Observation ocean fish

Topex/Poseidon is a little satellite that could. Launched on August 10, 1992, the joint U.S.- French spacecraft was designed to fly for three to five years. This week it celebrates its 10th anniversary and is still going strong.

When it turns 10, Topex/Poseidon will have made 46,763 trips around Earth measuring the height of the oceans to within 4 centimeters (less than 2 inches). Since launch, it will have faithfully provided more than 98 percent of the science data it was designed to collect despite technical and mechanical challenges, and its advancing years.

A successful mission is a combination of hardware, software and people. One key member of the Topex/Poseidon team is Parag Vaze, deputy manager for Earth sciences mission operations at JPL.

Vaze has been part of the Topex/Poseidon mission for longer than the satellite has been flying. He first came to JPL in 1992 while working for Fairchild, the company that built the satellite. "Someone was needed here for six months to deliver, commission and train personnel to use a flight system test bed just before the launch," he says. "That six month stint kept getting extended. I was able to offer some complementary skills to the operations team and eventually officially joined JPL in 1996," he says.

Vaze's job is to keep NASA's Earth-observing satellites operated by JPL flying and performing well. He heads the Earth science mission operations team under whose care are the venerable Topex/Poseidon and its follow-on, Jason 1, launched this past December. The team also provides support for Acrimsat, which measures the total amount of sunlight falling on Earth's atmosphere, oceans and land.

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Ocean fish

With a long eel-like tail and a mouth full of large canine teeth, the wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is one of New England ’s most unique ocean fish species and also one of the most endangered. CLF’s petition cites federal and independent scientific studies that show, over the past twenty years, dramatic declines in wolffish population and destruction of the deep underwater habitat that the fish needs to successfully reproduce and survive.

Based on all available science, Atlantic wolffish are rapidly headed toward extinction in New England ’s ocean waters,” said Peter Shelley , CLF Vice President and Senior Attorney. “The dramatic decline in wolffish is a troubling indication that while there is some good news about marine species like haddock and sea scallops that have been successfully restored, our ocean’s long term health continues to hang for other species by a precarious balance. Key species like the wolffish and endangered whales remain in serious jeopardy.”

According to federal statistics, the number of wolffish landed by commercial fishermen has dropped 95% from over 1,200 metric tons in 1983 to just 64.7 metric tons in 2007. More critically, wolffish have virtually disappeared from the annual scientific research trawls that take place twice a year in the state and federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the New England coast. In addition to fishing, habitat alterations are also suspected as a major threat to the wolffish. One scientist has estimated that virtually every inch of the seafloor in New England ’s ocean waters was impacted by commercial trawling (in which football field-sized nets are dragged through the ocean) between 1984 and 1990.

Given the widespread destruction of seafloor habitat in the Gulf of Maine, the habitat available to sustain Atlantic wolffish populations has been greatly reduced,” wrote marine scientist and co-petitioner Dr. Les Watling in a scientific affidavit attached to the petition. “Absent some action to reduce or eliminate the destruction of seafloor habitat in the few remaining areas of United States waters that harbor remnant populations of the Atlantic wolffish, it is probable that it will be faced with extinction in those waters in the near future.”

The wolffish, which has evolved with natural anti-freeze to keep its blood flowing in the 250-400 foot deep, ice-cold water it calls home, can live up to 20 years and weigh as much as 40 pounds. Unlike most fish which broadcast millions of eggs into the water to be fertilized by the male and then abandoned to their fate, wolffish pair up to reproduce and fertilization is believed to occur inside the female. After they are laid on the ocean floor, the male then protects the eggs and young in a nest for four to nine months.

We can't afford to lose the Atlantic wolffish and the unique role it plays in regulating other species in the ocean ecosystem,” said Dr. Erica Fuller, a co-petitioner. “Our petition presents the federal government with the opportunity to take targeted action in very specific places to protect and restore the existing populations of this special fish.”

An endangered species listing under the Endangered Species Act would require federal agencies to implement a recovery plan to protect and restore the wolffish, as well as to designate and protect critical habitat on which they depend for survival.

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Eel

Prefer muddy bottoms and calm waters; frequently found in coastal plains, swamps and creeks but is also found inland where a favorable biotope exist. Juveniles feed on invertebrates, adults feed on fish and small mammals (Ref. 12225), first-born larvae prey on other eggs and embryos coming from late spawning batches (Ref. 40645). The electric organ of this species consists of flattened electrocytes, numbering to about hundreds of thousands, connected in series (Ref. 10840; 10011). Generates two type of electric organ discharges (EODs) from different electric organs which are of myogenic derivation: 1) low-voltage EODs (about 10 V) emitted by the Sach's organ at rates of up to 25 Hz, and 2) high-voltage EODs (about 50-fold) emitted by the main and Hunter's organs at peak rates of up to several hundred Hz. Low-voltage EOD has been associated with electro location whereas high-voltage EOD has been noted during predatory attacks (Ref. 10011). An EOD of 500 V was recorded from a 1 m specimen (Ref. 10530), making it a potentially dangerous species. Incorporation of this species in fish-based house security systems has been suggested (see Ref. 9506). Also possesses high-frequency sensitive tuberous receptors patchily distributed over the body that seems useful for hunting other gymnotiforms (Ref. 10583). A nocturnal species; captive specimens showed higher low-voltage EOD activity during the night compared to daytime (Ref. 10011). This cycle seems to be free-running (internally controlled) (Ref. 10829). Probably a fractional spawner; fecundity count was17,000 eggs (Ref. 10630). An obligatory air breather (Ref. 10011) and can withstand poorly oxygenated water (Ref. 26457). Used in experimental studies

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Octopus as Pets

I have kept brown and even poisonous blue ring (I do not recommend Blue ring) octopii.

In fact a brown octopus was one of my first saltwater creatures back in the mid 1970s.

They make great pets and are highly intelligent, in fact mine would recognize me and come to the top and stick its tentacles out to take food directly from me.

Here are a few points to keep in mind though:
*An Octopus will squirt ink they squirt when frightened, but that is rare. Try and keep a peaceful environment and this will not become a problem.

*The Blue Ring Octopus from the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most toxic animals on earth with its neurotoxin. A bite can kill in under an hour (although they very rarely bite).
These Octopus prefer the warmer waters that most home aquariums provide however the poison problem I think over rides this plus (even though I have kept them).



Here are some important points for success in keeping a Brown Octopus vulgaris and bimaculoides:
*They are cold water preferring so an aquarium under 75 F is best (under 70 F is better).

*They need crab or other crustaceans in their diet. Along this line they will consume cleaner shrimp, coral banded shrimp and similar

*They are sensitive to nitrates above 20 ppm. So good filtration (such as the Berlin Method which includes live rock and possibly a Mud Filter is a must). Along the line of anecdotal comments I have read statements that a Protein skimmer is a must; not true! (Although the use of a Protein Skimmer certainly helps keep the odds of a healthy aquarium in yours and your octopus' favor). I have kept many a healthy Brown Octopus without a protein skimmer, the key is low nitrates and a healthy environment (which includes Redox Potential) and if a Protein Skimmer is part of this plan, fine, however there are other good methods as well. If anything the benefits obtained by a UV Sterilizer (although different benefits) would be more important.

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