Starting to put together my list of fish - Page 4

I think you've gotten some really good advice. As far as angels, you'd be better suited with a dwarf, such as the Coral beauty or the Flame angel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparty059 

Can I get this type of fish?

 

http://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/379904/150-gallon-starting-reef-pictures

 

It's the one in the first picture... someone mentioned it might be a cowfish, are they reef safe?  I wouldn't plan on getting it right away unless it was in the easy to take care of group, but would like to get it eventually.

They are beautiful fish...cowfish/boxfish.  I think they require a little special care...not to be kept with aggresive fish.  Not very aggresive eaters so have to make sure the other fish don't eat all the food before they have a chance.  Shouldn't be in High Flow environments.  Think they're reef safe though.  There are different kinds so you just have to read up on what you like.
 

That's not a cowfish. It's a type of small puffer (Toby Puffer). I think that particular picture is a Hawaiian Blue Puffer, also called a Papau Toby Puffer. They're reef safe to a point. They won't bother corals, but they can't always be trusted with shrimp and other inverts. They can also nip at the fins of other fish. It all depends on the fish. IMO, they should be left to a FOWLR. I have seen people keep them in a reef tank, but it's just not a good idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTLDreef 

That's not a cowfish. It's a type of small puffer (Toby Puffer). I think that particular picture is a Hawaiian Blue Puffer, also called a Papau Toby Puffer. They're reef safe to a point. They won't bother corals, but they can't always be trusted with shrimp and other inverts. They can also nip at the fins of other fish. It all depends on the fish. IMO, they should be left to a FOWLR. I have seen people keep them in a reef tank, but it's just not a good idea.

Agreed.  I had one in my 125 reef and really never had any problems.  He was a small fish and when I was rethinking a few of my tanks, I moved him down to the 45, thinking in the smaller tank I would see him more, and he went rogue on me.  I think the smaller tank led him to his delinquency.  He started nipping at other fish, tormenting some of them with no end, he was nipping corals, and even started nipping at me if I had my hands in the tank.  He was one of my favorite fish, I watched him in the lfs for 2 months before I bought him.  He was so quiet and full of personality.  I grew to strongly dislike his nasty little self.  I moved him back to the larger tank, he stopped with the territorial behavior with the fish but continued to nip at my corals so he was "rehomed" to another reefer with a FOWLR.

Edit, mine wasn't eating the corals, he would shred them like a puppy on a rampage. 

NO LAST....you put the more aggessive in last

and NO....you really do not want all your fish in the qt together, remember, you will not be buying ALL your fish at the same time

Some people dip their corals in Lugols Dip.....made by Kent....it also depends on the type of coral I believe too

To elaborate on what Meowzer said:

You want the shyest/most peaceful fish in the tank first. This will help give them time to establish their own territory and get to know the tank (where the hiding places are). The aggressive fish should be added last, and much time should pass between the addition of a peaceful fish and the addition of an aggressive one. The usual rule is to wait at least two weeks between each fish addition, however, when one is talking about an aggressive addition, especially in a tank with non aggressive fish, I would wait closer to 6 weeks.

As for quarantine, one fish at a time, unless it's a small group of school fish such as chromis, anthias, cardinals, etc. This is also dependent on the size of tank you're using for quarantine, for example, I would not want 5 anthias in a 10G tank. Are you aware of how to properly set up and maintain a QT? NO rock or sand should be in the tank. You can add slices of PVC piping for the fish to hide in. I would also suggest reading through the disease forums for how to set up a tank and what to do if you do end up with a sich fish, especially if it has ich which is common.

Some people quarantine corals, other do not. I dip and quarantine corals, especially if it's SPS. Anyone who's every had flatworms or red bugs in their tank dips their corals. I've also bought large LPS colonies and had nasty little crabs squeeze their way in and come alone as hitchhikers. Quarainting corals is a personal choice. IMO, I would at least dip. Besides Lugol's, there is an Iodine dip made by SeaChem, and another dip called Coral Revive. All do about the same thing, but if you decide to use one, make sure you read the directions and following the exactly. Some dips, such as Lugol's have a different amount of time that certain corals can be dipped (SPS can be dipped for much longer than LPS can).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparty059 

 

So let's say I want 5 fish that are all in the calm category... can I add them to the QT right away?  That is... since it's a 60 gallon.  I'm thinking since it's calm first, I would end up getting my two clown fish, and maybe two of the Royal Grammas. Would that work since they're all in the "Peaceful" category?

 

You do not want to add 5 fish at the same time to begin with.......start with 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparty059 

Ok, then I'll just get the two clownfish first then.  Besides I might be completely contempt with just two clownfish and may not even care to get any other fish!   I've always wanted clownfish!

Yeah right......I'm never content...LOL