Why are marine fish so hard to look after?

Answer 1

Marine fish are less able to adapt to changes in their environment than freshwater fish due to the fact that the ocean is a much larger volume of water than lakes and rivers and, therefore, stays more constant. The marine ecosystem is also much more complicated than a freshwater ecosystem and is more difficult to replicate. Also saltwater has less ability to absorb oxygen than freshwater.

Answer 2

The main thing about saltwater tanks is that you need to keep the water parameters constant. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to buffer natural changes that depend on the environment around it. If the temperature fluctuates, it will effect the fish and coral. If you have too many fish, the waste products building up will effect the tank community. If you change the water, it has to be done gradually, or they will all go into shock. New water going in has to be treated to remove dissolved metals and minerals, such as chlorine and chloramine that many water boards add to combat bacteria. Even the amount of light and Co2 can effect the coral and in extension, the fish. If anything dies and is not removed, bacteria can build up and remove oxygen from the tank. A healthy nitrogen cycle must be estabished before you can even start your tank! LOL! All in all, establishing and keeping a healthy, thriving salt water tank is hard work! LOL!

Answer 3

Not all Saltwater fish are hard to look after.
Just like a Freshwater tank, It is up to YOU to provide a healthy, Clean (as natural as possable) enviroment for those fish to live in.
Don't get me wrong, There are a lot that are VERY hard to keep.
BUT
If you do your research and set up your aquarium properly, then MOST marine fish are just as easy to take care of as freshwater fish.
A LOT of marine fish are now captive bread so they are not as stressed as they use to be.
I started keeping freshwater fish when I was about 6 years old
and have been keeping Saltwater fish and corals for the last 25 year, I don't think I will ever go back to freshwater mainly because of the diversaty of animals that I can keep in a saltwater tank.
All fish, fresh or salt can be stressed or contract diseases, there are just different methods of treating them.
If you want to start keeping Saltwater Critters, Do a lot of research, Ask questions and give it a try.

The main thing about saltwater tanks is that you need to keep the water parameters constant.
YES, same as freshwater.

The smaller the tank, the harder it is to buffer natural changes that depend on the environment around it.
YES, The more water the better for Saltwater tanks.

If the temperature fluctuates, it will effect the fish and coral.
YES and NO, same as freshwater, My REEF tanks fluctuate about 4 degrees daily due to the amount of VERY hot metal halide lighting and in the Summer they can go even 8 degrees daily with NO ill effects on fish, corals or any other inverts, My fish only tanks do not fluctuate because they are under normal output fluorescents.

If you have too many fish, the waste products building up will effect the tank community.
YES, SAME as freshwater.

If you change the water, it has to be done gradually, or they will all go into shock.
NO, You do 20% water changes just like you do in your freshwater tank, As a mater of fact, You have to do them to replenish the natural elements found in the sea salt unless you want to dose your tank (not very natural).
New water going in has to be treated to remove dissolved metals and minerals, such as chlorine and chloramine that many water boards add to combat bacteria.
Yes, Exactly the same as freshwater tanks.

Even the amount of light and Co2 can effect the coral and in extension, the fish.
Yes, Same as freshwater tanks.

If anything dies and is not removed, bacteria can build up and remove oxygen from the tank.
YES and NO, This will also happen in a freshwater tank BUT in a saltwater tank you can have a LARGE veriety of cleaners that WILL dispose of dead animals VERY quickly (hermit crabs, Tons of Different types of snails, Cleaner shrimp, Sea Stars, Emerald crabs... too many to list) with the Proper types and amounts of these cleaners, a dead fish can be GONE in a matter of hours with NO ill effect on water quality.

A healthy nitrogen cycle must be estabished before you can even start your tank.
Yes, Exactly the same as freshwater tanks.
With the proper amount of CURED live rock and Live sand you can have fish in your tank in about a week.
CURED meaning that it is ALREADY cycled, Your benificial bacteria is already established and your tank will not go through a nitrogen cycle or it will be a VERY SMALL cycle.

! LOL! All in all, establishing and keeping a healthy, thriving salt water tank is hard work! LOL
More money to start it off but I let the animals do most of the work for me, Thats what they are made to do.

Answer 4

they are no longer likely greater difficult to maintain, they only require greater interest in areas that are no longer perfect to freshwater fish. when I had saltwater, I only offered all my water pre-blended. particular, it grew to become right into a dollar a gallon, yet I had a small tank and did no longer must fret approximately even if if or no longer all the hint aspects have been there or no longer - i might only attempt for the in many instances used issues and complement as mandatory. of direction, reef tanks are greater in contact and based on species, may be very confusing to maintain.

Answer 5

i agree 100% with 007
so many people fail to see that.
the whole idea that SW fish are harder to care fro than FW originated in the 60's when, let's face it, fishkeeping was pretty much for professionals only.
there have been amazing advances is teqniques, technology, aquaculturing, and information in the last 40 years!