Hey guys, it's about time for my first fish (of this tank). It's different than any tank I've had. It's 12 inches deep. 5x2ft wide. The overflow has no teeth. I have no sand. What are my options?
Shallow reef stocking help
- Thread starter SeymourDuncan
- Start date
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So this guy is out of the question?
You don't think the chromis would flop over the overflow do ya? In my old tank they always slept up at the top of the overflow but the teeth prevented any floppers. I could probably put a piece of egg crate over the opening but I like that my snails can travel into my overflow and keep it clean. They can't get into the PVC at all, and the fish would have to be tiny to go through the guard.
Think anthias or cardinals would be a safe beat. Neither has much utility though.
I'm surprised a mandarin could jump out. I've had mine make its way into my sump by jumping into the overflow. I've lost 2 firefish, diamond goby, yellow cleaner goby, and an ocellarius clown which still baffles me to this day.
I think the fact your system is shallow is more of a concern as I too have open top systems with no jumpers.
Yeah this is quite a hard decision. I would be happy with one or two cool fish. An eel would make this the coolest tank ever but there is no way of keeping one in without cutting the waterfall out of the equation or making a crazy dome for the hole tank lol. Mandarin was my first thought but like you said, they jump so I never got one. Besides if I got a pair and they wanted to breed there is nowhere near enough depth to do their ritualistic dance. In my old 90 they had a blast. I should have made this thing 10 foot by 4 foot and 2 feet deep because I love the proportion. Come one fishy I know your out there!!!
Kworker
Tang Lover
I may have been lucky, but despite having fish that are known as jumpers I never had any do it. I had my purple firefish who never even went above the bottom layer of the water column, lost it suddenly during the night may have been the emerald crab. My sixline has been in my 30gal frag tank with open top for a few months now. He only exists the water when he sticks his head out to beg for food. Other than that he is poking around the frags for stuff to nibble on and doesnt even go near the surface.
I think they will only jump if you give them a reason to. I still would still agree it is best to try and avoid the possibility of jumping though.
I think they will only jump if you give them a reason to. I still would still agree it is best to try and avoid the possibility of jumping though.
I also have cats and dogs, the cats have actually eaten a snowflake eel that escaped my first tank...so i also have to consider fish that do not contain toxins as well, though the list is not that long it is still important to avoid. They have never actually went on top of the tank to catch the fish though, but they sure do like watching them from a safe distance. they hate the sound of the overflow haha
A dwarf lion is one fish we talked about, though i would have to say bye to my peppermint shrimp who clean my fingers. though toxic, i have never had one jump in any tank
Dwarf Lions can jump. I can almost guarantee it will at some point in an open top tank.
What if I put a leash on it? Not!
I think yellow tangs, kole tangs and hippos are the only ones I haven't seen jump. I don't think a Foxface wouldn jump either.
I don't have any vegetation in my tank, but I do love Kole Tangs
Kworker
Tang Lover
Um yeah, disregard what I said. My sixline jumped and is currently stiff and shriveled up. Poor little fella, really like him.
jinxed it huh? they don't sell chemicals for that nuh-uh
