What are the coolest, most exotic things that could be theoretically kept in the home aquarium?

[rennjidk]

I realize that it's a bit of a loaded question, especially in this hobby, and that people's opinions are subjective. Maybe I've just seen too many Attenborough documentaries, but if you could create a truly specialized and unique tank filled with deep sea oddities of evolution and bioluminescence, what would you keep and why?

Mine would have to be the Barreleye

 

[blaxsun]

Sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.

 

[rennjidk]

Sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.

I actually purchased a Shark branded robotic vacuum cleaner. It has a LIDAR emitter on top, which it uses to create a 3d map of my house using multiple lasers. So in a sense...

 

[Shon]

I'd like a few hundred feet long aquarium just for a pyrosome..

 

[Bruttall]

Box jellyfish!! Yeah I know, super toxic and only live a few months, but so beautiful!!

 

[Harpo]

Leafy sea dragon would be really cool

 

[Slocke]

I always thought chimera sharks were cute. Vampire squid and argonauts are very cool. Or how about a giant siphonovore?

@ISpeakForTheSeas @i cant think got any cool ideas?

 

[MikeCRK]

Who will stop a dreamer





Feather Star, not possible unless having dedicated swimming pool size tank

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Who will stop a dreamer





Feather Star, not possible unless having dedicated swimming pool size tank

Those are always fascinating to see videos of!

 

[Slocke]

 

[i cant think]

I always thought chimera sharks were cute. Vampire squid and argonauts are very cool. Or how about a giant siphonovore?

@ISpeakForTheSeas @i cant think got any cool ideas?

Absolutely chimaera, but I will always say ‘Clide’ aka the Telescope Fish (Gigantura chuni);

 

[i cant think]

I’d also like to show you what I would name ‘Pellica’ The Gulper Eel.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Answering realistically, I'd say some of the pipefish such as the ghost pipefish are pretty amazing to see in person and actually could be kept if you ever happen to find one for sale.

 

[o2manyfish]

I think for Bioluminesence and really cool behavior you have to build a tank for Cuttle Fish.

It doesn't have to be huge, but the movement, colors, interarction and personalities is pretty wild.

And this is something that is attainable and reasonable to keep for the experienced hobbyist.

Dave B

 

[Kasrift]

Who will stop a dreamer





Feather Star, not possible unless having dedicated swimming pool size tank

I swear I've seen these types being sold like this https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&cid=85&pid=2516

Is this a different star or does the recommended tank size not make sense at all for their listing? I've seen a few places sell it.

 

[i cant think]

I swear I've seen these types being sold like this https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&cid=85&pid=2516

Is this a different star or does the recommended tank size not make sense at all for their listing? I've seen a few places sell it.

These stars are available however keeping them alive and healthy long term is almost impossible - I knew one person who managed it but she gave up the hobby a while ago unfortunately.

 

[Kasrift]

These stars are available however keeping them alive and healthy long term is almost impossible - I knew one person who managed it but she gave up the hobby a while ago unfortunately.

It lists them as plantivores. Are they purely filter feeders? How different would care be compared to other filter feeders like Christmas tree worms?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

It lists them as plantivores. Are they purely filter feeders? How different would care be compared to other filter feeders like Christmas tree worms?

They ONLY eat particles of a specific size and we don't know what that size preference is

 

[randomfishdude]

I think I could keep a feather star.
All I'd haft to do is drain my pool. Take some pipes and put em in the canal. Then let it fill and filter.
Easy!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I don't believe it's beyond the capability of humans to keep a feather star in captivity. Just because we don't know how right now DOES NOT mean it's impossible or even close.