What kind of fish

[Kenpo guy]

So the tank is cycled but I'm still several weeks from buying fish. Problem is I don't know what to put in my tank. Our long term goals are to have a coral reef tank (sps and soft), inverts and fish. I currently have 4 hermits, 4 cerith snails and 2 peppermint shrimp. I'm looking for some ideas that will mesh well with the aforementioned setup. Wife wants a puffer and a clown really bad.

Sorry, duh...

Its a 37 gal cube 18x18x24 with about 50lbs of rock.

 

[BleuFish]

What size tank is it?

 

[Kenpo guy]

What size tank is it?

Sorry, see edit above. I'm a newb.

 

[billdogg]

Most puffers won't be too happy in a 37. Maybe a sharpnose, but inverts will begin to disappear. Pretty much any clown will quickly own the whole thing. Flasher wrasses, various gobies and blennies, perhaps a cardinal, or maybe a firefish would be my choices. Choose wisely - you'll be limited to just a few. If you must have a clown, I would go with a pink skunk or a true percula.. Most of the rest get to big and way too territorial.

 

[Kenpo guy]

Most puffers won't be too happy in a 37. Maybe a sharpnose, but inverts will begin to disappear.

So puffers and inverts dont get along? I figured I'd need a bigger tank for one of those anyway. Fwiw my aquascape has a lot of caves and hiding places. Hardly ever see the shrimp. Will that help with fish selections and inverts?

 

[Martini5788]

You could do a toby or sharp nose puffer, like a valentini and such. They look similar to tiny triggers. But they will eat your cuc so you will have to replace them occasionally. Not a huge deal for a small tank though. But if you did the puffer, you would be limited in other fish choices. The shrimp pro ably won't survive the puffer though. But you could do a Toby puffer, added last, along with blennies and gobies, firefish. I would try to convince out of the clowns, but you might be able to do the clowns and puffer and 1 other fish

 

[Scubaken]

The puffer will eat the shrimp in a heart beat, the puffer will also munch his way through your snails and crabs, so a couple of each won't really last long, if you are using a sump, you can populate your sump and just take an occasional crab out, this will at least make them last a little longer.
I'm not sure about your tank size with a Valentini, they can get quite aggressive when given the opportunity to become a problem child, they can certainly do so.

I don't know what else you can pop inn such a small tank that is peaceful that wouldn't be intimidated eventually by the puffer, clowns, blennies, maybe a jaw fish ? Tough decision with such a small tank.

 

[Martini5788]

My valentini is easily the most docile fish in the tank. Doesn't bother anyone except cuc. From my research on them they are usually nice with other fish, but inverts are another story.

 

[Scubaken]

My guy was a pig, got I to a big fight with my emporer angel and that was the last time he bothered anyone ever again.

How big is your tank ?

 

[Martini5788]

My tank is 69 gallons, not sure if you are asking
Me or op

 

[Scubaken]

Your 69 gAllons is almost twice the size of kempo's tank, I would be concerned with a puffer in such a small area.

What other fish do you have in with your Valentini ?

 

[CHizer]

I'd go with more, smaller fish. Clown gobies, false per clowns maybe a royal grama

 

[Martini5788]

I have clowns, chromis, blennies, hawkfish, gramma, eel. Also, I am a member of. Forum specifically for puffers, and a lot of people there keep puffers in 30 gallon tanks with other tankmates and they do fine. So if he wanted to do a Toby puffer, pair of clowns, and a blenny or goby it should do fine as I have seen multiple setups where that works because of a similar temperament. Maybe your valentini was just aggressive?

 

[Martini5788]

Either way, the Toby puffers will pick at clean up crews. I just replace mine as I need to so it isn't a big deal. But if you are particularly attached to your shrimp, then it would be a good idea to pass on the Toby.

 

[Kenpo guy]

Looks like I dont have the best set up for fish if I want corals. The small tank and the fact that I have inverts and will eventually have corals really limits my choices for fish. I kinda knew that going into this tank. The puffer is definitely out. Clown pair is still up in the air. I'll look into some of the other suggestions here. Great input thanks!

 

[Martini5788]

Yeah it just depends on what kind of a tank you want. I like fish with a lot of personality and that are very interactive. Wrasses are fun too, just be sure to have a top.