Fish Finder

LionFish47 · Dec 9, 2015

I have a 75 gallon tank [tall] and was looking to start with a predator tank. I tried a predator tank with a sail-fin tang and a dog-face puffer but they both died. I believe that they died because of too much iron in the tank but anyhow...
I was looking to have a...
trigger- clown or humu humu trigger
an eel
a lionfish
a wrasse- possibly dragon wrasse
& another good tank mates

...if I was getting a lionfish which of these fish could I have and of what species?

Pete polyp · Dec 9, 2015

I think the footprint of your tank is way too small for the triggers. The lionfish might work out but will more than likely end up eating the wrasse or any other fish under 5".

LionFish47 · Dec 9, 2015

OK. I had wondered that. Do you have any ideas for fish in that tank that could fit a predator style tank? And that means the lionfish would work but I can't get a wrasse?

Pete polyp · Dec 9, 2015

Well the lionfish is a predator and will try to eat anything it can get into it's mouth. So keeping smaller fish with one would probably end up being lunch. I'm not really experienced with predators so I can't really say what fish would be a good fit. @evolved @eatbreakfast @Humblefish could give you much better information than I can.

eatbreakfast · Dec 9, 2015

A 75g really limits what you can do. Go with smaller lionfish of the genus dendrochirus, they are less than half the size of volitans, but remember, any lion is capable of eating something the size of it's own body.

A snowflake eel would be fine, but most triggers and puffers grow too large. Try a puffer in the genus Canthigaster, they stay small.

Duke4Life · Dec 9, 2015

I'm with TJ and the rest, a 75g can work for a sweet mini predator tank. Look at the dwarf lions, also the golden dwarf moray would work or the SFE for an eel. With any type of lions and the 2 eels mentioned anything that can fit their mouth (don't underestimate) is a meal. Some type of hawk would work possibly. You will want a good protein skimmer.

It kinda looks like you're rocks would be an eels playground.

Pete polyp · Dec 9, 2015

What about hogfish?

Duke4Life · Dec 9, 2015

A coral hog would work but still it has to be bigger, Spanish hogs need bigger than a 75 IMO, both can hold their own. Some others commonly seen are to small with a lion or eel that's been mentioned.

Humblefish · Dec 9, 2015

You could do a Marine Betta in there, some of the "rough & tumble" wrasses like a bird wrasse, and even an angler/frogfish. Or maybe even a goatfish.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 9, 2015

If you went mini pred, you could have a couple different species of lion, waspfish and numerous small scorpionfish. In my 100g I had 2 fuzzy lions, a sphex, radiata, Fu Manchu, Cocokatoo waspfish, and a couple of little scorps.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 9, 2015

FYI: I do not recommend 2 fuzzy lions. I would not do it again.

LionFish47 · Dec 9, 2015

Thanks for the advice. While reading up on the eels I understand they are extreme escape artists; the cover to my tank has an open back and top, as well as the front lifts up to feed them by. Would this be a problem with eels as I think it would? Also, any ideas?

LionFish47 · Dec 9, 2015

Thanks for the advice. While reading up on the eels I understand they are extreme escape artists; the cover to my tank has an open back and top, as well as the front lifts up to feed them by. Would this be a problem with eels as I think it would? Also, any ideas?

Duke4Life · Dec 9, 2015

Any small hole is an open route for an eel. They are big time escape artist.

LionFish47 · Dec 9, 2015

Well darn. Does that mean an eel's not the best idea? And everybody said no triggers in my tall tank, what about a puffer? This almost seems like a better reef tank. Speaking of, in my previous set up (same tank) I had a community tank that included a Randal's watchman gobbie and his partner the pistol shrimp. For no apparent reason the shrimp died, we finally got the gobbie out but now he's living in a 1/2 gallon Easter bucket. This is probably the worst place for him but the only place I could find, is there anything I could do with him were he wouldn't find up as lunch?

tj w · Dec 9, 2015

Sounds like you still have plenty of research to do before you make another purchase. Good luck and ask plenty of questions

Duke4Life · Dec 9, 2015

? for you, your canopy encloses your top 100%? And have a sump?

LionFish47 · Dec 10, 2015

No the canopy is open at the top and has nothing in the back. A sump, yes. Why?

Duke4Life · Dec 10, 2015

The goby could always go to your sump, and I was asking about the canopy as they are all different.

LionFish47 · Dec 10, 2015

I didn't think it was smart to put fish in the sump while it's running. Are you sure that would be a good idea? I could always take him back to the store. Will he ever pair with another pistol shrimp again?