New to hobby, need advice for single fish 75 gallon.

travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
Hello, I'm currently a freshwater tank owner and I'm thinking about switching over to a saltwater tank on a 75 gallon tank or smaller. What I had in mind was a single fish tank in a 75 gallon. The #1 fish I had in mind at this point is the Dragon Wrasse. I also had a Lionfish in mind but I know this borderline too large for a 75 gallon. Another thought was a smaller tank with what I'd consider a reef setup, something like 40 gallon. I would like to go 4-6 smaller fish that are peaceful, yet unique with personality. Anything that is not a fish, I know nothing about at this point, like those things with all the tenticles that the fish often hide within (Don't know name). I would like a couple of those if I went the 40 gallon route. Is there anything I would need besides more salt? Is a protein skimmer necessary? I currently use AC110 HOB filters which provides decent filtration and decent water movement. What would you guys recommend for each setup? I'm not on a particular budget but I do like value. Thanks in advance.
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
From what I've read, the scenerio I discussed for the smaller tank would start off as a fish only tank, a group of 4-6 with plenty of sand and live rock. Would want to leave my options open to add coral or anemones 6-12 months down the road.
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
Well I have 2 tanks at my disposal but would be starting off with one. I'm debating those two options. A larger single fish tank or a smaller community tank with a chromis and maybe some clownfish?
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
I'm almost leaning towards emptying my 29 gallon and using that for a small tank. The stock list would be something a pair of black/white clownfish and a pair of orange/white clownfish. Or maybe a pair of clownfish with a pair of chromis. 29g would be too small for 3 pairs correct?
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
you can only do one pair of clowns. Why only one fish in the 75?? in a tank that size, you could do a dwarf lion, and dwarf angle, and toby puffer. if you wanted a small aggressive tank.
in the 40 gal you could do a pair of clowns, 3 blue reef cromis or a pair of banggi, and a bi-color or tail spot blenny, and a royal gramma or firefish.
in the 29 you can do one pair of clowns, the blenny and either the gramma or the firefish.
That is being conservative.
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
A large single fish tank just seems more appealing to me. In a 29g could I do a pair of clowns and a pair of chromis?
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
chromis usually do better in groups of three, but then you usually end up with just one. The largest kills off the smaller ones.
I started with three in my 150 and have had one for a few yrs now.
you could do a pair of banggii or a pair of firefish along with the clowns.
T
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
I think I would prefer simply a pair of clown fish. Unless I could go a pair of clownfish with a single Chromis. The other small fish to put with clownfish taht I have seen so far have not been appealing to me. What are the difference between the available clownfish?
 
wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Hi!
For you 75 gallon tank, IMO if you are going to keep only one thing in the tank, it should be really special. Sure a Lionfish is cool and all, but if like you say money isn't an issue, I would try to aquire something particularly exotic or rare. Maybe some type of Scorpionfish? You'll definately impress your friends when you explain to them they have what can be considered the world's most painful sting.
Actually... just did a quick google search on them... generally they can get along with Lionfish and Eels... so just off the top of my head, a Scoprionfish, a Lionfish, and a Blue Ribbon Eel would be really cool!

Either that or a Mimic Octopus would be really cool... they can change their shape to impersonate other marine animals, so depending on what it feels like, you will always have something different to look at in your tank.
For your 40 gallon reef, you can do a lot. Here's the latest pic of my 40 gallon reef tank that I started earlier last May and I love it.

I think I may be pushing it with 9 fish in the tank, so I don't intend to add any more, but all the fish in this tank are doing really well.
Oh and yeah, a skimmer is essential. Think of the skimmer as the aquarium's toilet. It pulls out fish waste and uneaten food materials before it has a chance to break down into toxic chemicals. After a few days you will notice what looks like mud in the skimmer's collection cup and you will be glad its in the cup and not floating around in your tank! You don't necessarily need one right away, but it would be a good idea to get one as your tank's population grows.
 
travisbundo

travisbundo

New Member
Isn't a Lionfish a type of Scorpionfish? Also, it appears that the octopus would need way more space than a 75 gallon tank.
 
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