Re: NANFA-- Freshwater inverts

DasArm_at_aol.com
Fri, 17 Dec 1999 13:22:23 EST

In a message dated 12/17/99 11:58:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
HOOVERJ_at_wes.army.mil writes:

<< freshwater sponges - These have proven almost impossible to keep in
captivity for more than a few weeks, but most sponge biologists were
probably not using natural-like mesocosms in their work. Freshwater sponges
are interesting because of the unusual predator/parasites that feed and live
within them: spongilla flies. >>

I saw some freshwater sponges in a stream in Quebec. I was taken aback at
first because I didn't know what they were at first from a distance ; they
appeared to be some odd green smeary looking goop like melted plastic in the
water. Wondering just what the hell it could be I waded into the sfor a
closer examination and found little holes poriferating the surface ( hence
the group name Porifera ; it says it all ) so I figured out that it was an
encrusting sheet type of freshwater sponge.It was the first time I had ever
seen one.I also saw hair algae bunches that were two different shades of a
wierd neon yellow-green. I wonder what species they were or what conditions
would produce this strange coloring.
I wonder if these sponges all need to be kept in a chilled tank. I'm also
thinking that perhaps the biologists needed to have more of a constant supply
of small organisms and have them in larger numbers and variety for the
sponges to filter feed.This could possibly explain why they only lasted a few
weeks. Maybe they are even sensitive to certain toxins that build up in
closed systems like aquaria.
I'm still wondering if any one can tell me whether freshwater feather duster
worms are North American and where they might be found at in this continent.
Thanks in advance.
Interesting post btw, Jan.

/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org