Behind damsels, "next hardiest" fish?

CJonesAU83 · 04/20/2011, 03:00 PM

So it's understood that overall the damsel family is the hardiest fish in the hobby. My question is, what does everyone think the NEXT hardiest family is, and with specific examples would be helpful too!

Lynnmw1208 · 04/20/2011, 04:42 PM

clowns? I'm just taking a guess but they seem pretty easy to care for. these guys were my 2nd fish in my tank.

Josh_Canada · 04/20/2011, 04:45 PM

chromis and clowns are a dead heat in my opinion, but im a bigger fan of the chromis as i can get them for $6.50 vs $20.

BBraker · 04/20/2011, 04:50 PM

What about dottybacks? They always hold up well for me, but they can be mean.

Bill

FormulatedFire · 04/20/2011, 04:51 PM

Chromis are very hardy.

Playerdrm · 04/20/2011, 04:57 PM

Triggers are a really hardy fish.

shifty51008 · 04/20/2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynnmw1208

clowns? I'm just taking a guess but they seem pretty easy to care for. these guys were my 2nd fish in my tank.

Clowns are damsels

I would go with chromis or cardinal's

ocellaris123 · 04/20/2011, 05:43 PM

I would say hawkfish. They are pretty hardy and disease resistant

cside · 04/20/2011, 05:54 PM

I would say firefish. and royal grammas are tied for 2nd. im sure a lot of ppl disagree with me with firefish, but they are great fish as long as you have an adequate top

NirvanaFan · 04/20/2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

Clowns are damsels

I would go with chromis or cardinal's

Chromis are part of the Pomacentridae family as well.

Check http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a...=25&page_num=1 for suggestions.

It really depends on what your final fish list is going to be as to what you want to add next though. For example, if you want a dottyback and a firefish. Dottyback's may be more hardy, but you should add the firefish first or the dottyback could kill the firefish if the firefish is added second.

So, any ideas on what your final stocking list will include?

Thorn-Blade · 04/21/2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cside

I would say firefish. and royal grammas are tied for 2nd. im sure a lot of ppl disagree with me with firefish, but they are great fish as long as you have an adequate top

From what I have read, firefish are jumpers so be careful of that.

billdogg · 04/21/2011, 01:29 PM

I've got an Eel that has escaped on several occasions. Twice to the point he was semi - dried up into an S shape. I just picked him, drop him in and watched as he sorta fluttered to the bottom. Eating a few hours later. At 22 years and counting, I don't think you can kill them.

MrTuskfish · 04/21/2011, 06:34 PM

Volitan Lions were actually used as cycle-starter fish years ago. I think a yellow tang could live on the floor for at least a week.

napier02 · 04/21/2011, 08:46 PM

my tank raised cardinals have survived alot including 50 degree water

computeaholic · 04/22/2011, 08:57 AM

I have seen some extremely hardy goby's as well. Not a top 3 or anything but a very hardy fish. I have seen a few go through some parameters in a tank that I thought would kill all.

Sk8r · 04/22/2011, 09:02 AM

Yellow watchman goby. Not to treat with disrespect, re water conditions, but given a fair break, bulletproof. Another that is surprisingly tough is the mandarin or scooter blenny (dragonets), given good feeding, enough live rock, big enough tank, and large fuge. Once happy, they're practically immune to disease and are rarely involved in fish fights.

charleneatkins · 04/22/2011, 10:08 AM

I have had 2 tough experiences with my 55. The end of December and this past Monday. These fish had to be immediately put into other tanks without any acclimation. The maroon clown, yellow watchman, two spot blenny, molly and green spotted puffers all came thru with flying colors. They have a trip back to another 55 once it goes thru is mini cycle.

125G Reefer · 04/22/2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playerdrm

Triggers are a really hardy fish.

04/20/2011, 03:00 PM	#1
CJonesAU83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 63	Behind damsels, "next hardiest" fish? So it's understood that overall the damsel family is the hardiest fish in the hobby. My question is, what does everyone think the NEXT hardiest family is, and with specific examples would be helpful too!

04/20/2011, 04:42 PM	#2
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	clowns? I'm just taking a guess but they seem pretty easy to care for. these guys were my 2nd fish in my tank. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

04/20/2011, 04:57 PM	#6
Playerdrm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 135	Triggers are a really hardy fish. __________________ Reef Tanks: 29g, 55g, 58g FOWLR Tanks: 240g, 125g (In Progress)

04/21/2011, 01:29 PM	#12
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I've got an Eel that has escaped on several occasions. Twice to the point he was semi - dried up into an S shape. I just picked him, drop him in and watched as he sorta fluttered to the bottom. Eating a few hours later. At 22 years and counting, I don't think you can kill them. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/21/2011, 06:34 PM	#13
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Volitan Lions were actually used as cycle-starter fish years ago. I think a yellow tang could live on the floor for at least a week. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

04/20/2011, 04:45 PM	#3
Josh_Canada Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 253	chromis and clowns are a dead heat in my opinion, but im a bigger fan of the chromis as i can get them for $6.50 vs $20.

04/20/2011, 04:50 PM	#4
BBraker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 84	What about dottybacks? They always hold up well for me, but they can be mean. Bill

04/20/2011, 04:51 PM	#5
FormulatedFire Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 138	Chromis are very hardy.

04/20/2011, 05:43 PM	#8
ocellaris123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,123	I would say hawkfish. They are pretty hardy and disease resistant

04/20/2011, 05:54 PM	#9
cside Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 384	I would say firefish. and royal grammas are tied for 2nd. im sure a lot of ppl disagree with me with firefish, but they are great fish as long as you have an adequate top

04/21/2011, 08:46 PM	#14
napier02 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 53	my tank raised cardinals have survived alot including 50 degree water

04/22/2011, 08:57 AM	#15
computeaholic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 76	I have seen some extremely hardy goby's as well. Not a top 3 or anything but a very hardy fish. I have seen a few go through some parameters in a tank that I thought would kill all.

04/22/2011, 09:02 AM	#16
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Yellow watchman goby. Not to treat with disrespect, re water conditions, but given a fair break, bulletproof. Another that is surprisingly tough is the mandarin or scooter blenny (dragonets), given good feeding, enough live rock, big enough tank, and large fuge. Once happy, they're practically immune to disease and are rarely involved in fish fights. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/22/2011, 10:08 AM	#17
charleneatkins Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: andover ct 06232 Posts: 1,819	I have had 2 tough experiences with my 55. The end of December and this past Monday. These fish had to be immediately put into other tanks without any acclimation. The maroon clown, yellow watchman, two spot blenny, molly and green spotted puffers all came thru with flying colors. They have a trip back to another 55 once it goes thru is mini cycle. __________________ Hope keeps things alive and looking forward Current Tank Info: 28,55 & 90g mixed reef,10G FW

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