Fish Incoming!

[lrs183]

Hello all,

I just started what would be considered a nano aquarium this last Saturday. Way to bring in the New Year! lol. But anyways, I don't own any fish as of yet but the cycling process appears to be going very smoothly so the prospects of introducing a critter or two every few weeks is becoming a reality. I am interested in hearing a few ideas of what you all think would be neat to have in the tank. Obviously I know I am limited to at the most 2-3 fish. Here are my tanks parameters:

21G Cube, 20 pounds of live sand and 21 pounds of live rock. Has a protein skimmer along with a power head and the return pump for water/surface water movement. I intend to make this a reef aquarium so I would prefer the fish to be reef safe. As well, I want to have some shrimp in the tank so I'd prefer them to not be shrimp eaters, haha.

Lastly, if there is a such thing as that perfect fish out there, I'd be interested in finding something that not only eats various foods that it is given, but may also work to tame the population of Asterina Stars in the tank or flat worms (I pray that I never deal with them). But I suppose what I am saying is I am interested in finding a tank that looks neat but is also self sufficient to a certain degree in terms of the life going on in the tank.

One fish in particular though that struck my eye was a purple dotty back. And clownfish, of course.

Thank you!

PS. I know that Harlequin shrimp are one of the only real natural predators of the Asterina Starfish, but I heard there was maybe one other type of shrimp that isn't as picky with its diet? I was hoping to maybe figure out what it was again, if it was correct information. Something along the lines of bumblebee shrimp or something of that nature.

 

[Tjsmoot]

You should check out Live Aquaria. Just browse through and see if you can find anything you like. The "nano fish" section would be a good place to start. As for the purple dottyback, I've heard they can become very aggressive, but I have never had a purple dottyback to go off of personal experience. I'm not sure what would take care of your Asterina Stars, but I hope you find some fish that work for you.

 

[lrs183]

Thank you! I.will have to check it out and see what I find

 

[lrs183]

Any other opinions?

 

[Ross33]

I would do something 2 clowns, maybe a sixline wrasse or a goby, and a purple dottyback. The dottyback should be fine, just add him last. I don't see any problem with 4 fish. Look into gobies, blennies, small wrasses for your 4th fish.

 

[lrs183]

I've heard some blennies are picky eaters. Like live food only sometimes. Any recommendations?

 

[Marshall O]

Tail Spot Blenny. Perfect nano fish IMO. Eats everything, very peaceful, and fun personalities.

 

[lrs183]

Would a Goby be a bad pick? If not, what are some good ones?

 

[Tjsmoot]

It depends on what type of goby you want. I think the goby family is one of the largest families of marine fish if not the largest. Some are really easy to take care off whereas others need all live or microscopic food. Tell us some you had in mind and we can help you find one that works.

 

[lrs183]

Honestly I'm not picky. This is my first salt tank since I was a kid so really this is just a tank to enjoy and understand the mechanics behind running one and in a year or two once my wife and I move into a house I'll get a large tank. So really if its not blood thirsty (manage anger issues enough with my cichlid fresh tank) and it isn't super finicky, I won't mind. And the more lively/colorful the better. So I'd hear input on any fish really. Not just gobies

 

[FTDelta]

Six line wrasse are bullies so skip out on them. Go with a Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby and a pistol shrimp. They make an interesting item to watch for they form a symbiotic relationship.

 

[Crna]

Clown gobies are great fish. I have a yellow, and a citron, in two nanos. They definitely do prefer to perch on rock or coral, but they both have great color and personality.

 

[lrs183]

Does them perching hurt the coral?

 

[Tjsmoot]

I agree that clown gobies are a good choice. They are very colorful little guys that don't bother much. The perching on the corals does not hurt the corals, but if you plan to get sps the clown gobies can nip the polyps of the sps corals. If this is your first saltwater tank since you were a kid, I would wait till you get used to running it before adding any sps, though. If you don't plan to get any sps, go for the clown gobies

 

[lrs183]

I only intend to do soft corals. I'll have to look into it! I have a pic of a goby that I saw on a site that is neat looking. But I don't want the shrimp with it Haha.

 

[lrs183]

I picked up a small CUC today and introduced a peppermint shrimp with them and a Orange Spot Valencia Goby. It seems really happy hopping around and picking up sand then dumping it. I plan in a couple of weeks to get a pistol shrimp if I ultimately decide that's what I want as I heard they pair up well together. Saw some videos of them paired as well to confirm. As for other fish after the Pistol I am not sure. But after the tank is proven to be completely stable I am going to start my reef! Slowly but surely.

 

[Jim Z.]

Clown gobies do best in tanks with SPS corals. Never purchase a pair as they will clear out the tissue of a coral (usually your favorite and most expensive Acropora) as a nesting site. Gobiodon histrio is the best one to keep with acros and current research indicates they protect their host coral from invasive algae (http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2012/11/24/acropora-911-calling-all-herbivores/). Also, this particular species will feed on red bugs. Most aquarists see them apparently nipping at the surface of the coral and assume that they are feeding on polyps. I've been using them for years and never have problems with red bugs in my 50 gallon acro reef. Other species of Gobiodon are actual polyp feeders so do your research when placing one of these gobies in your tank.............................Jim

 

[Sgchick]

I think you will really enjoy the pistol shrimp if he pairs with your goby. I have a yellow watchman goby with a pistol shrimp and they are a blast to watch. The pistol really keeps my sand stirred. He is the hardest worker I've ever seen. Lol here's a little video of them. Not great color as it was taken with my iphone. http://youtu.be/CXh6gsMSSn8

 

[lrs183]

That pistol of yours is putting in some work, haha. From the videos I saw of Orange Spot Gobies and pistols, it does seem as though they will pair. I have noticed however that the Tiger Pistol (even in your video) is the most common one to see. Are the other types aggressive or not as pair friendly? I am excited to get them in there as a pair.

How often would you recommend I feed the goby right now? Once a day? Twice? I am doing pellets, which he eats readily.

 

[Reef Frog]

Basslets are other good choices. Royal Gramma, Chalk Bass, Yellow Assessors etc. Colorful, hardy, active but not spastic and they are usually quite peaceful. Fire fish would be nice too but keep a cover on the tank if you keep them.