Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral ecosystem. Reef aquariums inspired by the Indo-Pacific.
Description
The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland, Australia) and the Indo-Pacific reefs in general serve as the benchmark for reef aquariums. The water is crystal-clear, highly oxygenated, rich in calcium, and home to an enormous diversity of life.
Reference Parameters (NSW — Natural Seawater)
| Parameter | NSW Value |
|---|---|
| Salinity | 1.025 – 1.026 |
| pH | 8.1 – 8.3 |
| KH | 7–9 dKH |
| Ca | 415–435 ppm |
| Mg | 1,280–1,320 ppm |
| NO3 | < 1 ppm |
| PO4 | < 0.01 ppm |
| Temperature | 25 – 27°C |
Areas of the reef and their inhabitants
Outer cliff area (high energy)
- SPS corals: Acropora, Seriatopora, Stylophora
- Fish: Surgeonfish (Acanthurus, Zebrasoma), Large wrasse
- High current, intense light
Lagoon reef area (medium energy)
- LPS Corals: Euphyllia, Trachyphyllia, Goniopora
- Soft corals: Sinularia, Xenia
- Fish: Clownfish + anemone, Goby, Cardinalfish
- Moderate current, medium-to-high light
Sandy substrate area
- Sand Gobies (Valencienna)
- Sand star (Archaster)
- Sea cucumber
List of Indo-Pacific Fish (for reef aquariums)
- Amphiprion ocellaris — false clownfish
- Zebrasoma flavescens — yellow surgeonfish (Pacific)
- Paracanthurus hepatus — blue surgeonfish
- Nemateleotris magnifica — fire dartfish
- Pterapogon kauderni — Banggai cardinalfish
- Synchiropus splendidus — mandarin fish
- Halichoeres chrysus — golden wrasse
- Siganus vulpinus — foxface