what fish can i keep together in a small fish only tank?

jtdesigns2 · 09/25/2008, 08:36 AM

hey guys,

So, i'm looking to start a fish only tank. I have a 100 gal system with a 55gal display reef tank with a large variety of soft coral, fish, and inverts. Now, i want to have another tank so i can enjoy more aggressive species.

This second tank will not be hooked up to the system (it will be 3 floors away) - i'm planning on having it's own skimmer. probably 30 gal or so.

can I put a dwarf puffer and black angler in a tank together? if not - what can i put with the angler? or, what do people usually put with dwarf puffers?

orrrrr if i went the route of pipefish with seahorses.... what else can i put with them?

any other good ideas for a small fish only tank?

thx guys,
Jt.

LisaD · 09/25/2008, 08:58 AM

I'd keep an angler alone - you'd be surprised how much fish they can swallow, and some fish pick at them.

I have had a smaller tank with the following:

pair of seahorses (H reidi)
orchid dottyback
pair of leaf fish (live food only)
bicolor blenny
sailfin blenny

If you wanta dwarf puffer, maybe keep it with a small hawkfish, like a flame hawk and a small angel, like a cherub or coral beauty.

jtdesigns2 · 09/25/2008, 09:05 AM

Lisa, i love the idea of leaf fish and seahorses..... with blennies and dottyback - i had no idea you could keep blennies and dottybacks with seahorses and leaf fish....

if the seahorses breed will there be a problem with the other fish eating the babies?

and will all of these be ok with just a skimmer and no refugium?

thanks!

Jt.

Grouperhead · 09/25/2008, 10:15 AM

I'd do a golden dwarf moray, flame hawkfish, and bluespotted toby. That'd be a nice mix of color and personality for a small "aggressive" tank.

TrappedMetal · 09/25/2008, 12:50 PM

I wouldnt put seahorses with any pseudochromis, way too fast and quite aggressive, even the fridmani's.
Also i wouldnt trust the leaf fish to not just eat everything. Smaller mouths than anglers but still perfectly capable of eating stuffs.

jtdesigns2 · 09/25/2008, 12:54 PM

i love the blue spotted toby - i think that is the one i would go with if i did get one.... so that eel can go in a small tank??

Grouperhead · 09/25/2008, 02:28 PM

Golden dwarfs don't get over 10" and stay about as thick as a pen. A 30g tank will be plenty of room for one.

09/25/2008, 08:36 AM	#1
jtdesigns2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: philadelphia Posts: 14	what fish can i keep together in a small fish only tank? hey guys, So, i'm looking to start a fish only tank. I have a 100 gal system with a 55gal display reef tank with a large variety of soft coral, fish, and inverts. Now, i want to have another tank so i can enjoy more aggressive species. This second tank will not be hooked up to the system (it will be 3 floors away) - i'm planning on having it's own skimmer. probably 30 gal or so. can I put a dwarf puffer and black angler in a tank together? if not - what can i put with the angler? or, what do people usually put with dwarf puffers? orrrrr if i went the route of pipefish with seahorses.... what else can i put with them? any other good ideas for a small fish only tank? thx guys, Jt.

09/25/2008, 08:58 AM	#2
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	I'd keep an angler alone - you'd be surprised how much fish they can swallow, and some fish pick at them. I have had a smaller tank with the following: pair of seahorses (H reidi) orchid dottyback pair of leaf fish (live food only) bicolor blenny sailfin blenny If you wanta dwarf puffer, maybe keep it with a small hawkfish, like a flame hawk and a small angel, like a cherub or coral beauty. __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

09/25/2008, 12:54 PM	#6
jtdesigns2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: philadelphia Posts: 14	i love the toby i love the blue spotted toby - i think that is the one i would go with if i did get one.... so that eel can go in a small tank??

09/25/2008, 09:05 AM	#3
jtdesigns2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: philadelphia Posts: 14	Lisa, i love the idea of leaf fish and seahorses..... with blennies and dottyback - i had no idea you could keep blennies and dottybacks with seahorses and leaf fish.... if the seahorses breed will there be a problem with the other fish eating the babies? and will all of these be ok with just a skimmer and no refugium? thanks! Jt.

09/25/2008, 10:15 AM	#4
Grouperhead Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Shakedown Street, Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,477	I'd do a golden dwarf moray, flame hawkfish, and bluespotted toby. That'd be a nice mix of color and personality for a small "aggressive" tank.

09/25/2008, 12:50 PM	#5
TrappedMetal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 276	I wouldnt put seahorses with any pseudochromis, way too fast and quite aggressive, even the fridmani's. Also i wouldnt trust the leaf fish to not just eat everything. Smaller mouths than anglers but still perfectly capable of eating stuffs.

09/25/2008, 02:28 PM	#7
Grouperhead Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Shakedown Street, Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,477	Golden dwarfs don't get over 10" and stay about as thick as a pen. A 30g tank will be plenty of room for one.