Fish that prefer little live rock?

[JaneG]

This seems like a strange question, but I am planning my yellowhead jawfish pair tank. I have heard that they prefer a 360 degree view of their surroundings, and as a result, it's suggested to not have much live rock in the tank. I am going to be having just 2 very small islands of live rock with only sps corals growing on them (yes I am aware that jawfish can easily cover sps in sand, I'll be careful ). The majority of live rock in going to be going into my sump. I was really considering a Candy Hogfish (Scott Michael recommends 20g) OR a McCosker's flasher wrasse (Scott Michael recommends 20g) pair OR a pink streaked wrasse pair (Scott Michael recommends 15g), but I'm worried either would become aggressive to/scare the jawfish, especially with little live rock (and as a result, not many hiding spots). However, this also gives me more open swimming room. The tank will be an ADA 60p (24" long, ~18 gallons) with a 20g sump. Could anyone suggest some fish that prefer very little live rock that would do well in a tank this size with very high flow, if either of these wouldn't work? Thanks!

 

[dunning3075]

hmmm tagging along I am building a 120 with three inch sand bed only two small peices of rock with acrylic racks for a growout tank bat want one or two fish in it just to produce waste. very interested in the responses you get here.

 

[JaneG]

hmmm tagging along I am building a 120 with three inch sand bed only two small peices of rock with acrylic racks for a growout tank bat want one or two fish in it just to produce waste. very interested in the responses you get here.

That sounds like it will be interesting! :bounce1: Be sure to post pictures. Anybody have any ideas or thoughts on the hogfish/wrasse? I'm having trouble resisting temptation. My LFS is having half-off for an hour next week and they are getting both in stock, making them only cost $12 (hogfish) and $15 (wrasse)! I will probably wait and pay full price though if I do, but I want to know if they are a good idea or not.

 

[Korrine]

If your DT is only 18g, I would say the jawfish and a firefish. Both are timid fish. Too much movement around your tank and the jawfish will be less likely to come out.

 

[JaneG]

If your DT is only 18g, I would say the jawfish and a firefish. Both are timid fish. Too much movement around your tank and the jawfish will be less likely to come out.

I know that jawfish are easily intimidated but I thought the flashers were considered dither fish? Or does that only apply to fish that aren't *so* easily startled?

 

[Korrine]

imo a flasher will be cramped in a tank that small. plus, if you get the bug to add a mate to it (which I really suggest keeping more than 1 to fully appreciate the beauty of this fish) then you need a much larger tank for the male to flash.

 

[JaneG]

imo a flasher will be cramped in a tank that small. plus, if you get the bug to add a mate to it (which I really suggest keeping more than 1 to fully appreciate the beauty of this fish) then you need a much larger tank for the male to flash.

Hm, I guess that seems true, but here's a video of a male flashing in front of a female even though the tank is a cube (albeit 28g). I don't understand how it wouldn't fit in my tank then as the shape is better for flashing and I would be having much more swimming space (length) (although I don't know if that's to my advantage). Tanaka (wrasse expert) also recommends a tank of 60cm x 30cm x 30cm for an adult flasher wrasse (my tank is 60cm x 30cm x 36cm), and Scott Michael recommends 20g for adults. Additionally, here is a video of a jawfish (maybe blue spots are more outgoing though) with a flasher wrasse and it doesn't seem very intimidated. Since I would allow them to establish first and because they are in a pair as opposed to alone, perhaps they would feel more willing to be out as opposed to hiding? Or would you just suggest not even trying it? If they won't work, I will pass but I do really love them! I don't want to "force" it to work, but I would be very pleased if it would. Are there any fish that you would suggest as a substitute? I know you mentioned firefish - do those do ok in the high, high flow? Thanks for your help - I really appreciate it!

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have an ADA 60P Frosted. I keep a small male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse in said tank, and he has been doing very well for quite some time.

As for Jawfish, the O. rosenblatti does tend to be a more outgoing and inquisitive species. Pearlys, are more of the typical jawfish, sitting in the burrow with the head poked out.
IME, the pearly jawfish are much more sensitive than the O. rosenblatti.

~Michael

 

[JaneG]

I have an ADA 60P Frosted. I keep a small male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse in said tank, and he has been doing very well for quite some time.

As for Jawfish, the O. rosenblatti does tend to be a more outgoing and inquisitive species. Pearlys, are more of the typical jawfish, sitting in the burrow with the head poked out.
IME, the pearly jawfish are much more sensitive than the O. rosenblatti.

~Michael

In your opinion then, would a single (or pair) of McCosker's wrasse scare a yellowhead jawfish (pair) into hiding? I do like the Blue Spotted Jawfish and would love to get one but it sounds like they get a bit bigger (I was told on another forum too big for my tank even) and do not always do so well in captivity. Does yours like the rock or stay out in the open and do you think it would do well long-term? Sorry for all the questions!

Jane

 

[Korrine]

JaneG, I saw that video also...I'm assuming you are talking about the one on YouTube? I thought that male looked cramped. Think of how he could flash in just a 55g vs that lil tank. Scott Micheal's book is beginning to become a little old. Are you looking at the fish guide one? I can't remember the name haha! Anyways, even Live Aquaria recommends a 50g for a Mccosker's. They have been doing updating on tank sizes according to what we know now. A search on RC will bring up people commenting on LA updating their tank size recommendations.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/...13csegb&ref=6092&subref=AA&CAWELAID=560925165

What is high flow? gph?

I volunteer at a marine cove and got to stock a 29g biocube. I put 3 yellowhead jawfish in all about 4" long. They are the only fish in the tank and will come out and swim around when I'm around the tank. I have heard as people/customers start moving through the facility they begin staying in their burrow. Heck they even swim about the tank when I'm in there with the aiptasia zapper!!!

Hopefully in the near future, I will get my 12g nano cube set up. I plan to put a bsj (blue spotted jawfish) and a firefish in it.

I'm just letting you know what I think, which is what you asked for. It is your tank and I won't criticize you if you add a flasher. You have to be happy with it in the end because you are the one looking at it every day

 

[snorvich]

imo a flasher will be cramped in a tank that small. plus, if you get the bug to add a mate to it (which I really suggest keeping more than 1 to fully appreciate the beauty of this fish) then you need a much larger tank for the male to flash.

That is correct. You would need a larger tank for any flasher wrasse or pair thereof.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Unfortunately your size tank is not large enough for a pair of flashers and a pair of jawfish.
That said, I do not think that flasher wrasses would intimidate jawfish into constant hiding.

IMO this size tank will work fine for some of the smaller species of flasher wrasse, and a pair should do fine (I am looking for a female for my male).

So basically I would opt for either the wrasse pair or the jawfish pair, not both.

~Michael

 

[OodleyBoodely]

I'm also planning a pair of yellowhead jawfish and have been researching companion fish for a 37g. One thing to watch out for is companion fish that are too boisterous at feeding time as this can intimidate the jawfish and stop them from feeding. Any of the wrasses are likely to fall into this catagory, and, probably the candy hog, too. I've also been looking at the candy hogs...very nice fish, but, I don't know what their feeding behavior is like, so, I'm a bit cautious of them.
I am planning on a small group of cardinals, either redspots (Apogen parvalus) or orange lined (Apogen Cyanosoma‎). Either species would work as trios in your tank and the redspot actually seem to do best in high flow. They can be delicate shippers, however, but once acclimated are hardy and eat any prepared foods. Any of the dartfish could work, as has been said. I'm partial to the blue gudgeons...gorgeous irridencent blue and very peaceful.

I look foreward to seeing what you go with!

 

[JaneG]

Unfortunately your size tank is not large enough for a pair of flashers and a pair of jawfish.
That said, I do not think that flasher wrasses would intimidate jawfish into constant hiding.

IMO this size tank will work fine for some of the smaller species of flasher wrasse, and a pair should do fine (I am looking for a female for my male).

So basically I would opt for either the wrasse pair or the jawfish pair, not both.

~Michael

The jawfish is still a consideration but perhaps I just go with the wrasse. However, I am wondering - do they need to be kept in numbers higher than 2? Do males bully females like anthias? Still not sure if I would go with one or not

 

[Korrine]

I think I read it's best to have 2 females, but I'd go to wetwebmedia.com and look it up.