Really crazy question.

[michealprater]

I did'nt know if i should put this in the freshwater or saltwater forum, so I put it here. you will soon find out why.

Ok, you guys are going to think I'm crazy, but I'm curious to find out if this has ever been done.

What would happen if you took two 20 gallon tanks and set them up side by side, set up one on saltwater at a salinity of 1.021 and stock it with two good size damsels. Then set the other tank up on freshwater with two african ciclids of comparable size to the damsels. Then once a day you took one cup from the saltwater tank and put it in freshwater tank and did vice versa to the saltwater tank. After about 3 months or so the salinity in the two tanks would be more like brackish water with having extremely slowly acclimated the fish to live in water thats exactly the same. Could you take the four fish and put them in the same tank? I've heard that damsels could live in water with significantly less salinity than the ocean. I've also heard that ciclids could be acclimated to water with low salinity.

You may think I'm crazy, but do you think this would work.

I'm sure this one will cause some great discussion.
So have fun with it.

[reefrunner69]

Provided the two respective fish were tolerant of the lower and higher SG then it could work, temporarily. The problem is (and you do understand all the fish mentioned are related) these fish have evolved to cope with their natural SG and a month or so of acclimation is not going to overcome millions of years of evolution. Both sets of fish will eventually sustain kidney damage, and have a shortened life span.

[michealprater]

good reply.

[Somethingfishy]

Also depending on which Africans you get, some do not tolerate salt at all!!

[ClownLoach]

This question can be answered by logic and a slight knowlege of the history of african cichlids.
About 40,000 years ago, Africa did not look as it does today. Lakes Malawi, Victoria, and many others did not exist, where they are now, there was just ocean. But shifting plates causeed these waters to become landlocked, and the fish who lived there evolved in an amazingly short time, and became freshwater fish. Most species of these fish can stand a fair amount of salt because of their ocean heratage. In fact, many pacific dwelling fish highly resemble cichlids. Fascinating isn't it?
So in answer to your question, while most species of Africans will tolerate brakish water, (some require it!) damsels, which are saltwater fish will not.
Also keep in mind that several species of eels can tolerate salt and brakish.
The highly adaptable livebearers can tolerate all three!
I hope that this answers your question,
Holly

[nikki]

'it's the last straw that breaks the camel's back'

In other words, we can live with a little pollution but how much can we bear ? and how long will we stay healthy in a polluted environment? your fish would probably slowly (or not so slowly depending on the fish) die.

[michealprater]

Just to clear the air. I was not planning to do this. I just thought it was a interesting concept and wanted to hear what people thought. Thanks for the responces. Im always up for good conversation.

[ClownLoach]

Oh yes of course, I knew that...

Anyway, it is a really interesting idea, even if it doesn't work!
...
...
...
Oh yes, as for another interesting tank idea, what about cold-saltwater? Mimiking rockpools? I have been fiddling with the idea...
Holly

[michealprater]

The catalina goby thrives in waters 68-72 degrees. Most people could run a tank in there house without a heater and the temp would stay in that range. I wanted to do my 20 gallon like that. However I couldnt find any other species that would thrive like the catalina.

[Chrismac]

I have a question about your question, micheal How Agressive are Damsels, and how Big do they get?

Most Cichlids are Very aggressive fish,
Our 20 gall holding tank with 21 lab fry Seems pretty calm compared to the 72 gall where the adults are.
we put two SAE's in the tank and now one has disapeared, ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ hmmm I figured the fry ate him?

it is not uncommon to see one of the Senior Cichlids bully a new arrival at least not in our tanks, but like i asked how aggressive are damsels because i have no clue on saltys (looking into a set up sometime.)

Clownloach I also was thinking about coldwater salt aqurium I live on the east coast of Canada, and pretty familiar with lots of diving sites around this area and it is beautiful diving in the North Atlantic regions
most my diving is in the Gulf of St Lawrence off Prince Edward Island, but there are many forms of interesting wildlife to view,
Interesting concept.

Chris.