First Fish & Where to Buy?

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hey!
After I sort out my salinity issues. I'm looking in buying my first fish. I was looking at either Fire Fish or Clown Fish. I am not sure if I want to buy at my LFS yet or if I want to purchase online. If I do buy online where would you recommend? How many (A pair)?

My Future Stock:

• Clowns (2)
• FireFish
• Goby
• Royal Gramma
• Flame Angel
• Shrimp (Cleaner or Fire) Both Maybe
• Any other recommendations or reductions?

 

[ReefBuzz]

I'm an advocate of supporting local fish stores. You should go in and get to know them.

Start your setup with a clean up crew before getting fish in.

How long has your setup been running and what is the salinity issue you are talking about?

 

[shimps1]

How big is your tank? What is your substrate, and how deep is it?

For that stocking list, you need, in my opinion, a 30 gallon tank at minimum. That is assuming you are on top of your water changes, or have a decent sump set up. Otherwise, you'll need to be closer to 50 gallons. Here's why:

Royal Grammas are territorial, so he will need his own area.
The Clowns will swim all over, and are a large bio-load.
Firefish need hiding places.
Gobys are awesome, but is you are looking at a sand-sifting one you'll need at least 2" of sandbed depth.
Flame Angels don't get very big, but they again are a pretty large bio-load on a tank because they are so active.

For the first fish, I would start with the Firefish, since they are the least aggressive and will attack new fish that you add later.

If the fish look healthy, and their tanks are clean, I would shop at your LFS. No reason to pay for overnight shipping on just one fish, especially since firefish are common and cheap enough.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

I'm an advocate of supporting local fish stores. You should go in and get to know them.

Start your setup with a clean up crew before getting fish in.

How long has your setup been running and what is the salinity issue you are talking about?

My Clean up crew is coming tomorrow. Hopefully they don't freeze to death we are having a severe cold warning here in CT. My salinity problem was my ATO added my whole Topoff container and dropped my salinity. Hoping it will be fixed today Its a 60 gallon Cube. 70 gallons total volume

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

How big is your tank? What is your substrate, and how deep is it?

For that stocking list, you need, in my opinion, a 30 gallon tank at minimum. That is assuming you are on top of your water changes, or have a decent sump set up. Otherwise, you'll need to be closer to 50 gallons. Here's why:

Royal Grammas are territorial, so he will need his own area.
The Clowns will swim all over, and are a large bio-load.
Firefish need hiding places.
Gobys are awesome, but is you are looking at a sand-sifting one you'll need at least 2" of sandbed depth.
Flame Angels don't get very big, but they again are a pretty large bio-load on a tank because they are so active.

For the first fish, I would start with the Firefish, since they are the least aggressive and will attack new fish that you add later.

If the fish look healthy, and their tanks are clean, I would shop at your LFS. No reason to pay for overnight shipping on just one fish, especially since firefish are common and cheap enough.

Tank is a 60 gallon Cube. 70 gallons total. 2 inch sand bed. 2.25 at some areas.

 

[Chrisfish]

I agree, if you can support you local lfs go for it, but if not I have used pacific east aquaculture several times and they are great! Excellent customer service, they are in Maryland. Salty underground is another good one the corals I received are beautiful. Good luck and post pictures when you can.

 

[Duke4Life]

Have a quarintine tank up and running? Support your LFS if you can but realize just because you're ordering online doesn't mean they'll be disease free.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Have a quarintine tank up and running? Support your LFS if you can but realize just because you're ordering online doesn't mean they'll be disease free.

I don't have a quarantine up and running. I would really like to have one, but I don't think my wife is going to let me. I have 6 aquariums in my small little house. A 110. 2 29s. 1 10 and 1 20 gallon. And MY saltwater. I was thinking of using that quarantine dip that's made by Blue Aquatics. The Blue and Green 2 part dip. Also when do you think its best to add shrimps? a month or 2 from now?

 

[Duke4Life]

I don't have a quarantine up and running. I would really like to have one, but I don't think my wife is going to let me. I have 6 aquariums in my small little house. A 110. 2 29s. 1 10 and 1 20 gallon. And MY saltwater. I was thinking of using that quarantine dip that's made by Blue Aquatics. The Blue and Green 2 part dip. Also when do you think its best to add shrimps? a month or 2 from now?

Why not change that 10 into 1 lol I added a cleaner shrimp when I added CUC.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Why not change that 10 into 1 lol I added a cleaner shrimp when I added CUC.

That houses my beautiful Betta. :/

 

[Duke4Life]

That houses my beautiful Betta. :/

Guess it's time to tell the wife that you need a temporary tank or you could loose your fish. I showed mine a few of the disease threads

 

[Maritimer]

Keep in mind that if you're ordering just a fish or two online, the cost of shipping may turn an inexpensive fish into a pricy little gem! Also, if you're buying from your LFS (And CT has some good ones!), you can evaluate the individual fish's health and behavior in the shop before purchase. Firefish, for instance, will attack other firefish, unless they're a mated pair. When I purchased mine (first fish in my tank), there were four in the LFS' tank - two confidently patrolling above the sand and two hiding in the corners. The two confident ones share a hole under my liverock. (^_^)

I think the firefish would be a great choice for the first addition to your tank - they're colorful and hardy, have interesting mannerisms, and aren't very likely to assault newer arrivals (unless the new arrival is a firefish...). Clownfish are beautiful, but they're damsels in disguise, and can be territorial. Some _very_ territorial. Many years ago, I had a 55 gallon tank which was owned by a magenta dottyback and a tomato clown - I couldn't add a single fish without murder ensuing.

Some gobies are sandsifters, some are territorial, and some are tiny charmers which would only attack fish of their own species. Some are large, many are small - which goby are you looking at?

Shrimp could be early additions as well, once your salinity is up and your nitrates are down . . .

~Bruce

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Keep in mind that if you're ordering just a fish or two online, the cost of shipping may turn an inexpensive fish into a pricy little gem! Also, if you're buying from your LFS (And CT has some good ones!), you can evaluate the individual fish's health and behavior in the shop before purchase. Firefish, for instance, will attack other firefish, unless they're a mated pair. When I purchased mine (first fish in my tank), there were four in the LFS' tank - two confidently patrolling above the sand and two hiding in the corners. The two confident ones share a hole under my liverock. (^_^)

I think the firefish would be a great choice for the first addition to your tank - they're colorful and hardy, have interesting mannerisms, and aren't very likely to assault newer arrivals (unless the new arrival is a firefish...). Clownfish are beautiful, but they're damsels in disguise, and can be territorial. Some _very_ territorial. Many years ago, I had a 55 gallon tank which was owned by a magenta dottyback and a tomato clown - I couldn't add a single fish without murder ensuing.

Some gobies are sandsifters, some are territorial, and some are tiny charmers which would only attack fish of their own species. Some are large, many are small - which goby are you looking at?

Shrimp could be early additions as well, once your salinity is up and your nitrates are down . . .

~Bruce

Where do you buy from? I know the coast near Stratford and Greenwich have some nice ones I live in NorthWestern CT. And there isn't much. I have visted Aquatic Wildlife, Blakes AquaDen, The Coral Reef etc. Any other good ones? Nevertheless, would you recommend getting 2? Just watch out for territorial ones correct?

 

[Maritimer]

I'm in that coastal region - unfortunately, I don't know the NorthWest well at all. I've hit a few places from All Pets Club in Branford to NYAquatic in Yonkers, but most often Westport Aquarium, Greenwich Aquaria or Life Aquatic in New Canaan. Looking forward to exploring some of the Stratford/Milford/Bridgeport offerings!

If you want to try for a pair of firefish, spend some time with them in the shop. Watch for two who hang out together consistently, and possibly gang up on other firefish in the tank. They'll act together as a team. Even though they may put their open mouths on one another from time to time, there shouldn't be any real aggression, it'll look more like the horseplay that teenagers and young adults (human!) engage in.

~B.