What to put with Firefish Goby?

[drewsteriam5]

Hi,

I have a 40ish gallon corner tank (like a quarter circle) that has been setup and running since early February, but as of yet I only have 1 fish. That fish is a Firefish Goby, but I have tons of different corals, a bunch of snails, and two peppermint shrimp.

With that in mind, I'm trying to narrow down a stocking list. The initial plan was to have a firefish, a dwarf hawkfish, a blue spot jawfish, and a flame angel (or pygmy angel, whatever ends up not touching my coral). However, I have been hearing a lot about how the jawfish isn't really suited to a home aquarium, and am having second thoughts. I also learned that the dwarf hawkfish is iffy with the peppermint shrimp. So now I'm stuck. I have a firefish in first, and I was told to add the angel last, so what goes in between?

I like the idea of a diamond goby, but worry the sand might not have enough gunk for it. Then what else goes in there? I think 4 fish is a pretty good number for the size of my tank.

Any advice or recommendations would be awesome. The idea is to get super bright colors in there, with the fish being as active or charismatic as possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[drewsteriam5]

I just found a specific size and it looks like my tank is actually a 54 gallon corner tank. So I have a bit more room to play with than I thought.

 

[NanaReefer]

Have you checked out the Blenny's? Love the Yellowtail Fang Blenny (Forktail Blenny) Very active, easy to care for and beautiful colors.

Sent from my iPhone 4s via Tapatalk.

 

[drewsteriam5]

Have you checked out the Blenny's? Love the Yellowtail Fang Blenny (Forktail Blenny) Very active, easy to care for and beautiful colors.

I had looked at a few blennies including a tail spot. I was hoping for something a bit brighter, but I may see if I can get a look at one locally.

 

[drewsteriam5]

Just did a quick google search on the fang blenny, and found out they are venomous? That is probably a no go. Even if it is purely defensive I'd rather steer clear of anything like that.

 

[NanaReefer]

Just did a quick google search on the fang blenny, and found out they are venomous? That is probably a no go. Even if it is purely defensive I'd rather steer clear of anything like that.

And yet you have ton's of corals that are highly toxic?? Go figure <sigh>


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[eliramos]

midas blenny!!

 

[drewsteriam5]

And yet you have ton's of corals that are highly toxic?? Go figure <sigh>


Sent from my iPhone 4s via Tapatalk.

I have gloves and a face shield for when I deal with the zoas. I have very stringent safety precautions for when I'm handling them. Initially I was hesitant to even buy them. Plus they don't move around so I know right where they are when my hands are in the tank. Fish move and I can't count on them to stay where they are if I'm adjusting rock or something.

 

[drewsteriam5]

midas blenny!!

I really do like the midas blenny, but LiveAquaria says they are known to nip at firefish and other gobies. Is this a common problem? My firefish is down to one eye so if anything is going to hassle it frequently there may be an issue.

Thanks

 

[Tahoe61]

You have not mentioned clowns, are they off the table?
What about some of the smaller wrasses like the Pigmy or the Possum.

 

[drewsteriam5]

You have not mentioned clowns, are they off the table?
What about some of the smaller wrasses like the Pigmy or the Possum.

Nothing is really off the table, I was just always lead to believe that a clown would be too aggressive to be kept in a tank like mine. I'd love to get one of the designer clowns though if it would work well. The only set in stone must haves are the firefish and then a dwarf angel last.

Now that I know my tank is a 54 gallon would having 5 fish be off the table or should I stick with 4?

 

[eliramos]

in all honesty ive always had a true perc clown and ive never seen any aggression they've been my most peaceful additions!

 

[Tahoe61]

I am leaning towards 4 but I tend to be conservative. If you get two younger clowns they should not be a problem with the Fish fish, tons of designer available. Black and whites are nice becaue they add a lot of contrast. I have had multiple Fish fish without issue but they were all young and introduce at the same time. Kept Royal Grammas with Fish fish with no issue on a 30 gallon, but both can be really passive fish.

 

[drewsteriam5]

I am leaning towards 4 but I tend to be conservative. If you get two younger clowns they should not be a problem with the Fish fish, tons of designer available. Black and whites are nice becaue they add a lot of contrast. I have had multiple Fish fish without issue but they were all young and introduce at the same time. Kept Royal Grammas with Fish fish with no issue on a 30 gallon, but both can be really passive fish.

I wonder if it would be possible to have my firefish, a pair of clowns, a flame angel, and a diamond watchman goby? I think that would be my perfect combo. Especially if I could get the clowns to host something up in the front of the tank. However if I had to limit it to 4 I'd say just one clown.

 

[Eienna]

Have you checked out the chalk basslet?

 

[droblack]

Fang blennies are sweetie pies. Mine used to hang out in my hand, swam right into it every time I worked on the tank.

As for fish suggestions, I offer the following:

clownfish

Kaudern's cardinal

valentino or leopard puffer

helfrichi

 

[Tahoe61]

I have had the Fire Fish, the pair of clowns B/W, the YWG and a Cherub Angel. The Cherub become aggressive and a clam nipper when it matured. Seems like there is a lot of fish to chose from but when you start thinking of what colors, personalities and the size of the tank it begins to limit your choices really quickly. I like the Chalk Bass as well but it's not colorful.

 

[drewsteriam5]

I have had the Fire Fish, the pair of clowns B/W, the YWG and a Cherub Angel. The Cherub become aggressive and a clam nipper when it matured. Seems like there is a lot of fish to chose from but when you start thinking of what colors, personalities and the size of the tank it begins to limit your choices really quickly. I like the Chalk Bass as well but it's not colorful.

How big of a tank was that? That is very close to my ideal combination. Any issues with coral, shrimp or snails? Also what order would be ideal for putting them in the tank?

 

[miamiangler]

I have two Dusky Jawfish that I caught in Biscayne Bay in my reef tank and I love them . Not the most colorful but fun to watch . they cover their holes with the empty shells from the hermitcrabs ,

 

[Tahoe61]

How big of a tank was that? That is very close to my ideal combination. Any issues with coral, shrimp or snails? Also what order would be ideal for putting them in the tank?

It was a 30 gallon. No issues with corals although as I mentioned the Cherub Angel had to be removed secondary to chasing down the Fire Fish and nipping my clams. I still have the large female black and white clown and she has gotten aggressive over the years, I can not introduce shrimp to the tank or another fish, her and the YWG have gone at it but that rarely happens, the goby high tails it to the rocks.