A bit salty

There's been a changing of the guard in the pet fish industry: Saltwater fish are becoming as popular, if not more popular, than freshwater fish.

"I think having saltwater fish as pets has always been fairly popular. But as a hobby, it's become easier," John Kauffman, owner of the newly opened Coral Reef Keepers in Duncansville, said. "The technology of keeping saltwater fish has evolved, and the needs of the fish are better understood. Many people also have developed an affinity for the vast color and species varieties of saltwater fish.

"Saltwater fish have become heartier than their freshwater counterparts, he said. "Freshwater fish have been inbred to a great extent, whereas saltwater fish haven't. So the end result is, you have a much healthier stock of fish."

Kauffman, 46, of Roaring Spring has worked in the pet industry for more than 25 years. Since opening Coral Reef Keepers in October, his goal has been to educate hobbyists on responsible and successful saltwater aquarium reef keeping. The store is the area's first pet shop dedicated solely to invertebrates, live corals, saltwater fish and supplies.

The store's typical fish inventory includes angelfish, anthias, basslets, blennies, butterfly fish, cardinalfish, chromis, clownfish, damsels, gobies, hamlets, hawkfish, hogfish, lionfish, puffers, rabbitfish, tangs or surgeonfish, triggers and wrasses. Prices range from $4.99 to $75.99 per fish. Invertebrates include clams and bi-valves, crabs, marine plants, shrimp, starfish, snails and urchins ($1.99 to $59.99).

Marine corals run the gamut from caulastrea, clove coral, xenia, leathers, montipora, fungiidae, favia and faviites, and acropora to pipe organ corals, corallimorphia, euphyllia, acanthastrea and zoanthids (availability and prices subject to change).

"We do not carry certain types of fish or invertebrates which are either difficult to keep or are not reef compatible," he said, citing ertanthias, batfish, some blennies, most cardinal fish, dragonets, pipefish, and seahorses as fish that may nip at and eat a variety of corals, sponges, polyps, feather dusters and clams.

Aside from livestock, coral customers also can find live rock/sand, macro algae, reverse osmosis and deionized water (salt water is 50 cents per gallon), frozen fish food, aquariums, lighting and lighting fixtures, additives and supplements, filters, water pumps, water testing equipment, protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, wavemakers and coral propagation tools.

"We raise our fish from an egg on up through to adulthood," Kauffman said. "They've never seen a disease because they've never been in the ocean."

For more information on the store and product availability, visit www.coralreefkeepers.com.

Kim Barger of Hollidaysburg is a fish aficionado looking to convert her freshwater tank to a saltwater aquarium.

"There's just a bigger variety with saltwater fish," she said as she perused the store's livestock. "I've raised freshwater fish for two years now, but now I'm looking for something a little different. My grandkids love stuff like this, so I wanted to come in here and check it out."

Doug McLaughlin, a chemist who descibes himself as Kauffman's "silent partner," said the most important thing to consider with saltwater livestock is water quality.

"That's the air they breathe, so to speak," he said. "Water is a complex chemical. We stress that everyone should have a water testing kit. You need to have a warm water tank, closely monitor amonia levels (neutralizes excrement) and have mechnical filtration to allow tanks to cycle. You don't want to have dead spots in your tank where there's no water current moving (which allows toxins from excrement to build up).

McGlaughlin said the differences between saltwater and freshwater fish is significant.

"The major difference is that saltwater fish are much more interesting and intelligent - saltwater fish just seem to know who you are," he said. "I sort of think that there are many people looking for something a little bit different - like a (coral) reef system, for example. You can't approach anything like that with a fresh water system. The natural beauty of corals is simply amazing."

Mirror Staff Writer Jimmy Mincin is at 946-7460.