Which should be my first fish?

AC2020x · 10/01/2009, 09:48 PM

Assuming, I go with this stock in my 125g FOWLR tank which would you suggest be the first fish to go in? I currently have let the tank cycle, and now I have a few pajama cardinals in it to make sure it is ready to go! I plan on getting rid of them when I get my first fish because they cannot handle the water flow when I turn on the powerheads!

-Porcupine puffer
-Trigger (Humu Humu, Humu Picasso, Niger)
-Dwarf Angel (Flame, Coral Beauty, lemon peel, yellow, Rusty)
-Eel- Snowflake or Chainlink
-Wrasse(Harlequin Tusk, Red Corris, Dragon, banana, formosa)
-Some type of tang- (Powder blue, Yellow, purple, others?)

Thats my current stocking plan- Theres probably a good chance i'll leave at least one of those out but I'd like to get one from most of those sections. If these are the fish I go with, what would you suggest be my first fish?

Thanks alot
-AC

AC2020x · 10/01/2009, 11:31 PM

bumpity bump bump

sevendigitcake · 10/02/2009, 04:01 AM

i would say the eel. they are the calmest of all the fish you selected and dont require a well established tank like the dwarf angels or tangs. Just get one on the small side and always feed it from a stick and you should be fine. Oh ya and just a side note you might want to reconsider the porc puffer. They get quite large and are very active and personally i would think 125 gallons will eventually get too small for this fish; probably too small for the powder blue as well. But all in all i think it is a nice stock list. Maybe replace the puffer for a large angel.

AC2020x · 10/02/2009, 07:58 AM

I've talked to alot of people who have had porcupine puffers in the past, and from what it seems it's def true they get to large but I should be able to have one for a few years before then. One of my freinds had one in a 55 by itself and it lived pretty comfortably for about 5 years. Then he kept it another 2 and could see it needed a large aquarium so it was sold to a 300g.

Someone on craigslist is also selling one near me and it's been in his tank for 3 years and is about 4-5 inches. So, I think I will be fine keeping it for a few years at least if I start small.

Powder blue- I'm at a conflicting stage with myself about weather or not to get. It will be a long while down the road if I do though.

So i'm probably going to go with the eel, IDK weather or not to go with snowflake or chainlink though?

sevendigitcake · 10/02/2009, 08:08 AM

i personally like snowflakes better. i think they look nicer.

Seventy · 10/02/2009, 08:26 AM

The snowflake eel is definately the easiest to take care of on that list. Assuming you have a good seal so he doesn't get out.

The eel and Porc Puffer are very very messy, so lots of skimming and water changes.

If you really want a puffer you should visit The Puffer Forum. They are very special fish that require very special attention.

Those other fish I don't have much experience with.

tranto1 · 10/02/2009, 09:29 AM

i would also go with the Snowflake eel, It's still too early to go with a tang IMO.

AC2020x · 10/02/2009, 12:08 PM

Sweet i'll go with the snowflake first then, I have a very tight fitting glass canopy that will do fine for him. I don't plan on getting a tang for at least 6+ months if I ever decide to get one. 2nd will probably be puffer but for now I will focus on the eel!

I've done a good ammount of research on the puffer and know about them. It gets confusing though with all the different food people say you can feed them. I guess I'll need to find out what works best for my situation and my puffer.

AC2020x · 10/02/2009, 12:09 PM

Also where is this puffer forum you speak of???
Thanks

Seventy · 10/02/2009, 12:38 PM

www. thepufferforum .com

Very professional, very friendly.

Information about diet, tank size, tank mates, dentistry, and everything you would ever want to know about puffers.

Check out the pufferpedia, great stuff.

10/01/2009, 09:48 PM	#1
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Which should be my first fish? Assuming, I go with this stock in my 125g FOWLR tank which would you suggest be the first fish to go in? I currently have let the tank cycle, and now I have a few pajama cardinals in it to make sure it is ready to go! I plan on getting rid of them when I get my first fish because they cannot handle the water flow when I turn on the powerheads! -Porcupine puffer -Trigger (Humu Humu, Humu Picasso, Niger) -Dwarf Angel (Flame, Coral Beauty, lemon peel, yellow, Rusty) -Eel- Snowflake or Chainlink -Wrasse(Harlequin Tusk, Red Corris, Dragon, banana, formosa) -Some type of tang- (Powder blue, Yellow, purple, others?) Thats my current stocking plan- Theres probably a good chance i'll leave at least one of those out but I'd like to get one from most of those sections. If these are the fish I go with, what would you suggest be my first fish? Thanks alot -AC Last edited by AC2020x; 10/01/2009 at 09:54 PM.

10/01/2009, 11:31 PM	#2
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	bumpity bump bump

10/02/2009, 04:01 AM	#3
sevendigitcake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 452	i would say the eel. they are the calmest of all the fish you selected and dont require a well established tank like the dwarf angels or tangs. Just get one on the small side and always feed it from a stick and you should be fine. Oh ya and just a side note you might want to reconsider the porc puffer. They get quite large and are very active and personally i would think 125 gallons will eventually get too small for this fish; probably too small for the powder blue as well. But all in all i think it is a nice stock list. Maybe replace the puffer for a large angel.

10/02/2009, 07:58 AM	#4
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	I've talked to alot of people who have had porcupine puffers in the past, and from what it seems it's def true they get to large but I should be able to have one for a few years before then. One of my freinds had one in a 55 by itself and it lived pretty comfortably for about 5 years. Then he kept it another 2 and could see it needed a large aquarium so it was sold to a 300g. Someone on craigslist is also selling one near me and it's been in his tank for 3 years and is about 4-5 inches. So, I think I will be fine keeping it for a few years at least if I start small. Powder blue- I'm at a conflicting stage with myself about weather or not to get. It will be a long while down the road if I do though. So i'm probably going to go with the eel, IDK weather or not to go with snowflake or chainlink though?

10/02/2009, 08:08 AM	#5
sevendigitcake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 452	i personally like snowflakes better. i think they look nicer.

10/02/2009, 08:26 AM	#6
Seventy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 100	The snowflake eel is definately the easiest to take care of on that list. Assuming you have a good seal so he doesn't get out. The eel and Porc Puffer are very very messy, so lots of skimming and water changes. If you really want a puffer you should visit The Puffer Forum. They are very special fish that require very special attention. Those other fish I don't have much experience with.

10/02/2009, 09:29 AM	#7
tranto1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 82	i would also go with the Snowflake eel, It's still too early to go with a tang IMO.

10/02/2009, 12:08 PM	#8
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Sweet i'll go with the snowflake first then, I have a very tight fitting glass canopy that will do fine for him. I don't plan on getting a tang for at least 6+ months if I ever decide to get one. 2nd will probably be puffer but for now I will focus on the eel! I've done a good ammount of research on the puffer and know about them. It gets confusing though with all the different food people say you can feed them. I guess I'll need to find out what works best for my situation and my puffer.

10/02/2009, 12:09 PM	#9
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Also where is this puffer forum you speak of??? Thanks

10/02/2009, 12:38 PM	#10
Seventy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 100	www. thepufferforum .com Very professional, very friendly. Information about diet, tank size, tank mates, dentistry, and everything you would ever want to know about puffers. Check out the pufferpedia, great stuff.