Clowns as first tank fish?

[piscivorous]

Is it a bad idea to start a freshly cycled tank off with a pair of perculas as the first fish in the tank?

 

[Sullyman]

What size tank? Percs are mellow clowns.

 

[lougotzz]

Yeah, you gotta start with something right? They're hardy fish.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Personally I will not do that.

Clowns become aggressive if they are the first comers.

They are also very small. Right after a cycle using an ammonia source, there will be a lot of nitrification bacteria. A larger first stocking will better sustain this higher level of nitrification, making more sense to cycling.

 

[piscivorous]

What do you mean larger first stocking? This is a 55 gal. tank.

 

[cman_pogey]

Thats what I did, ive had him for about a year and a half and has been great. Definately one that plays nice with the other fishies lol, and I have a perc btw.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Sounds like a good idea to me!

4 occelaris and a cleaner shrimp were the first occupants of my 180.

Start with fish you will love and keep. It drives me nuts when people put damsels in their tanks to cycle then want to know how to get them out and what to do with them.

 

[java]

i started with a perc, been doing great for about 3 years now.