Is my tank big enough?
- Thread starter osomundus
- Start date
Reefer54
New member
no. It will not end with a good outcome. only disappointment. But i dig that you are doing a 5.5.
Even if the damsel is in your sump, which is how i first read your post, you really couldnt get a clown to be successful in a 5.5. Maybe a juvenile for a little while, but....
That volume tank, i would get a shrimp. Maybe a clown goby, but then your coral, should you get any will get injured most likely.
Even if the damsel is in your sump, which is how i first read your post, you really couldnt get a clown to be successful in a 5.5. Maybe a juvenile for a little while, but....
That volume tank, i would get a shrimp. Maybe a clown goby, but then your coral, should you get any will get injured most likely.
nikon187
Active member
This is NOT good advise at all. A pair of clowns shouldnt be in anything smaller than a 20g tank. Adding an anemone to an already overstocked tank is asking for water quality issues, Not to mention any hosting species of anemone will get WAY to big for that size of tank
dppitone
In Memoriam
I hear ya, but I disagree.
I think it's your opinion that clowns or anemone need a minimum of 20 gallons. I don't think you should profess something like that as a rule, as of course it isn't. The control of water quality is a variable that can be managed apart from system size in many different ways.
I think it's your opinion that clowns or anemone need a minimum of 20 gallons. I don't think you should profess something like that as a rule, as of course it isn't. The control of water quality is a variable that can be managed apart from system size in many different ways.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Maybe not, but its very relavant to his situation. He didn't ask about anonemes either.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Maybe not, but its very relevant to his situation. He didn't ask about anemones either. IMO & IME: A newer hobbyist (I assume that applies to the OP) and anemone shouldn't even be in the same room together. Anemones are not for beginners with tiny tanks.
wii64brawl
New member
My percula, who is barely an inch long, swims around my whole 2x2 tank, even though the anemone hosting him is in the back corner. Any damselfish in a tank that small will just look ridiculous when it gets bigger. I would return the damsel and maybe get a small goby or blenny and some shrimp. You could do a pistol shrimp/goby pair. I believe a yasha hasha would fit fine in your sized tank. A tail spot blenny might work and they are awesome.
nikon187
Active member
Unfortunatly the majority of people on this site would disagree with you. Not just my opinion its years of experience from many people. And an anemone sheouldnt be in a 5.5g tank EVER period.
Is my tank big enough?
Thanks for all the responses.
I am new to the hobby, I have had my tank for about 4 months.
I was not thinking of going anywhere near an anemone. I just wanted to add something to my tank a I wondered what would be able to live there with the damsel. It doesn't seem anything will though, so I am thinking if getting rid of my damsel
Thanks for all the responses.
I am new to the hobby, I have had my tank for about 4 months.
I was not thinking of going anywhere near an anemone. I just wanted to add something to my tank a I wondered what would be able to live there with the damsel. It doesn't seem anything will though, so I am thinking if getting rid of my damsel
wii64brawl
New member
I have to sort of disagree here. Anemones such as maxi minis and rock flowers are fine in a small tanks like that if you keep up with maintenance. I know a guy with a 5.5g with maxi minis to go with his sexy shrimp. But any others should be out of the question.
nikon187
Active member
Sorry < should have been hosting anemone as in for the clowns mentioned above
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Good plan. A damsel in a small tank will hardly ever allow any new fish in a small tank----often even in a big tank. Inch for inch; most damsel species are about as aggressive as any fish we commonly keep. Putting a small clown in your tank now would probably result in a dead or very shredded, clownfish within a day or so. This is not an exaggeration. LFSs love to sell damsels as 1st fish because they are nearly bulletproof. I think this is a terrible practice, probably goes back to the days when live fish were always used as cycle fish. You should be looking at tiny, quiet fish. There are a couple good suggestions above, here's another good source of info (and livestock). http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+2124
reefgoddess808
New member
For entertainment value I suggest a goby/shrimp pair. Lots of fun to watch, colorful, reef safe and small! Also they can hide from the damsel if it becomes aggressive later on. I would recommend staying on top of water quality though, more life = more waste. So be careful with that. I also have a 5.5 I am wanting to do something with, not sure what direction to take. Its currently empty but I would like to make it a nano of some kind. Possibly all invert. Or the goby/shrimp idea. Anywho, good luck to you!
