Another Stocking Question For A Nano Tank

[dilbert]

Hi all,

at the moment I got only one tiny 1-inch long blue damsel fish. Together with 2 cleaner shrimps and a snail it's a simple, clean, and easy to maintain system.

Only with two powerheads, I always got no detectable amounts on ammonia, nitrite, AND nitrate, so the water changes are mainly to add fresh trace elements with a new salt mix.

More info on the tank is in the signature. I just want to add that with a very thin sandbed (1/4 inch) I am somewhat restricted regarding the selection of Gobys.


I'm in doubt if to add another small solitary clownfish.

As I have an open top tank, will the two fish fight and jump?

Most Web sites say that damselfish and clownfish are compatible, but some say they are not.

Will the clownfish leave the tubeworm in peace? (There was an unconfirmed report from the greater Tomato clownfish on an LFS Web site.)

 

[Lynden]

It should be okay. Most fish can jump but they probably will not. Also well done on having no nitrate reading.

 

[chrissaysyes]

I have a sick occ clown and a blue damsel in my 14g tank, they get along great. I wouldnt worry about them fighting.

 

[dilbert]

Also well done on having no nitrate reading.

I haven't done anything. It's simply the live rock and having few critters in there.

 

[chrissaysyes]

You ever get the clown?

 

[dilbert]

Yes, tomorrow, on Saturday morning, I'm determined to buy a small clown. If something unexpected happens I will tell you.

 

[1entra]

Post some pics of the clown when you get it!

 

[chrissaysyes]

How's Nemo?

 

[dilbert]

Very shy, I would say.

Nemo is one inch long and the Blue Damsel even smaller. The Blue Damsel watched him from a distance about an hour or two and then lost interest. Maybe the Damsel noticed that Nemo isn't a good swimmer and won't be a threat anyhow.

Nemo seems to be scared of live rock or maybe has never seen one in his life before and doesn't know what that's good for. It stood the whole day in the upper regions in the open water and now at night stays mainly in the corners sometimes swimming up and down but mostly hanging around in the upper regions often one inch below the surface.

Well, the Damsel stood hidden the first day and the second day never left the live rock and Nemo does the contrary. Also, Nemo doesn't eat anything as expected, so let's see when he gets settled in.

 

[chrissaysyes]

Garlic is the key, make sure he's swallowing!

 

[dilbert]

Ok. I'll try this.

Today, he ate two (!!) live brine shrimps. But he's not actively searching for food.

Also, he's more confident in tank, but still keeps distance from the live rock.

And despite from being often close together, I saw him twice pushing the tiny Damsel away from a live rock.

 

[chrissaysyes]

get him as used to you as possible, my clown behaves almost like a puffer in that he's so excited when I come in the room, even if I get out of bed at night. He used to be shy and not feed at all, but mysis and garlic did the trick, also I stick my fingers in the tank when I feed him, and I put my face near the glass, just so he eventually associates my face with tastey foods...Paplovs funny face method.

 

[dilbert]

I went today to the LFS and asked him what he was feeding to the clownfish.

Then I bought a package of the same frozen mysis shrimp and Nemo did actually eat some of these. Maybe he got only more hungry by the time.

Half an hour later, I gave the whole crew of inmates another mysis shrimp meal soaked in natural garlic but no one went mad or even seemed to appreciate the garlic.

I tried only the natural garlic as the LFS only shrugged when I asked about garlic. He said he has never tried it.

Also, I am not concerned anymore by the strange sleeping habits as others have experienced the same:

"When I first got them they slept at the top of the water sideways. I thought they were dead."

And,

"During acclimation, you may expect unusual or out of the ordinary behavior. Once acclimated they should 'sleep' in the fish sense of the term."

Nemo sleeps also sideways on the top of the tank close to the glass. My guess is that this way it's the least energy-consuming position as he uses the adhesion of the glass and the water surface. Looks like he's going to die but he doesn't care.

Merry Christmas!

 

[chrissaysyes]

Keep an eye on him, that may not be a good sign.

 

[dilbert]

Sleeping habits are still the same. maybe Nemo is afraid of the two Cleaner shrimps who can be very annoying.

During the day he is fine and pushes the Blue Damsel around from time to time.

Today, Iwas feeding frozen Mysis shrimp again and he ate three pieces but the Damsel maybe five pieces or so. When the Damsel still inspected the resting pieces but spit them out all the time, Nemo simply ignored those left over pieces.

When I added half an hour later a few fish flakes to the tank, the Damsel and the Cleaner shrimps who ignored the left over Mysis shrimp before, again felt hungry but Nemo took some of the fish flakes into his mouth and always spit them out.

The next days, I will try fresh unprocessed seafood, again.

Today, I tried again dried seaweed leaves this time soaked in water with chopped garlic in it, but Nemo discarded those leaves again.