Breaking in a tank with Clownfish

[pokdbz]

I am thinking of breaking in a tank with Ocellaris Clownfish. Is this ok? If so how many would be needed? If not what kind of fish would you recommend and how many. I have a 55 gallon tank. I will be putting LS and LR in it also.

 

[sebae0]

as you might already know that most people have adapted to cycling their tanks without live fish. they might live or they might die, anyway you look at it its very stressful on the fish. try using a raw shrimp or even just putting flake food in to decay will cause the cycle to start.jmo

 

[slothy]

Yes please don’t use live fish, use either the live rock (uncured) or the raw shrimp to cycle.. I know how tempting it is to have something swim around while your tank is cycling... Worst case they make a plastic clown fish clip, throw it in there and pretend... for the month or so that it will take you tank to completely cycle

 

[alti]

i agree, shrimp is better.

 

[buzz]

I started with a tomato clown, but then again, my tank never cycled. However, with what I've learned since, I would go with the raw shrimp method instead of a fish.
Incidentally, my tomato is still gowing strong, and getting bigger...great health, living in the anemone pictured in my avatar.

 

[col]

In the UK Common clowns are £9 - 10 each. I wouldnt risk £20 to cycle a tank.
You can cycle with LR also.

 

[bahamianme]

I've used a pair of blue damsels and a pair of black dot damsels. they didn't die. My 30 gal. tank cycled in no time.

 

[jferrier]

My friends and I have used damsels, triggers, and even black mollies! Damsels usually make it through. My undulate trigger scoffed at the cycle and said you can't hurt me. The mollies will usually last long enough to get the job done being that they are somewhat brackish anyways. Clowns I would be skeptical of.
They can tolerate a lot but I wouldn't try it.