Suggestions for fish with personality, etc? 90g or 18g

[JaneG]

Hey all,
So my old fish died from what I believe to be a bacterial infection. As you can tell, I'm very bummed about that because I tried my best to save them but I was too late. I'm starting to plan for my new tank. I was thinking of getting an 18g ADA aquarium and adding a 20g sump w/ a fuge and skimmer OR a 90g tank. My last tank had a tailspot blenny (kind of shy - introduced the disease so I didn't "get to know" him very well), a possum wrasse (very cute but kind of reclusive), and a yellowhead jawfish (my favorite ). I was thinking of maybe adding a pair of pearly jawfish from Sealife Inc. as an addition (are the blue spot better for personality?) but I was hoping you all could offer me some advice on some awesome fish! I am looking for fish with lots of personality mostly. Color to boot would be nice as well! The fish can be aggressive, expensive (but nothing too much...), etc. as long as they are reef safe (and preferably not hard to keep). What would you all suggest for:
the 18g?
the 90g? (I was thinking of maybe a blue throat trigger if I go this route - too small?)
I'm not sure which I'll get so suggestions for both would be appreciated! By the way, yes, I am going to QT my fish. :sad2: Thanks all!

 

[albano]

there are SOOO many wrasses to choose from! colorful and active...are you'll love when they flash/display!

I have over 20 different types of wrasses in my tanks...and looking for more!

 

[JaneG]

there are SOOO many wrasses to choose from! colorful and active...are you'll love when they flash/display!

I have over 20 different types of wrasses in my tanks...and looking for more!

Thank you! Are you talking about the flasher wrasse? I know they'd do well as a harem in 90g but I've actually never observed them in person long enough to know about their swimming requirements. Would a single fit in the 18g? Don't kill me! Liveaquaria says they need 30g, this source says they need 14g, this says they need 10 and I've read as high as 50g! Am I allowed to link? :hmm5: I hope so! What source should I trust? I was looking at the four line wrasse for the smaller (or possibly bigger) tank as well. I can't find much info about these except that they're less aggressive than sixline but the 18g is a nano. How would that work? Thanks. :reading:

 

[albano]

IMO, I don't see a problem with a single flasher wrasse in an 18g (but the 90g would be so much nicer). the problem with the 'lined' wrasses is that they may get aggressive, and adding new fish, could be a problem.

 

[fishesfriend]

my citrinis clown goby is very personable.

 

[JaneG]

my citrinis clown goby is very personable.

Ah, I love clown gobies! I got really close to buying one at my LFS and putting it in my empty pico while waiting for either tank to cycle but decided against it because I hear they can be destructive when it comes to SPS. :sad1: It sounds like it's hit or miss though - maybe I will! :clown: Thanks!

About the 18g:
If I went with a flasher wrasse, I think I would go with the Linespot flasher wrasse. It sounds like they stay smallest. Would that do ok in this size of a tank?

Thanks all!

 

[Angel*Fish]

Not sure what size tank you're getting, but jawfish are sensitive fish - some would say hard to keep. I would look in depth into info re: their needs for sand, rubble and tank mates and tank cover. As they say, it's not a matter of if they will jump, but when. Also an 18g would be too small for a pair. When you say pair, do you mean two fish that have already been shown to get along?

 

[JaneG]

Not sure what size tank you're getting, but jawfish are sensitive fish - some would say hard to keep. I would look in depth into info re: their needs for sand, rubble and tank mates and tank cover. As they say, it's not a matter of if they will jump, but when. Also an 18g would be too small for a pair. When you say pair, do you mean two fish that have already been shown to get along?

Thank you! It surprises me that they're hard to keep because liveaquaria lists them as moderate, I assume because of their special requirements. Additionally, WWM describes them as hardy and adaptive to captive life as long as their sandbed requirements are fulfilled. They were also kept as early as the 50s (when very few fish were offered), so this leads me to believe that they are actually easy fish to keep. I've heard the bluespot can be hard to keep because of Blue Spot Jawfish disease (fish stops eating, etc.) but I believe I read that's due to poor/unsanity handling in Mexico if I remember correctly. My tank as it was had 40% crushed coral 60% aragonite sand and my jawfish loved it. I also had a tight fitting lid with 1/4'' clear mesh holes. He ended up being the most outgoing fish and actually tried to scare everyone away at feeding time. He was added first. The pair I would be buying would be from sealifeinc, which are proven pairs as they pick them out only when they're together as opposed to with a community. In the wild I've read their burrows are as close as 12in. apart, so even if I wasn't I would think it would be ok to house two? This video shows 2 in 8g and they're very close at least. I'm not sure if I'll get a jawfish pair or not though. Thanks for your help!

 

[Angel*Fish]

I was just posting that as a warning in case you hadn't researched. I have to admit those 2 look fine in that tank. But it's a bit cramped and the bed looks a little shallow. Most fish are "easy" if you give them what they need. Good luck, whatever you decide on.

 

[JaneG]

I was just posting that as a warning in case you hadn't researched. I have to admit those 2 look fine in that tank. But it's a bit cramped and the bed looks a little shallow. Most fish are "easy" if you give them what they need. Good luck, whatever you decide on.

I agree with you on that. :rollface: However, I'm not sure if the 18g would be tall enough to get them to spawn. Do you think 90g would be adequate for a blue throat triggerfish? Thanks for your help!

In the long run, I'm not really sure which tank would be worth it. Although everybody seems to think that larger tanks are better, nano tanks (the 18g) have their benefits as well (such as being able to keep jawfish, because I could spot feed easier- although I have seen some in larger tanks...). What does everybody think about this? Thanks!