Difficult Livestock

There are so many gorgeous and readily available marine ornamental fish species: Royal grammas, coral beauty angels, blue tangs, and so many more… Same with corals and other invertebrates. All of the best qualities in an aquarium animal, right? Sometimes not! Especially after successfully keeping aquaria for years, some hobbyists find themselves falling for the beguiling flirtation of difficult livestock. Yes, difficult, as in hard to keep. Even when they have to go great lengths to acquire the specimen (rarity appeals), or even when the species isn’t exactly colorful or showy by conventional standards. Before you judge such an aquarist as a show-off, or just plain nuts, consider this: They might simply be engaged in that which is arguably the most noble aim among us, the pursuit of ultimate challenge. Oh, so sounds a little more… evocative now? Even exhilarating, maybe? Then perhaps you too are ready for your first big trial as an advanced hobbyist. No need to go about looking for that one special species; it will find you, perchance when and where you least expect it. But when it happens, you will know. What does this manner of obsession look like in practice? Lots of research. More research. Very likely building a species tank. Maybe a little more research. At least some trouble actually locating a source for the animal. Then… that special moment when you finally take it to your home aquarium. The unboxing. Hereafter it is revealed whether you or not you have the requisite skills. If you’ve opted to chase a high-maintenance species, you might truly be put to the test. When you get lucky, you likely will be patting yourself on the back; when things don’t work out, you might shrug the whole experience off as “not meant to be.” Either way, as a lover of difficult livestock, you’ll be back on the hunt in short time. In this section, you will learn how to keep all varieties of difficult livestock, whether highly sensitive to water quality, finicky/specialized eaters or requiring special living conditions.