What fish to get?
 

Having spent the last 2 months reading up on starting a fish tank, and finally getting there, i've been doing a lot more reading on types of fish I want to get. Right now I do have the one damsel in the tank, but he'll be going soon, because 1) he's too big, 2) they are mean 3) see #2.

Anyhoo, I've got a slight idea of fish I want to get, but I'd like to get your recommendation before I list what I'd like. A must however will be 2 clown fish. My tank is a 38g.

Any info is helpful... Thanks!

(btw no damsels!)

Is this tank going to be fish only, FOWLR or reef?

I guess that would help.

For the mostpart FOWLR. I may get one or two coral down the road (like several months down the road) but if anything they will only be mushroom corals.

how about...

something like a longfin fairy wrasse or a flasher wrasse? both colourful and small.

or, a blackcap basslet. they are pretty nice looking.

or, some firefish?

those are all fish I like :)

I am at a similar point with my 45 gallon tank. These are some of the fish I have been considering.

Percula clowns
Lawnmower Blenny or Bicolor Blenny
Six Line Wrasse
Blue/Green Chromis



Alex

I'd go with a small angel. Lemonpeel, potter angel and flame angels are all nice (might be too much red if you go with the flame though). Otherwise, I'd go with a sixline wrasse, but i heard they're mean suckers. Probably the last fish you want to add.

What about 2 clowns and just call it a day? Just throw in a haddoni, assuming you have enough light and add some cool shrimps.

Small Angels: not good "beginner fish" as they have specific requirements between species - these require more research and dedication than Perculas or Chromis, particularily the 3 species mentioned above. A better choice might be the Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosus) - they seem to have widespread success with hobbiests keeping them alive.

:eek: I don't know what you're thinking... A Haddon's (Carpet) Anemone is another bad choice for a new tank (ANY anemone is) - they are tricky even for the experienced aquarist. This is pretty common knowledge - if we're going to give newbies advice, let's be a little more careful.

Two clowns would be a good choice, if they're tank-raised Ocellaris (False Percula). They are typically hardier, and will accept most foods you can buy.

Thanks for all the info! I've been reading up on the net of the different fishes you've listed.

Here's a question. How many is enough?

Well you've got ick in the tank, it seems from your blog. If you want to start fresh, take out the damsel as planned and let the tank sit fishless for 6-8 weeks. Yeah right, I know - no one buys a tank to let it sit empty, but even once the damsel is gone, the ick will live for up to 2 months or so, waiting for another opportunity (your next fish). And newly-introduced fish with their stressed/depressed immune systems are ick magnets.

So, your choice. If you must put something else in there, go with the captive-bred clowns. They're pretty tough. Either way, it's good to wait quite a while and see how they do, what the tank does, and how things go in general before adding any more fish. Even crabs/shrimps and snails can be entertaining - I watched mine for quite a while until fish came into the picture. A few beginner corals (softies/shrooms) help add interest too.

Depending on the size of fishes and your level of filtration, you might get away with up to 5 little fishies for your 38 gal, and some people will scoff at that number (too high). In a small tank, small fish are better - imagine how much bigger that tank would seem to a tiny goby rather than a large damsel.

Take it slow, see what develops, and over the next 3-6 months you'll get a better idea of what to add. You'll learn a lot going through the maturing process with your tank, and noting how it and its inhabitants respond to the various changes and stages. (Not to mention any blunders you make along the way.)

Cheers,

AJ, thanks for your comments tons of good info! I've posted below in response to a few things...

I'm starting to wonder about 2 things. 1) did my fish really have the ick? I believe it may of just been sand on the fish from moving around some rocks and stuff. I'm not sure. I haven't noticed it on him in over a week. now. He seems prefectly healthy now, and eats a ton. I used a turkey basker, and blew some water across him, and the white dots fly off, thinking that its sand, and me just worrying too much!

I don't mind leaving the tank empty. I did for about 2 weeks when I first got it, but when I noticed the algea growth, I picked up some snails, and the 2 hermit crabs. The fish I got free from finomenal when I went to pickup some LR. They didn't want the fish, so I figured why not grab him.

Yep, crabs are freaken cool. I love watching my red scarlet crab in the evening's when its out and about tearing things up. The blue hermit crab is more interesting now that he picked up another home (shell) and roams around more often.

I will forsure get captive bred clown fish for sure. Most likely from jack and wendell. They got a cool setup there, and awesome fish!

Yeah I would rather have smaller fish than bigger ones. As it is, I think the tank is too small for this damsel. His full lap time around the tank is about .05/sec. ;)

Once I am fully setup, I'll have a 20g sump with my tank (already have the tank) and I am working on my designs for my skimmer as well. I also plan to try and fit my 5gal fuge onto the sump as well.

True. The best way to go slow is having a small budget as well. Thats keeps me going slow. Also I prefer to get one thing at a time, so I can actually get to watch it and stuff. I can see myself not even noticing my crabs, snails if I got a clown right away.