20150506 Hawaii Vacation Lanikai snorkel- Caution: Strong swimmer alert

panoramic view of Lanikai Beach on the Windward coast

The second snorkel location we took was the Lanikai beach at the Windward coast (Southeastern) shore of Oahu. As you can see from the photo above, this is a much less visited public beach than Waikiki due to its slight remote location, accessibility, lack of public parking and no public shower or changing room. Also, there are no lifeguards on duty so you are on your own.

Lanikai Beach looking Northeast

 There is about 500 meter (1/3 mile) of shallow reef along the entire stretch of this beach. But do not let the crystal clear turquoise water color fool you- the Though the rooftop of most area seem shallow,  unlike the Waikiki beach, once you venture 100ft out, most adults will not be able to stand straight and touch the bottom. Additionally, located in the windward coast, while the water is still relatively calm, it can be more unpredictable. And the water does come in waves of warm patches mixed with cooler patches. For all of the reasons above, you should only consider snorkeling or diving in this location when you are experienced and are a strong swimmer as the current can easily take you off course. There are a few times when I surfaced to find myself way off course from where I thought I was heading- very dangerous situation if I was a weaker swimmer.

Two Islands southeast of Lanikai are bird sanctuaries with strict rules for visitation

The two islands Southeast of the beast are about 1.5 miles off shore. These two islands are bird sanctuaries that has very strict rules for visitation. You may rent a kayak to reach it, rest on the beach then return. But you are not allow to touch anything or venture beyond the beach there. Also, please never attempt to swim there, the current is rough and strong it will carry you off course.

Unfortunately due to the depth of this reef, I was hesitant to bring my camera along with in fear of loosing my grip and to never able to retrieve it should it skips into a tight crack (there are numerous crevices). Based on my observation, the species here are diverse and abundant. Also because of the depth of some of the drop offs, most of the herbivores seen here are reaching good size- sailfin tang at at least 18" diameter, adult yellow tangs at no less than 8" long, adult Achilles tang at 10" long, variety of wrasses so large I almost thought they were parrotfish! The coral system however isn't growing as strongly as it can be due to invasive macro algae species. It also seems that the reef must have been devastated by big waves from storms in recent year as many of the giant pillar pieces of the reef base (at least 10ft tall and each can weight a few tons) were torn off its main structure and were laying on their sides on the sand bed.

20150108 Tank update

Here is a shot of my tank update! See all my fish happily swimming, and love my pair of flame angels!

20150102 Fish enjoying new era marine grazer

I thought this time-lapse video really shows how popular this treat is among my fish!

20141226 Underwater footage of my 180 gallon reef- Fish point of view

Here is a submerged "fish point of view" to my clam in the middle of my tank. I love it when the sailfin desjardini tang decides to come up close and "size me up"

20141222 Mixing Zebrasoma Tangs

As you might have read in one of my previous posts I lost my beloved yellow tang during the tank transfer. I have been wanting to replace it but was living under the fear that the desjardini sailfin tang would tear it apart since they belong in the same genera.
Last weekend I added a pyramid butterfly knowing no one would bother him. And I also added a paracanthurus hepatic blue tang to test the waters of the sailfin tang's acceptance of another tang. My logic it that not only the blue tang look different enough, but it also was of a decent size and in a larger community. The large tank size, complex rock work, as well as many other active fish distracting the acclimation process paid off. Both the blue tang and the butterfly were successfully introduced with only a minor flame angel incident.
This week I discovered a healthy, well eating yellow tang at a local fish store and decided to go for it.
The yellow tang was initially timid upon the introduction. But I did a heavy dose of feeding as distraction. Not only no other fish bothered the new comer, the yellow tang actually took a few bites!
During the two nights ensuing the introduction, I have observed no aggression at all from either of the existing tangs toward the yellow tang with the exception of occasional "size up" fin display. But no slashing action.
Here is a video of all the fish swimming happily together.

20141028 Reef Safe

A Cleaner Shimp

One of the most common terms one hears or asks in the marine aquaria is "Is ____ Reef safe?"

Well, to answer that question, first we must define what is "reef safe"?

Here is an article from Wikipedia defining reef safe.

So in short, I think most people would agree reef sate in the home aquarium means the critter you are referring will NOT hurt invertebrates, including coral. Even though in the broad spectrum, there really is very limited true "reef safe" creatures as most fish, even those who are vegetarian, would need to consume crustacean at some point in there life journey. But for the sake of general reference, it means a fish/invertebrate will not attack or cause long term damage to other commonly available aquarium creatures. 

Even those that are considered reef safe, one can still find an occasional specimens that is a black horse who wants to redefine their diet habit.

To illustrate, here is a small sample of fish that are "reef safe"

Yellow Tang- Primarily vegetarian, very rarely harms invertebrates.

Clown fish- Not an herbivore but will not attack invertebrates.

Seahorse- Very gentle creature, will not attach invertebrates, but will eat pods.

A list of "reef safe" invertebrates

Tridacna clams- will not bother anyone, no feeding necessary with sufficient lighting and adequate water quality

Small Polyp Stony coral- same as above

Cleaner shrimp- will not bother anyone, will help pick on parasites on fish

What about "not reef safe" fish?

Any fish in the following family cannot be trusted:

Angel- most will nip on corals or clam

Butterfly- most will nip coral

Trigger- will eat any crustacean, will also harm smaller fish, but not necessarily corals

Puffer- Same as above

Lion- Same as above

Grouper- Same as above

Some not reef safe invertebrates:

Mantis shrimp- will eat ANYTHING alive

Lobster- will harm fish/clam

larger crabs- will harm fish/other invertebrates

Anemone- this is a tricky one, but they may consume smaller, weaker fish or crustacean. 

20140906 New Tankmate: Desjardini Tang

Zebrasoma Desjardinii- The Desjardini Tang, aka Red Sea Sailfin Tang, has also been on top of my list of jeweled fish to keep. The problem is- I have already had a yellow tang, and knowing if I add a desjardini tang into the same tank, I will be picking out a dead body sooner or later, I never did.

About three weeks ago I placed a special order request for this fish at a local fish store- Living Art Aquarium. But two weeks later, instead of waiting for this tan, you probably recall I picked up a chevron tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis) instead. I figured this fish is new, but somewhat established, plus the desjardini is nearly 5" (I asked for 3-4", but 5" is still OK) whereas the chevron is barely 3". I thought it would be a good timing to add this fish. And then, the funny thing happened...

During the first week of my chevron tang's addition, I had barely got this fish to begin accepting pre-soaked, soften flake food but rejects most all other food, including frozen. The chevron also spends much time hiding yet instead of patrolling. But the moment I added this desjardini, the chevron became very territorial and patrols all open areas of the tank (with the orange spotted rabbitfish as its deputy). The chevron also immediately begin to accept flake of all sizes, frozen, as well as nori pieces- as a show to demonstrate who's the boss!

The Desjardini, in the midst of all these domination demonstration, didn't seem too bothered since it's almost 2" larger than the little chevron. And it began to accept flake, frozen, and nori right away as well! And unlike chevron's introduction, the flame back angel didn't even bother to confront this big guy.

20140904- Tank update

When you see something everyday it's really hard to notice changes. But by comparing the photos from 6 months ago, I can tell these clams had some significant growth!

20140729 Waikiki Aquarium 4- coral Extension

One of the most amazing things I've seen in Waikiki Aquarium is placing what we would normally consider "not reef safe" fish in their reef displays. Below is their South Pacific display with the mighty Gigas clam. You can see the beautiful table shelf acropora coral happily growing and extending with coral eating butterfly fish in the tank.

 This is a "smaller" tank (probably 1000 gallon) with anemone and clownfish display. Interesting enough- the tangs in this tank all look very beat up. They don't look unhealthy, just really beat up, I am guessing from all the clowns (very aggressive and territorial) and probably tangs beat each other up among themselves.

Update

Once in a while, I like to do an update...

Tank update

Update photo from the top. All the fish got excited thinking I was going to feed- not quite, just taking a picture!

Scaling the clam growth

I've been trying really hard to photography my 10" stardust squamosa clam. But I think it has to do with the camera none of the photos I take end up doing justice to how huge and beautiful this clam is.
The photo below is probably as good of a testimony as it can be:

The yellow tang is fully grown- 5" and thick! it was about 5-6" over the clam as this was taken so picture the fish a bit smaller if it was a bit closer to the clam. I think seriously thinking of investing on an underwater camera (or even a go-pro!)

Squamosa clam has a special place in my aquarium keeping- My interest in salt water aquarium started when I visited the Waikiki Aquarium- There was a huge Squamosa clam at its entrance (must have been ver a foot) with small clowns swimming freely through it. Here is a video.

In perspective

Sometimes pictures just dont do justice on the size and color of something under the reef lighting. But a little contrast helps. In this picture is my 3 year old yellow tang about 5" has not grown anymore for a while versus my squamosa clam to show its size and color.