Exam 3 Vocab

Question 1

Micronesia

Answer 1

The northwestern group of more than 2000 islands which form part of the Oceania group lying in the Pacific ocean. Includes the Caroline, Mariana, and Marshall islands.

Question 2

Mouthbrooder

Answer 2

A fish that incubates fertilized eggs in its mouth.

Question 3

Mulm

Answer 3

Very fine particulate muddy deposit

Question 4

Mysid shrimp

Answer 4

Commercially available marine shrimp that is used as live in frozen food

Question 5

Nauplii

Answer 5

Newly hatched brine shrimp

Question 6

Nighttime tubes

Answer 6

Used to illuminate aquaria, enabling the interior and its occupants to be seen. Creates conditions that replicate moonlight rather than sunlight for viewing nocturnal activity

Question 7

Nitrate

Answer 7

(NO3) A compound derives from (and less toxic than) nitrate by nitrobactor

Question 8

Nitrate – nitrogen

Answer 8

(NO3-N) A measurement of nitrate levels in the water.

Question 9

Nitrification

Answer 9

The process by which toxic nitrogenous compounds are converted by aerobic bacteria into less harmful substances, E.G. ammonia to nitrite to nitrate

Question 10

Nitrosomonas

Answer 10

Aerobic bacteria used in the biological filter to convert ammonia into nitrite.

Question 11

Nuisance algae

Answer 11

Hair (filamentous) or slime algae that can overrun a tank.

Question 12

Oceania

Answer 12

An area comprising some 25,000 Islands through the Pacific ocean, from new guinea to Easter island in the east and Hawaii to New Zealand in the south

Question 13

Ocellus

Answer 13

A spot that resembles an Eye in appearance on the fishes body, frequently near the rear of the dorsal fin. It often serves to confuse predators about which end of the fish carries the head

Question 14

Opercular

Answer 14

A protective Spine that lies on the operculum. This makes it difficult for a predator to swallow a fish protected in this way, because the spines may stick in the throat, causing the fish to spit out its prey.

Question 15

Operculum

Answer 15

The covering over the gills on the side of the fishes head behind the eyes. It moves as water flows out of the body over the gills.

Question 16

Osmolator

Answer 16

Equipment for replacing evaporated water so as to maintain the desired specific gravity (SG)

Question 17

Osmosis

Answer 17

The passage of a liquid through a semipermeable membrane to dilute a more concentrated solution

Question 18

Osmotic stress

Answer 18

And adverse reaction caused in live stock when the salinity of its environment changes significantly. Also called osmotic shock

Question 19

Oxygen Reduction Potential

Answer 19

(ORP) A measurement of the waters ability to cleanse itself

Question 20

Ozone

Answer 20

(O3) A three-atom unstable form of oxygen used as a disinfectant

Question 21

Ozonizer

Answer 21

A device that uses high-voltage electricity to produce Ozone

Question 22

Pectoral fins

Answer 22

Paired fins, one on each side of the body, immediately behind the gill cover in most cases

Question 23

Pelagic

Answer 23

Meaning “of the open sea” pelagic eggs are lighter than water and are scattered after ascending spawning action between a pair of fish in open water, compared with the Demersal eggs

Question 24

Pelvic fins

Answer 24

Paired fins, one on each side of the body, immediately below the gill cover. (Not a marine fish have them)

Question 25

pH

Answer 25

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, the scale ranges from 1 (very acidic) through 7 (neutral) to14 (very alkaline). aquarium water should be kept in range pH 7.9-8.3

Question 26

Phosphates

Answer 26

(PO4) compounds that are waste products generated by live stock, also present in unfiltered mains water

Question 27

Photoperiod

Answer 27

The length of time that aquarium lights remain on.

Question 28

Phytoplankton

Answer 28

Very small plants (e.g. unicellular algae) that drift in the water.

Question 29

Plankton

Answer 29

The encompassing time for phytoplankton and zooplankton

Question 30

Polygamous

Answer 30

Does not maintain a pair bond, but mates randomly.

Question 31

Power filters

Answer 31

Also called canister filters, they suck water into the filter media with the unit

Question 32

Power head

Answer 32

And electric impeller system fitted to biological filter return tubes to create water flow

Question 33

Ppm

Answer 33

An abbreviation for parts per million, a measurement of the concentration of a substance

Question 34

Protein skimmer

Answer 34

A device that removes protenious substances from aquarium water. Also used in conjunction with Ozonized air for sterilizing water

Question 35

Rays

Answer 35

Bony supports in the fins of fish

Question 36

Reactor

Answer 36

An isolated container, usually in or near a sump, used for performing a particular task e.g. increasing calcium or oxygen in the water, before it is reintroduced to the main system