Otherwise 'ok' items that have some problems for newbies...and others.

[Sk8r]

1. anemones. They have to be the right type for the species of clown, they have light requirements, flow requirements, and can, at worst, demise and take your tank down. THey crawl under rockwork, they go where you can't see them, they stick tentacles into propellers (and die), and reach out and sting things including you. I know: you want a clown pair and a nem, but---do this with caution, be sure your water parameters are good, be sure of your lighting, and be prepared to be patient with a critter who can crawl about (or worse, float rapidly into trouble) and who may not be a good neighbor to everything: they aren't a slam-dunk. And your clown may decide he likes your toadstool better. Study up for this one and be sure you are no longer having 'water incidents' or 'accidents' and that you know what your parameters are and have them steady.

2. dottybacks. They are smart, they are predatory, they are quarrelsome, and they are pretty. You may end up taking your tank apart to catch one. One try at ANY method of catching them and they're onto it forever. This is the Criminal Mastermind of reef fish, and they can outfigure a veteran reefer. If you want the bright color, go for the Royal Gramma, a basslet who's a little on the shy side, but doesn't attack its neighbors.

3. Engineer or diamond gobies. Most gobies are quiet good citizens in a tank of about 50 gallons. Then there are these two species, who love to redecorate.

4. sand-sifting stars. Linkia stars. Starfish in general. The ordinary brittle star is fine. Any other kind of starfish will either starve (the first two) or eat things you paid for.

5. large fleshy inverts like sea apples or exotics like basket stars: won't live well in our tanks. ditto scallops and other shellfish. And something big dying can take your tank down.

Strongly advise careful consideration if you're set on any of these. At least know what you're getting into.

 

[Uncle99]

1. anemones. They have to be the right type for the species of clown, they have light requirements, flow requirements, and can, at worst, demise and take your tank down. THey crawl under rockwork, they go where you can't see them, they stick tentacles into propellers (and die), and reach out and sting things including you. I know: you want a clown pair and a nem, but---do this with caution, be sure your water parameters are good, be sure of your lighting, and be prepared to be patient with a critter who can crawl about (or worse, float rapidly into trouble) and who may not be a good neighbor to everything: they aren't a slam-dunk. And your clown may decide he likes your toadstool better. Study up for this one and be sure you are no longer having 'water incidents' or 'accidents' and that you know what your parameters are and have them steady.

2. dottybacks. They are smart, they are predatory, they are quarrelsome, and they are pretty. You may end up taking your tank apart to catch one. One try at ANY method of catching them and they're onto it forever. This is the Criminal Mastermind of reef fish, and they can outfigure a veteran reefer. If you want the bright color, go for the Royal Gramma, a basslet who's a little on the shy side, but doesn't attack its neighbors.

3. Engineer or diamond gobies. Most gobies are quiet good citizens in a tank of about 50 gallons. Then there are these two species, who love to redecorate.

4. sand-sifting stars. Linkia stars. Starfish in general. The ordinary brittle star is fine. Any other kind of starfish will either starve (the first two) or eat things you paid for.

5. large fleshy inverts like sea apples or exotics like basket stars: won't live well in our tanks. ditto scallops and other shellfish. And something big dying can take your tank down.

Strongly advise careful consideration if you're set on any of these. At least know what you're getting into.

This^^^^^^is good honest advice^^^^^^^

 

[nereefpat]

Good advice.

Engineers are cute when little. We really should come up with a better common name for them, since they aren't a goby or a blenny.

The orchid (fridmani) dottyback is a great little fish, as it's the most peaceful of the group. Great color and available captive bred too.

 

[lapin]

We might add a section on corals like Pulsing Xenia and Green Star Polyps.

 

[hkgar]

And I think your timing of this post is admirable. Hmmmm, :reading:

 

[Sk8r]

Pulsing xenia and green star polyp are hardy (unless you want them). When your tank is super steady and perfectly fine for other corals, these two will be SO happy you may be fighting them off your front glass. No kidding. I ran out of people to give gsp to, and began having to throw out an 8" square it every few weeks. They are not impossible to get rid of if you change your mind, but they are extraordinarily enthusiastic in some tanks, and defiant of any plan you have for where they should stop.