Fish for a Sump

kfennell · Jul 27, 2009

Just wanted to see if anyone has some suggestions for a fish to keep in my sump, I have a 150g rubbermaid, and its mostly open space with a skimmer platform, and there will be a small floating fuge, basically I am looking for something that will be at least moderately interesting to watch from the top down. I already have another tank for sharks/rays so that's out.

Thoughts?

Thanks

stunreefer · Jul 27, 2009

This would be too small for any sharks or rays, less baby "Cortez" rays or something of the sort. I hope the other tank you have is larger for them...

It would be cool to have some lionfish in there, maybe a single Volitan or multiple dwarfs. Anglers are also cool in this kind of thing, and you wouldn't have to be as nervous wheile working in your sump ;)

ficklefins · Jul 27, 2009

Do you plan on feeding the fish in the sump or are they going to primarily live off their environment (algae on sump walls, or food flushed down the overflow)? Is your skimmer's intake and return pump covered?

kfennell · Jul 27, 2009

yes the skark tank is better and yes I will feed the fish in the sump, the skimmer is an MSX2s with two small openings for the sicces so im not really worried about any medium or bigger sized fish having a problem with them, I will need to screen off the 2" drain to the return pump though.

The lionfish is definately a good idea, I guess I just need to think about how much I really need to work in the sump, I guess not much at all if the sicce's keep being reliable.

Elan · Jul 27, 2009

why not a frog fish or angler type?

kfennell · Jul 27, 2009

Elan said:
why not a frog fish or angler type?

They're a little small and IMO a little pricey with most being $150ish? I just never liked them enough to justify the cost, but I can look into that too.

joemarchetti · Jul 27, 2009

I vote for a Humu Trigger. Once it gets to know you it would come up and talk to you when you come in the room...

roshi719 · Jul 27, 2009

Yeah, I say go with some type of predator fish you couldn't have in a normal reef. Triggers would be awesome.

kfennell · Jul 27, 2009

joemarchetti said:
I vote for a Humu Trigger. Once it gets to know you it would come up and talk to you when you come in the room...

Thats a good idea actually! I've heard they are friendly a few times and the fiancee loves them.

stunreefer · Jul 27, 2009

Great idea on the trigger... splurge and get a clown trigger!

Just keep in mind triggers are messy eaters... I was going to suggest a puffer but didn't for the same reason, messy as hell!

kfennell · Jul 27, 2009

stunreefer said:
Great idea on the trigger... splurge and get a clown trigger!

Just keep in mind triggers are messy eaters... I was going to suggest a puffer but didn't for the same reason, messy as hell!

Is a clown trigger any more friendly? Since it won't really be seen very well since it is top down only I don't know about spending more money for something I won't see very well.

On another note will multiple triggers have any trouble being in the tank together? I have a niger trigger that I bought just cause the fiancee wanted it and its small and "cute" I was planning on keeping it in the shark tank till I get a shark in there (could be a while for it to hatch etc). Can I keep a few in the same tank? Any chance that my niger ends up being reef safe? I've seen them in reef tanks before but was told they ate all the inverts.