Monday, November 5, 2012

Mollusk

Common name: Gold Apple Snail

Scientific name: Pomacea diffusa
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Mollusca
  Class: Gastropoda
  Family: Ampullariidae
  Genus: Piomacea
  species: diffusa

The gold apple snail, or the gold mystery snail, is a tropical or sub-tropical freshwater snail, very common for fish aquariums.  They are golden in color, and have a golden shell.  They are well adapted to drought, because they come from areas where periods of drought and heavy rainfall occur.

Crustacean

Common name: Hermit crab

Scientific name: Coenobita clypeatus
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum:  Arthropoda
  Class: Malacostraca
  Order: Decapoda
  Family: Coenobitidae
  Genus: Coenobita
  species: clypeatus

Hermit crabs are a very popular pet.  The hermit crab has a soft body that retracts into a seashell.  As the crab grows, it must find a bigger or more suitable shell.  It also molts, and sheds its hard skin.  They are either omnivorous or herbivorous, but may also be scavengers.

Cnidarian

Common name: Super Colored Long Tentacle Anemone

Scientific name: Macrodactyla doreensis
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Cnidaria
  Class: Anthrozoa
  Order: Actinearia
  Family: Actiniidae
  Genus: Macrodactyla
  species: doreensis  

The super colored long tentacle anemone is known by many different names, such as the sand anemone and the corkscrew anemone.  This anemone can appear in colors such as purple, red, orange, grey, and brown.  They are aggressive towards other aquarium animals, and have stinging cells to protect themselves. 

Echinoderm

Common name: Chocolate Chip Starfish

Scientific name: Protoreastor nodosus
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Echinodermata
  Class: Asteroideas
  Family: Oreasteridae
  Genus: Protoreastor
  species: nodosus

The chocolate chip startfish is found naturally in the Indo-Pacific region.  They are aggressive toward other aquarium invertebrates, and are carnivorous.  They are not poisonous, and can live up to seven years.

Bony Fish

Common name: Ornamental Guppy

Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum:  Chordata
  Class: Acanthopterygii
  Order: Cyprinodontiformes
  Family: Poeciliidae
  Genus:  Poecilia
  species: reticulata

 
The guppy is a small fish, also known at the million fish.  Males are brightly colored, sometimes with intricate patterns.  The females are larger, with dull coloration.  These fish are livebearers, meaning that they give live birth to their young.

Arachnid

Common name: Chilean Rose Tarantula

Scientific name: Grammostola rosea
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum:  Arthropoda
  Class: Arachnida
  Order: Aranaea
  Family: Theraphosidae
  Genus: Grammostola
  species: rosea

The Chilean rose tarantula are native to Chile and Peru.  They are covered in a gray or brown fur, and prefer arid environments.  They do not build webs, but hide in order to catch their prey.

Amphibian

Common name: Great Plains Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus cognatus
  Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Chordata
  Class: Amphibia
  Order:  Anura
  Family: Bufonidae
  Genus: Anaxyrus
  species:  cognatus 

The great plains toad is found in North America, and is named for living in the Great Plains. They primarily eat worms, and are predated by the plains garter snake.