Beginner advice please!

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 23, 2023

Okay so this is my first saltwater tank and my first post on here so please don’t hate too bad.

So long story short I saw a huge female gold nugget (3-3.5 inch)at the LFS and couldn’t leave her there.

Went home, set up a tank, waited months to cycle, and all be danged she was still there.
She’s been happy inside of the tank for a bit and the LFS got a much smaller one in recently (around 1.5-2 inch) and impulsively bought him although i’ve read that pairing maroons in general can be quite difficult. Well I added him yesterday and they’re already swimming around the tank together and hosting the big ladies condylactis.. Is this beginners luck or calm before the storm? Please help!!

exnisstech · Dec 24, 2023

Hopefully beginners luck. I've paired maroons before and it can be pretty brutal of it doesn't work out and it usually doesn't take long before you know it. Nice that that are hosting a condi, I don't think its a nem they naturally host. What size tank do you have? I only ask because maroons can be problematic with new additions especially in smaller tanks. I had a female that owned half of a 6ft tank. She would even tear coral off of her rocks when I tried to place some.

littlefoxx · Dec 24, 2023

I have a maroon that I paired easily with a male gold nugget. But he was also very small. She didnt let him sleep in the same nem as her for 3 months and would chase him out of his nem too but then one day they were best buds and sleeping in the same nem. Keep an eye out, he might just be following her for now. When the bonding starts you will see her get super aggressive with him, just keep an eye on them and be ready to separate into an acclimation box if she really starts beating him up. I love maroons

Mikeltee · Dec 24, 2023

I've had 2 pairs of maroons and never saw aggression towards others. The female definitely bosses the male around though.

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 24, 2023

exnisstech said:
Hopefully beginners luck. I've paired maroons before and it can be pretty brutal of it doesn't work out and it usually doesn't take long before you know it. Nice that that are hosting a condi, I don't think its a nem they naturally host. What size tank do you have? I only ask because maroons can be problematic with new additions especially in smaller tanks. I had a female that owned half of a 6ft tank. She would even tear coral off of her rocks when I tried to place some.

They’re in a 40 gallon, just them though. Is that too small for just a single maroon pair?

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 24, 2023

littlefoxx said:
I have a maroon that I paired easily with a male gold nugget. But he was also very small. She didnt let him sleep in the same nem as her for 3 months and would chase him out of his nem too but then one day they were best buds and sleeping in the same nem. Keep an eye out, he might just be following her for now. When the bonding starts you will see her get super aggressive with him, just keep an eye on them and be ready to separate into an acclimation box if she really starts beating him up. I love maroons

Thank you so much littlefoxx!

Cell · Dec 24, 2023

It's hit or miss and it sounds like you may have hit. Condy's aren't normal hosting nems though. Consider a bubble tip!

ErikVR · Dec 24, 2023

My maroons only started fighting after 3 months together in the tank.
At first they seemed madly in love but the marriage didn't last

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 24, 2023

Mikeltee said:
I've had 2 pairs of maroons and never saw aggression towards others. The female definitely bosses the male around though.

Thank you Mr.Mike, I really appreciate it!

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 24, 2023

Cell said:
It's hit or miss and it sounds like you may have hit. Condy's aren't normal hosting nems though. Consider a bubble tip!

I certainly hope so, thank you for the help! I’ll definitely be researching on some BTAs for the lady!

SpronkCrunkler · Dec 24, 2023

ErikVR said:
My maroons only started fighting after 3 months together in the tank.
At first they seemed madly in love but the marriage didn't last

Thank you for the warning! At least I can’t be surprised when they file for divorce

ErikVR · Dec 24, 2023

SpronkCrunkler said:
Thank you for the warning! At least I can’t be surprised when they file for divorce

The male moved out and got a nice (albeit smaller) apartment in my home office.
He seems happy flirting with the royal gramma all day.

exnisstech · Dec 24, 2023

SpronkCrunkler said:
They’re in a 40 gallon, just them though. Is that too small for just a single maroon pair?

A pair should be fine in that tank.

exnisstech · Dec 24, 2023

ErikVR said:
My maroons only started fighting after 3 months together in the tank.
At first they seemed madly in love but the marriage didn't last

Just curious are you positive one was a female? I've only paired maroons after I've had the female long enough to be 100% sure she was female. Then I've introduced the smallest male I can find.

ErikVR · Dec 24, 2023

exnisstech said:
Just curious are you positive one was a female? I've only paired maroons after I've had the female long enough to be 100% sure she was female. Then I've introduced the smallest male I can find.

Well she/he was way bigger and more dominant. I got them both at the same size and after 3 months the dominant one was way way bigger.