Adding another fish or two?

[gffpm1247]

Set up my tank about 6-7 weeks ago. tank cycled the first 3 weeks. I then added 30 snails. A week later I added two small clowns, biggest is less than 1 1/2", a fire shrimp, and 3 peppermint shrimp. It's been about two weeks with no change in water parameters, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20. Would it be ok to add another fish or two?

75 gal tank
30lbs live rock
33lbs dry rock
40lbs live sand
Penguin power filter 350

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[gffpm1247]

Thinking of getting a goby. My wife really, really wants a porcupine puffer.

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[Thornbreaker]

I'd say if your clowns are doing well, you can at least start quarantine on a new fish.

If you're planning corals down the road, my understanding is that most puffers enjoy eating coral. If you're sticking with a FOWLR then it's probably fine.
A goby should be fine either way.

 

[gffpm1247]

I'd say if your clowns are doing well, you can at least start quarantine on a new fish.

If you're planning corals down the road, my understanding is that most puffers enjoy eating coral. If you're sticking with a FOWLR then it's probably fine.
A goby should be fine either way.

Thank you.

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[Thornbreaker]

One other thing to mention is that it looks like a porcupine puffer is recommended for a minimum of 180 gallons (liveaquaria). There are some other "puffers" like the valentini that would be fine for your size tank. Just be sure to keep in mind the feeding requirements and that puffers are poisonous.

Be sure to go slow and research them well if you want one. Get one that is a good species for your tank size if you do. And they may eat at your CUC and corals regardless.

 

[gffpm1247]

Yes, my wife has done a ton of research. She has talked with our local supplier also. She has promised me if she falls in love with the puffer I can upgrade to a larger tank . But we are going to get one that is only two inches long or so

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[sde1500]

Don't buy fish that you can't house long term. Stock the tank with fish suitable for the tank, and when you upgrade, then stock it with fish suitable for the upgraded tank. That way, when life happens, and you for whatever reason can't upgrade the tank when you planned on it, you aren't now stuck with a fish too large for the tank you have.

As your tank currently stands, should be fine to add more fish, such as the goby, that are suitable for the tank you have.

 

[dhanck]

I have also been looking at a porcupine puffer for my tank down the road. Everything I can find points to no invertebrates being safe with a porcupine puffer, including the snails (maybe the shrimp as well).

My basic understanding is adding a porcupine puffer, you will become your own clean up crew. Every fish is different and some porcupines may not touch inverts, but just some thoughts from my end as I was looking to add one as well.

 

[Thornbreaker]

Yes, my wife has done a ton of research. She has talked with our local supplier also. She has promised me if she falls in love with the puffer I can upgrade to a larger tank . But we are going to get one that is only two inches long or so

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SDE gives some good advice.
You could possibly work out ahead of time with the LFS to take it back or have a plan to relocate to someone who is willing to take it once the Puffer grows too large for your 75 gallon tank. Porcupines can grow to 1' in length and can grow several inches in a year. If it "puffs" for any reason it'll be even larger.

I get it, they're an awesome fish. Just be really aware of how your tank will be affected since its' only a 75 gallon. It's poisonous, has a large bioload, takes up a lot of space, and takes a lot of feeding. There's a reason why they aren't recommended for smaller tanks. And, there are plenty of other puffers that look great and would be easier to keep that don't grow as large.

You can always aim building your next larger tank around one if you're successful with your 75 gallon. I would encourage you to be successful at your 75 first and listen to the advice this board will give you. I would assume that's why your asking, but you won't find too many people here if any that would recommend going with a porcupine puffer in a 75 gallon tank, even at a 2" start.

 

[marleesan]

Dont get the puffer until you get a bigger tank. The majority of people never upgrade, and then they have to rehome the fish or have an unhappy fish