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[blabadie]

The sand bed is more than 2 inch deep. The scooter blenny is eating frozen shrimp, btw- so that's always good. I also am not arguing about whether the situation in my tank is good or not. I have always talked to someone at my LFS about whether or not each fish I buy could survive in my conditions... obviously (as we all know) everyone has their different opinions, because each tank reacts differently and no two tanks are set up the same. I could very well go on for another 2 years with my same set up and disprove everything you have just said, or I could come home tomorrow and find that everything has died. I mean, it's hard to say what is safe. I do agree with the fact that the scooter blenny is going to be hard to take care of and, like I already said, I will be getting rid of him- it just won't be happening soon because of time issues (long story...don't ask). I really appreciate all of the input and I think most, if not all, of setting up a nano tank has a lot to do with "making your own experience" out of the situation. I never knew any of these things were going to happen to my tank and I think it's great that I have a place to turn to.

I really do hope things turn out well for my tank and I do appreciate the input. So, you are saying that I should ditch the blenny and possibly the wrasse? If I would ditch just the blenny, would I be fine to keep the wrasse? Thanks!

Brandon

 

[gigmeyer]

I've been using the Marine Fishes pocket guide by Scott W. Michael and it lists the Scooter Blenny as the Oscellated Dragonet. At least that is the fish my lfs showed me last week as a scooter blenny?? This fish supposedly reaches a maximum length of 2.4 inches. As a dragonet, it is listed as difficult to keep as many (if not most) times it will only eat live food and starves to death unless the tank is large enough to maintain a sufficient live food source. If this is the same fish and you've managed to get it to eat frozen shrimp, it sounds to me like you could have a keeper there unless it decides to become a picky eater. Returning it to a lfs could doom it to a less knowledgable fish keeper! These dragonets are really cool looking (and acting) fish and I bet there are tons of people out there buying them who have no idea what they are getting into.

I'm not sure if the Michael book is one of the best guides or not, but reading books and forums will result in some conflicting opinions and in the end we must decide what to try and hope for success.

Since everyone seems to agree that the problem was not fish related, maybe sitting tight is a reasonable choice unless you want to reduce the bioload to minimize the risk of future problems. As a newbie, my experience is strictly from reading at this point, so take this comment as one from someone lacking personal experience. Steele's nano point is well taken as even the most conscientious of us is tempted to stuff 10 pounds of flour in a 5 pound sack.

This has been really helpful for me as I think I'll stop at three fish for an extended period of time to make sure the system can remain stable with basic husbandry. I still plan to go with a sixline wrasse as my 'pivot' fish as it supposedly eats some of the smaller crustaceans/worms that are building in my tank and have no natural predators I'm aware of. My alternate choice is a Springer's Dottyback as they are smaller, but I've yet to see one in my lfs.

 

[steelhealr]

Brandon...we are here to help. I would definitely get rid of the scooter. The sixline is in..leave him for now. A better choice for the blenny might have been a tailspot.

Your odor may be coming from your sandbed. In nano systems, the bed should be only about 1-1 1/2 inches. 2 is borderline and over you can develop anaerobic conditions.

I agree that you can do whatever one wants to 'make one's own experience'. You can put sea stars in there...you can put sea cucumbers in there...you can put sea hares in there and flame scallops. Hopefully, the experience that YOU choose will be ones that keep you in the hobby...keep your costs down..keep the marine biotope that you create safe for your inhabitants. These are tough choices when we set up nanos. They are so beautiful, but, by restricting the water volume, we really force ourselves into being 'conscientious marine aquarists'.

Just giving you some thoughts after doing this for several years.

SH

 

[blabadie]

Like I said, i really appreciate and agree with a lot of your points! Thanks for your help and thanks to everyone who read this and didn't end up bashing anyone (that's really surprising- especially on a forum of any kind).

Brandon

 

[steelhealr]

You may want to thin down your sandbed. Smell the sand if you remove some. SH

 

[blabadie]

I checked my sand, it fits between the 1-1.5 inch allotment. thanks!