Thinking about a 6-Line.......on the fence

[propeine]

I keep reading on these about how bad adding a sixline is to tanks, but the author of the Nano Reef Handbook says it's one of his favorite fish for a nano.... At the end he outlines setups done by professionals to use as templates for creating your own. They profile a 7.5 gallon that houses 2 false clowns and a sixline, along with various corals and invertebrates. Even nano-reef.com gives a 10 gal minimum tank. After reading opinions on here, this sounds like it would be crazy. Who do I trust, pros or random Internet commentary?? Hmmmm I think I'll go with the pros

I think the better question is do you trust 1 guy's (supposedly a pro) experience or 50 random peoples (maybe not pros but have had real life examples as well) experience and make the decision on your own based on the information you've read. There are people on both sides of the fence here.

 

[Rabidgoose]

I keep reading on these about how bad adding a sixline is to tanks, but the author of the Nano Reef Handbook says it's one of his favorite fish for a nano.... At the end he outlines setups done by professionals to use as templates for creating your own. They profile a 7.5 gallon that houses 2 false clowns and a sixline, along with various corals and invertebrates. Even nano-reef.com gives a 10 gal minimum tank. After reading opinions on here, this sounds like it would be crazy. Who do I trust, pros or random Internet commentary?? Hmmmm I think I'll go with the pros

One of the conundrums of this hobby, IMO, is the varied experiences with the same species. While I know several reefers who swear by there 6line for there watch dog duties for several things unwelcome, for their appearance/beauty and for there activity. I also know reefers who tell horror stories about there 6line. How he turned into a little ball of hate overnight and harassed/attacked other fish to death, often larger fish as well as smaller.

Have a backup plan if it doesn't work out I guess is all I can add. Enjoy the fish if you decide to get one but be ready to get him out if you need to.

good luck....chuck

 

[Wolverine]

I keep reading on these about how bad adding a sixline is to tanks, but the author of the Nano Reef Handbook says it's one of his favorite fish for a nano.... At the end he outlines setups done by professionals to use as templates for creating your own. They profile a 7.5 gallon that houses 2 false clowns and a sixline, along with various corals and invertebrates. Even nano-reef.com gives a 10 gal minimum tank. After reading opinions on here, this sounds like it would be crazy. Who do I trust, pros or random Internet commentary?? Hmmmm I think I'll go with the pros

Make your own decision, but don't be surprised if it ends in disappointment (as I've seen happen hundreds of times on this board. Be aware of the fact that, as noted above, you have the option of dozen of opinions vs. one. Also be aware of the fact that many of the experts and pros are hobbyists who have made the effort to write a book. On top of that, many of those writing "random Internet commentary" are professional aquarists. I don't think the decision is as cut and dry as you seem to think.

 

[betamed]

My six line did not eat flatworms> He does however attack any new wrasses I add to the tank. Melanarus or a yellow coris seem to be better about eating these pests

 

[rssjsb]

They profile a 7.5 gallon that houses 2 false clowns and a sixline, along with various corals and invertebrates.

I would not take advice about "Pros" that would publish an article recommending putting three fish in a 7.5 gallon tank, especially these three semi-aggressive fish. You can always find someone who will say they've done this or that, and it may actually work out in isolated circumstances. Unless it is heavily caveated, this advice is irresponsible IMO. The value of these forums is that people can describe their actual experiences with fish. If you choose to ignore the weight of those experiences, that's you're choice. Sneering at people's experience-based advice on a forum like this is . . . odd.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I have a sixline in my 30 gallon reef. He is very mellow, and I have added one flame hawkfish after 2 months of having him. No aggressive behavior, but I account that to not having any other fish that look like him. Just be prepared to take it out if its aggressive, and that's a pain to do, I can't imagine trying that in a 120 lol.

 

[rssjsb]

I have a sixline in my 30 gallon reef. He is very mellow, and I have added one flame hawkfish after 2 months of having him. No aggressive behavior, but I account that to not having any other fish that look like him. Just be prepared to take it out if its aggressive, and that's a pain to do, I can't imagine trying that in a 120 lol.

How long have you had the sixline? They tend to get more territorial as they age.