Are these fishes compatible?

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Stang408

New member
Hi everyone! I'm new to saltwater fish keeping but I've kept freshwater for about 5 yrs. I was wondering if I can keep an ocellaris clownfish, blue tang, fuzzy dwarf lion, humu trigger, niger trigger and dog faced puffer in the same tank? Sorry I'm a noob when it comes to compatibility of s/w fishes but ask me anything about f/w. :D Thanks!
 
Hey Stang,
The clownfish and blue tang both make good community fish. The lion will eventually eat any small fish, and that goes for the clown. The two triggers are for a more rough and tumble tank (no delicate species or small species). In my experience as juveniles the Niger triggers tend to more scrappy (aggressive), but Picassos can come into their own as they get larger. If you have a large enough tank (at least 4', preferably 6' or more), a small Picasso should be fine for awhile since they are slow growers, but keep in mind eventually they will get big enough. Mixing triggers is always a bit of a hit or miss affair, and even if it works out now it may change as one species grows faster than the other. Seems most mixing them in larger tanks (like 6'+) have better success. Puffers can bite both you and your tank mates, so once again no small or delicate tank mates for them. Hope this helps a little.
 
Welcome to RC!

Besides basics of compatibility, your stock list also depends on your tank size. The blue tang (if you mean a hippo tang), puffer and triggers will need plenty of room.

Give us an idea of the tank size you will be starting with, and we can help you with a reasonable stocking list.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13078263#post13078263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggersAmuck
Since you have an affinity for triggers (just like I do), you may enjoy this article:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/7/fish/view?searchterm=trigger
Click to expand...

That's a great article. Thanks for the link! I really want a humu trigger above all else. I just love their spectacular colors & pattern. My problem is my woman wants a clownfish so I'm hoping the humu can be kept with it. Even though the humu will grow larger than the clownfish, it's a slow grower so I'm hoping they can be kept together for awhile assuming the humu doesn't pick on the clownfish.
 
I would think the clowns will be fine if the huma trigger is small but when it gets older, larger, and likely meaner, the clowns could be at risk.
 
One option would be to get the biggest, meanest clownfish you can find. Instead of an ocellaris, how about a gold stripe maroon (frequenly shortened as GSM) clown (or better, a pair)? They still have the typical clown look, but you'll find plenty of stories about big female GSMs who rule tanks filled with aggressive fish, bite their owners so hard they draw blood, etc. One of those would definitely stand a chance of fending off a humu.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13087712#post13087712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrwilson
One option would be to get the biggest, meanest clownfish you can find. Instead of an ocellaris, how about a gold stripe maroon (frequenly shortened as GSM) clown (or better, a pair)? They still have the typical clown look, but you'll find plenty of stories about big female GSMs who rule tanks filled with aggressive fish, bite their owners so hard they draw blood, etc. One of those would definitely stand a chance of fending off a humu.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea! I never really looked at or considered the maroon clownfish. They really do have that "Nemo" look and all the online fish retailers list them as being aggressive rather than semi-aggressive. I noticed they also get to be about 6 inches or so rather than the 3"-4" for the ocellaris. That's perfect! I've always wished for a larger, more aggressive clownfish and you helped me find the perfect one. Thanks!
 
Huma huma triggers really are amazing looking, and relatively "mellow", for a trigger. :)

I'd read up on maroons, and possibly reconsider. Again, could depend on the size of your tank. Aggressive fish need room for territories, so I'd give a GSM pair/trigger combo a LOT of room - at least a 6 foot tank - JMO. I'd also consider Clarkii and tomato or cinnamon clownfish. I've found these to be less wimpy than ocellaris (and bigger as well) but not as potentially homicidal as maroon clowns. A great book, if you are interested in reading up on them, is "Clownfish" by Joyce Wilkerson. Also, www.wetwebmedia.com is another good site for species research.
 
GSMs, although "merely" clownfish, are nevertheless no joke. Getting one or a pair might be right for you, but I also agree with everything LisaD says above. I'd hate to talk you into getting one, and then you curse me for years each time you put your hand in to clean the glass and are attacked!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13089534#post13089534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD
Huma huma triggers really are amazing looking, and relatively "mellow", for a trigger. :)

I'd read up on maroons, and possibly reconsider. Again, could depend on the size of your tank. Aggressive fish need room for territories, so I'd give a GSM pair/trigger combo a LOT of room - at least a 6 foot tank - JMO. I'd also consider Clarkii and tomato or cinnamon clownfish. I've found these to be less wimpy than ocellaris (and bigger as well) but not as potentially homicidal as maroon clowns. A great book, if you are interested in reading up on them, is "Clownfish" by Joyce Wilkerson. Also, www.wetwebmedia.com is another good site for species research.
Click to expand...

I plan to get only one maroon clown. Hmmm...just looked at the Clarkii and I like that too. What about the Sebae clown? It looks a lot like the Clarkii.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13089936#post13089936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrwilson
GSMs, although "merely" clownfish, are nevertheless no joke. Getting one or a pair might be right for you, but I also agree with everything LisaD says above. I'd hate to talk you into getting one, and then you curse me for years each time you put your hand in to clean the glass and are attacked!
Click to expand...

LOL Don't worry. I wont curse you. I've kept piranhas and a lot of other aggressive fish so I'm used to getting attacked. :D Makes fish keeping more interesting and challenging for me. ;)
 
Re: Are these fishes compatible?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13078005#post13078005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stang408
[B fuzzy dwarf lion, humu trigger, [/B]
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend keeping these two together. Rhinecanthus triggers excel at killing lionfishes. They pick down the spines and fins, and can do it without getting stung.
 
For the fish list:

clownfish, blue tang, fuzzy dwarf lion, humu trigger, niger trigger and dog faced puffer
Click to expand...

I agree, no lionfish with the triggers, esp the humu humu.

You could keep the others, but I'd go for at least a 180 gallon tank.

I haven't kept Sebae clowns, but had a Clarkii for many years. Also, had a very nice tomato clown for many years.
 
Quick question...I just bought some Caribsea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand. Is it supposed to have water inside the bags or not? I've seen Arag-alive with water in it but not sure if the Ocean Direct product is supposed to. Mine didn't have water but it was just damp.
 
I was thinking...instead of a maroon clown, how about a percula clown? Aren't those semi-aggressive and possibly do better with the trigger than an ocellaris?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13169089#post13169089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stang408
I was thinking...instead of a maroon clown, how about a percula clown? Aren't those semi-aggressive and possibly do better with the trigger than an ocellaris?
Click to expand...

A maroon is much more aggressive than the other two. If you get a large female with an anemone, she'll be more likely to bite you than the triggers.
 
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