SirToppemHat
Member
Male Melanarus Wrasse
Show fish(s) for a 48"x12"x12" 33g
- Thread starter palmer373
- Start date
palmer373
New member
Thanks for all the imput guys and gals!
LisaD- ok so then you would only do both of the wrasses if you think they would get along but your not sure? ok that makes since. I plan on getting a glass cover becuase my light wont have a protective sheild from splatter and with the height of my tank, im assuming there will be jumpers. the secretive wrasse looks very interesting but the only problem is its supposedly aggressive. Im still undecided wether im going with an aggressive reef or peacefull reef but im leaning towards peaceful because of some of the fish im looking at. I have been look at LA for fish so i might as well open up a word document and start keeping track of the fish i like etc and then post it on here like you said. there was a fu man chu lionfish at the LFS i was interested in but i guess the posionious part gets to me. i know they are similar (if not worse) to a bee sting but i get enough of those already. care to try to convice me to getting him/her? oh i forgot, if i got a lionfish or lionfish pair, would they be the only fish i could keep in there? the same is for the leaf fish. its poisonous but it is really cool! should i just suck up my worrying thoughts and go for a poisonous yet very cool fish? orchid dottybacks are on my mind right now, they look very cool. I already have a sailfin blenny in my 75 but id consider another one. would it be safe to add multiple blennies that are the same? i.e. NOT 3 sailfin blennies BUT like 1 sailfin, 1 tail spot, and 1 midas? im considering a dwarf angel but they are coral nippers so im still iffy, im gonna add a bicolor to my 75 once i get the corals moved out of the 75. I dont think my sandbed will be big enough for a goby/shrimp combo. how deep would it need to be? if i got an angler, which i am considering, could i add other fish becuase it says they will eat fish up to their own size. a $30 fish could turn into a $200 if it decides it is hungry when im not around... sounds like you have a lot of experiance, 33 years worth if im correct? hope i get there one day!
velvetelvis- alright ive been lookings at threadfins for a little bit since i say a guy on another thread talking about them. they arent flashy but they are cool! oh and this will be my second SW tank.
small alien- i have too thats why i was thinking of a trio of cardinal fish.
notjhh- yah i was thinking the same but probably not a blue spot cause im only having a 1-2 inch sand bed.
SirToppemHat- ill look that one up. ive seen them before and they look cool!
thanks for your time everybody!
LisaD- ok so then you would only do both of the wrasses if you think they would get along but your not sure? ok that makes since. I plan on getting a glass cover becuase my light wont have a protective sheild from splatter and with the height of my tank, im assuming there will be jumpers. the secretive wrasse looks very interesting but the only problem is its supposedly aggressive. Im still undecided wether im going with an aggressive reef or peacefull reef but im leaning towards peaceful because of some of the fish im looking at. I have been look at LA for fish so i might as well open up a word document and start keeping track of the fish i like etc and then post it on here like you said. there was a fu man chu lionfish at the LFS i was interested in but i guess the posionious part gets to me. i know they are similar (if not worse) to a bee sting but i get enough of those already. care to try to convice me to getting him/her? oh i forgot, if i got a lionfish or lionfish pair, would they be the only fish i could keep in there? the same is for the leaf fish. its poisonous but it is really cool! should i just suck up my worrying thoughts and go for a poisonous yet very cool fish? orchid dottybacks are on my mind right now, they look very cool. I already have a sailfin blenny in my 75 but id consider another one. would it be safe to add multiple blennies that are the same? i.e. NOT 3 sailfin blennies BUT like 1 sailfin, 1 tail spot, and 1 midas? im considering a dwarf angel but they are coral nippers so im still iffy, im gonna add a bicolor to my 75 once i get the corals moved out of the 75. I dont think my sandbed will be big enough for a goby/shrimp combo. how deep would it need to be? if i got an angler, which i am considering, could i add other fish becuase it says they will eat fish up to their own size. a $30 fish could turn into a $200 if it decides it is hungry when im not around... sounds like you have a lot of experiance, 33 years worth if im correct? hope i get there one day!
velvetelvis- alright ive been lookings at threadfins for a little bit since i say a guy on another thread talking about them. they arent flashy but they are cool! oh and this will be my second SW tank.
small alien- i have too thats why i was thinking of a trio of cardinal fish.
notjhh- yah i was thinking the same but probably not a blue spot cause im only having a 1-2 inch sand bed.
SirToppemHat- ill look that one up. ive seen them before and they look cool!
thanks for your time everybody!
velvetelvis
Active member
See, you're hooked already.
They're great little fish. If you can afford them, the tank-raised pairs from Sustainable Aquatics at Diver's Den are in good shape and eating well (I have a pair of them in my 34G, along with an orchid dottyback). They're very shy, so be prepared to have them hide for while till they settle in.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=90117
palmer373
New member
what are your thoughts on having a Histrio histrio sargassum fish, and either 1 Taenianotus triacanthus leaf fish and 1 Amblyapistus taenionotus sailfin/rogue scorpionfish or 2 Taenianotus triacanthus leaf fish? if you think that would work in a 48"x12"x12" what corals would you think would be ok? the reason i am doing this tank is becuase I want a mixed reef tank. at first i thought of 1 show fish but then that would get old. i was thinking of many (like 15ish) nano fish instead so itll have a lot of activity and not be boring but then I started looking at the scorpionfish and anglers and i fell in love with them. I would love to do a species reef in one sence but im not sure if the corals would be ok and if i cant do corals, i might as well stop reefing and i cant do that! supposedly on LA's marine compatibility chart, multiple anglers are iffy but they would be reef safe and in a small tank i dont want a lot of aggression. scorpionfish are ok with other scorpionfish but they are iffy on corals. If i go this route, i cant have small fish (which is what i am limited to) because they could become a snack for the angler/scorpionfish. i know scorpionfish are venomous and i would take a risk becuase they are gorgeous! can anyone help me?
EDIT: i forgot to add, i also am in love with clams so i have to have atleast 1 (i know what im getting into and the care etc so please dont pester me about them), i guess scorpionfish might also eat meaty substances (i forgot the word they used and i cant find it) like clam mantles and maybe even corals so this is also another worry.
EDIT: i forgot to add, i also am in love with clams so i have to have atleast 1 (i know what im getting into and the care etc so please dont pester me about them), i guess scorpionfish might also eat meaty substances (i forgot the word they used and i cant find it) like clam mantles and maybe even corals so this is also another worry.
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velvetelvis
Active member
Here's a couple of articles:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/hcs3/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/12/fish
http://www.lionfishlair.com/careguides/careguidescorpionfish.shtml
ETA: You might also want to ask on the fish only & aggressive tanks forum.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/hcs3/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/12/fish
http://www.lionfishlair.com/careguides/careguidescorpionfish.shtml
ETA: You might also want to ask on the fish only & aggressive tanks forum.
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They're cute when young, really ugly as they get bigger. Definitely would not want three of them. JMHO. I vote for a pair of flame hawkfish, also seen on DD.
the lionfishlair article is by Greg (namxas) and Renee (seahorsedreams). they are very knowledgeable and post a lot here and in FO and Aggressive.
an excellent reference is Reef Fishes volume 1 - look at frogfish and scorp chapters.
lionfish and anglers should not be kept together - whichever one is bigger will try to swallow the other. some smaller mouthed scorps might not be such a danger to anglers, but the angler will try to swallow just about any fish its own size or bigger. and a very big scorp would most likely prey on an angler. in fact, the reef fishes book has a picture and a warning about this where lionfish and other fish in general are concerned. (the author, Scott Michael is also an angler expert, and he knows a whole lot about all marine fish).
I have kept anglers as well as scorps and lionfish. anglers belong in a tank by themselves. you can sometimes pair them - larger female, and smaller male. but even this is risky.
an excellent reference is Reef Fishes volume 1 - look at frogfish and scorp chapters.
lionfish and anglers should not be kept together - whichever one is bigger will try to swallow the other. some smaller mouthed scorps might not be such a danger to anglers, but the angler will try to swallow just about any fish its own size or bigger. and a very big scorp would most likely prey on an angler. in fact, the reef fishes book has a picture and a warning about this where lionfish and other fish in general are concerned. (the author, Scott Michael is also an angler expert, and he knows a whole lot about all marine fish).
I have kept anglers as well as scorps and lionfish. anglers belong in a tank by themselves. you can sometimes pair them - larger female, and smaller male. but even this is risky.
palmer373
New member
alright so i shouldnt combine scorps and anglers, gotcha! its funny cause on LA's marine compatability chart it says theya re ok together. are scorps ok in a reef and if so how many could i keep in my 33? i was thinking of the leaf fish most likely, maybe even a sailfin/rogue scorp.
You could keep 2-3 leaf fish plus another couple. not all of them wean to frozen, so you may have to commit to feeding live food (like ghost shrimp). The sailfin/rouge scorpion and cockatoo waspfish (similar) are nice, and usually learn to take frozen food.
Whether you should keep them in a reef or not depends on how high the flow is (or whether it is directed away from the bottom), and whether you have highly aggressive stinging corals near ground level. With moderate flow and not too much sting at their level, several small scorps should be fine in your system.
Whether you should keep them in a reef or not depends on how high the flow is (or whether it is directed away from the bottom), and whether you have highly aggressive stinging corals near ground level. With moderate flow and not too much sting at their level, several small scorps should be fine in your system.
small alien
The fungus is among us.
small alien
The fungus is among us.
I want to see this tank when it is set up!
palmer373
New member
namxas said anglers are best kept in a species tank so those are out. so then scorps in a reef enviroment should be ok? im just stuck in the middle. my plans for my 75g call for not reef safe fish (flame angel or bicolor and the bicolors have been doing good with corals at the LFS (i am freinds with the owner so i trust him)) so i was going to set up the 33 for a coral tank. now im getting the poisonous fish bug and the 33 would be perfect. i am getting a really nice light from fosterandsmithaquatics for the 33 but would it be better to either chance the flame or go with the sortof reef safe bicolor and put hte good light and corals on the 75, and move the light that is on the 75 onto the 33 for a scorps tank? ugh so many questions, id fill up a whole page with them but its to much to type! i guess ill make a list of what my options are:
1) 75 FOWLR and 33 Reef with nano fish
2) 75 FOWLR and 33 Scorps tank with some corals high up
3) 75 Reef (with chancing a dwarf angel) and 33 Scorps species tank
4) Im crazy and i should just go with #1 and do a species tank later
whats your thoughts?
1) 75 FOWLR and 33 Reef with nano fish
2) 75 FOWLR and 33 Scorps tank with some corals high up
3) 75 Reef (with chancing a dwarf angel) and 33 Scorps species tank
4) Im crazy and i should just go with #1 and do a species tank later
whats your thoughts?
small alien
The fungus is among us.
Oh, you're crazy alright. 
I would suggest you do everything in your power to stop thinking about it for one week. Just sit with what you've heard and what you've learned. An idea will surface if you quiet your mind and open to it. Sometimes, if you're thinking too hard, the good idea just can't get through.
Good luck.
I would suggest you do everything in your power to stop thinking about it for one week. Just sit with what you've heard and what you've learned. An idea will surface if you quiet your mind and open to it. Sometimes, if you're thinking too hard, the good idea just can't get through.
Good luck.
palmer373
New member
so you are suggesting I, for one week, sit, push the thought to the back of my mind, and let the good idea come to me? what makes it harder is i was just asked by the LFS if i wanted a dwarf fuzzy lionfish they just got in. is that a sign i should do #3 but have the 33 a predetor tank? WAIT i have 1 more idea (im sorry im contradicting your suggestion small alien), i have a 55 undrilled that is sitting around doing nothing. If i got the predetor tank route, should i use that or the 33? i would have to figure out how to use a HOB overflow and stuff....
velvetelvis
Active member
Heh. I sympathize with you. I completely redid my tank a few weeks ago and was going in circles trying to decide what to put in it--then saw an orchid dottyback (which I'd thought of getting for a couple of years anyway) and couldn't resist. I've had her for almost a week and I'm really enjoying her.
If you're not feeling irresistibly drawn to one particular option, I would take small alien's advice and just let it set for a few days. Too many options can be overwhelming.
If you're not feeling irresistibly drawn to one particular option, I would take small alien's advice and just let it set for a few days. Too many options can be overwhelming.
palmer373
New member
its great to have someone who thinks the same as me velvetelvis i think i might let it sit for a little bit. i think the predetor tank would be sweet but im starting to think a reef with nano fish would be the best. ill let it settle for a little, im still collecting money and supplies so im in no rush.
i think i might let it sit for a little bit. i think the predetor tank would be sweet but im starting to think a reef with nano fish would be the best. ill let it settle for a little, im still collecting money and supplies so im in no rush.
velvetelvis
Active member
One last bit of advice from my own experience, then I'll let you digest in peace. 
Think about what's most important to you in a fish you're planning to keep: interesting behavior? Uniqueness? Lots of activity? Beauty and a peaceful disposition? Those can all make a difference. For example, I'm drawn to Banggai and threadfin cardinals because of their beauty and because I like planning biotope aquariums for them, but I've come to the conclusion that they're a little boring as the only fish in the tank, just because they don't do much except hover in place.
On the other hand, my new dottyback is more entertaining to watch (even though she spends a lot of time in the rocks) because she's so active. From the moment the actinics come on until the lights go out, she's busy, busy, busy, darting in and out of the rockwork and coming out to investigate her surroundings. However, her territorial nature means that I probably won't be able to add any new fish now that she's established herself in the tank.
And finally, a dwarf moray eel (which I also briefly considered, but decided against because (a) he was too expensive, (b) my tank is open and he would crawl out, and (c) he really wouldn't do much besides hang out in the LR and eat) appealed to me just because it would have been so different. But again, not terribly interesting behavior, for the most part.
I chose a dottyback, even though they can be feisty, because I figured that I was limited to just a few fish in such a small tank, so I wanted to make them "count", in terms of being both beautiful and interesting to watch. However, everyone's idea of what's most important in a tank inhabitant is unique. Try to figure out what's important to you in a fish, and then which species both possess those important qualities and will work well (in terms of adult size, needs, behavior, etc) in your setup. Good luck! :thumbsup:
Think about what's most important to you in a fish you're planning to keep: interesting behavior? Uniqueness? Lots of activity? Beauty and a peaceful disposition? Those can all make a difference. For example, I'm drawn to Banggai and threadfin cardinals because of their beauty and because I like planning biotope aquariums for them, but I've come to the conclusion that they're a little boring as the only fish in the tank, just because they don't do much except hover in place. On the other hand, my new dottyback is more entertaining to watch (even though she spends a lot of time in the rocks) because she's so active. From the moment the actinics come on until the lights go out, she's busy, busy, busy, darting in and out of the rockwork and coming out to investigate her surroundings. However, her territorial nature means that I probably won't be able to add any new fish now that she's established herself in the tank.
And finally, a dwarf moray eel (which I also briefly considered, but decided against because (a) he was too expensive, (b) my tank is open and he would crawl out, and (c) he really wouldn't do much besides hang out in the LR and eat) appealed to me just because it would have been so different. But again, not terribly interesting behavior, for the most part.
I chose a dottyback, even though they can be feisty, because I figured that I was limited to just a few fish in such a small tank, so I wanted to make them "count", in terms of being both beautiful and interesting to watch. However, everyone's idea of what's most important in a tank inhabitant is unique. Try to figure out what's important to you in a fish, and then which species both possess those important qualities and will work well (in terms of adult size, needs, behavior, etc) in your setup. Good luck! :thumbsup:
