

[mrwilson]

OTOH if the fish are immature juvies and you raise them over a period of time and they eventually begin spawning, then IMO thats a better achievement.

And likely a better measure of health.

 

[small alien]

Pair are still active and vibrant. Extremely active would almost be a better way to put it. These fish are just moving and interacting and checking stuff out continuously. Very fun to watch. A really great aquarium fish other than the obvious limitations.

The male ate Formula 2 Frozen Gel today. That's the first time I've fed that. As I said, trying to make their diet as broad as possible with some algae. Once the male figured out it was food, he was all over it. I bet it's only a matter of time before the female follows suit.

The others of you who have OSFF, how are they doing? Especially the DD ones I'm curious about. What they're eating. What kind of tank you have them in. What their range of behaviors is like.

Cheers.

 

[small alien]

Female eats some turf algae

Female eats some turf algae

Greetings. Saw the female eating some turf algae from my embarrassingly dirty power head. So for the sketchy video.

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[uhuru]

I don't have a DD one, but mine is in a new seagrass tank. Before this he spent several months in a QT tank and was treated with cupramine and prazipro. He seems happier than ever now that he is in the seagrass tank, especially with the automatic feeder that allows him to eat nutramar ova and cylopeeze (I don't think he eats the cyclopeeze on purpose) practically continuously throughout the day. Here he is sleeping in a depression in the sand/mud:

Here's the automatic feeder setup:

 

[Makenna]

I don't have a DD one, but mine is in a new seagrass tank. Before this he spent several months in a QT tank and was treated with cupramine and prazipro. He seems happier than ever now that he is in the seagrass tank, especially with the automatic feeder that allows him to eat nutramar ova and cylopeeze (I don't think he eats the cyclopeeze on purpose) practically continuously throughout the day. Here he is sleeping in a depression in the sand/mud:

Here's the automatic feeder setup:

Uhuru, a bit off topic, but when you treated yours with cupramine were there any side effects? DId you ramp up the doasge slowly, or per the directions? Thanks!

 

[uhuru]

I didn't notice any side effects. Maybe a slight decrease in appetite initially but nothing significant. I followed the directions on the back of the bottle.

The reason I treated him is he was in a QT tank with some cardinals that came down with ich. However, he never showed visible lesions himself.

 

[small alien]

thanks for showing your set-up. how do you keep the roe cool?

 

[uhuru]

It's in the flask on the left in the refrigerator. I throw in enough for 12 hrs., and the rest stays in the freezer. I also feed pellets and mysis about 2-4x/day.