Tankmates

[xkenneth]

Well, this is a long way off seeing as my tank just started cycling, but i've been thinking about tankmates. I'd really like to do a pair of clowns, just can't imagine anything cooler. Would a figure 8 puffer be OK with the clowns? I don't think he gets bigger than them and when I have anenomes later on i'm sure they'd be safe. I've also had my eye on a wrasse and purple firefish. I'd also like to do cleaner shrimp or something of that matter. My tank is 75gallons and it will start its life as a FOWLR until I can get lighting to move to a reef setup.

[tecwzrd]

Figure 8 puffers are aggressive, not reef safe, and best kept alone or in a species only tank. They can survive a full marine environment when mature but do better in brackish environments with a lower sg. I wouldn’t consider any puffers if planning for a reef later on.

The two clowns are fine along with plenty of other “reef safe” fish.

Make sure you only add 1-2 fish at a time preferably after a 3+ week qt, get fish that are appropriate for your sized tank, and read the saltwater compatibility guides and know the requirements before buying.

[Brenden]

I would stay away from the puffer. If you QT you need to do it longer than 3 weeks.

[Tullsterx]

Also, what kind of Wrasse? Lots of Wrasse love to feast on all kinds of shrimp and many can be extremely aggressive. Many Wrasse are not reef safe.

[vsnsofadrgn]

http://liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1378 here ya go.....

[tecwzrd]

Originally Posted by Brenden

If you QT you need to do it longer than 3 weeks.

I was talking about qt before adding to the tank not if they are sick and adding to the qt. I agree if new acquisitions of fish/inverts show any signs of sickness then a longer qt is needed but usually 3 weeks are long enough for observation and bring up the ph/sg to the main if you have a healthy fish/invert. You could perform hypo on all new acquisitions but if buying from a reputable lfs then personally I think its overkill.

My lfs qt all new fish/inverts before adding to the main tanks as it is and my qt is just precautionary. To date I’ve never had to qt a fish once added to the main in the 20+ years I’ve been keeping fish. Could be I’ve just been lucky but I’ve always been a big believer in using a QT prior to adding anything to the main.

[finest]

hmmm... make sure that your water is fully Cycled before you add cleaner shrimp, you can try to add Marine betta, Marine betta is a shy fish and it's a good fish.