New mangrove tank, need a fish suggestion.

[matty0206]

I am going to be starting a new tank to house mangroves, the tank will be an ADA Mini-l which is about 8 gallons. The tank won't have any rock, only a deep sand bed and 4-6 mangrove starts. My goal is to create a very simple yet elegant forest looking biotope and I would love to have a few small fish or inverts to live among the stocks and roots of the mangroves. I will have a canister filter on the tank, it will be empty except some floss. My only reason for having it at all is so I can have no equipment in the tank. I will run a inline heater and use lily type glass pipes to make the drain and return blend. My questions:
What are some very small fish or inverts that would do well in this type of tank?

Would I be better off converting the mangroves to freshwater or even brackish and housing freshwater fish instead of salt?

Thanks.

 

[Dmorty217]

You mentioned doing this so there is no equipment in the tank... If that's the case I'm assuming the systems will be linked together? Or will this be a stand alone? If it is linked then obviously making it brackish or freshwater won't work. As for fish small goby or other ornamental type fish would work. If it were me I would put a few inverts in the tank and call it a day

 

[matty0206]

You mentioned doing this so there is no equipment in the tank... If that's the case I'm assuming the systems will be linked together? Or will this be a stand alone? If it is linked then obviously making it brackish or freshwater won't work. As for fish small goby or other ornamental type fish would work. If it were me I would put a few inverts in the tank and call it a day

No, it will be stand alone. The canister will provide flow and the in line heater will be in the return line from the filter.
What do you think would be good inverts for this?

 

[Dmorty217]

It will depend on lighting for the tank, my LFS has a mangrove tank with Bubble tip anems and cucumbers and some naussarius snails... Nothing that is active or a conversation piece so to speak. If you did freshwater you could put some fancy guppies in the tank for color.

 

[Keoki18]

I wouldn't do any fish. Just too small for my taste. But I would do some really cool inverts. Cucs, nems, some small crab species. Theres lots of cool little creatures you lose in bigger tanks.

 

[Tiki God]

Clown gobies!

I'd go with animals that aren't reef safe, most people don't keep them, but some are amazing! A mudskipper would be pretty cool as well, but they require a bit more specific care, and a very tight lid.

 

[moriarty]

I would do a small group of 3-5 sexy shrimp. After your tank matures a little, you could do a mini carpet anemone or flower anemone and a porcelain crab (LiveAquaria has pairs on occasion). A pom pom/boxer crab would be another good option. Sounds like a very cool set up you have planned!

 

[matty0206]

I think due to the lower light, the lighting will be high above the tank to allow for the mangrove growth, I might not be able to keep nems.
What about a pair of bumblebee shrimp and a panda goby? I was also thinking a Crinoid squat lobster pair would be cool.

 

[Tiki God]

Go with the Squat Lobster, they are incredible!

 

[RayL]

I would add the panda goby for sure

 

[matty0206]

Go with the Squat Lobster, they are incredible!

I have always liked them and they seem to pop up on DD all the time. Does anyone know if you can mix types or will they fight?

I would add the panda goby for sure

These seem to be one of those fish that would be lost in even a larger nano, if I added one would I need to provide it with at least a small rock area for shelter?

 

[Jersh]

Do squat lobsters move around much, or do they just stick to one spot?

 

[Tiki God]

I'm not sure if you can mix types. But by type do you mean colors or species?

The super small gobies don't NEED a rock area, but they would appreciate it.

 

[small alien]

I wouldn't do any fish. Just too small for my taste. But I would do some really cool inverts. Cucs, nems, some small crab species. Theres lots of cool little creatures you lose in bigger tanks.

Do you mean cucumbers or clean up crews? Just want to clarify for the op. No sea cucumber in that size tank. :strange:

If you don't already have the tank, why not go just a little bigger? I see lots of little rimless cubes around for pretty good prices. 15-20 gallons would really up your options. And probably be more visually in scale with the mangroves. Good luck.

For a fish in an 8 gallon, I'd go Trimma goby or clown goby.

 

[Keoki18]

Sorry, I meant more exotic "Clean Up Crew". Thanks for asking. There are some species of cucumbers that would be ok in that tank as well. I have kept small yellows for years in 10 gallon tanks. Really cool animals.

 

[matty0206]

Thank you for all of the idea's so far.

I'm not sure if you can mix types. But by type do you mean colors or species?

The super small gobies don't NEED a rock area, but they would appreciate it.

I was looking at DD and they were different colors but I could have sworn they had different scientific names, they are gone now but I will continue to look. I think I will add a small barnacle or interesting rock in one corner for whatever critters I decide on.

Do you mean cucumbers or clean up crews? Just want to clarify for the op. No sea cucumber in that size tank. :strange:

If you don't already have the tank, why not go just a little bigger? I see lots of little rimless cubes around for pretty good prices. 15-20 gallons would really up your options. And probably be more visually in scale with the mangroves. Good luck.

For a fish in an 8 gallon, I'd go Trimma goby or clown goby.

I already have the tank so i think I will stick with it plus the area I have for it is just right for this tank. Would a barnacle blenny get to big? My buddy has one that is very small and it is a very cool fish.

Sorry, I meant more exotic "Clean Up Crew". Thanks for asking. There are some species of cucumbers that would be ok in that tank as well. I have kept small yellows for years in 10 gallon tanks. Really cool animals.

I have always heard bad things about Cuc's so I have stayed away from them but I do like the small yellow ones, are they difficult?

On a side note, all the parts for this tank should be here this week, hopefully water will go in this week also.

 

[Winwood]

I believe a lot of cardinalfish are commonly found around mangroves.

 

[Betta132]

All cardinalfish are much too large for an eight-gallon, though.
School of Baggais around a bunch of big mangrove roots... Me likey that idea. Big tank and a few baggais... Yay.

 

[Winwood]

Yeah probably right. My friend successfully bred a pair of banghais in a 15 gallon tank for a couple years though.

 

[Keoki18]

The yellow cucs can be fairly difficult because they do not like temp swings. There plenty of other inhabitants though. Post those pics when you start her up!