Stocking with firefish

farsight32

farsight32

Member
I have a 29g bio cube with a 20g sump. I recently finished cycling, and added a few hermit crabs. I plan on waiting a bit before i add fish, but i am trying to plan my selections. The purple firefish is my absolute favorite fish, and so I know I will definitely get one. I was wondering what I could add with it. I wanted to add:
1 purple firefish
1 yellow watchman goby with pistol shrimp
1 flasher wrasse
1 black misbar clownfish
I would appreciate any feedback on whether I am overstocked or including fish that will not get along well. If this wont work, or you have any suggestion I am all ears on good beginner fish. The only fish I must have is a purple firefish.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by farsight32 http:///t/393235/stocking-with-firefish#post_3496774
I have a 29g bio cube with a 20g sump. I recently finished cycling, and added a few hermit crabs. I plan on waiting a bit before i add fish, but i am trying to plan my selections. The purple firefish is my absolute favorite fish, and so I know I will definitely get one. I was wondering what I could add with it. I wanted to add:
1 purple firefish
1 yellow watchman goby with pistol shrimp
1 flasher wrasse
1 black misbar clownfish
I would appreciate any feedback on whether I am overstocked or including fish that will not get along well. If this wont work, or you have any suggestion I am all ears on good beginner fish. The only fish I must have is a purple firefish.
If you are wondering if the firefish can coexist with the other fish (specifically the YWG), then the answer is yes. Of course, pending certain personalities, the answer is never 100% yes for any pairing. Anyhow, the only potential problem I see with this is that certain species of flasher wrasse prefer larger tanks. Just something to keep in mind if your tank is packed with rocks. With a 20 gallon sump, your bioload can be relatively large by comparison, so that is not an issue. With this particular stocklist, you will have to make sure that you get a tight fitting lid. A few of these guys like to carpet surf.
1. Coexistence? Check
2. Bioload? Check
3. Min. Tank size requirements? Check
4. Overcrowding? Dependent on how much space is occupied by LR.
This is my opinion and view on the matter. Take it into consideration only in conjunction with the opinion of others.
Personally, I would get two clowns and ditch the wrasse. But this isn't my tank.
 
farsight32

farsight32

Member
I like it. The wrasse was stretching it I figured. I will get 2 black misbar clowns. I think it will be great to have 2 free swimming fish and two cave dwellers.
2 Black Misbar Clowns
1 Yellow Watchman Goby with Pistol Shrimp
1 Purple FIrefish
What would be the best order to introduce them? Would the hardy clowns be a good starter? Or should I go with the firefish, since they are very docile and might get harassed if they are not established first? OR the YWG with pistol shrimp? Or does it even matter?
And finally, could I get away with two firefish? Maybe a regular and a purple?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Start with the Clown pair. Make sure they are both very young (preferred) or at least one is very young to ensure you don't end up with two females.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
I don't think you'll regret that. Clowns are much cooler in pairs. Plus watching them grow up together and become a pair (hopefully) is extremely rewarding.
 
spongeycrab

spongeycrab

Member
Start with the Clown pair.  Make sure they are both very young (preferred) or at least one is very young to ensure you don't end up with two females.
Clowns can actually change sex.
 
farsight32

farsight32

Member
I would hate to change the subject from gender confused clownfish, but I recently purchased my first fish. I know this is terrible, but I decided I didn't want any clownfish at all. I decided on the gold yellow watchman goby(that is what they called it). He has adjusted well and is feeding. I got him along with a Talbot's Damsel. They are both behaving very well. I think I will be stocked once I get my firefish. I will try to keep it very lightly stocked, maybe adding one (or possibly two) of the purple firefish.
Any thoughts?
 
farsight32

farsight32

Member
Which would be excellent? I was unsure if I could add the second firefish? Do they have a large footprint in the tank (do they need a lot of their own space)? Form what I understand they really just need a good bolt cave, and some community territory.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I believe two Firefish is a good number. I'm not familiar with how they pair up though. I know they like groups when young and then pair up as they mature but that all I know.
They are VERY prone to carpet surfing. What do you have on top of your tank?
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Yellow watchman goby. Definitely in my top five favorites (yellow is my favorite color). That was a good decision on your part. Your lid should be fine, but others might suggest blocking the hole. At the same time, you want gas exchange though. A lot of hobbyists use mesh for covering. My biggest problem with this hobby is overthinking everything. I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
shirley0123

shirley0123

New Member
farsight32

farsight32

Member
Well I added my firefish. I originally put in a purple firefish, but the damsel terrorized the poor guy. The firefish just hid all the time. I put in a fish trap, and after catching everything else in my tank, i finally got the firefish. I took him back, and my LFS suggested a normal firefish instead of the purple.
The new regular firefish is working out fine. He actually chases my damsel around. I have to say I am ok with that.
Now that I have the three fish I originally wanted, I have a question that seems kind of dumb, but I will ask anyway. Can i get away with an angelfish, like maybe a coral beauty or a pygmy angel in a 29G display? Maybe even the midnight pygmy angel I have been coveting at my LFS?
And finally, does anyone have any experience with flame cardinals?
 
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