FishProfiles.com Message Forums

This is my first SW tank, so anything I keep shouldn't be too hard to keep alive (but no child's play either I want a little challenge). Anyway, I was thinking of the usual: clownfish, damsels, firefin gobys (LOVE them). My uncle's LFS has a HUGE sellection of inverts. I'll take some pictures next time I visit. What do you suggest I stock with?

A pair of small clownfish and a firefish would work nicely in a 30 gallon tank. Stay away from the larger clowns such as tomatos, maroons, etc.

Just 3 fish? Or could I have some damsels too? It seems a bit empty

Damsels might be too mean for a tank that small. They are fond of taking large chunks of territory, and a thirty gallon tank doesn’t offer much of it. I’d avoid damsels and go with some more tankmate-friendly fish, that way you’ll have more of a community and less of a damsel-owned tank. Perhaps go with this:

A dwarf angelfish
Three firefish
One percula or false percula clownfish

Hey folks- go easy on me, I’m not yet good at making up sw stocking lists.


Last edited by sirbooks at 29-Apr-2005 21:22

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Looking better sirbooks, but I'm starting to think that I might not be a saltwater kind of guy. Any other suggestions?

Very general rule is 1" of fish per 5 gallons of water. So you are correct, a 30 gallon tank does not offer you many options as far as stocking goes.

Damsels should be avoided, especally in a small tank.

I'm not sure on this, but I think you have to be careful with Firefish when keeping them in groups. They can be aggressive to others of the same species.

Last edited by lil_mikey69 at 28-Apr-2005 20:17

good point, I heard that too
But as long as I can keep A firefish, I'm happy
So 1 firefish, pair of clowns... and an angel? I thought angels were BIG? (I'm such a noob)

There are dwarf angels. But I don't think you'll be able to keep two clowns, a firefish, and an angel all in a 30 gallon tank.

Why not? That can't be overstocked, could it?

Yes, it very well could be. For a 30 gallon tank I usually only recommend adding 2-3 smaller sized fish....

Remember that SW is not able to carry the high levels of 02 that FW can...you couple that with the stability issues of SW and how the fish are not as tolerant of swings in water parameters and that is where you get a lower (much lower) stocking ratio.




[hr width='40%']I lay here in my bed and dream of you
Hoping you are dreaming of me too...
Someday the miles will be less and we will dream together
Your heart and mine Always and Forever...

Yikes...Nick I wouldn't go with that stocking on a 30, especially without a sump.

Even some of the dwarf or pygmy angels can still reach nearly half a foot.

A 30 gallon tank can really only house a pair of clownfish, and as stated only the smaller kinds. The gold barred maroons get way too big for that size tank. You may be able to squeeze one firefish in too if you want, but they do best solo or in pairs so I'd leave it by himself. And watch out, being a member of the dartfish family they are jumpy. They're even known to defy eggcrate.

If you're going with live rock and a DSB for NNR you can also have a small little clean up crew.

If you can, I'd really go a bit bigger. 30 gallons is a bit small.

Try reading the newbie article that I just wrote.

[link=http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Marine/58625.html?200504280023]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Marine/58625.html?200504280023" style="COLOR: #3c4e82[/link]

Hope this helped a bit. I can elaborate on this more tomorrow and give you some more ideas, I'm just out of time right now.

-Ferret



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]
If genies were real and wishes came true, I’d rub the bottle and be holding you,
I’d close my eyes, wish upon a star, open my eyes, and there you are…
[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish