Robert "Bob" Fenner

Robert (Bob) Fenner has "lived" the science, hobby and business of aquatics in the Philippines, Japan and United States. All phases; collector, wholesale, jobber, retail, design, construction and maintenance. All levels; manager, owner, hatchery worker, retail clerk, technician. Except for a stint teaching high school sciences for four years, he has worked all his life in the field of ornamental aquatics.

Academic experience includes eleven years of college, a couple of life science degrees and a teaching credential for chemistry, physics and biology. Published works include several studies on aquatic biological and chemical questions, and an extensive publishing and photographic background in the industry and hobby of aquatics. Have taught High School sciences and Marine Sciences and Aquariology courses at the State University, University of California levels.

Bob has been an avid aquatic hobbyist since day one and is active in hobbyist and scientific organizations. He has served on numerous Boards, judged shows and given many programs.

Helped form and run (President) of the employee-owned corporation, Nature Etc., Inc. in San Diego, started in 1973; a turn-key operation in the field of ornamental aquatics, designing and building ponds, lakes, fountains and waterfalls (Aquatic Environments), designing, installing custom aquarium systems and maintenance (Aquatic Life Services), and operating retail outlets (Wet Pets).... currently does consulting, content provision to the trade, sciences and hobby of aquaristics.

ABSTRACT:

"Organism Selection for the Saltwater Aquarist"

When in the course of pet-fish events", the biggie: Livestock. A large part of the fun and excitement of the marine aquarium hobby is the anticipation and "scavenger" (that's you) hunt for your new livestock. The "what" to get and even "how to select" actually should have been decided (as in, nothing's decided till it's done) way in advance of even acquiring the system and its components. Yes, in an ideal world, aquarists would/will know what sort of presentation and/or livestock they intend to house way before actually buying their tanks and support paraphernalia.

What about such issues as; "how big" a system? (Answer: As large as you can afford to maintain. Notice I didn't write "to purchase"; that's a minor matter comparatively). What shape? A heavy bias on more flat, "standard" formats over "show" profiles that are tall and narrow. Lighting? What will your organisms need/take? Substrate? Nitrate removal/reduction considerations? Foods, feeding, nutrition? And oh so much more need to be addressed and answered with confidence.

And as you're cogitating furiously, seeking and discovering what's available, possible and the paths you'll try out matching your "dry-goods" purchases with the "live", what sorts of questions might you, should you explore concerning "what" species you'll place? Beyond these, what criteria can you apply to optimize your chances of securing the best/better specimens of the varieties of livestock you want?

There are two issues to be addressed in figuring our what you'll be keeping in your marine system. First, the ideal of what is available and suitable for your particular set-up; secondly how to go about picking out the best of these species.

Discounting the possibility of "The Creature that Ate Brooklyn" deriving from your live sand and rock, the following issues must need be evaluated when considering potential fishes, invertebrates, algae and vascular plants: size (at purchase, growth, and ultimate potential), foods/feeding , compatibility (behavioral characteristics like territoriality) and anomalous losses issues . Even the issues of shipping problems and legal aspects should be of concern.