Re-stocking my "new" 20g...suggestions please?

[trukgirl]

Hello!

I recently changed my 10g fowlr over to a 20g. Anyways I would love some suggestions to go with the fish and inverts that are already in the tank without any removal. I know a lot of people rip on and downright hate Damsels, but I have had them since I started saltwater early this year and have grown somewhat attached to them. (have done freshwater for many years before)

Currently stocked in the 20g: 1-Fiji Blue Devil Damsel, 1-3 Stripe damsel, 1-Chocolate Chip Starfish, 1-turbo snail, 2-small hermit crabs

Is there any other inverts that anyone can suggest thats not reef safe to put in here? I guess I want to purposely put things in this tank that aren't reef safe since I can't have them in the big tank. (big tank is going to be turned reef after we install hardwood floors in that room soon)

Is there any other semi agressive fish I can get to put in there without having to remove the damsels that anyone can think of?? Wrasses, other damsels, dottyback, an agressive clown like a maroon? (same idea for fish for not being reef safe as well if possible)

(I forgot to add: those coral looking things in the 2 corners are fake, rubbery things we got from a friend for a buck that I put in there for some color a long time ago, lol. This particular tank will NOT be a reef, ever.)

Some pics for fun:

 

[bigfruits]

if you dont mind losing the snails and crabs (not sure about starfish) throw in a peacock mantis shrimp (and some rubble/shells)
i had one with damsels several yrs ago and he left them alone.

 

[trukgirl]

Wow, those are really cool looking!!! I'm not so sure I want to give up the big turbo though. Wiki says they "smash" their pray... wow!

Thank you!!

Any ideas for fish??

 

[namxas]

You could always get a spearer such as P. cilitata. You also won't have to worry about tank breakage either.

 

[trukgirl]

Oh, that one is cool! How is it with the snails and starfish?? Yeah tank breakage would NOT be ok!! The tank IS glass. That was my worry about mantises, I thought they all did that.

I have 2 small kids, and this tank is right in their line of sight. They love watching the snail and starfish. My son loves our Coral Banded thats in the 65g... he is enormous! He was large when I purchased him in May, and he's molted at least 8 times that I've counted, including once today!! I think they both would like watching another shrimp right where they can see it. (the 65g is higher up on a standard stand)

As far as more fish..... how about:
1. a 6-Line Wrasse
2. either a Blue Velvet Damsel or a Maroon Clown ??
Would this be ok??? I think a 6 line would hold its own vs the damsels according to some people I know that own them. But not sure about a Maroon Clown... everything I've read says they are quite agressive but I don't know anyone that has one. I would rather have the clown than another damsel. But if the 6 line wont work either, another damsel is ok with me. Suggestions??????

 

[trukgirl]

Oh.... namxas .... you play tenor sax???

I play Bari in an awesome swing band and in 2 municipal concert bands!!

 

[namxas]

Never had any problem with the ciliata and any non-fish tankmates.

I guess you're asking about the tenor sax because of my avatar...that's actually my eldest son about 7 or 8 years ago. Both of my sons play sax: the eldest (18) is a tenor player and the youngest plays bari and alto, but he has found "his voice" as a baritone player (I even gave him one of my own baritones a Bb Selmer Mk VI...he gets to borrow my low A Selmer VI every so often tho)

Actually, I used to play for a living, but now I just play the gigs that I want to play and/or with the musicians I like to play with.

I play all of the woodwinds, but mostly tenor, baritone, and soprano these days, and altho I'm a rock-n-roll/R&B kinda guy, I do play bari (my fave horn) in my youngest brother's big band (The Mark Hix Big Band), which is comprised of players from Brian Setzer, Disney, Big Bad Voodoo Daddys, Buddy Rich, etc.

 

[trukgirl]

AWESOME!!!!
I live just outside of St. Louis mo.... Swing is mah favorite!! How cool and what a small world we both play Bari! I started on Alto originally in 4th grade, I'm in my early 30s now. I also play Oboe and English Horn proficiently. Bari is my fav, English Horn is my 2nd fav. I play an old vintage 1924 Martin bari, silver. It has a new case and mostly new pads... been working on restoring and polishing it up. Its VERY predictable and has a lovely sound with all my mouthpieces. Are you in the AFM? I am.

Here's one of my band's youtube... http://www.youtube.com/user/GCCommunityBand
I can't wait to get some new video on there from this season with my new HD camera! (Yes I happen to be the secretary too lol)

 

[trukgirl]

I forgot to add... i saw one of those Peacock Mantis shrimps at the LFS... they had him in one of those acrylic tanks with a heavy lid... he was going NUTS banging on the wall of his tank...almost kind of scary he was! Scary but pretty!

 

[namxas]

How interesting that we both play double reeds! This is my "main" act: Hot Tin Roof

We had a GORGEOUS peacock for several years...it was easily one of the most fascinating and interactive critters we've kept, and was ridiculously intelligent.

 

[trukgirl]

Wow... SWEET! You've performed with STL native Chuck Berry huh? He hangs around here at a place called "Blueberry Hill" Love the red suits you guys have going on there. We just changed our "uniforms" to black and royal blue.

So what do you mean by interactive? As in at feeding time? or would he interact with you in other ways? I couldn't believe how big the one was that I saw at the LFS. The only behaviour I saw was him being ****ed and going nuts because he was in a very small acrylic tank.

 

[namxas]

I can imagine the peacock not settling down unless it has a lair. They spend a LOT of time building, and seem to like to do "improvements" constantly (just drop a handful of rubble/shells into the tank every so often and watch the show as they figure out where to put the new pieces).

By interactive, I mean pretty much anytime it can see you...they love to "people watch". In fact, some peeps get a bit creeped out as they say they can "feel" eyes on them and they realize their mantis is watching them.

 

[Ooulophilia]

If you would like a fun little fish in there I think that a small white spot puffer (Canthigaster jactator) would be cool - they are very personable and hardy. Your kids should get a kick out of it too - they will "beg" at the glass and follow your finger around. It should have no problems dealing with the damsels also - it will probably eat your hermits eventually though.

 

[trukgirl]

Namxas - that is really cool! Would he try to re-arrange the live rock though?

Ooulophilia - how big do they get? And would it be ok with my starfish?

 

[namxas]

A clubber will sometimes chip away at larger pieces of LR with their raptorial appendages, but they will typically just haul smaller pieces around. Ours used its antennal scales as oars to help it pull heavier pieces around...my jaw literally dropped open when I saw that for the first time.

If you go with a clubber in a glass tank, I do recommend putting a piece of 1/8" acrylic in the bottom of the tank beneath the substrate, as they will often smack the bottom of the tank during lair construction thinking it's rock they can bust.

 

[trukgirl]

Wow, how fascinating!! They have to be THE smartest shrimp, hehe.
Thanks

 

[Peter T]

Hello, if you like the peacock mantis I would also suggest the Purple-spotted mantis shrimp. Also sometimes known as the smith's mantis shrimp. It is similar to the peacock but is about half the size so it will be a perfect fit for a 20g and it will probably leave your turbo alone if it is a good size. They are a bit harder to find then the peacock. Almost all smashers will try to re-arrange LR rubble (my chiragra mantis use to move my frags until I glued them down lol) for their burrow. As for big pieces of LR, they shouldn't be able to move them but may dig under them or in them for use as a burrow. Here is a pic of one off of Dr. Roys page: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...eumalacostraca/royslist/images/g_smithii1.jpg

 

[namxas]

I've never kept a smithii, but I've heard that they're a really great mantis.

I've kept chiragra tho...ours was fairly reclusive except at feeding time.

 

[psykokid]

Wow... SWEET! You've performed with STL native Chuck Berry huh? He hangs around here at a place called "Blueberry Hill" Love the red suits you guys have going on there. We just changed our "uniforms" to black and royal blue.

So what do you mean by interactive? As in at feeding time? or would he interact with you in other ways? I couldn't believe how big the one was that I saw at the LFS. The only behaviour I saw was him being ****ed and going nuts because he was in a very small acrylic tank.

As far as fish get something that will hold its own against the entrenched damsels. Sixlines wrasse and most of the dottybacks would be a good choice. a yellow watchman goby can be pretty aggressive as well, especially once they've staked out a territory..

bringing back memories talking about blueberry hill.. hanging out in the loop hitting up vintage vinyl and fitz's then rocky horror at the tivoli. Going to see punk and ska shows at the galaxy, hi-pointe, mississippi nights, and the old creepy crawl. Mardi Gras in soulard.. making me all homesick and nostalgic..

 

[trukgirl]

Thanks Peter, Namxas, and Psykokid!

As far as fish, I ended up just getting another damsel, a Blue Velvet.
Still undecided on the shrimp, I've been working so much I've barely had time to think!!! Thank you all so very much for the input!!! And Peter, that one is gorgeous as well.