First Fish for New Tank

[Spyderturbo007]

I'm in the process of cycling my new tank and wanted to inquire about my first addition to the tank. I was thinking of getting a pair of Picasso Clowns. I know they are expensive, and wasn't sure if it was a good idea to get them right out of the gate in case something happens.

Is it advisable to buy them in pairs, or can you add one later if I were to buy one now? That way if I do make a mistake I only lose one of them. I know they are very territorial towards other clowns, so I wasn't sure if they needed to be introduced together.

Also, how do I pick out a pair? Do I just look for two of them that hang out in the LFS's tank together? I've seen some instances where they put a bunch of them in the same tank together.

 

[m758b033]

I bought mine as a pair. Just make sure one fish is considerably larger than the other. If you get two females one will be killed.

If you are worried about the cost of the picasso clowns and something happening, just pick up some cheaper fish until you know everything is in line.

 

[rssjsb]

I bought mine as a pair. Just make sure one fish is considerably larger than the other. If you get two females one will be killed.

You can also buy two very small juveniles. They don't turn female for awhile. Or you can get one and let it grow out a little, then buy a much smaller one later if you want. But if you've properly cycled your tank and your levels are stable, you should be able to do two clowns. I disagree with the philosophy that "cheap" fish are expendable, but do sympathize with you not wanting to doom your prize fish.

Just take your time and you should be ok.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

You can also buy two very small juveniles. They don't turn female for awhile.

What size is considered juvenile for that particular clown?

I disagree with the philosophy that "cheap" fish are expendable, but do sympathize with you not wanting to doom your prize fish.

Please don't misinterpret my statement. I'm just acknowledging the reality that I'll probably make mistakes since I'm new at this. I'm not saying they are expendable either, but I'm bound to make mistakes and I'm just trying to mitigate the damage.

 

[rssjsb]

What size is considered juvenile for that particular clown?

Anything at an inch or less should be safe. Pretty much all of the captive-bred clowns you'll find (like the picassos you're after) are juvies unless the breeder is selling off their aging broodstock.

Please don't misinterpret my statement. I'm just acknowledging the reality that I'll probably make mistakes since I'm new at this. I'm not saying they are expendable either, but I'm bound to make mistakes and I'm just trying to mitigate the damage.

Oh, sorry, that comment was more of a reaction to what M758b033 said. I understand you are trying to do right by your fish - that's a very good thing.

Clowns are pretty tough. As long as you're patient and wait until your tank is ready, you should be fine.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. I just threw in my shrimp yesterday and still need to buy everything for my QT. I've been reading about the QT process lately and am trying to get a game plan down. I've read some people cycle their QT and others do frequent water changes. If I went with a 20g QT, how often are water changes required?

So far, I was thinking of a generic HOB filter with whatever medium it comes with, a thermometer, ammonia alert thing, air stone and some egg crate to cover the tank and separate the fish from the air stone.

Do you just run things that way, while keeping the salinity in check and doing water changes when any ammonia is detected?

I'm also not sure when I should get the fish and start the QT process? I have to travel out of town next week, so I was thinking about buying them when I get back. That would probably mean I could have them ready by mid August when I'm assuming my tank would be cycled. Or should I wait until after the CUC has done their work? How long does the CUC take to do their job?

 

[rssjsb]

I keep a 20 long running all the time for QT or HT use. This tank runs 2 HOB Aquaclear 70 filters - one with live rock and one with filter media (sponges). I keep sponges that fit these filters in the sump of my display so I can fish it out and avoid a cycle in my QT.

I have also been known to add BioSpira as an insurance policy, but recognize that some people are skeptical of such products.

My advice: (1) buy some filter sponges now that will fit the HOB you will use in your QT and put them in the sump of your display; (2) once your DT is cycled, boost the bacteria count by adding your cleanup crew to the DT; (3) after about a month, you should be able to switch the sponge filter to your QT so that you won't have to worry so much about cycling the QT.

During quarantine, keep an eye on the levels of your QT. Do water changes as needed to address any water quality issues.

If you determine that you need to medicate your fish, this routine will need to be changed to deal with whatever treatment you are using.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

So your suggestion is to wait until a month after my CUC is added to the tank to purchase my first fish? I was hoping to get something the tank sooner than September.

Only because my wife keeps asking me sarcastically if she can feed the live rock. She is such a little smart a$$ sometimes. :lmao:

 

[barelycuda]

There are a couple of thoughts about this. First of all if you do not have any other fish in the system your display is a QT. There is no reason to set up a QT if you have an empty display. If your tank is cycled you should be able to add a pair of clowns with your CUC and not have any problems.

If you are looking for a pair of picasso's they will be captive bred and typically any 2 under 1-1/2" will still be juveniles. If you can pick 2 out that are slightly different in size will help establish the pair. IMO you are better off buying 2 initially though as it most likely will be easier than adding a second down the road.

 

[rssjsb]

There are a couple of thoughts about this. First of all if you do not have any other fish in the system your display is a QT. There is no reason to set up a QT if you have an empty display. If your tank is cycled you should be able to add a pair of clowns with your CUC and not have any problems.

I think you're missing an important point here. If he adds a fish to his display and that fish has ich, the display will have ich and he'll have to pull his fish back to QT for two months while his display sits fallow anyway. He should just do the QT in the first place.

 

[rssjsb]

So your suggestion is to wait until a month after my CUC is added to the tank to purchase my first fish? I was hoping to get something the tank sooner than September.

Only because my wife keeps asking me sarcastically if she can feed the live rock. She is such a little smart a$$ sometimes. :lmao:

Maybe a month is excessive, but you need to give the sponge time to get colonized. That may take longer in a newly cycled tank with a lower bio load.