What to add?

[happymoggy1]

We'd like to add to our tank the saltwater equivilant of a freshwater neon tetra - is there anything in the saltwater variety out there that would fit the bill?

We have a peaceful community tank, and do not want to add anything that can be aggresive - have thought about Cromis?

Any suggestions?

[Reefscape]

when you refer to a Neon Tetra, is it the colours that you are trying to replicate? We also need to know what else is in the tank. So, we could do with you listing all current stock. This is to ensure compatibility of any suggestions people make on here..

Niko

[dorkfish]

Many of the cardinal fish would fit the descrption... chromis and chalk bass would also fit. But niko's right it would be a good idea to post your tank specs.

BTW, here's a link with some of the less common cardinals: http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/cardinalfishes.htm

[Germanman]

if ur going for the color the fish listed above are great and some even school. neon gobies also have a nice brilliant gold or blue stripe with black.

[happymoggy1]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies, to answer the questions :

"when you refer to a Neon Tetra, is it the colours that you are trying to replicate?" - not necessarily, we'd more like a showling (sp!?) fish how the tetras do

Ok the tank specs (please dont ask me questions about the tecnical stuff listed, as that's totally my husbands side of things!)

30Kg live rock, 15kg live sand, Deltec MCe600 Skimmer, Eheim 2026 External Filter running 25W UV steriliser, 2 Seio 1100 Pumps, Aquatronica Aquarium Controller monitoring Temp, Level, pH, Redox, Salt Density. Auto top up, AquaMedic 150W Metal Halide, 36W Actinic T8.

2 Common Clowns, 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Regal Tang, 1 Lawnmower Blenny, 1 Mandarin, 1 Cleaner Shrimps, 3 Turbo Snails, 1 Hermit Crab, 1 bubble anemone, 3 Pulsing Xenias, 1 Blue Sea fan Sponge, 1 Finger coral

We're planning on getting a 'clean up crew' soon btw (peppermint shrimps, verbix snails and emerald crab).

[Subliminal]

Not so sure you can add another different kind of shrimp with the cleaner. I'd probably get another cleaner or two, since they seem to do great in groups.

I didn't see you list the size of your tank, either?

Must be a good size for having a few tangs, though!

Getting about 5 chromies would be cool, though...I hear they school.

[happymoggy1]

Not so sure you can add another different kind of shrimp with the cleaner. I'd probably get another cleaner or two, since they seem to do great in groups.

I didn't see you list the size of your tank, either?



Will check re the shrimps as we dont want to buy 'food' for our cleaner - though we'd really like the weed anenome's to be eaten/gotton rid of somehow.

Re the tank size - a technical question, so had to find out. It's a 47 gallon tank - I know we've got 2 tangs in there but we bought them both very small due to this (plenty of caves and swimming space in the tank)

The Chromis we are considering (the green vareity) though have heard from some people they can be aggresive - but from others not.

[Reefscape]

to find out your tank size, measure the length, height and width of the tank..we can do the rest for you..

Niko

[Subliminal]

Personally, I'd say your tank is stocked. Maybe even over stocked. Those tangs will probably get big enough they'll need to be relocated. In which case THEN you can add more fish.

In the meantime, I'd probably look to add some more corals or something...maybe some more inverts.

Of course, opinions are like feet...everyone gets a few, ya know?

[Reefscape]

Personally, i would not put anymore fish in your tank at 47gal...The only thing to bear in mind for future is that the recomended tank size for them tangs is about 70 Gallon upwards..

No problem with having a true peppermint shrimp in there to help with the pest nems though...

hope that helps a little for you...

Niko

[Subliminal]

You don't think two different kinds of shrimp will lead to problems? I'm asking, because it'd be cool to have several kinds of shrimp in the tank, but...just not sure. ;)


Personally, i would not put anymore fish in your tank at 47gal...The only thing to bear in mind for future is that the recomended tank size for them tangs is about 70 Gallon upwards..

No problem with having a true peppermint shrimp in there to help with the pest nems though...

hope that helps a little for you...

Niko

[Reefscape]

nope, the peppermint is a very nocturnal shrimp and will usually be hidden away in a crevice throughout the day..

Niko

[Catpicklesdog]

nope, the peppermint is a very nocturnal shrimp and will usually be hidden away in a crevice throughout the day..

Niko

Agreed I have 1 peppermint & 2 cleaners with no probs at all apart from the fact I hardly ever see the peppermint (But i know his little hiding place!!!)

[happymoggy1]

Thanks for all your replies - I think we'll concentrate on getting a few more corals in the tank (make it look prettier that way than adding more fish!) and put some snails/crabs etc in.

If anything decides to go to 'fishie heaven' then we'll add.

Thanks for clarifying the peppermint shrimp / cleaner shrimp thing up for us - we were only thinking of getting 1, maybe 2 peppermint shrimps.

[Reefscape]

one would be just great for your tank....make sure it is a true peppermint shrimp, when you buy one...good luck and keep us all informed of how the system moves forward...be nice to a pic if you have one aswell...

Niko

[SHK_ATK]

okay two things niko:

how can you tell/know that you are purchasing TRUE peppermints vrs "false" (im buying some today!!)

Happy:

How does your yellow and Regal get along? did you introduce them together? how long have you had them?

[happymoggy1]

Happy:

How does your yellow and Regal get along? did you introduce them together? how long have you had them?

We've had the yellow tang quite a while (about a year now), and put the regal tang in at the weekend - the regal tang is about 1/2 of the size of the yellow tang.

They appear to be quite happy together - infact they seem to look like they're 'best buds' and hang around the tank together and then have their own time in the caves etc.

[happymoggy1]

one would be just great for your tank....make sure it is a true peppermint shrimp, when you buy one...good luck and keep us all informed of how the system moves forward...be nice to a pic if you have one aswell...

Niko

Will post a picture of the tank as soon as I can find the camera ... I know it's around here somewhere! :)

[Germanman]

okay two things niko:

how can you tell/know that you are purchasing TRUE peppermints vrs "false" (im buying some today!!)



ok well ok one comes from here where i live its a temperate shrimp not tropical Lysmata californica they typically need water below 68 F and will die if kept in water to high. its body is pale white, yellow, or amber with numerous longitudinal striped(run form head to tail)
Lysmata wurdemanni is the true peppermint shrimp and is tropical. their body and legs are pale orange and the legs have no yellow or white stripes.
first pic is L. californica and 2nd is L. wurdemanni...sorry its so hard to tell..bets pictures i could get u can kinda see the difference.
see the darker longitudinal lines on the larger pic?