my fish wish list

[Marcus Fenix]

since my tank is cycling, I have time to think about what I want in my tank. here's my non official wish list...I've narrowed it down to those choices.

btw, it's a 30gal

green chromis (probably 3)
1-purple firefish (my tank hasn't a top)
1-six line wrasse
1-sabae clown (not sure yet)
1-bicolor angelfish (been watching him for a couple of weeks at the LFS and he's doing fine in their small tanks...feeding well)

with good water conditions, many hiding places, regular maintenance, water changes...I think I could manage to keep those fishes.

what do you guys think?

[Grins]

That is a heck of a bioload for a 30g Marcus. I'd worry about that much in my 55g frankly

[Kodiak]

im in the same boat. Also have a 30g with 7lbs of live rock. waiting for it to cycle.

Im a newbie, but i want a pair of clowns, some damselfish, and some chromis. I would love others to be added to the list! I want serval small, rather than a few big.

Im going to look up some of the ones you listed Marcus.

[fishieness]

i agree that that would be a good amount of fish.
also, it'd be a lot easier to find a clarkii clown than a sabae, and they look pretty much identical. just a thought

[Amphiprion]

Unfortunately, there are issues with your current selection. The bicolor angelfish is relatively large compared with other dwarf angels and really needs a tank larger than 30g (not to mention that a few weeks doesn't really say much of anything for this species, unfortunately). The Sebae (or clarkii, whichever you choose) is going to get fairly large and aggressive. You may want to add it last, even then, it may be an issue. You can try the Chromis, however, they usually do much better in groups of at least 6. You will likely end up with one when all is said and done. I think if you stick with the sixline, firefish, and maybe add the clown last, you would be much better off, not only in terms of compatibility, etc. but stocking load as well.

[Marcus Fenix]

as for the clown, I'm still not sure yet. so, yes if I would add one...it would be last on the list for sure.
and the bicolor, I'm still waiting and watching him. and yeah, a 30gal is probably too small for him.

I was wondering also about the firefish. I understand that those fish are jumpers. since my tank is topless, I'm thinking it's not on the safe side to have one.

[SuperScro]

Not only are firefish jumpers, but they are pretty docile. They prefer peaceful tankmates or just slightly aggressive fish near their size if added last. They are good jumpers, and will jump easily at anytime if stressed at all.

Keeping all those fish would surely be too much on your bioload. Definatly reconsider the bio-color angel. The Sebae might be a little aggressive with all those fish in such a small tank. Especially since he will be the biggest in there.

[bladeruner143]

I also agree with the majority here. That does seem like a huge bio load for a 30G.

[Marcus Fenix]

I'm open to suggestions guys...lol

[darthgoby]

I'd stay away from the Chromis. For the last fish, what about a Coral Beauty of Flame Angel. I think the Flame Angel is really pretty.

[Marcus Fenix]

any reasons in particular why you'd stay away from the Chromis?
yes, Flame Angels are very nice. problem is, where I live there's only one LFS that have salt water fish...so more often then none, we're stuck buying what that store has to offer.

[Grins]

Most LFSs will order fish for you at no extra charge. They simply place it on their next weekly order. I'd really investigate some of the other dwarfs. The BiColor gets almost 6" where most of the other dwarfs stay under 4.

If you really want the angel as the centerpiece I'd go with one of the others.

Looking at your list I'd probably get:
A centerpiece smaller dwarf angel
firefish or smaller clown
and then a goby or blenny to have towards the bottom layer of the tank.

[darthgoby]

I started my tank with Chromis and I ended up taking them out. Here are my reason to not get chromis:

1.) They don't really do anything compared to other fish. Mine just swam around the tank.
2.) They aren't as pretty as other fish
3.) They take up space that other fish can use
4.) Mine were a little on the mean side (1 in particular). They picked on my royal gramma to death
5.) Other people have them. They are kind of ho hum.

I look at as an issue of opportunity cost. You can fit only a limited amount of fish in any tank. Would you rather have a kind of bland fish or a really exciting fish.

If you had a really large tank and could have a school of 10 or 20, then I would say go ahead. They look really cool in schools but 1 or 2 is ehh to me.

[Marcus Fenix]

points well made Grins & darthgoby

I like the info given on these boards

[Marcus Fenix]

a Coral Beauty could definitely be a better choice than the Bicolor for my 30gal?

[BMorgan]

Coral Beauty's are nice but I'm not sure how big they get. I don't think it's too big. I really like the Flame Angel but most that I have seen are priece ($50-$60)

[Grins]

Coral Beauties stay under 4". Should be fine.

[Marcus Fenix]

the more I think about, and the points you guys made helped alot also...my choice is between a Coral Beauty or a Flame Angelfish.

[darthgoby]

The other piece of advice I would give you is to have some flexibility on your stocking. Even if you have a store order a fish for you, you might not like it or it might not be healthy. Instead of specific fish, when I go to the store I usually go with a goal in mind, like "I want a goby or blenny" the last time I went. I ended up with a Jawfish, which is sort of gobylike.

Unless the store you are going to has lots of fish, you might want to be flexible and go with the fish that is healthy, eating well, etc. So instead of saying "I have to have a coral beauty", I would say, "I want a smaller dwarf angel, which one looks the best".

Either way, you can't go wrong with either a Flame Angel or Coral Beauty.

[Marcus Fenix]

The other piece of advice I would give you is to have some flexibility on your stocking. Even if you have a store order a fish for you, you might not like it or it might not be healthy. Instead of specific fish, when I go to the store I usually go with a goal in mind, like "I want a goby or blenny" the last time I went. I ended up with a Jawfish, which is sort of gobylike.

Unless the store you are going to has lots of fish, you might want to be flexible and go with the fish that is healthy, eating well, etc. So instead of saying "I have to have a coral beauty", I would say, "I want a smaller dwarf angel, which one looks the best".

Either way, you can't go wrong with either a Flame Angel or Coral Beauty.

good advise...thanks alot.

[Grins]

Good advice. And who knows? You might stumble upon a Potters Angel and discover how pretty they are as well.

[Marcus Fenix]

Good advice. And who knows? You might stumble upon a Potters Angel and discover how pretty they are as well.
those are very nice....never seen one before at the LFS though.

[Grins]

You never know...if you haven't done so already discover when the LFS gets shipments in and you might wander on to a suprise.

[jowek7]

lemonpeels are good angels also. i have a 30 gal and he is doing great. i have a good bit of fish for that small tank but i have over sized filters and uv and protien skimmers. also i have a neon puffer, falcenhawk fish, false oscurus clown, yellow tailed damsel, and a pupalsutacriumis. sorry for the spelling its late. they all get along great and are all happy from what i can see.

[Grins]

It is a fairly new tank right? Not sure what that last fish you mentioned is but watch out for aggression as some get older and fight for room.

[Marcus Fenix]

how about a Royal Gramma?
I know some of you guys have some, or talked about em.