Beginner Here..

chella81

chella81

Member
I was just curious what are some hardy beginner fish? I have 29 gallon tank. Thanks for everyones help on here
I hope to learn from everyone on here
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Welcome!
For a 29g...and hardy...Lets see, how about a dottyback..lots to choose from, but you can only have one so choose the one you really like.
A couple of clowns too..again you have some choices, but only two of the same, they will become mates.
What ever you do stay away from damsels. They get very evil and mean when mature. They will kill other tank mates and bite your hand drawing blood.
Happy fish hunting!
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
How long has your tank been setup? Is it going to be a reef tank or fish only?
And before I forget .... WELCOME!!
 
chella81

chella81

Member
I have had it up for a two months..I wrote another post on here called "Need help solving a mystery"...I've been trying damsels but no luck with them..I took 3 water samples to 3 different fish stores and told my water quality is great and my salinity is reading at 1.022..my temp. was a little high reading at 80-82..but I fixed it last night and now it's at 78 F.Right now I have no fish..So was curious what would be other hardy fish..I think right now I'm going to do a fish only tank and then maybe involve into a reef tank. Thanks!
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
Good info to know. There are a lot of hardy fish to choose from. My first two saltwater books were:
A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species
A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species
I highly suggest the one for fishes. Its a great way to see what the fishes look like, how hardy they are, the size they can get ...
I like to find one that I really like and then do more research on them on the internet. Just my .02
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Chella81
http:///forum/post/3258947
I have had it up for a two months..I wrote another post on here called "Need help solving a mystery"...I've been trying damsels but no luck with them..I took 3 water samples to 3 different fish stores and told my water quality is great and my salinity is reading at 1.022..my temp. was a little high reading at 80-82..but I fixed it last night and now it's at 78 F.Right now I have no fish..So was curious what would be other hardy fish..I think right now I'm going to do a fish only tank and then maybe involve into a reef tank. Thanks!


LOL...The damsels may have killed each other and it isn't your water, or the temp. I keep my tank at 80/82, it was 82/84 for two years before that.
Have lots of live rock, run a skimmer, and keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible. Try the clowns or a dottyback. The pigmy angels are beautiful too, choose only one per tank.
Add one or two fish at a time and let a month go in between before introducing another. Have fun!
 
chella81

chella81

Member
Thanks everyone! I try to find those books. Been reading the saltwater aquariums for dummies book..lol With damsels I added one the would die what seemed within 10 mins, but in my last post "Need help solving a mystery" Joe pointed out they were in the bag for an hour as i was introducing my tank water..and i've read that damsels die for no reason..Perhaps I'll try the clowns and see how they go, but at the same time since I had trouble with damsels..Hopefully i get my tank going with some fish
 
handbanana

handbanana

Member
Honestly, be glad the damsels didnt work. they are terrors. I got bit by one AT THE LFS and I dont even have one! The guy was showing me how peppermint shrimp will clean your hand. "Wash your hands over here and give it a try, see if these are something you would want in your tank"
Well there was a big ol damsel in that tank. Yellowtail
It was unpleasent
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOl...Yeah you don;t want damsels...especially not in a smaller tank
In my 29G I have a Chalk Basslet, zebra goby and citron goby....I may add one more fish eventually...IDK yet
 
pirates

pirates

Member
the neon goby is easy fish cool looking cleaner species which will service tank mates and help control some diseases
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Pirates
http:///forum/post/3259288
the neon goby is easy fish cool looking cleaner species which will service tank mates and help control some diseases
LOL...OH....I have never been able to keep a neon goby alive :(
 
chella81

chella81

Member
Ok once I pick out my fish..I know on here it shows the drip method to acclimate your fish...does anyone else use a different method that works just as well...or should i use the drop method since i'm having a hard time keeping any fish?
 
pirates

pirates

Member
i had the same problem i when to my lfs and he said just float the bag for 15 min. then put the fish in well i did that died did it again died i did the drip method lived
see if your water is diff. from the store water could kill your items if the salt, ph, ect. is off bye bye you could get lucky and may get some to live
they do sale a acclimate kit that will make it easy for you but i have never used the kit
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I use the bag acclimation method but I do a lot more than float for 15 minutes
I temp acc first....then open bag, take out a little bag water, add a little tank water...let sit 15 minutes...I repeat this step many times...then dump the bag water and add the fish to the tank
the neons I lost I think were due to their itty bitty size....
Not acclimation
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
Meowzer method is a good one but I do use the drip method. It's really easy. You just need a container and some tubing. I think you know where the drip method directions are located on this board. I would not just drop them in if you are having a difficult time already. If you drip method them, I would do so for at least an hour. And also keep an eye out on your salt level in your DT since you can possibly remove enough saltwater to make a difference.
 
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