gold stripe maroon tankmates?

[rdevoe11]

so Ive got a 40 breeder planned for the near future and I flip flop on my stocking list idea on a daily basis it seems like. as a Florida State alum Ive always been intrigued by the gold stripe maroon clown but have read quite a bit about the often aggressive and territorial behavior they show. the plan is to have a 2 island-scape, one larger for mostly sps/lps and the other smaller for an rbta down the road (hopefully it will stay there ray. I should also mention I would only keep one gsm.

so the real question I have is does anyone have any experience with keeping one gsm in a community reef setting and what tankmates(s) did you find to be suitable?


thanks!





note: some of you may have seen a thread in the nano forum for a 36g bow front build with my name on it, Ive just decided to upgrade to a 40 breeder because..well I can lol

 

[Pete H.]

I think it depends on the tank. I had a 55 gallon reef tank with a mated pair of gold stripe maroons. Model citizens. They had their own corner in the tank and layed eggs every 2 weeks. The female was 6-7 inches long so pretty good sized. In the tank with them, I had 3 damsels, a yellow watchman goby and a yellow tang. I have since upgraded to a 135 gallon, maroons, yellow watchman and yellow tang moved over. Now have sailfin, coral beauty, bicolor dottyback, bangaii cardinal, and midas blenny in the tank with them and there is no issues with the gold stripes bothering anyone. (I hear the pair I have is a bit more laid back than most. lol.) I will say though, that the female does not like things in her nest, she will pick up any snail or hermit in the area and move them to the other end of the tank. Also will do the same with frags that are "too close" I love the pair I have but I think it just depends on the fish. Good luck!

 

[Usatennisfan]

I have a pair in my 40 breeder. They are still pretty immature at 3.5" female and 1.75" male. They are model citizens until I put my hand near where they like to hang out. The male charges me and doesn't bite. I have an algae blenny, blue mandarin, and had a chalk bass in there up until recently when he jumped. He was in there with them since I originally got the female.

 

[rdevoe11]

good to know there are even some less aggressive pairs out there. most of what Ive come across leads me to believe having a pair in anything smaller than say a 5ft tank means theyll likely be your only fish lol. Ive been considering a reef safe wrasse like the 6 line or a dwarf angel as a possible tankmate, though Im very iffy on angels as I would like to keep a good mix of sps and lps. Thanks for the input! never can have too much info

 

[Eienna]

I wouldn't touch a maroon (or tomato clown, for that matter) or a sixline with a ten-foot pole, lol, but they might be able to come to an uneasy truce XD

Maroons get awfully big for a 40, but that's just my opinion, I think.