S - Aquarium and Fish Dictionary

Salinity
School
Sessile
SG
Spawn
Specific Gravity
Spirulina
Sponge Filter
SPS
Strontium
Substrate
Sump
Surgeonfish
SW
Symbiosis

Aquarium Fish Definition and Glossary

Salinity :: is a measurement of the total amount of dissolved salts in saltwater.
School :: refers to the grouping behavior that certain fish species practice in order to avoid predation.
Sessile :: refers to organisms (invertebrates) that do not freely move around the tank (immobile) and they are attached to the substrate, live rock or other surface.
SG :: abbreviation for Specific Gravity.
Spawn :: can be considered the period of time while fish are reproducing (breeding). It can also refer to the fertilized eggs or the release of eggs into the water column for fertilization.
Specific Gravity :: is a weight ratio of one liter of some substance compared to one liter of water and is temperature dependant. Specific gravity can be measured with a hydrometer. Saltwater aquariums need to be in the 1.021 - 1.025 range.
Spirulina :: used as fish food, is a type of blue-green algae that is good for feeding to herbivorous fish.
Sponge Filter :: is an internal aquarium filter that is very popular with fish breeders for their easy maintenance and durability. It basically performs mechanical filtration and biological filtration. These filters consist of a sponge material that is attached to a powerhead like device that pulls aquarium water through the sponge. Larger particles are trapped in the sponge and beneficial bacteria can grow on and within the sponge. To clean a sponge filter all you have to do is ring it out in discarded tank water and it should be ready to go again.
SPS :: abbreviation for Small Polyped Stony Corals.
Strontium :: a trace element in natural saltwater that aids in calcerous algae growth. Also see the Saltwater Aquarium Supplements article.
Substrate :: is the bottom of the aquarium and usually consists of gravel, sand or mud (saltwater aquariums).
Sump :: is an aquarium that is connected to the main tank, often hidden below or behind the main display aquarium, that is used to increase the total amount of volume in the system and used to hide equipment such as protein skimmers, heaters, aquarium filters, chillers, etc.
Surgeonfish :: The Tang or Surgeonfish is common name for a saltwater fish species. They are nick named surgeonfish because of the scalpel like growths (blade like) at the base of the caudal peduncle which they use for aggression and defense.
SW :: abbreviation for Salt Water.
Symbiosis :: is when two different types of organisms live in close association (i.e. together). There are several different classes of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, amensalism, neutralism and competition.