Midas Blenny in Biocube 29?

[astrick117]

Hi All,

I have a 29g Biocube that I have had for the past 5 years as an LPS tank with two Davinci Clowns and an Orchid Dottyback. I recently went to FOWLR and now the tank looks pretty empty, so I am considering adding a Midas Blenny, as it is the one fish I have had in the past that I really miss due to their great personality and color.

What is everyone's thoughts on 1) adding a 4th fish and 2) have a Midas Blenny in a 29g Biocube?

As I said, I have two clowns and an orhcid dottyback that are already established in the tank. I do bi-weekly 5g water changes and am currently running a Tunze 9001 with Purigen and Chemi-Pure Elite in my media basket.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Him and the orchid might not get along for a while if you did introduce a Midas to the tank.

A smaller Midas blenny would be okay in a 29 as long as it has plenty of places to hide in, they like to rest in holes, cracks, and on ledges and can be quite active at times.

Having the lid on all the time will be a complete necessity, I lost my Midas blenny through a small hole in my lid designed for a power head cable...

 

[Murica]

I've had several midas' over the years and not one has been aggressive. Just keep it fed and they seem to do great, even in smaller environments. +1 on a lid, not just for Midas but they keep all fish in, help evaporation and help with heat. I know many people are against them but I'll never have a tank without them

 

[astrick117]

Him and the orchid might not get along for a while if you did introduce a Midas to the tank.

A smaller Midas blenny would be okay in a 29 as long as it has plenty of places to hide in, they like to rest in holes, cracks, and on ledges and can be quite active at times.

Having the lid on all the time will be a complete necessity, I lost my Midas blenny through a small hole in my lid designed for a power head cable...

Yea, I keep my lid on all the time and the only way anything could escape is if it somehow got past the filtration partition and then jumped out of one of the small holes for the cables.

What are your thoughts on why the orchid dottyback and midas might have issues? Just curious as I have generally found Orchid dottybacks to be pretty peaceful (other dottybacks can definitely be more aggressive.)

I've had several midas' over the years and not one has been aggressive. Just keep it fed and they seem to do great, even in smaller environments. +1 on a lid, not just for Midas but they keep all fish in, help evaporation and help with heat. I know many people are against them but I'll never have a tank without them[/QUO

Yea the one I had before was in a 40g and was happy and fat and always swimming in the current made by my MP10. I was mostly just concerned as to whether 4 fish is too much for a Biocube and if he would have enough swimming room.

 

[Murica]

Yea, I keep my lid on all the time and the only way anything could escape is if it somehow got past the filtration partition and then jumped out of one of the small holes for the cables.

What are your thoughts on why the orchid dottyback and midas might have issues? Just curious as I have generally found Orchid dottybacks to be pretty peaceful (other dottybacks can definitely be more aggressive.)



Yea the one I had before was in a 40g and was happy and fat and always swimming in the current made by my MP10. I was mostly just concerned as to whether 4 fish is too much for a Biocube and if he would have enough swimming room.

It is a small setup, but I think you should be fine as long as you keep it fed. You are pushing the max fish for that size tank, but the fish per gallon rule doesn't really apply anymore, rather it's more situational dependant. My Midas doesn't swim often, instead he finds a hole in my rocks and hangs out most of the time. If you do get one, I'd stick to Indonesia or Fiji. The African ones can sometimes be dull compared to the others which are more vibrant

 

[astrick117]

It is a small setup, but I think you should be fine as long as you keep it fed. You are pushing the max fish for that size tank, but the fish per gallon rule doesn't really apply anymore, rather it's more situational dependant. My Midas doesn't swim often, instead he finds a hole in my rocks and hangs out most of the time. If you do get one, I'd stick to Indonesia or Fiji. The African ones can sometimes be dull compared to the others which are more vibrant

Thanks- My live rock does have lots of places it could curl up if it wanted, so I think I should be ok either way.

And believe it or not, I actually like more of the Orange/ Gold hues of the African variety.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

What are your thoughts on why the orchid dottyback and midas might have issues? Just curious as I have generally found Orchid dottybacks to be pretty peaceful (other dottybacks can definitely be more aggressive.)

Aggressive tendencies seem to always become a factor when you introduce a new fish to the tank, while the orchid is nice most of the time, a similarly shaped newcomer might make it a bit territorial. Orchids are nicer than most Dottybacks, so you may not have as big of an issue as say, a wild caught Neon Dottyback, but you still might have some squabbles.

A healthy Midas will square up and fend for itself against an aggressive tank mate, so if you see it getting picked on it may be a good idea to separate them until the Midas has had time to get stronger.