Fish Compatability

lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
I have not boughten fish yet - i'm trying to come up with a list of fish that i would like to buy, please let me know if these fish are compatable - I have a 30 gallon bowfront FOWLR.
1 Mandarin Dragonet
2 Percula Clownfish
2 three Stripe Damsel
(i know they are evil if they don't work out i will take em back)
1 Starfish - not sure which one yet, one that would be easy to care for
And that is in in the fish department - what are you guys thoughts? Too many fish for a 30 gallon?
WIll i have issues w/ fish being territorial? I don't want to add one fish at a time, then the first few fish stake their claim in the tank and don't get along w/ the others - has this happen to anyone?
What cleaning crew should i get?
Thanks for all the input and advise, open to any ideas / thoughts / opinions!
Mike
 
jenni620

jenni620

Member
i think a 30 gallon would be too small for the mandarin...they usually only eat pods, and I'm not sure a 30 gallon would have enough live rock to sustain him...also, from what I have heard, those damsels probably will become a pain, and they are pretty hard to catch once they are in the tank. what about a couple of firefish, or a pair of cardinals instead?
 
trigger11

trigger11

Member
My understanding is the mandarin would likely need a much bigger tank as they only eat copepods. You would have to buy a lot of pods which would be a hassle. Other option would be to set up a good sized refugium to grow your own. 30g still too small though I think.
I would avoid getting damsels. Most of them are evil and extremely hard to catch. I had 2 of them in my tank once and I had to take out every single piece of LR to catch them.
Starfish require a much larger tank with a lot of sandbed in order to thrive.
The clownfish will work well. Green chromis which are in the damsel family but are not usually aggressive would work well. Some other options might be a royal gramma, lawnmower blenny, various gobies. Possibly a sixline wrasse if added last. 4 fish would be about the most you would want.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
The mandarin will need to be removed from the list, since they need a much bigger tank.
As far as cleaning crew, snails and hermits will do the job well. Just make sure that if you do decide to make it a reef tank, you also are very careful about adding any type of starfish in there, as most will either get too big for a 30 or eat the corals on your live rock.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by lion_crazz
The mandarin will need to be removed from the list, since they need a much bigger tank.
As far as cleaning crew, snails and hermits will do the job well. Just make sure that if you do decide to make it a reef tank, he also does not put any starfish in there, as most will either get too big for a 30 or eat the corals on your live rock.
I agree
You will have problems with two 3 stripe damsels in a 30. Seriously reconsider that choice. Your space is limited, choose peacefull fish.
 
lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
Okay thanks for the advise guys! I don't get the mandarin or the starfish. Probably won't get the damsels either - i knew my options were limited w/ a 30, which is why i wanted to ask you guys.
Maybe i will just stick w/ the clownfish then... I'm new at the hobby so i wasn't sure what was compatable.
Any other suggestions than just cardinals and firefish?
Thanks for the input!
Mike
 
lesleybird

lesleybird

Active Member
How about a pair of clowns and a royal gramma? The mandarin would starve in a 30 gallon as they only eat live pods and the like that live on live rock.....needs at least a 150 gallon tank or bigger filled with live rock to keep it in enough pods and other live food. With three small fish above you would be maxed out for bio load. Starfish are really difficult to keep as they require perfect water quality....maybe a cleaner shrimp or two and some small hermits and snails would be ok. Lesley
 
myrtle beach

myrtle beach

Member
Get a pair of clowns to start, a firefish and a cleaner shrimp. Royal Gramma can be mean and hide a lot. Add that one last if at all.
 
lesleybird

lesleybird

Active Member
My royal gramma and pair of clowns ignore each other totally....no problems there as these fish are very different. Lesley
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Sand sifting stars starve within a year if they are not in a tank with a large enough area or deep enough sand bed. One month is not a success.
 
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