Suitable prolific tankmates for a baby Brittle Starfish

[purgatori27]

I've had a 20 gallon long tank cycled for a while now. I've been having a hard time trying to decide what I want in there. A few days ago, the decision was narrowed down for me. I was checking out the tank, and all it's little critters (3 different types of little Feather Dusters, Amphipods, Copepods, Nassarius Snails, Nerites, and Cerith Snails). I noticed these three little dark appendages sticking out of a little hole in the rock. At first they looked like little bristleworms, but I quickly realized they were too skinny and were Brownish-red and white striped. I did a little research, and I believe it's a Baby Brittle Starfish (or a Micro, whatever you wanna call it). I placed a shrimp pellet near the rock with a pair of tweezers. The arms took about a half second to start to grab it. I saw a total of 4 arms. That is so awesome! I love it when I find a cool hitchhiker, since most freebies are pests .

Ok, Ok...here's where you guys come in.

I need some ideas as to what type of tankmates I can get that will live in harmony with this guy. And to narrow it down further...whatever I choose, I want to breed. I was interested in Coral Banded Shrimp or Cleaner Shrimp (I love inverts), but my family would love to get a pair of fish that were hardy, gentle, and easy to breed.

Also, any ideas of anything with color I could add such as corals or the like. I don't want anemones and I imagine sponges might be out of the question. Some of you guys and gals have been doing this saltwater thing a long time, so I welcome any ideas. I've had freshwater tanks and inverts for over 20 years, but I'm very new to saltwater tanks. Luckily, I'm not an idiot, so I can learn fairly quickly and I try to research as much as possible. I'm sure my family would disagree with that last part!

Here's what I'm working with:

 

[ctenophors rule]

sounds pretty sweet!!!

sponges would be a great adition to your tank.

being a 20 gallon you could try breeding yellow watchman gobys, their is one article in particular on the web that is phenomenal, i think it was published in an online journal.

you could try percula clowns,

or bangai cardinals.

after that, the fish start getting harder to breed, and or herder to find information on, but....

jaw fish.

green banded goby.

neon goby

sharknose goby

red or gold eviota goby



as for corals, what kind of light do you currently run?

if 2-3 wats per gallon, i wouldn't try anyuthing realy, maybe a few mushrooms, or a kenya tree.

3-4 watts per gallon, getting better; zoos, kenya tree, mushrooms, other softies, and some of the leser light demanding lps and sps.

4-5 and above watts per gallon; pick any coral you want light wise, just be sure not to over load anything with light.

properly acclimate the orals, start at bottom, maybe a shaded region, etc.

 

[purgatori27]

Here's what I'm working with:

Tried to post a pic the first time, but it didn't work I guess.


Thanks for the response. I did do some research on the Clowns and the Cardinals. They were options I was considering. I was a little worried about gobys digging under my rocks. I didn't think about it til after I had everything in the tank. I probably should have put the rock in first against the glass, then filled the sand around it to avoid collapse due to sand sifters/diggers. Who cares, this is my first time. I'm sure I can and will do much worse than that! I'll check out the Watchman Goby. Who knows, I just may end up with a Goby farm to match my freshwater shrimp farm.

As far as lighting goes, I have a 65 watt Current smartpak satellite with lunar light. It's one of those half white/ half actinic jobs (good light for a cheap price, in my opinion). I noticed right away that I have to plug it into a timer, since I have outrageously long days. I turned parts of the tank a beautiful reddish color in two days. I know what I did wrong there, so I got that under control.

Will I be able to go without a skimmer? I'd prefer to run the filter with a sponge over the intake, and I don't want a skimmer. If I take the skim off the top of the water with a cup will this be enough, or am I missing the point of the skimmer?