Glossary

Adsorbed—Adhesion of gas, liquids or substance to surface.

Aerobic—Able to live and grow only when oxygen is present.

Anaerobic—Able to live and grow when no oxygen is present.

Anthropods/Copepods—Very tiny invertebrates, some of which resemble shrimp, that come in live rock and sand and are excellent food for many reef creatures.

Aiptasia—Small, somewhat translucent, white to brown anemones that spread quickly in reef tanks and kill corals.

Bristleworms—Detritus eating worms with tiny bristles often used in reef tanks. Larger species may cause problems as they grow; when touched, they release bristles that penetrate the skin and sting.

Caudal Fin—Tail fin of fish.

Chloramine—Chemical used to sterilize drinking water that is toxic to fish, must be removed from water before using in any aquarium.

Chlorine—Chemical used to sterilize drinking water that is toxic to fish, eventually escapes from water as gas in 24 hours but must be removed before using in any aquarium.

Detritus—Accumulation of disintegrated materials.

Dorsal Fin—Large fin located on upper portion (back) of fish.

Electrolytes—Chemicals and salts added to water to help match water conditions to chemical physiology of fish.

HLLE—Head and Lateral Line Erosion, a common disease in tangs.

Invertebrates—Animals without a backbone.

Lamellae—Appendages in fish gills that absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide.

Lateral Line—Sensory organ, sensitive to change in pressure and pulsations; also midline of fish’s body.

Macroalgae—Saltwater plants that include structure, such as a stem, leaves and roots; seaweed is a type of macroalgae.

Microalgae—Saltwater plants with no real structure that may be shaped like hair, bubbles or a rough mass; hair algae is a type of microalgae.

Microorganisms—Any microscopic bacteria, protozoan, virus, etc.

Mollusks—One of the largest groups of animals in nature, which includes many sea creatures, such as snails, slugs, clams, octopus and cuttlefish.

Motile—Organisms that self-propel or move themselves around in some manner.

Nanotank—Small saltwater aquarium that holds 20 gallons of water or less.

Necrosis—Death or decay of tissue

Nocturnal—Active during night hours.

Protozoan—Single celled microscopic animals that can be parasitic.

School—Group of fish that swim in a synchronized manner, with similar speeds and direction.

Sessile—Organisms that cannot move themselves around.