40 breeder Lion/scorpion tank?

[duoc9119]

I'm ready to shut down my reef and redo the tank as a Lion/Scorp tank. It is a 40 breeder with a 10 gallon sump, SWC 120 Skimmer, Mag 3 Return pump, and MP10. Going to get new sand and new rock for a more "predator" aquascape.

My current Livestock plan is a Rhinopias, and 2 Fuzzy's. I've heard mixed opinions on the combo and should either do 2-3 Rhiniopias, or 2 Fuzzys and 2 Leafs, or 3 Fuzzys and a Leaf, or 3 Leafs and a Fuzzy.

I really do want to have a Rhinopias but don't want to have one whole 40 Breeder to have just one fish in there. Would 2 Fuzzy's and a Rhinopias work?

After driving for a whole day to LFS in the DFW area, only 3 can get me a Rhinopias but they cannot guarantee a date of when it comes in stock. One has never heard of it but they called their supplier right then and asked if it was possible to get on, the other 2 LFS has had a few before.

Another question is the aquascape. I want to maybe do some zoa gardens and some macro gardens, but not over due it. Is this possible with these fish?

 

[namxas]

A 3 foot tank is a bit tight for 2 fuzzies and a Rhino. If it were a 4 footer, like a 55/60 gal, I'd say go for it due to the sedentary nature of Rhinos. I'd say you can go with a Rhino and a single fuzzy as long as the size differential favors the fuzzy, at least initially (Rhinos are piscivorus, and have pretty large mouths for their size). I say this because I've got no idea what size any of your fish will come in at.

Leaf fish would likely end up as Rhino food, as they stay pretty small. Additionally, leaf scorps are pretty darned tuff to wean onto prepared foods, so you may need to feed them live ghosties and guppies for life. Fortunately, these little fish tend to accept live food from a net fairly readily. BTW, the bright red specimens you see around typically fade to a creamy pinkish color in captivity.

Rhinos are fine with zoanthids and macro, in fact, one of our R. frondosa specimens really liked hanging out in the macro:

 

[seahorsedreams]

Duoc, that is indeed the same pic you saw on another site, in case you were wondering. Namxas is my husband..... and as you can see, we don't always agree

 

[duoc9119]

Haha funny. I thought the pictures looked familiar. Thought posting in multiple forums would get me a better range of answers and see what my choices are.

 

[seahorsedreams]

Yes, definitely. I frequent other forums for the same reasons. It's the best way to hear different opinions.

I just didn't want you to think that was me from the other place. Especially where our opinions differ slightly! LOL!

 

[seahorsedreams]

Maybe I should explain some of our differences as well. When you put two scorps together, it's a risk. Some are a slam dunk no risk. Others are are little to a lot. On a large frondosa, their mouths are pretty darn big. BUT, if you had a big ole fuzzy, there's a good chance he won't get eaten. I would risk it with a plain ole brown one, but I would never put a yellow fuzzy with a frondosa. That to me shows I feel there is an element of risk. Is the risk worth the specimen... that's only individually determined.

 

[duoc9119]

Maybe I should explain some of our differences as well. When you put two scorps together, it's a risk. Some are a slam dunk no risk. Others are are little to a lot. On a large frondosa, their mouths are pretty darn big. BUT, if you had a big ole fuzzy, there's a good chance he won't get eaten. I would risk it with a plain ole brown one, but I would never put a yellow fuzzy with a frondosa. That to me shows I feel there is an element of risk. Is the risk worth the specimen... that's only individually determined.

Yeah I am pretty sure the brown fuzzy's are a lot more common (in a sense that there's already little to none that carry anything scorpion) But also, got a nice call earlier today that they weren't expecting a purple frondosa coming in today.

If I didn't make plans to go to a drive-in today I would have jumped ship and drove over there to take a look at it. So a big Fuzzy and a Frondosa would theoretically co-exist without any problem in an ideal world?

Hmm that's a lot to think about. I'm all about taking risks and pushing boundaries, why else would we be in the hobby?

 

[namxas]

If you haven't done so, give this a read:

Scorpionfish Care Guide

 

[duoc9119]

I have read that as well as a few other articles on Scorpions. So what are my options for a Rhino? Went through the list again and those listed were on the small side.

 

[namxas]

Options? As in species or ?

 

[jarrod13]

With a big fish that will eat smaller fish... Living in a small tank you really don't have many options. I think unless you found a full grown fuzzy it would eventually end up a snack, and even then I think a rhino and large fuzzy is pushing it a 40

 

[duoc9119]

I may go with just some Fuzzys or just a Rhino, and from what I've read Leafs are difficult to get trained to frozen and die unexpectedly. Seems like it is not the best idea to go with a Fuzzy and Rhino, and expect it to work out.

 

[seahorsedreams]

You will have SO many more tankmate options if you minus out the Rhino.

 

[duoc9119]

What are some Lion/Scorp combination could you recommend in a 40 breeder? Something that has a relatively high rate of being trained to prepared foods.

 

[scubaman2]

A 3 foot tank is a bit tight for 2 fuzzies and a Rhino. If it were a 4 footer, like a 55/60 gal, I'd say go for it due to the sedentary nature of Rhinos. I'd say you can go with a Rhino and a single fuzzy as long as the size differential favors the fuzzy, at least initially (Rhinos are piscivorus, and have pretty large mouths for their size). I say this because I've got no idea what size any of your fish will come in at.

Leaf fish would likely end up as Rhino food, as they stay pretty small. Additionally, leaf scorps are pretty darned tuff to wean onto prepared foods, so you may need to feed them live ghosties and guppies for life. Fortunately, these little fish tend to accept live food from a net fairly readily. BTW, the bright red specimens you see around typically fade to a creamy pinkish color in captivity.

Rhinos are fine with zoanthids and macro, in fact, one of our R. frondosa specimens really liked hanging out in the macro:

I love the pictures.

 

[namxas]

I love the pictures.

Thanks for the kind words, scubaman...pretty much every photo is Renee's as photography is her "other" thing besides fish.

Altho it's not up to date, you can pop over and check out our "gallery"...who is in what tank is no longer accurate, and we've lost and gained a few specimens since then. However, the eye candy remains. Each pic is clickable and opens up more photos:

Greg & Renee's Fish

Enjoy!