PNG Biotype

[Khai]

I'm interested in setting up a specific regional biotype, Papua New Guinea! The Most beautiful reefs in the world!

I've travelled through there and have some idea of what I'd like to create, but I'm finding it difficult to get information on the specific inhabitants of the reef.

I have a wave system setup that will create random chaotic flow throughout the tank, an attempt to model the upper reef zone. My light system should also be sufficient to grow about anything (500Ws of MH...)...The tank itself is a 46 gallon bowfront with a 20 gallon sump and a Tunze DOC 9005 skimmer.

The centre piece of my tank will be two Onyx Clowns...I think they're so amazingly beautiful (even if they are slightly cliche...). I'm looking into a S. Haddoni, but I don't want the bloody thing to eat everything and the clowns don't even host them naturally. I'm also thinking about a Yasha goby with a small pistol shrimp. Thats as far as I've gotten though...

My problem is that I can't find information on the exact species that inhabit PNG/Indonesian reefs. I'm also having trouble finding good live rock from the region for a decent price...Fiji rock seems to be about 1/4 of the price of anything from Indonesia. Does anyone have advice for creation of a specific biotype (books? sites?) and good tips on live rock acquisition from the area?

 

[Sm0kin]

Try this one. Hope it helps.


http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/png/png1.htm

 

[Khai]

Oooooooooooo that is an awesome link, thanks SmOkin!

 

[huig]

do a search on fishbase, for country.
each species is briefly described (including which in habitat they occur)
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/coralid_search.php and look for corals you are interested in (and whet is available in LFS) and see if they occur in that region
btw nice idea I'm into biotopes as well, but I'm looking into lagoons (these animals tend to be 'easier' to care for)

greetz

 

[Sm0kin]

huig i must say that is one of the best links i have seen.

 

[huig]

some more altough not specific about PNG, you might still get some intereesting ideas.
these are in french but a translating programme will do the trick.
the lists of fish and coral are in latin makes it easy.

http://www.recifs.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=170

http://www.recifs.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=174

greetz.

btw if the translating programe gives something what doesn' t make sence, you can ask me to translate the specific part.

greetz

 

[Khai]

I'm reading through all your links, thanks so much Huig!

 

[huig]

no thanks, glad to help
here is one more, a lot of the pictures come from PNG, you just click on a picture and dive location etc. appears.
http://www.reefimages.com/locations/MilneBay.htm
one of my favorite sites images tell more than words.

 

[huig]

other locations
http://www.reefimages.com/Locations.htm