Bioload Consultant

[mark2103]

Hello, I'm planning to get a new tank either a 29gal biocube or 32gal biocube. I have been drooling over keeping a yellow polkadot. It was what brought me in the hobby. I have a nice successful reef (after MANY fails). It is a 45 gallon tank with 6 fishes who call it home. Now here's what I need help with.

I was wondering if this would work for a 32 gallon or 29 gallon cube.

1x Yellow Polka Dot Boxfish
-Yes I do know the cons of this animal and the poison. I will move it once the specimen gets to 3 inches or 4 inches in size to a relatives tank whom is willing to take the animal. I feel I'm ready for this challenge (although I'm posting this in the begginers section)

2x Occelaris Clownfish

1x Shrimp goby (Yasha or randalls)
W/ of course a pistol shrimp

1x Firefish or clown Goby

I'm just contemplating in whether this bioload is through the roof or its perfect

Planning for a skimmer and weekly water change.

 

[mark2103]

 

[sbash]

I would be duboius of these fish in such a small tank. I see less of an issue with bio-load and more of an issue with aggressiveness... For example, you may never see the firefish and your boxfish may stick to one edge of the tank (or vice-versa with the clowns)...

To house multiple fishes in such a small tank, they really need to be chosen very carefully...

 

[mark2103]

I would be duboius of these fish in such a small tank. I see less of an issue with bio-load and more of an issue with aggressiveness... For example, you may never see the firefish and your boxfish may stick to one edge of the tank (or vice-versa with the clowns)...

To house multiple fishes in such a small tank, they really need to be chosen very carefully...

Ah I see, I guess I will scratch off the firefish as they are very skittish. As with the clowns do you think adding them when they are very small would be OK? As well as a small boxfish. Thank you for replying! And giving your constructive criticism.

 

[sbash]

Ah I see, I guess I will scratch off the firefish as they are very skittish. As with the clowns do you think adding them when they are very small would be OK? As well as a small boxfish. Thank you for replying! And giving your constructive criticism.

If you get small clowns, that will help for sure. You also may not need to scratch the firefish, but just be aware you may never see it (and it could starve), or it could jump out of the tank (definitely have a screen if you get a firefish in a tank this small...). I would look into other gobys, such as the clown goby you mentioned, a fusi goby, etc. Any of the (what I call) sitting gobys will likely be fine long term.

Cardinals are probably also a safe bet, longspine I hear you need a group of them, but bangaii and pyjama should be fine as singles...

I am surprised others have not posted up, I am sure there are a tonne of folks on here who are running a small cube successfully (with fish)... Perhaps the boxfish is throwing them off; very cool by the way. I would also check with a local LFS to see if they will 'buy' the fish once it starts to get big (it is always good to have a fallback plan).

 

[mark2103]

If you get small clowns, that will help for sure. You also may not need to scratch the firefish, but just be aware you may never see it (and it could starve), or it could jump out of the tank (definitely have a screen if you get a firefish in a tank this small...). I would look into other gobys, such as the clown goby you mentioned, a fusi goby, etc. Any of the (what I call) sitting gobys will likely be fine long term.

Cardinals are probably also a safe bet, longspine I hear you need a group of them, but bangaii and pyjama should be fine as singles...

I am surprised others have not posted up, I am sure there are a tonne of folks on here who are running a small cube successfully (with fish)... Perhaps the boxfish is throwing them off; very cool by the way. I would also check with a local LFS to see if they will 'buy' the fish once it starts to get big (it is always good to have a fallback plan).

Thank you for all the help!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Only get one clown. This will minimize their aggression as they won't begin spawning.

 

[ahiggins]

Only get one clown. This will minimize their aggression as they won't begin spawning.

umm.....I have had a single clown for over a year and shes the meanest fish Ive ever been subject to. Constantly biting and just being a pain. and shes only 2.5 inches now.

 

[eatbreakfast]

umm.....I have had a single clown for over a year and shes the meanest fish Ive ever been subject to. Constantly biting and just being a pain. and shes only 2.5 inches now.

Just imagine how much more aggressive she would be if she were spawning and protecting eggs.

 

[reeferfoxx]

My 2 clowns have always been peaceful for the last 2.5 years. Though, They don't have a nem to host that would possibly entice them to spawn.

 

[mark2103]

Only get one clown. This will minimize their aggression as they won't begin spawning.

Oh ya totally slipped my mind. That's pretty smart as I need to reduce stress as much as possible.

 

[mark2103]

umm.....I have had a single clown for over a year and shes the meanest fish Ive ever been subject to. Constantly biting and just being a pain. and shes only 2.5 inches now.

Do you have like a Maroon or Clarkii?

 

[ahiggins]

nope

Do you have like a Maroon or Clarkii?

, occelarus.

 

[mark2103]

nope


, occelarus.

Wow that's surprising since Occelaris are supposedly peaceful. Thank you for your reply and I may not add a clownfish to my aquarium . I had a 1 inch Clarkii that was so aggresive when I threw it in my display after quarantine it killed my Lawnmower blenny and fire shrimp.

 

[ahiggins]

she keeps up with the 6 line and dottyback......so.....take from that what you will HAHAHA and she bites me whenever Im in the display. But they all have different attitudes Im sure.