Don't buy these if you're a newbie

[m0nkie]

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Let's see if I got the reference. You are pointing out my lack of 'uncertainty' on these items?

I do agree that I'm making these statements on the 'strong' side but I've just seen one to many newbies walk out of the LFS with a doomed (insert livestock here).

I was referring to your previous #4 before the edit.. I had to reread your post a few times to make sure I read that right

[ViktorVaughn]

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Or, probably even if your experienced:


2. Elegence Corals, especially from Indonesia. Anecdotal information suggests better success with those from Australia but definitely not a beginner coral.

I had purchased an unknown LPS piece about 3 months into the hobby. Fish store had no idea what it was but I liked it because it looked like a neon piece of grass. I got an ID in the LPS identification section as an Indonesian elegance. Perhaps I can post a picture later for a secondary confirmation. Really cool piece, not a super fast grower but I have gotten some pretty decent growth out of it.

[jrozzi]

Originally Posted by elFloyd

Young tanks can't produce enough pods... Mandarins eat constantly, and other fish eat pods too.

My 30 is about a month old and I have tons of pods. Shine the light in at night and the rocks are crawling. I even have a lot of isopods.

[rlm2005]

Originally Posted by jrozzi

My 30 is about a month old and I have tons of pods. Shine the light in at night and the rocks are crawling. I even have a lot of isopods.

All tanks are like that in the beginning but you need to give it a little time for the population to stabilize and start to reproduce at a level that will sustain a mandarin or any other type of pod eater.

[Stolireef]

Originally Posted by jrozzi

My 30 is about a month old and I have tons of pods. Shine the light in at night and the rocks are crawling. I even have a lot of isopods.

What most newbies would call a 'ton of pods' is an afternoon snack for a Mandarin. I would be surprised if a 30 gallon tank could maintain sufficient pods for a Mandarin to thrive without significant supplementation.

Again, this thread is not aimed at the experienced reef keeper but rather at those who are just starting out in the hobby. There are all kinds of exceptions and anecdotes of success but far more examples of failure.

[DSMpunk]

Linkias - Usually starve to death
Sea Apples - Usually starve and then nuke tank
Sea cucumbers - Starve/nuke and will also get caught up in pumps.
Sand sifting starfish - Starve eventually when it cleans out your sand bed

[DSMpunk]

It should go without saying but..

Any kind of shark - Need a specialized/huge tank
Ray - See above
Octopus - Need a special tank/escape artists
Jellyfish - Need special tank without corners

[leetch]

I'd add Damsels. Too many people buy Damsels because they are "pretty" and their LFS will say they are a good fish. Well they are psycho and should be renamed devilfish.

They are mean, territorial and will harass new fish added at a later time....unless of course you add a wrasse who like to put damsels in their place

[footballdude2k3]

Do people really think that damsels are pretty? I think they might be the ugliest group of fish this side of filefish

[leetch]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

Do people really think that damsels are pretty? I think they might be the ugliest group of fish this side of filefish

Many do, yes. Not to mention they are cheap. Cheap and psychotic...lol. Unfortunately, many newbies go after cheap.

BTW, I love my filefish. He may be ugly but he's a funny funny dude. He loves to ride the currents around the tank. He knows exactly where they start so he sneaks up behind the powerheads then jumps in the current, drops his fins down and flies across the tank. He does it all day long...it's hilarious to watch.

[footballdude2k3]

Originally Posted by leetch

Many do, yes. Not to mention they are cheap. Cheap and psychotic...lol. Unfortunately, many newbies go after cheap.

BTW, I love my filefish. He may be ugly but he's a funny funny dude. He loves to ride the currents around the tank. He knows exactly where they start so he sneaks up behind the powerheads then jumps in the current, drops his fins down and flies across the tank. He does it all day long...it's hilarious to watch.

I demand a video of said shenanigans

[Dangleflow9]

1. I've had a mandarin for quite some time in my 120 gal tank and it's been great. In fact, I got him within 6 months of setting up the tank. Never had any issues or anything. Added pods about 2-3 times too make sure the population was stable and never had any issues since.

2. Assuming you wait 6+ months, an anemone should be fine. Just like sun coral, they require patience and feeding. If placed properly, they can often catch food on their own. As long as you allow an anemone to find a place that it likes and have stable water parameters, it will be fine.

3. I've had a school of chromis since about 5 weeks into my tank's life and never had an issue. Maybe it's because they get fed every single day, usually at least 3 times. However, they ALWAYS seem to want more food, so I don't think I'm keeping them completely content. They're extremely large for chromis, but have never touched any fish in the tank.

[Stolireef]

Keeping a Mandarin in a 120 is very reasonable once the tank is established. Does it have any competition for pods from other fish such as wrasses?

[jrozzi]

I always thought the jewel damsels were pretty

[leetch]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

I demand a video of said shenanigans

Haha - I'll see if I can get some tonight when I get home.

[JoeVandal49]

Im pretty new to the hobby, and sounds like im in minority, but i love my three stripe damsel. So far he has been a model citizen, but it sounds like that may not last as it gets older. Ill keep my fingers crossed.

Him and my Royal Gramma have had a few stare downs, and its really amusing to watch, because they share a rock and are constantly within 3 inches of each other or so. They will sit there and stare at each other, Royal Gramma will open his mouth wide open, etc, but no aggressive contact, just stare downs. They last a minute or so, then its back to life as usual.

[footballdude2k3]

Originally Posted by leetch

Haha - I'll see if I can get some tonight when I get home.

Very excited for this

Originally Posted by JoeVandal49

Im pretty new to the hobby, and sounds like im in minority, but i love my three stripe damsel. So far he has been a model citizen, but it sounds like that may not last as it gets older. Ill keep my fingers crossed.

Him and my Royal Gramma have had a few stare downs, and its really amusing to watch, because they share a rock and are constantly within 3 inches of each other or so. They will sit there and stare at each other, Royal Gramma will open his mouth wide open, etc, but no aggressive contact, just stare downs. They last a minute or so, then its back to life as usual.

Those things get huge, I saw 4 of them in a fish store that had just been brought in by somebody that didn't want them anymore, they were close to 6 inches

[JoeVandal49]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

Very excited for this



Those things get huge, I saw 4 of them in a fish store that had just been brought in by somebody that didn't want them anymore, they were close to 6 inches

Yea, sounds like he may be a candidate for removal at some point, but i am in the process of a basement remodel, and in the planning stages of a 600+ gallon DT, so hopefully by the time he is large, ill have the new DT fully completed.

[Prankster11]

Originally Posted by Dangleflow9

1. I've had a mandarin for quite some time in my 120 gal tank and it's been great. In fact, I got him within 6 months of setting up the tank. Never had any issues or anything. Added pods about 2-3 times too make sure the population was stable and never had any issues since.

I did the same thing in my 135 gallon, except it was within 4 months...she is still alive, and is a little fatty

[Stolireef]

As I said, you will certainly hear success stories with every one on my list, but they are the exceptions rather than the rule for the new reef keeper. Mandy's are beautiful entertaining fish that can be successfully kept but you really have to know what your doing and, sometimes, get a little lucky.

[Prankster11]

Originally Posted by Stolireef

As I said, you will certainly hear success stories with every one on my list, but they are the exceptions rather than the rule for the new reef keeper. Mandy's are beautiful entertaining fish that can be successfully kept but you really have to know what your doing and, sometimes, get a little lucky.

I completely agree with you...I think I got extremely lucky

[Vilas]

No stars? Not mini brittle stars? I have a ton of those as hitchikers.

[shifty51008]

Cleaner wrasse should be on the list imo

[johnike]

Originally Posted by Vilas

No stars? Not mini brittle stars? I have a ton of those as hitchikers.

Those are just fine, no worries.

[leetch]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

Very excited for this

Didn't get any video last night - he decided he just wanted to flat around and just hung out in front of the tank. I'll keep trying, I swear to you he does this...lol.

Filefish are supposed to be shy and considering I have a pretty aggressive tank, you'd think he would hide all the time but he actually is out most of the time. One of the best tank mates I've ever had - not to mention he cured my aiptasia issues