So this morning I was scrolling through facebook and on one of my local groups I see a post for an 8'x5'x2' pond thats got 2 breeding pairs of California rays (4 total), a 6" dogface puffer, an 18" epaulette shark, and a little fiji white spotted puffer.
In seconds my impulses took over and ive sent a deposit to go pick everything up tomorrow. Im looking forward to this, because prior to this my experience with predators was dealing with a 21" snowflake eel that liked to nibble on my fingers.
Im looking forward to having a place where i can put the cool coral eaters i always wanted, but wasmt willing to sacrifice corals for.
All that being said, I have some questions im hoping yall can answer.
First, Ive always wanted to breed a pair od sharks. Ive always loved brownbanded bamboo sharks. From what ive read, im guessing a brownbanded pair would likely be my best bet for breeding in a 450g? Would it be best to get rid of the epaulette before getting a pair of brownbands? I know the epaulettes can get fairly large so I do think I'll pretty quickly be finding a new, larger home for him.
Second is about the rays. Will California spotted rays do okay with other California rays?
Third is regarding puffers. Could I keep a porcupine with the dogface puffer?
Fourth would be regarding other fish. General rule of thumb im assuming is keep it bigger than the most aggressive fish's head and i shouldnt have issues of eating eachother right? Ive always wanted a few different butterfly fish, and angels.
And lastly, wheres the best place to get bulk, meaty foods? Should i just ask my lfs for a bulk discount?
Im really excited about this! I am literally here for advice, so if you have concerns of size of pond vs my current/ future stock plans/dreams, please voice them. Im coming from keeping sps reefs for the last number of years, and researching this as I go. I know thats not ideal, but fear not, the fish will be under fine water conditions, and well fed at minimum. I wont be adding anything until I know its safe.
In seconds my impulses took over and ive sent a deposit to go pick everything up tomorrow. Im looking forward to this, because prior to this my experience with predators was dealing with a 21" snowflake eel that liked to nibble on my fingers.
Im looking forward to having a place where i can put the cool coral eaters i always wanted, but wasmt willing to sacrifice corals for.
All that being said, I have some questions im hoping yall can answer.
First, Ive always wanted to breed a pair od sharks. Ive always loved brownbanded bamboo sharks. From what ive read, im guessing a brownbanded pair would likely be my best bet for breeding in a 450g? Would it be best to get rid of the epaulette before getting a pair of brownbands? I know the epaulettes can get fairly large so I do think I'll pretty quickly be finding a new, larger home for him.
Second is about the rays. Will California spotted rays do okay with other California rays?
Third is regarding puffers. Could I keep a porcupine with the dogface puffer?
Fourth would be regarding other fish. General rule of thumb im assuming is keep it bigger than the most aggressive fish's head and i shouldnt have issues of eating eachother right? Ive always wanted a few different butterfly fish, and angels.
And lastly, wheres the best place to get bulk, meaty foods? Should i just ask my lfs for a bulk discount?
Im really excited about this! I am literally here for advice, so if you have concerns of size of pond vs my current/ future stock plans/dreams, please voice them. Im coming from keeping sps reefs for the last number of years, and researching this as I go. I know thats not ideal, but fear not, the fish will be under fine water conditions, and well fed at minimum. I wont be adding anything until I know its safe.