29 Gallan BioCube

[Deberber]

Hello, I've recently set up a 29 gallon biocube. It has 20lbs of live rock and a 1.5" sand bed. I already have a Yellowtail Blue Damsel and Yellowhead Jawfish. I want to have corals and was wondering what other species of fish might work. I know tangs and most wrasse are out of the question. Also, I don't really want to put in a pair of clowns. Thank you for any help you all may offer.

[smtank]

Dart Fish
Royal Gramma
Chalk Basslet
Yellow Watchman Goby
Cardinals

You are going to have put extra effort into feeding the Yellow head Jaw Fish, they have a reputation for slow starvation.

[Deberber]

I was unaware of that. So far i have been feeding frozen brine shrimp and he comes out of the burrow to eat it. And yes i had looked into the chalk bass and pajama cardinal. Also.i had thought of a yellow clown goby and sixline wrasse, but not sure.

[smtank]

I would stay away from the 6 line. They sometimes less than a model citizen in nanos and hard to catch. Six lines are active and interesting but can turn into real bullies in small tanks.

[ryeguyy84]

Originally Posted by smtank

I would stay away from the 6 line. They sometimes less than a model citizen in nanos and hard to catch. Six lines are active and interesting but can turn into real bullies in small tanks.

I second this. . . I had my 6 line in a 55 and he was a model citizen but when I downgraded to a 29G biocube I couldn't add anyfish without him being a bully. and they are impossible to get out.

what about a firefish? I have one in my cube and he adds some nice color.

[CAPSLOK]

With the established damsel in that small of a space, I think you will have difficulty with many water column fish. The jawfish will likely not take kindly to other sand dwellers like shrimp gobies. So you're pretty limited at this point. Firefish are easily bullied and I think one would hide constantly and starve with the damsel already present.

Jawfish do best with peaceful tankmates and I would be worried about him being bullied into starvation with the damsel - especially if he isn't out above his burrow much.

I suggest a royal gramma or chalk basslet, which should hopefully be able to handle the damsel but should also not bother the jawfish. Otherwise, I would recommend finding a new home for the damsel if you want more options.

[thegrun]

+1, although I would worry about the Royal Gramma also getting bullied by the damsel. A six line wrasse would certainly be able to take care of itself, but I doubt if you added a six line you would be able to add any other fish to the tank; between the six line, damsel and jawfish that is a bunch of tough hombres.

Originally Posted by CAPSLOK

With the established damsel in that small of a space, I think you will have difficulty with many water column fish. The jawfish will likely not take kindly to other sand dwellers like shrimp gobies. So you're pretty limited at this point. Firefish are easily bullied and I think one would hide constantly and starve with the damsel already present.

Jawfish do best with peaceful tankmates and I would be worried about him being bullied into starvation with the damsel - especially if he isn't out above his burrow much.

I suggest a royal gramma or chalk basslet, which should hopefully be able to handle the damsel but should also not bother the jawfish. Otherwise, I would recommend finding a new home for the damsel if you want more options.

[Deberber]

The damsel has been in for 3 days now. He is a juvenial. Does that broaden the options or just get ride of the damsel?

[josesito125]

Qustion do you have the original lighting on you bicube or did you upgrade your lighting ?

[Deberber]

It's the one that came with it. A 150 wat double ended metal halide light.

[Deberber]

Ok, so you all said the sixline will be fine against damsel. I also think another fish. Was wondering if this list will do:
-Yellow head Jawfish
-Yellowtail Blue Damsel
-Sixline Wrasse
-Black ocellaris clown

[smtank]

Originally Posted by Deberber

Ok, so you all said the sixline will be fine against damsel. I also think another fish. Was wondering if this list will do:
-Yellow head Jawfish
-Yellowtail Blue Damsel
-Sixline Wrasse
-Black ocellaris clown

Out of all the post regrading a 6 line I did not get that a 6 line would be fine?

[Deberber]

Originally Posted by thegrun

+1, although I would worry about the Royal Gramma also getting bullied by the damsel. A six line wrasse would certainly be able to take care of itself, but I doubt if you added a six line you would be able to add any other fish to the tank; between the six line, damsel and jawfish that is a bunch of tough hombres.

This post says it would e fine against a damsel.