Research & Development

    A core philosophy of AquaTouch has always been to improve on standard methodologies and husbandry practices in the ornamental aquatics trade. When possible, we have shared our work in publications, lectures, and communications with colleagues. As an industry leader in marine ornamentals AquaTouch continues to contribute to the broad base of growing knowledge in aquatic husbandry.

    Over the years, AquaTouch has focused on three main areas of development. These are general laboratory work, husbandry, and field work. Below is a brief synopsis of some of our efforts and contributions made by AquaTouch staff members.

Laboratory Work

    Our laboratory facilities provide support for a number of different projects. Many of these projects are part of the day to day operation at AquaTouch while others can be general research or collaborations with colleagues.  Our extensive laboratory equipment inventory includes compound and dissecting microscopes, an inverted biological microscope, paraffin embedding and sectioning tools, microscope slide staining equipment, and other laboratory materials. Below is a brief outline and a list of publication.

FISH

    We regularly examine fish to identify diseases for our customers, conduct necropsies on deceased fish, anesthetize them during procedures like correcting overbites on puffer fish teeth or parasitic removal.

Puffer Dentistry

    For over 7 years AquaTouch has provided dental care to marine fish raised in aquariums. It is common for some fishes, primarily Pufferfish to develop an overbite the longer they are in aquaria. AquaTouch clients are able to make an appointment to have the procedure done, which usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The techniques we use are based on those taught by Dr. Ed Noga of North Carolina State University and Kelly Jedlicki from Louisville, KY. A general overview of the process is as follows.

    Upon arrival the fish is prepared for anesthesia. It is placed in a chemical anesthetic (not clove oil) that is calculated based on the fishes weight. Once the sedative has completely taken effect the fish is removed from the solution.

    The fish is placed on a laboratory work surface.  A variety of tools and dental files are used to trim back teeth on the upper and lower jaw. 

    Once the overbite is sufficiently corrected, the fish is gradually brought back out of an anesthetized state. The fish is ready for transport back home after it has been observed for a period of time and prepared for travel. Feel free to come by and talk with an AquaTouch staff member if you have a fish in need of this service.

CORAL

    Our laboratory facilities allow us to closely examine corals for taxonomic identification to the species level in many cases. We have also studied the cellular composition of corals, their digestive contents, and reproductive components such as gonads. This level of research has resulted in collaborative work with the National Museum of Natural History Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands, and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Townsville, Australia. We have many projects lined up for the future. Once the results are published we will include references below.

INVERTEBRATES et al.

    With over 6000 gallons of seawater systems in our retail facility and another 3000+ at AquaTouch Too we are constantly encountering small organisms that require analysis or identification. Additionally, customers often bring us small invertebrates that need microscopic examination. Conducting cell counts of phytoplankton foods, zooplankton products, and organism counts in cultured and wild live sands regularly occur. 

    Publications - Contributions by AquaTouch staff members

• Janes, M. P. 1999. A review of the soft coral family Xeniidae. Marine Fish Monthly 14(9): 7-15 (PDF)

• Alderslade, P. 2001. Six new genera and six new species of soft coral, and some proposed familial and subfamilial changes within the Alcyonacea (Coelenterata: Octocorallia) Bulletin of the Biological Society of Washington 10:15-65.

• Janes, M. P. 2004. Soft coral microanatomy. Marine Fish and Reef Annual 2004: 82-91 (PDF)

• Marine Sediment Analysis- MACNA 2005 (PDF)

• Octocoral Laboratory Taxonomy Manual 2007 (PDF)

• Mycobacterium marinum

• Janes, M. P. 2008. A study of the Xeniidae (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) collected on the "Tyro" expedition to the Seychelles with a description of a new genus and species.  Zoologische Mededelingen 82: 563-590

• Janes, M. P. 2008. Laboratory methods for the identification of soft corals (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea). Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium of Coral Husbandry in Public Aquaria. Chapter 46.

Husbandry

    Much of our daily operations at AquaTouch involves the care or husbandry of our marine animals. Whenever possible we share with our customers the results of experiments, new techniques or products, and system designs that will help them be successful.

    Publications - Contributions by AquaTouch staff members

• Bitter, S. 2008. Six Marine Fish Challenges. FAMA 32(1): 42-54

• Bitter, S. 2008. An Appealing Stranger: Duncanopsammia axifuga. FAMA 31(5): 56-64 

• Bitter, S. 2008. Pooling Your Resources: A dynamic tide pool refugium. FAMA 31(7): 56-64

• Bitter, S. 2008. Stony corals with mass appeal. Marine Fish And Reef Annual 11: 40-50

• Janes, M.P. 1999. Buyer's guide to Corals, part 1: Soft Corals. FAMA 22(6): 8-11 (PDF)

• Janes, M.P. 1999. Buyer's guide to Corals, part 2: Hard Corals. FAMA 22(7): 202-206 (PDF)

• Janes, M.P. 1999. Buyer's guide to Corals, part 3: Invertebrates. FAMA 22(8): 40-50 (PDF)

• Janes, M.P. 2000. The rebirth of sponge keeping. Seascope 17: 1-4 (PDF)

• Wood, E. and Dakin, N. 2003. The Responsible Marine Aquarist. Marine Conservation Society, Ross-on-Wye, UK. 154 pp.

• Janes, M.P. 2003. Asperagopsis taxiformis: A troublesome reef algae. Seascope 20(3): 1-3 (PDF)

• Janes, M.P. 2003. Maintenance suggestions for aquarium equipment and personnel. Marine Scene 12(2): 2-7 (PDF)

• Gorgonian Lecture- IMAC 2005 (PDF)

• Marine Education Lecture- MACNA 2005 (PDF)

• Aquarium system care Lecture- AquaTouch 2005 (PDF)

• Janes, M. P. 2008 Husbandry of azooxanthellate soft corals (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) in captivity: preliminary results. Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium of Coral Husbandry in Public Aquaria. Chapter 8.

Field Work

    A portion of our field work has included coral surveys in the Red Sea, Indonesia, octocoral collection in the Andaman Sea, coral spawning in the Gulf of Mexico, and a crown-of-thorns survey in Thailand.

     Additionally, AquaTouch works closely with collectors and exporters of marine ornamental fish. This quality assurance program takes us to locations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans each year to meet with our livestock providers. We discuss collection techniques, examine export facilities, and dive right along side the collectors. These efforts ensure a high quality of livestock for us to offer to our clientele and allow us to be involved in the management of our coral reef resources.

     Publications - Contributions by AquaTouch staff members

• Marine Ornamentals 2004 (PDF)