Neon Dottyback hitchhiker in first reef tank?

Benjamin J. Young · Jul 26, 2015

I've been doing freshwater planted tanks for the past year, and decided yesterday to tackle my first marine tank. So, just so we're clear, I'm completely new with saltwater tanks.

My 10g brackish tank's seal broke, and I lost about 60 opae ula shrimp last week while I was at work. I was furious, but chose that I can't go without a tank in living room. I decided to plan for a 20g high nano tank, focusing on a pair of ocellaris clownfish. And if possible, I would also like to get a goby/pistol-shrimp pair. Though, I'm not sure how suitable a 20g would be for a goby. I setup a new stand, tank, canister filter, canopy. I went out and bought the rest of the stuff, including live sand/rock, reef salt, fluval's new remote sky LED bar (it does have the right temp, but I don't know about if intensity will be alright), and thermometer. I completely forgot about a heater. I mixed my RO/DI water with enough salt to reach 30ppt (~1.022 of a unit I'm blank on). Put in my sand, and then rocks after priming the filter. Then realized I forgot the heater, but it was way past closing for any store to go buy one. Went to bed, and woke up to a fish swimming around. I think it looks like a Neon Dottyback, but I have no idea, as I can't get a good look at him before he hides as I approach. See attached image.

I was planning on doing a fishless cycle, with just rock/sand on first stage, inverts on second stage, coral on third stage, and then fish. Was probably going to get more live rock and also get some base rock first. Now I have a fish... I don't know if this fish will be compatible or not? I bought a heater this morning and set it at 77f, and waiting for it to heat up. What should I do with him? Should I get more live rock for him? Keep him or give him to my LFS when they're off vacation next week?

SaltyT · Jul 26, 2015

The pic isn't very clear but it could be a neon dottyback. If it is a dottyback they're not invert friendly and they can bully other fish, especially in a tank your size. I would take it to your LFS, maybe you can get store credit for it to use in the future when your tank is ready.

4FordFamily · Jul 26, 2015

Neon db are beautiful but very aggressive

Cleo642 · Jul 26, 2015

That hitchhiked in live rock?

4FordFamily · Jul 26, 2015

Cleo642 said:
That hitchhiked in live rock?

Not too surprising I hate catching dotty back when moving tanks they hide in rocks and will not come out!

Cleo642 · Jul 26, 2015

3FordFamily said:
Not too surprising I hate catching dotty back when moving tanks they hide in rocks and will not come out!

See, I should posted that to earlier.
Everyone should see it.

Benjamin J. Young · Jul 26, 2015

Cleo642 said:
See, I should posted that to earlier.
Everyone should see it.

The live rock I bought was "cured" and already sitting in an established tank, so I was assuming I didn't need to do much, even though I kind of like the idea of getting random critters in my tank. I didn't expect however to get a fish. My LFS won't be back until next weekend, so hopefully I don't have a lot of die off and the nitrogen harms the little guy before then. I'll be sure to do daily water changes, or does that seem a little excessive?

Here's a better picture by the way:

4FordFamily · Jul 26, 2015

Benjamin J. Young said:
The live rock I bought was "cured" and already sitting in an established tank, so I was assuming I didn't need to do much, even though I kind of like the idea of getting random critters in my tank. I didn't expect however to get a fish. My LFS won't be back until next weekend, so hopefully I don't have a lot of die off and the nitrogen harms the little guy before then. I'll be sure to do daily water changes, or does that seem a little excessive?

Here's a better picture by the way:

Definitely a neon dotty

SaltyT · Jul 26, 2015

3FordFamily said:
Definitely a neon dotty

+1

Cleo642 · Jul 26, 2015

Benjamin J. Young said:
The live rock I bought was "cured" and already sitting in an established tank, so I was assuming I didn't need to do much, even though I kind of like the idea of getting random critters in my tank. I didn't expect however to get a fish. My LFS won't be back until next weekend, so hopefully I don't have a lot of die off and the nitrogen harms the little guy before then. I'll be sure to do daily water changes, or does that seem a little excessive?

Here's a better picture by the way:

That little guy must be a trooper. He lived in a live rock vat. He should be fine.