Thoughts on new fish Please

criketnest

criketnest

Member
I just took my puffer fish back on monday because he was eating all my hermit crabs and snails. Now I am kinda scared to get another fish for fear that it will eat my crabs. I was going through the Pocket guide to marine Fish. Most of the fish I like say not reef safe but some do not mention crabs and snails per se. Do I assume that if they are not reef safe that they are not crab and snail safe?
I was thinking about getting a voltains Lion and maybe a clown but not sure if they could live together or if the lion would eat the clown. I was looking at a tomato clown. Also can the Clown live without an Anemoe (SP?)
I really am not gleaning much from the book as the person seems to think we should not keep most fish.
I was also looking at a Huma huma Trigger but I think he will eat crabs. Any good suggestions?
i currently have after taking puffer back: 7 assorted Damsels (Approx 5 of the Damsels or all 7 are making a trip back to LFS on Saturday). 1 Lawnmower Blenny Some Snails (Approx 12 maybe more) Apporx 5-6 hermit crabs I emerald Crab, 1 Sally Light foot. Also have lots of live rock.
I Plan on doing my First water Change tomorrow as my Nitrates Just made it up to 40. I have mixed water and the SG is within .001 of what is in my tank. (1.023). I wanted to do first water change to make sure the fish are ok after before adding anything else.
Tank is a 65 Gallon FOWLR and was Set up on October 31, 2005. I have the Largest Penguin HOB filter on tank with 2 powerheads in the tank.
Thanks
Chris
 
nemo's mom

nemo's mom

Member
Hi,
I just got my first tank and also need to do a water change because the nitrate seems to be climbing. How do you know all the exact numbers? My pet store sold me test strips. Do I need something more advanced? My tank has only been set up since for 4 weeks. Should I already need to be changing the water?
 
criketnest

criketnest

Member
I use a master Liquid Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmacuticals. some other people on the boards have some other ones I think but this one you put water in little test tubes and add so many drops of liquid for each test (PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate) I have a hydrometer for SG Needle falls between 1.023 and 1.024 when I test water.
everyone says test strips are useless so I never had any test strips.
Anyway the water is tubes Changes color and you match the color of water to the color on a card that gives you numbers for what color it is. Sometimes it is hard to tell which color is which so I usually estimate on higher side to be safe.
Hope this helps
Chris
 
harndog

harndog

Member
Hello again lol
You can add fish such as the any small reef safe wrasse's, royal gramma, small dwarf angels, fox face lo (cool fish) if you keep any Dmasels only keep a YT the Dom Damsels are real aggressive sorta restricts the other species you can have.
A nice colorful fish list would be like so
Fox Face Lo
Flame Angel
Sixline wrasse
Royal Gramma
Tomato clown
Add the RG of the FF first. Then follow up with the Wrasse and then add the angel and the Clown. space these out a couple weeks at a time. Make some caves with you LR for the fish to hide in. Also consider at least getting a small skimmer. The Coralife super skimmer 125 would be awsome but a cheap skimmer with a lime block is good as well. With the amount of rock you have I would run my bio wheels also.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Hi, welcome. Some of the fish you talk about are aggressive. and will eat other fish. Triggers, and lions cant be kept with much, except the dwarf lions. Check on the agressive bb. I just wanted to say welcome.
 
criketnest

criketnest

Member
Whats a fox Face Lo? LFS has Some Fish they Call Fox Face Puffer, etc I think it has to do with Colors on why they call them that I noticed the LFS has different names for some of the fish then the book does so it makes it hard to look up
Chris
Hello again Harndog :) this is probably the most I have posted in one day but I am trying toupload pictures from digital camera to website so I can have some hard copies did not think it would take 3 hours or more LOL. So I keep answering posts as they come LOL
 
criketnest

criketnest

Member
he is pretty cool looking and would add a nice splash of color to the tank. so you would suggest getting rid of all of the damsels then to add him?
Next question - If I do a water Change tomorrow, How long shoudl I wait to get him? I do not want to shock him in any way. This will be first water Change. SG of Mixed SW ia with in .001 on hydrometer (cannot afford refractometer yet) And I put a heater in there to take water to same temp. Large Airstone on bottom of Trashcan to help move water around.
He would be ok with a lawnmower blenny too then??
PS Do not have A QT tank as of yet On list of have to haves as I go though
thanks
Chris
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
I'd get a refractometer before anything else... salt consistency is crucial, and hydrometers just vary too much.
The book you referenced is a good one. Don't get discouraged.. the author does a good job of being "practical" about what fish should be kept and which shouldn't. Many fish found in pet stores shouldn't be purchased... sad truth about our hobby.
A lionfish will eat any fish it can swallow, but I think crustaceans are safe. Volitans get huge though... so plan for that when adding tank mates.
 
harndog

harndog

Member
After placing new water in the tank just test and make sure all is good and you should be good to go. I would at least add the water though your hob filter less diturbance this way. Thats what I do in my 15 gal.
I would get rid of all of the damsels.
He will be fine with LMB. Also unless you LFS has one I am pretty sure SWF.com is not sending anymore orders out until after the 1st. This would give you plenty of time to catch the damsels that can be fun lol. The fox face will fade when you first introduce him so don't worry he will get his color back. Just a heads up.
 
criketnest

criketnest

Member
Thanks Ill have to check there I am also Eying an Aqua C remera Protien skimmer for 164 new at that site. I think it is a good price. Ill have to look into the refractometer.
If LFS does nothave one I will have to order from here after first of year.
Thanks for all the help
Chris
 
harndog

harndog

Member
I have found you can use the hydrometer you have to make sure all of the bubbles are off of the float. I have tested a coralife against a refractometer and as long as the bubbles are gone the hydrometer is right on. If you can't get the refractometer now at least have the LFS check you SG as well.
 
unleashed

unleashed

Active Member
Originally Posted by criketnest
Whats a fox Face Lo? LFS has Some Fish they Call Fox Face Puffer, etc I think it has to do with Colors on why they call them that I noticed the LFS has different names for some of the fish then the book does so it makes it hard to look up
Chris
Hello again Harndog :) this is probably the most I have posted in one day but I am trying toupload pictures from digital camera to website so I can have some hard copies did not think it would take 3 hours or more LOL. So I keep answering posts as they come LOL
as for the foxface they require 90 gal or more as for the name of the foxface itself there are only 3 types I have found so far .the foxface lo which is almost all yellow some have a spot some dont most do. magnificant foxface which is body white with black saddle yellew and red fins. bi colored foxface which is half black half yellow. puffers are a completly different species either its a puffer or its a foxface which is of the rabbit fish family.sounds like your LFS or their suppliers dont know what supply and made up there name I hate when they do that. as for lions they can be kept with anything that wont fit in their mouths. but they do gow fast and alot of other fish grow at slower rate to determin whos going to fit and whos not. this web site below will help you research most of the species of fish to help give you an idea of what each one is pics for most of them
http://species.fishindex.com/26
 
criketnest

criketnest

Member
Thanks I will keep this site bookmarked. I think it will be alot of help
Chris
P.S. Never got the pictures uploaded so I have to start back at square 1 :)
 
harndog

harndog

Member
The only info I can find on the foxface lo says 70 and she has a 65 with a lot of open space do to light load on lr I think she would be fine.
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 9"
Color Form: Black, Brown, Orange, Yellow
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Caution: Venomous
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Coral Sea
Family: Siganidae
 
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