neon basslet

vsnetzinger · Mar 22, 2022

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this hobby and am going off what the fish store tells me. I cycled my tank and went to find my first fish. I saw the Neon Basslet and fell in love with his fantastic colors. The lady said he would be a good first fish so I got him. Now I learn that he most likely will not work and play well with others. $40 for a fish that just seems to be a waist. The tank is 60 gal so maybe that will help, but I really want to add either a watchmen gobi or a diamond gobi in the next month. The question is what to do with the neon guy. Do you think that if I can put him in one of those isolation chambers that hangs in your tank for a week when I get the gobies he will be nice?

Peace River · Mar 22, 2022

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! I'm sure others will chime in soon to both answer your question and also extend their welcomes!

|Frank| · Mar 22, 2022

Napoleon Dynamite Hello GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Welcome to R2R!

vsnetzinger · Mar 22, 2022

Thank you

fishguy242 · Mar 22, 2022

hi, welcome to the reef...

sorry to say but most neon dottys turn out to be trouble.
maybe try to see if they will take back or trade for the fish you want.
Bad advice from lfs in my opinion.

Fred2482 · Mar 22, 2022

Welcome! Dottybacks are hit or miss. They can be the most evil fish. If you want a community tank I wouldn't chance it.

Miami Reef · Mar 22, 2022

tharbin · Mar 22, 2022

Welcome to R2R! As others have said. Hit or miss. If you can return it, I would.

vsnetzinger · Mar 22, 2022

fishguy242 said:
hi, welcome to the reef...
sorry to say but most neon dottys turn out to be trouble.
maybe try to see if they will take back or trade for the fish you want.
Bad advice from lfs in my opinion.

Arghhhh I was afraid of that. They wont take him back I already asked. He may wind up a expensive snack for the cat.

Sean Clark · Mar 22, 2022

Welcome. My dotty is a model citizen. Glad that you came here for help.

tharbin · Mar 22, 2022

Well you have a 60 gallon that helps and the gobies you like are bottom dwellers which also helps. It may work out but having the basslet first makes it a little less likely.

youcallmenny1 · Mar 22, 2022

Welcome to the club! Basslets can be temperamental but if you do your research you can build your tank around it.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 22, 2022

Flameback Pair · Mar 22, 2022

Hello @vsnetzinger and welcome to R2R!! Glad you joined us!! Just know that the two gobies you listed are jump risks. They are more likely to jump out of an open top tank than a lot of other fish. At any rate you will eventually want a screen top lid on you tank to prevent this. The DIY versions are very affordable, easy and fun to make. Just do a Youtube search of Bulk Reef Supply screen top lid.

bnord · Mar 22, 2022

. I had one dotty back that went back to the store and one that is one of the nicest community members I have. Difference was when they were added to the tank. You may be on the challenging side. If that shop wont take him back, perhaps another wI’ll By the way I have never had an LFS that hasn’t taken fish back. Having said all that welcome to the family and I hope you’re around for a good long time

Uncle99 · Mar 22, 2022

Based on your post you have not tried them together.
No choice now, put it in let them work it out.
DBG, or any sand sifter require mature sand beds or they starve.
Mine hides in the rock work much, bothers no one.

vsnetzinger · Mar 22, 2022

powers2001 said:
Hello @vsnetzinger and welcome to R2R!! Glad you joined us!! Just know that the two gobies you listed are jump risks. They are more likely to jump out of an open top tank than a lot of other fish. At any rate you will eventually want a screen top lid on you tank to prevent this. The DIY versions are very affordable, easy and fun to make. Just do a Youtube search of Bulk Reef Supply screen top lid.

Thank you. I got a real nice lid when I bought the tank. I have a cat and would hate to come home from work to find the fish pulled her in for a swim. LOL

vsnetzinger · Mar 22, 2022

Uncle99 said:
Based on your post you have not tried them together.
No choice now, put it in let them work it out.
DBG, or any sand sifter require mature sand beds or they starve.
Mine hides in the rock work much, bothers no one.

Good point. My sand need a good deal of time to mature. Perhaps the neon will play nice with the clowns, cleaner wrasp, and dwarf flame angel I plan on getting. I can hold off on the gobi for some time and perhaps choose not to get one after all.