Nano Fish With 'issues'

[steelhealr]

I just want to post a reminder to our nano reefers and this post always riles people up. Each of us must make decisions about what to put in our tanks. Hey...it happens to me too. Everytime I see a mandarin goby at the LFS, I drool. There are many situations that can give us 'agita'. Although anyone can choose to do a species tank, or cram fish that are great swimmers into 10 gallons of water, just think and read before purchasing additions to your tanks. Above all, if you are not sure, check compatibility charts. There is a nice one on Liveaquaria Feel free to add other good compatibility chart links here. Better yet..ask your fellow nano reefer.

Remember, reducing the volume of a marine tank 'crams' everyone together. Space on a reef out in the open ocean is large. When animals can't find space to live in peace, they may fight or harass each other to the death. Think twice about adding the following to your tanks and just understand how to care for these animals if you DO decide to buy them:

• flame angels
• hawkfish
• dottybacks
• unpaired clownfish
• more than one fish of the same species (many will fight for space)
• any fish that will grow larger than 5"
• various blennies and gobies (e.g., a catalina goby prefers cooler tank temps; lawnmower blennies can starve)

Things to think about as you plan out your tanks. SH

 

[Danno]

I have a quick question with the "unpaired clownfish". Lets say that I wanted to put an ocellaris clownfish into a 10 gallon tank. Many people thing that is it ok, but then again, many don't. A paired group of ocellaris clownfish wouldn't fit in a 10 gallon. If someone were to add one of them to a 10 gallon, would it become agressive? Or would it just stress so much that it would die from not being in an unpaired bundle?

 

[Lord_Dante]

One clown fish would do what any other fish would do to establish it's territory.

The unpaired clownfish refers to adding another clown fish to a tank with one all ready in there. The clown fish will establish a pecking order which can result in the other fish being killed as it can be very aggressive. Also if you don't know what sex of the fish you are adding is you could end up with two females which if I recall correctly results in a fight most likely ending in death as they are both the 'head honchos of the tank'.

Please note I'm new to this so if wrong please hit me with a stick There are plenty more knowledgable people here and if wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

[@ombomb]

Personally I'd add six-line wrasse to that list too...