Fish fish

[blaise]

Hello everyone i was wandering what the first fish i should ad to my 40 gallon breeder aquarium should be, because i what to buy one cheap fish to put in my tank first just to make sure that the tanks good, and i not going to kill my more expensive fish. I really like damsels. Especially the domeno damsel, but the reason im asking is because i know they can be really aggressive. Im fine with alittle aggression but i just dont want it to get out of hand. I want to put a maroon clown and a puffer in the tank to, so if you guys had any ideas on some cheap fish recommendations i would really appreciate it.

 

[JTP424]

Hello!
Looks like you have a solid start.
Before adding livestock confirm you've completed your cycle and you have good bacteria etc. That would be my first step if you're not sure your tank is "good" I.e. Get yourself the proper testing equipment and confirm.

Regarding "less expensive" fish, I caution relating this hobby to cost. These are animals! Completely understand your sentiment, there are those on this site who may not approve of that mentality :)
I would investigate your local fish store and see what they carry.
Clowns are hardy, but so are Gobies etc.

Good luck!

 

[albano]

IMO, the domino, maroon clown and puffer are all terrible choices, especially in a tank that size.

 

[JTP424]

If you're curious about tank size and compatibility, check out sites like Liveaquaria, you don't have to purchase from them, but they give "estimates" of appropriate tank sizes. Keep in mind your rock, sand, and equipment use up some gallons, so although it's a 40 gallon, you probably only have about 35 gallons of space.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Hello!
Looks like you have a solid start.
Before adding livestock confirm you've completed your cycle and you have good bacteria etc. That would be my first step if you're not sure your tank is "good" I.e. Get yourself the proper testing equipment and confirm.

Regarding "less expensive" fish, I caution relating this hobby to cost. These are animals! Completely understand your sentiment, there are those on this site who may not approve of that mentality :)
I would investigate your local fish store and see what they carry.
Clowns are hardy, but so are Gobies etc.

Good luck!

I absolutely agree. Either get your LFS to test your water, or better yet, get some test kits and learn to test it for yourself. That will be a much better option in the long run. I also get what you are saying about the, $, BUT, again, these are living beings. Once you know your tank is good parameter wise, get a fish less expensive, but one you will plan to keep. Do some research on what fish are compatible with what. Will your tank be more peaceful, or more aggressive? These are things you need to know before picking out fish. THis is your best path to success without fish getting bullied.

 

[blaise]

Hello!
Looks like you have a solid start.
Before adding livestock confirm you've completed your cycle and you have good bacteria etc. That would be my first step if you're not sure your tank is "good" I.e. Get yourself the proper testing equipment and confirm.

Regarding "less expensive" fish, I caution relating this hobby to cost. These are animals! Completely understand your sentiment, there are those on this site who may not approve of that mentality :)
I would investigate your local fish store and see what they carry.
Clowns are hardy, but so are Gobies etc.

Good luck!

Thank you for you response i am almost done cycling my tank and i have a test kit but i just dont want to spend 60 dollars on a fish thats just going to die but im also new to the saltwater side im 14 an have been doing freshwater most of my life, and this saltwater stuff scares me.

 

[blaise]

IMO, the domino, maroon clown and puffer are all terrible choices, especially in a tank that size.

Just wondering why, do they get way to big

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Just wondering why, do they get way to big

Because they are all typically aggressive fish, and the smaller the tank, the more aggression you will see.

 

[BryanM]

Those are all fish that need 30 gallons from my research, but adding all three into a 40 seems cramped.

They are all aggressive, so that doesn't bother me as much as long as that's what you're after.

IMO you need more rockwork. places for fish to find their home, hide, swim. that aquascape is inadequate IMO, especially if you want all three in the same tank, and of course adding rock takes away from actual space.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Those are all fish that need 30 gallons from my research, but adding all three into a 40 seems cramped.

They are all aggressive, so that doesn't bother me as much as long as that's what you're after.

IMO you need more rockwork. places for fish to find their home, hide, swim. that aquascape is inadequate IMO, especially if you want all three in the same tank, and of course adding rock takes away from actual space.

I agree, quite a bit more rock really. Once tank is cycled, get some live rock.

 

[blaise]

Those are all fish that need 30 gallons from my research, but adding all three into a 40 seems cramped.

They are all aggressive, so that doesn't bother me as much as long as that's what you're after.

IMO you need more rockwork. places for fish to find their home, hide, swim. that aquascape is inadequate IMO, especially if you want all three in the same tank, and of course adding rock takes away from actual space.

Do you think i could keep one maroon clown a either a valinteno puffer or a blue spot.

 

[JTP424]

Completely understand your worry.

Just wondering why, do they get way to big

It's more of what is appropriate for them, coming from freshwater you're probably used to the 1" fish per gallon theory. That does not translate to saltwater at all. As @BryanM stated, all those fish are best in 30 gallons, MINIMUM. Think of that as the amount of space each would need, with a bit of overlap. Even with a few gallon overlap you're looking at an 80 gallon tank!

Aggression is also important to consider :)

Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

www.liveaquaria.com

Here's a compatibility chart to look at :)

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Do you think i could keep one maroon clown a either a valinteno puffer or a blue spot.

Like I mentioned earlier, do some research on the fish based on the type of tank you want. Maroon clowns can be pretty mean.

 

[JTP424]

For those two fish you'd need approx 50 gallon minimum of swimming space IMO
based on aggression and minimum tank requirements.
That would be probably all you would be able to keep in it as well.

 

[X-37B]

Just wondering why, do they get way to big

A maroon clown gets big and can be aggressive. Same with Damsels as I have one 4".
They get big just like you by feeding, lol
This is my Maroon Clown. It will get twice this size when full grown.
A percula clown would be a better choice.
It is in my 150 with 8 other fish.

 

[JTP424]

Please note we want you to have success in your reefing venture!!!!
We're not trying to be negative or disagree with your thoughts :)

 

[kevgib67]

You’ve received a lot of great information. I agree with clowns or a blenny. Tailspot blennies are small but have a large personality, not expensive, hardy and won’t give new fish added any problems. Oh, welcome to R2R!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Please note we want you to have success in your reefing venture!!!!
We're not trying to be negative or disagree with your thoughts :)

Exactly! All the feedback you are getting here is jst to help you move in a more positive experience. We are all here to help. Just learn what you can thru personal research too. Knowledge ahead of time goes a long way toward avoiding bad experiences.

 

[blaise]

Thank you to all that responded, so if i can only have one which do you think i would have more success with

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Thank you to all that responded, so if i can only have one which do you think i would have more success with

IT will depend on what other tank inhabitants you will want. Percula and ocellaris clowns are very passive, peaceful fish, whereas Maroons, and others are more aggressive. I prefer peaceful tanks. So I would get maybe a pair of percula clowns and a blenny of some sort. So, start with one percula clown, and go from there.