Stocking a 30g

[StarskreamX82]

I want to start saltwater and I'm wondering what would get along in a 30g. I also saw some Mandarin at my lfs and remember reading they need something special but I can't find the thread.

 

[carey]

Mandarins need pods to eat or they will starve. Some people have been lukcy with getting them to eat prepared foods but thats still a gamble.

I had 2 clowns, a royal gramma, a lawnmower blenny and a pink spotted watchmen goby in my 29g.

 

[StarskreamX82]

So a mandarin would require a sump and all that fun under tank stuff. Would a 30g still need that if I wasn't growing pods?

 

[carey]

I used an aquaclear hang on in my 29g and I use one in my 20g tank. Perfectly acceptable and doesnt require a sump and all that stuff. LOL

A mandarin is a gamble even if you do have the sump and pods and all that stuff. I currently have an ORA mandarin and a scooter, I was really really lucky in that both now eat frozen food. But it took almost a month and the only thing that kept them alive was that I had a good population of pods. They both could suddenly one day refuse the prepared foods as well so theres some more of a gamble.

I love my Mandy, but not sure if I would take the gamble again.

 

[StarskreamX82]

I'm looking at the nano section at LiveAquaria.

 

[carey]

That's a good place to start. Theres a good selection of gobies, blennies and other neat smaller fish.