tank too small?

[nicknowles]

I have a 46 gallon tank with live rock, live sand, and crushed coral. It has been set up for 6 weeks. Empty now, it'll be fish-only. While I do have some experience (12 yrs ago!) it's limited b/c this is the first time I'm setting up and maintaining the tank myself. Is my tank too small for an "aggressive" tank? In a perfect world, I would have a clown trigger, a porcupine puffer and a harlequin tusk (starting out as juveniles), but I'm getting advice that these guys will get too big and are messy eaters. Should I abandon the concept for this tank, or are there specific types of triggers or puffers (toby?) that may work for me? Or, should I abandon the idea of an aggressive tank all together? Please give me your advice!

 

[pyro]

I'm not much of a pro at fish to tank sizes... but i'll offer my 2 cents
What are the actual dimensions on your tank? It sounds metric.
Triggers from what I know of them are too big for a 46 gallon tank. I don't think there are any dwarf species that could sadly.
There are puffers that will go in a 46 gallon tank I beleive. I beleive one is called the Saddle Valentini.
I'm not familiar with tusks - maybe somebody else could help you here.
If your tank is well secured (the lid), you might want to look into a snowflake eel - my dad had one and we loved it, the only problem is it wasn't there one mornign when we woke up - found it a while later behind the sofa when moving :notsure: . Dunno why they do it htough. Just a couple of ideas.

 

[nicknowles]

Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. The tank is a bowfront, 3 feet across. Do you have any other recommendations?

 

[pufferman]

All the fishes on your list will outgrow your tank very quickly. You also want something semi-aggressive, not outrageously aggressive like a clown trigger. 46 is considered fairly small for an aggressive set-up, but there are still many options available. Some of the options include tobies/snowflake eel(or any eel that stays fairly small)/dwarf lion/hawkfish......You can have a Harlequin Tusk, although it might be a stretch...but still feasible as long as you pay close attention to the water parameters/feeding. You just have to decide what is going to be the centerpiece fish and then you can think about the tankmates based on that. I personally like Tusk because not only is it gorgeous, but it's got tons of personality. Sadly, mine died from a bacterial infection about a year ago.

 

[liontamer]

I would try to get a bigger tank if possible, like a 120-125. THEN you can have the fish taht you listed at first and then some. I managed to snag a 120 with a stand for $300, cuz all it needed was a new frame for the top (old one got snapped) But, if u really NEED to use that tank, then like a dwarf lion, a toby puffer and maybe like a clownfish or smaller eel, like a snowflake eel. No tusk though, or porky. They get too big. I myself am happy to say im getting a tusk in a month for my big tank, Im so happy!!! LOL, good luck with yer tank. Again, if u need to use that small tank, then u will need a good skimmer and watch the water levels there.

 

[nicknowles]

Thanks for the advice. I'm committed to the 46 gallon for the next few years until we move to a bigger house. I really appreciate the input as I try to figure out how to best populate the tank.
Agreed on the tusk. Gorgeous.

 

[ryan]

I have a 46 gallon bowfront as well. I have a valentini puffer in it, and a lionfish which will eventually out grow the tank, but you could get a dwarf lion. They have a lot of character. You could also put a marroon clownfish, or a domino damsel in with them. They are aggressive as well.

 

[ryan]

you could also get a blue spot or pink spot puffer. They are both small as well.