first livestock

fish n chips · Dec 5, 2017

hey guys,

so my aquarium is close to being cycled and i'm trying to decide what to go with as my first specimen. i've been looking at gobies (watchman in particular), pistol shrimp, dotties ... i also have a friend who's willing to give me some green mushrooms but i'm wondering if i should wait on coral.

i have a 29 gal coralife biocube with plenty of sand and about 15 lbs of live rock.

Sump Crab · Dec 5, 2017

whatever you do do not put a dottyback in there first ( I would never have one in a tank that small). They are mean little buggers and would really bother any new inhabitants you add after it. I think a watchman would be a good first addition. Mushrooms are generally very hardy, if your water parameters are stable and healthy than I dont see why you couldnt go for it.

Arthur Jen · Dec 6, 2017

I would start with an ocelaris clown as first member in tank, or chromis damsel, they are peaceful. Don't get any corals until you get the propper water tester kit to keep an eye on calcium, magnesium, ALK, phospates and Nitrates.

rockstarta78 · Dec 6, 2017

@Jrain904 made a very good point. Dottybacks are mean little ......you know what! Also, if you want your sand to be sifted YWG won't sift as much as a Diamond Watchman goby would. I'd start with a designer clown, and later get a goby/shrimp pair(Alpheus randalli). You could also get firefish, royal gramma.

Arthur Jen · Dec 6, 2017

+1 on fire fish. Nice looking fish and do great in school of them

DSC reef · Dec 6, 2017

Once your cycle is complete try adding a peaceful fish first. Your not working with a lot of space so clownfish can become a bit territorial so use caution. If your planning on keeping coral then I would invest in proper test kits. Mushrooms will be fine for a first coral as they don't take up a lot of calcium, alk, etc, as an LPS or SPS but can be evasive.

fish n chips · Dec 6, 2017

thanks for the input guys! i'll definitely check out some firefish and clowns, cuz eventually i would like to get an anemone. i was also looking at some plants (mermaid's fan, shaving brush)

Instigate · Dec 6, 2017

Tailspot Blenny! Very peaceful and loads of personality once established.

XNavyDiver · Dec 6, 2017

Agree with the comments here so far. I would also steer clear of any dotybacks. You'll regret it in the future. Chromis are great, royal gramma is great, firesfish are great, diamond/watchmen/blue spot gobies are great. I'm not a fan of clown fish as they become territorial and have a habit of biting the hand that feeds them, but to each his own.

fish n chips · Dec 6, 2017

XNavyDiver said:
I'm not a fan of clown fish as they become territorial and have a habit of biting the hand that feeds them, but to each his own.

like, they literally bite your hand?

Instigate · Dec 6, 2017

There is a funny video of a clownfish jumping out of the water to attack it's owner but I can't find it.

nautical_nathaniel · Dec 6, 2017

fish n chips said:
like, they literally bite your hand?

Hands, arm hairs, mine are particularly fond of hangnails haha

fish n chips · Dec 6, 2017

oh my GOD those are some brave little buggers!

XNavyDiver · Dec 6, 2017

fish n chips said:
like, they literally bite your hand?

Yep. Like literally. Maroon clowns are probably the most infamous for this.

DSC reef · Dec 6, 2017

XNavyDiver said:
Yep. Like literally. Maroon clowns are probably the most infamous for this.

I second This! Maroons leave scars

Himes102 · Dec 6, 2017

XNavyDiver said:
Agree with the comments here so far. I would also steer clear of any dotybacks. You'll regret it in the future. Chromis are great, royal gramma is great, firesfish are great, diamond/watchmen/blue spot gobies are great. I'm not a fan of clown fish as they become territorial and have a habit of biting the hand that feeds them, but to each his own.

I was doing a water change for the first time today.. I put my hand in the water and my clown that appears to be the female kept attacking my hand.. I did not like it.

XNavyDiver · Dec 6, 2017

Himes102 said:
I was doing a water change for the first time today.. I put my hand in the water and my clown that appears to be the female kept attacking my hand.. I did not like it.

Sorry to hear that. Clowns appear not to be able to desern friend from foe.

fish n chips · Dec 7, 2017

does it actually hurt?

DSC reef · Dec 7, 2017

fish n chips said:
does it actually hurt?

Once they get big enough, yes. Make you bleed. We used to have a large female gold band maroon that would easily remove skin. Gotta watch the cheek spines too.