saddleback pair in 24G???

[Capt_Cully]

I'm all about responsible reef keeping. I'm planning a 24g nano, w10 - 15 gal of sump refugium as well. My plan is to keep a pair of saddle backs with a carpet as the tanks inhabitants. Perhaps some inverts, but no other fish. Will they be ok in this volume of water or is it irresponsible.

I do have a 180 I could add them to if they seemed not to thrive, as a back up safety net.

Thanks

 

[reefman13]

I say that they would be fine. But you would want to get juv. ones.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Since you are getting saddlebacks, I am assuming that the carpet you are thinking of getting is a Haddoni. I personally wouldn't put that in a 24 nano -- they just get too big.

 

[Haddonisreef]

If you can find a sm Haddoni like 4 to 8 in it would be ok. But good luck finding a carpet thats in good health.!!

 

[traveller7]

Saddlebacks can be quite rough on each other and anemones. I would keep them in a 40gal or larger tank.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I plan to have an aquascape with plenty of room for open swimming. Does the fact that the system will be 35-40 gal total help, or do you think an aquapod will be too confining?

Thanks

 

[Toddrtrex]

IMO, the aquapod would be a bit too confining.

I agree with Traveler7 about the behavior of saddlebacks. I had a pair back in the day, mean little guys. And since they are hard on anemones you would want a bigger one, which in turn wouldn't do great in a small tank.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Yeah, I wouldnt put that trio in a 24g tank. Mine are very destructive in my 125g. They also get rather large. My female is almost 5". My haddoni is about 18". Even if you find small clowns and a small anemone theyre still gonna grow. Unlike other clowns Ive kept, my saddleback never stay in one place. They cruise the tank all the time. I dont think 24g is enough swimming room. I personally think clowns and anemones shouldnt be kept in "nano" tanks. Shoot for 40g or a 55g if your set on getting them.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I can live with that. I certainly don't want to push the issue. Agreed. Too confining.

 

[Capt_Cully]

So let me ask you all if there is a clown pair and anemone that you think would be ok in the nano setting?

BTW, thanks for all the responses!

 

[traveller7]

IMHO:

Anemone: BTA, E. quadricolor in a properly set up 24gal.
Clowns: Skunks, Ocellaris, Percula, or Nigripes.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Nigripes, very cool looking.

Any ideas on where to obtain them?

Not that I'm diving right in, just want to investigate more.

Thanks

 

[traveller7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10960762#post10960762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
Nigripes, very cool looking.

Any ideas on where to obtain them?

One of my favorites.

Hit and miss on supply, more miss.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm starting to see that......

 

[JamesJR]

Nigripes are very dellicate shippers. lots of the wholesalers are reluctant to get them because they are likely to lose so many of them. I ran into a trio a friend of mine who owns a fish shop ordered and he lost all three of them.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Looks like bluezooaquatics.com has them, but they do not offer their stay alive guarantee. Makes it tricky. Wouldn't want to kill them just by ordering them. Touchy. Gonna have to think long and hard about this one.

 

[reefman13]

Picassos are always nice

 

[Capt_Cully]

Picasso clowns? You got a genus and species? I'd like to check it out.