Fire shrimp in 12 gal?

[littleliza]

Hi, I'm thinking about what to put in my 12 gal jbj nano cube when it finishes cycling. I'm wondering if anyone has had fire shrimp in their nano tanks and how did they do? I'm also consindering putting in some peppermint shrimp because I've heard they're good for eating problem anenomes. Will they get along ok? Any other ideas that are better?
Thanks!!!

 

[littleliza]

some other additions I'm considering include: zebra hermit crabs, a blue linkia starfish, cerith snails, margarita snails, feather dusters, a bubble tip brittle starfish, a candy striped pistol shrimp, a yellow clown goby, or a yellow rose antennae goby... are there any in this list that would definitely not work in a 12 gallon nano (and why, so I can learn)? Which should I consider, and which should I nix? I'd appreciate the input. I'd like a bright and happy tank! Right now I've got 20 lbs. live sand and about 10 lbs. live rock. I'd like to add in another 20 lbs. of sugar sand and about another 10 lbs. live rock depending on density before adding in my other critters. There isn't much available at my lfs, so I'll either have to travel for more lr or order some.

So far I've had it running about 3 weeks and all my parameters are looking pretty good: ammonia 0, nitrates 10, nitrites 0. I added 3 blue legged hermits 2 days ago to help with some of the algae that has started growing and it's looking good, I think. There are so many choices for what to add, and so little space!!! I want to make sure I pick out what's right ahead of time. I definitely want it to be colorful and fun. Thanks!

 

[feixjai]

blue linkia starfishes i heard are very hard to take care of so i think you should cross that out. and take out the other starfish. i also heard they eat live rock or something like that. probably dont get two gobies. gobies and other gobies will fight. so maybe a false percula clown fish with your clown goby or you can get a firefish goby or even a purple firefish.

 

[fallinmor]

blue linkia starfish eat clear glass algea and it needs a mature tank to get the right amount of algea for it's diet. the fire shrimp however can be put in a 12 gallon no problem just provide it with overhangs they like to stay inverted in the shadows. the starfish are realy the only thing i would question puting in there i have a a sand sifting star in my 20 gallon with 10lbs of argonite and 10lbs of fine grain sand and i have to supplement it's diet with small meaty bits. shrimp gobies and clown gobies get along in from my exerience but u shouldn't go by opinion like that if u have enough lr it can probably work you just need things for the clown goby to perch on. peppermint shrimp eat all anemones not just problem one and they prefer a cooler tank but everything else seems fine. good luck and enjoy it.

 

[littleliza]

thanks for the advice, I'll probably skip the blue linkia then and probably the brittle star. I really like their look, but I want to keep them healthy and happy, too. I've never had an aggressive goby, I've had a few saltwater and even a freshwater goby so far. I think they're probably my favorite fish. I had a yellow clown goby briefly, but my 3 stripe damsel harrassed him something awful and I think he must have died because he disappeared one day never to be seen again. I have a yellow watchman goby and he's just so fun to watch. He is fairly timid, but if you get in his territory he'll open his mouth as wide as he can, puff up all his fins, and charge, no matter the size of the invader. I love it! As for the peppermint shrimp, I don't think I'll be having any anenomes in my tank, just corals for the most part (someone here told me they probably wouldn't work in my tank-12 gal. jbj deluxe), but the aiptasias are popping up here and there at a rapid pace (at least I'm pretty sure that's what they are... this is my first reef tank) so I'd like to keep that population in check. Do you know how cool I would need to keep it for them? Would it be too cold for the other tankmates? Thanks again! I appreciate it!

 

[littleliza]

would a catalina goby work in a 12 gallon nano?

 

[fallinmor]

catalina goby is fine in a 12, i just picked up my 2 firefish today a one is a purple and the other is a firefish goby. i recomend them to any passive reef tank, they can go in a 12 gallon. i think you could put 2 provoded enough lr for caves and territories. no problem about the info i'm glade to share my knowledge and help others it's part of why i got into saltwater. if you need any more info just let me know at p1ro666@optonline.net yeah damsels are mean i gave mine back to my lfs cuz they would attack the firefish. for the peppermint shrimp anywhere from 72 to 78 F for them but they can go warmer, i find when that the cooler u make a tank the more u get ick outbreaks. well each fish is different but the shrimp are not that extreme only a few degrees lower then regular reef fish. you should get a pistol shrimp for your watchmen goby it's fun to watch then pair up i have a hi-fin redbanded goby with a tiger pistol shrimp and they go all over their territory together and are never more then a few inches from one another.

 

[littleliza]

thanks again! I have a yellow watchman goby and a pistol shrimp in my 44 gallon fish & invert. tank and they're always fun to watch (minus the time the pistol shrimp ate my scooter blenny). I'm still thinking of getting a pistol shrimp and a yellow rose antenna goby (I think they call it a barbershop goby here). I added more sand bed today, so they could dig tunnels. If I ever figure out how to shrink digital pictures small enough to post here I'll put some up. I picked up a couple snails today to go with my 3 red legged hermits and it's looking nice. I'm really excited. I can't wait until I can a fish or two!

 

[fallinmor]

yeah i have the barbershop goby, it's a very close relative to the firefish so expect similar behavior. but they are nice and when i find my camera i'll put pix up, but i saw your 12 gallon and your 44 both very nice and sorry about yor scooter blenny i had a red scooter blenny and it died because i had an amonia spike but i luv those fish. ne way good luck.