PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[spoiled739]

Okay, I have posted on here before, and I was told it was okay with a little hesitation to put a picasso and a yellow clown goby in a 12 gallon JBJ nano. I got the yellow clown goby three days ago, and yesterday, my boyfriend went looking and found he had went through the overflow and got stuck to the intake. If I make the overflow screened, so that a clown goby can't fit through, do you think I should try again, or get a bigger fish like say a firefish or dotty back. I have not yet got the clown as I am still trying to decide between premium and regular picasso. I really like how cute the clown gobies are though. Any ideas? By the way I have an emerald crab, but he left the clown goby alone.

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by snorvich

It is difficult given your current stocking which seems a bit haphazard with no real plan, to properly advise you. As an example multiple species (4) of clownfish will not survive together. In your sized tank, you can have a pair or single. Returning fish to the LFS is a bad strategy because they may or not accept them. But with your current "buy one fish and see if it survives strategy", I cannot really be a lot of help. Sorry.

Thanks for the scolding, but I didn't stock the tank, it was stocked like this when I got it. Obviously these are not the fish I would chosen had I done the stocking, but its what I got. All but the Toby have been together for a few years. The Toby was given to me because the previous owner didn't want to risk any of the corals he wanted to move into the tank. I was kind of hoping to find out if the Foxface can handle a bit more of an aggressive tank or should I wait until I can get the bad ones out. I have a few more ways to try and catch them until I take the rock out and get them that way. I have talked to the LFS and they will take them, they know once I'm rid of them I will buy more to properly stock. I don’t have a buy it and see if it survives strategy as I haven’t ever purchased a fish, but since the thread says “PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!” that is what I am doing.

[joegoersch]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Keep me posted. I have had all three kinds of firefish and did not notice a difference in attitude. Mine were always out unless they perceived a potential threat.

Purple firefish came out yesterday and today and was swimming into the current having a good time for at least a half hour before going into bolt hole.

Continues to enjoy eating mysis soaked in garlic juice. Still shy but definitely getting better.

Today is day 7 in QT.

[zimmy130]

Just started today! I am moving home from college, and am transferring my 30 gallon from a fresh to a saltwater tank. After the nitrogen cycle has completed I will be adding LS/LR and two weeks later I wish start adding some fish.

First will be an azure damsel, couple weeks later 2 clownfish, and after that a goby. Any advice on what types of clownfish and goby to get please let me know.

[ejanastacio]

Currently have in my 20G Tank:
3 Turbo Snails
7 Margarita Snails
1 Cleaner Shrimp
Pair of True Percs

Just Wondering if I could add a
6 line wrasse
Purple Fire Fish
Large Bubble Tip Anemone

[Run_iT]

I just started a 48"x13"x19" FOWLR tank, 40lbs of LR w/ LS! i am not going to be purchasing fish for a while but i was looking some up, lemme know what u think....

Azure Damsel
Bangaii Cardinal
Ocellaris Clownfish
Green Chromis
Linespot Flasher Wrasse
Mimic Saddle Puffer

According to Live Aquaria they are all easy-moderate to care for, compatible with one another and do not require a bigger tank than the one that i have. Not sure on how many numbers of them id like either, any suggestions would be awesome!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by spoiled739

Okay, I have posted on here before, and I was told it was okay with a little hesitation to put a picasso and a yellow clown goby in a 12 gallon JBJ nano. I got the yellow clown goby three days ago, and yesterday, my boyfriend went looking and found he had went through the overflow and got stuck to the intake. If I make the overflow screened, so that a clown goby can't fit through, do you think I should try again, or get a bigger fish like say a firefish or dotty back. I have not yet got the clown as I am still trying to decide between premium and regular picasso. I really like how cute the clown gobies are though. Any ideas? By the way I have an emerald crab, but he left the clown goby alone.

Well as you mentioned a clownfish is marginal for your sized tank. I would not get any larger fish but instead would make your system escape proof.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Run_iT

I just started a 48"x13"x19" FOWLR tank, 40lbs of LR w/ LS! i am not going to be purchasing fish for a while but i was looking some up, lemme know what u think....

Azure Damsel Pretty but somewhat aggressive
Bangaii Cardinal Single? If a pair, has to be male + female
Ocellaris Clownfish Single or Pair?
Green Chromis does not really add any value other than bioload; this I would avoid
Linespot Flasher Wrasse
Mimic Saddle Puffer It is rarely aggressive toward other fish except those of its own genus, and is best suited for a 30 gallon or larger aquarium that does not have invertebrates.

According to Live Aquaria they are all easy-moderate to care for, compatible with one another and do not require a bigger tank than the one that i have. Not sure on how many numbers of them id like either, any suggestions would be awesome!

I would agree. Go slowly, and in a 48 gallon tank you could probably do all except I would recommend against the chromis

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by joegoersch

Purple firefish came out yesterday and today and was swimming into the current having a good time for at least a half hour before going into bolt hole.

Continues to enjoy eating mysis soaked in garlic juice. Still shy but definitely getting better.

Today is day 7 in QT.

Progress. Should continue!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Xpilot

Thanks for the scolding, but I didn't stock the tank, it was stocked like this when I got it. Obviously these are not the fish I would chosen had I done the stocking, but its what I got. All but the Toby have been together for a few years. The Toby was given to me because the previous owner didn't want to risk any of the corals he wanted to move into the tank. I was kind of hoping to find out if the Foxface can handle a bit more of an aggressive tank or should I wait until I can get the bad ones out. I have a few more ways to try and catch them until I take the rock out and get them that way. I have talked to the LFS and they will take them, they know once I'm rid of them I will buy more to properly stock. I don’t have a buy it and see if it survives strategy as I haven’t ever purchased a fish, but since the thread says “PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!” that is what I am doing.

There was no intent to scold. It is just that the more fish that exist already, the greater the difficulty in predicting interaction permutations. Many people give me existing inhabitants and ask what can be added and it is just impossible to answer. Why don't we try this again. Come up with a plan, tell me what you really want to keep of the existing fish, and I will provide comments.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ejanastacio

Currently have in my 20G Tank:
3 Turbo Snails
7 Margarita Snails
1 Cleaner Shrimp
Pair of True Percs

Just Wondering if I could add a
6 line wrasse Probably not with long run success
Purple Fire Fish No
Large Bubble Tip Anemone Tank is not mature enough. In any case your clownfish may or may not associate with this anemone (anemones host, clown fish associate

The pair of clownfish will take your entire tank. As they mature, they will try and control about 25 gallons of tank space which is more than you have.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by zimmy130

Just started today! I am moving home from college, and am transferring my 30 gallon from a fresh to a saltwater tank. After the nitrogen cycle has completed I will be adding LS/LR and two weeks later I wish start adding some fish.

First will be an azure damsel, couple weeks later 2 clownfish, and after that a goby. Any advice on what types of clownfish and goby to get please let me know.

Do not cycle your tank with fish. Use a bit of shrimp from the grocery. The least aggressive clownfish are A. percula and A. ocellaris. What type of goby are you considering?

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by snorvich

There was no intent to scold. It is just that the more fish that exist already, the greater the difficulty in predicting interaction permutations. Many people give me existing inhabitants and ask what can be added and it is just impossible to answer. Why don't we try this again. Come up with a plan, tell me what you really want to keep of the existing fish, and I will provide comments.

I will get it down to the Clarkii (wife's fav), Ocellaris, and S. Seas Damsel (1in and not really a threat yet). I would like to do a reef and am looking at a FoxFace and maybe two tangs (undecided types) and a 6 line. I do have a Haddoni that is paired with the Clarkii. I was kind of hoping the Foxface would be able lay some smack down on the bigger damsel, but I can wait until I get it out, tried many times but he knows I am after him. The LFS says the Foxface should be fine, but I know they want to move inventory. After what happened with the Toby I am worried about it, but he is doing great now. I can wait to buy until I have my stock a little more under control, just thought I see about the Foxface.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Xpilot

I will get it down to the Clarkii (wife's fav), Ocellaris, and S. Seas Damsel (1in and not really a threat yet).

If the A. clarkii associates with the Haddoni, I would pair the A. clarkii and remove the A. ocellaris

I would like to do a reef and am looking at a FoxFace and maybe two tangs (undecided types) and a 6 line.

A foxface is semi-reef safe. That is, if you keep it well fed, you should be fine, but if not, it will munch. Remember that a foxface is a grazer so you need to have greens in addition to any algae (they do eat bubble algae)

I do have a Haddoni that is paired with the Clarkii.

Keep in mind that carpets eat fish; this risk would be reduced if you have a pair of clownfish associating with it because the clownfish should keep fish away.

I was kind of hoping the Foxface would be able lay some smack down on the bigger damsel, but I can wait until I get it out, tried many times but he knows I am after him.

Have you tried a controllable fish trap? Normally a foxface would not interact with a damsel

The LFS says the Foxface should be fine, but I know they want to move inventory.

I hear you, LFS are not trust worthy advisors as they have an inherent conflict of interests.

After what happened with the Toby I am worried about it, but he is doing great now. I can wait to buy until I have my stock a little more under control, just thought I see about the Foxface.

Keep me posted. Sorry if my initial post sounded like "scolding".

[Run_iT]

i was thinking about
1 Bangaii Cardinal
2 Clowns
probably wont get the azure or the chromis, what about a royal gramma basslet and eventually an Auriga Butterfly

would the mimic saddle puffer eat snails?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Run_iT

i was thinking about
1 Bangaii Cardinal
2 Clowns
probably wont get the azure or the chromis, what about a royal gramma basslet and eventually an Auriga Butterfly

Gramma loretto would be fine; auriga would be too much in the long run

would the mimic saddle puffer eat snails?

Difficult to predict. I don't keep this fish because I cannot with all my inverts.

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Keep me posted. Sorry if my initial post sounded like "scolding".

C'mon you were scolding, you wouldn't be apologizing if I had bought all of those fish in the past two months . I'm sorry if I was a little nasty, long day at work and the 4am alarm set for tomorrow isn't something I am looking forward to, so. So, I think my plan now will be to get the fish I don't want out first, this will take some time and give me a chance to get the new sump up and running. Then I need to decide on the Clarkii and Ocellaris, they really don't interact at all, but getting another Clarkii could be an issue. I'll take that to the anemone/clown forum. I think feeding the Fox shouldn't be an issue if I have the two tangs, probably do a multiple algae clips. Do you have any recommendations on tangs that can typically work together? Thanks for the help.

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by Run_iT

i was thinking about
1 Bangaii Cardinal
2 Clowns
probably wont get the azure or the chromis, what about a royal gramma basslet and eventually an Auriga Butterfly

would the mimic saddle puffer eat snails?

My Saddled Toby loves escargot, at least they are cheap. My Tuxedo Urchin actually picked up a live turbo and was holding him upside down as an offering to the puffer god, hahaha.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Xpilot

C'mon you were scolding, you wouldn't be apologizing if I had bought all of those fish in the past two months .

No, I would not be apologizing nor would I be answering

I'm sorry if I was a little nasty, long day at work and the 4am alarm set for tomorrow isn't something I am looking forward to, so. So, I think my plan now will be to get the fish I don't want out first, this will take some time and give me a chance to get the new sump up and running.

An excellent idea

Then I need to decide on the Clarkii and Ocellaris, they really don't interact at all, but getting another Clarkii could be an issue.

Normally, unless you have a huge tank, multiple species of clownfish end badly.

I'll take that to the anemone/clown forum. I think feeding the Fox shouldn't be an issue if I have the two tangs, probably do a multiple algae clips. Do you have any recommendations on tangs that can typically work together?

Ctenochaetus tangs work well, are normally not terribly aggressive. I personally like (and keep) a chevron tang but I do not keep two tangs in the same tank. The other tangs I like tend to be too large for your tank and even for my tanks which are much larger than yours.

Thanks for the help.

[jsehlms]

Updated list and your thoughts:

- 2 x Ocellaris Clowns - Have
- Lawnmower Blenny - Have
- One spot foxface
- copperband or bannerfish (h. acuminatus) Would love the copper, but afraid of the eating habits (or lack thereof)
- Flame Angel
- Yellow Tang
- Green Mandarin


Tank specs: 90G with 30G sump (25 usable). Tank is about 3 months old by now.

On a side note, how will I know when I have 'enough' pods? For the past 2-3 weeks my tank walls are covered in pods every night.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jsehlms

Updated list and your thoughts:

- 2 x Ocellaris Clowns - Have
- Lawnmower Blenny - Have
- One spot foxface
- copperband or bannerfish (h. acuminatus) Would love the copper, but afraid of the eating habits (or lack thereof)

As you know, copperbands are difficult fish. If and only if, you are prepared to feed live clams and blackworms, it is worth a try.

- Flame Angel
- Yellow Tang A grazer just like the foxface and flame angel. I would choose a tang or the foxface but not both
- Green Mandarin Add after your tank is mature; ideally with a producing refugium


Tank specs: 90G with 30G sump (25 usable). Tank is about 3 months old by now.

On a side note, how will I know when I have 'enough' pods? For the past 2-3 weeks my tank walls are covered in pods every night.

Yes, but mandarins eat constantly. The rule of thumb I suggest is nine months. You can enhance your chances if you have little "pod piles" of live rock rubble where the copepods can reproduce without being eaten

[markshalf]

I'm just starting. Cycling my first tank a 30 gallon with 10 gallon refugium. I have just seen nitrites appear. While I'm waiting I am planning fish.

I love the way flame angles and firefish look. Would a flame angle, a firefish and a royal gramma be too much in my tank ? (Not planning on going reef for a while, when I get a bigger tank).

If the flame angle is too much, how about a bicolor blenny ? Do they need a really established tank ? I do want the flame angel but also don't want to kill any fish !!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by markshalf

I'm just starting. Cycling my first tank a 30 gallon with 10 gallon refugium. I have just seen nitrites appear. While I'm waiting I am planning fish.

I love the way flame angles and firefish look. Would a flame angle, a firefish and a royal gramma be too much in my tank ? (Not planning on going reef for a while, when I get a bigger tank).

If the flame angle is too much, how about a bicolor blenny ? Do they need a really established tank ? I do want the flame angel but also don't want to kill any fish !!!

The issue is feeding. Flame angels (and angels in general) are grazers and eat algae from your tank. Your tank size makes a flame angel marginal (because of the grazing). A gramma loretto (royal gramma) and firefish should do fine. If you supplement the herbivore nature of the flame angel, you may get away with it.

[snorvich]

The Flame Angelfish is a flashy addition to many aquariums. One of the most popular of the dwarf angelfish, the Flame Angelfish is a bold red/orange color with vertical black stripes highlighting the body and horizontal black stripes along the caudal portions of the blue-tipped dorsal and anal fins.

The Flame Angelfish requires at least a 30-gallon aquarium with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing. Remember, however, that this is a recommended minimum not an ideal. The Flame Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles but this depends on the fish. I have seen them act reef safe and then over night decide that they like corals and clams. If the Flame Angelfish is to be added to a peaceful community, it should be the last fish introduced especially in smaller tanks such as the one for the poster above.. The Flame Angelfish adapts well to aquarium life, but should be kept in an established system and housed with dissimilar genera. The Flame Angel is very sensitive to elevated levels of copper, and should never be exposed to levels near or above 0.15 ppm.

The Flame Angelfish is hermaphroditic, very difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishable differences in color between male to female. In a 30 gallon tank, pairing this fish is not a great idea.

The diet of the Flame Angelfish should consist of Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty items. Be sure it has appropriate herbivore opportunities such as nori.

There are slight differences in both coloration and markings of this species based on the location of collection. Flame Angelfish from the Central Pacific include both Marshall Islands and Christmas Island. Marshall Island Flame Angelfish are redder in color, with thicker black bars running vertically down the body. Christmas Island Flame Angelfish are normally red/orange coloration with thin black bars running vertically down the body. Flame Angelfish from Cebu are red/orange with undefined black bars and a tint of yellow in between the bars. Flame Angelfish from Tahiti are rarely collected and are blood red in coloration and possess very little to no yellow. It is important to note that these color descriptions are a general guideline.

[athick2]

55 gal, 15 gal sump 600 gph, MH, Actinic, 80 lb LR with a couple corals (mushroom, GSP)

I currently have:

2 clowns (1 percula and 1 ocellaris)
2 pajama cardinals

Want to get:
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Another fish, maybe Damsel. I hear they can be a little agressive but are there any I can pick from that would get along with this group? If not, another fish to finish of my community?