fish for a 5.5G

[pufferpoison]

ok i've been looking everywhere and it seems that ALL fish need at least 10G at least going by drsfostersmith.com . SO what fish do you guys think would be ok for a 5.5

I was thinking a Ocellaris clown and a firefish? what do you think?

 

[nodbugger]

Clown goby.

 

[Frostyeel]

There was a list of fish for different nano sizes on nano-reef.com and the only fish that could live in under 10 gallons were small gobies.

 

[BecomesOcean]

Yep. I kept both a clown goby and a neon goby happy and healthy in a 6 gallon for over a year until i moved and took the tank down. If you're just wanting some movement for your tank you can also get a pair of sexy anenome shrimp. They stay small and add almost nothing to the bioload and have quite a bit of personality. If you wanted only one fish some of the smaller but aggressive damsels can be ok. As for the firefish and clown, probably not. I tried both of these guys in my 6 and they didn't make it. Anything much more than that the real small guys and you'll run into stressing your fish for lack of space and run the risk of too little oxygen. Whatever you do, use caution and at don't be too reluctant to put them in a bigger tank if they show signs of ill health.

Hope that helped and good luck.

Check out www.nano-reef.com for other questions and see what successes people have out there.

 

[pufferpoison]

well i went to nano reef and some of the first posts I read was talking about keeping a 6 line wrasse in a 6G with a goby and such. So by having a clown in there with pristine water conditions still would be bad? i guess i'll get rid of the tank because that's what i really wanted was a clown

the tank looks pretty cool though, it's got 10.5 lbs of LR, and two mini jets

here's a pic before i tear it down

 

[midknight]

Looks like a great tank for a sexy shrip group. Toss in some zoos & mushrooms and away you go.

 

[theop]

Here is a great thread on the subject: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=17&t=74703

Here is a the bottom line (from the thread):

0.5g Pico (1 extra small fish)

-Blue Neon Goby
-Catalina Goby [cold water]
-Clown Gobies
-Eviota Gobies
-Panda (Clown) Goby
-Redhead Goby
-Trimma Goby
-Yellow Neon Goby

2.5g Pico (Includes 2.5g Minibow, Eclipse Explorer) (1 fish)

All of the above plus:
-Citron Goby
-Green Banded Goby

5g (1 fish)

-Green Chromis Damsel
-Yellowtail blue Damsel

My take is that a single damsel in a tank wouldn't be all that interesting. I'd go with 1-2 small gobies. I think a single small clownfish (like a true perc) would be doable since you are using LR. Just monitor the water quality to make sure your nitrates aren't going too high.

 

[pufferpoison]

well i planned on adding a aquaclear 50 and turning it into a mini refugium. I have had GREAT success with the aquaclear 110's in my 90 and 46G reefs. within two days of adding the fuge and cheato the phosphates and nitrates were 0. my cheato grows like crazy in there, so that's what i was thinking with this tank. I just thought since clowns usually stayed in one spot after hosting, that it would be perfect for one.

 

[pufferpoison]

also i added Live Sand from an existing tank (with tons of pods and mysis shrimp) and the Live Rock was completely cured in an established tank. I guess by accident that i added 2 nassarius snails from the sand and they are doing great. The tank instantly cycled with all the LR and LS.

 

[artooman]

I don't think a clown fish should be put in a tank that small. There will not be a lot of room for it to swim around, and they get pretty big. I am sure there are people that have managed to keep them alive in a small tank like this, but I could also probably keep a dog in mini-van and keep it alive. That doesn't make it a good idea. I would listen to the recommendations and be responsible.

Just my opinion.

 

[sandlot13]

heres what i think........

if you are dead set on getting a clown fish, try and give it the best available habitat that you can give it and still be healthy....

for a 6 gallon tank, I would recommend that if you HAVE to get a clown fish, get one that is extremley young, and plan on keeping it until it grows to a medium size.... as long as you stay on top of water changes and there is enough room for the animal to swim, you should OK. Notice i say OK, as many people disagree with me on even giving a clown in a 6 gallon a shot. Do what you think is proper in the situation, and you'll be alright....

5 years ago, no one would have even thought of keeping a saltwater tank in anything smaller than 55 gallons, and look at us now (.5 gallon pico tanks!!!!!!!)

nano reefing is awesome, as long as you are responsible enough to handle the challenge!

 

[pufferpoison]

well i will probably just scrap the tank all together. I really had my heart set on a ocallaris clown, but i don't want to be irrisponsible about it either. I have a 90G and a 46G bowfront reef tank and just thought this would look nice in the bathroom (since i spend so much time in there ) but if it's not going to work then there's no reason to keep it going.