Don't know what fish to put in SW tank. Please help.

small fry

Hello. I am about to set up a Saltwater tank. I have done (ALOT) of reading and now I think I am up for the challenge. I am getting it from a friend (who doesn't know alot about fish). I was origanally setup for a FW tank but I want to convert it to a SW tank. The friend says they think it is a 55g but like I said, they don't know alot about fish. So I am going to assume it is a 55g (I find it hard to believe but that is what they said).

The only problem is (and this is probably going to sound rediculus, but...) I don't know what fish I want to put in. Here are my thought, and then, feel free to comment or put new thoughts...

4 spot Wrasse 3-4"
Sharp nose puffer 2"
thats it. I can't think of anything else.

If it is a 30g I will probably just put a lionfish in it

Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!

tanker

There are sites that will calculate the volume of your tank if you put your external measurements in. That aqadvisor site, for instance. If you find out for sure what the tank size is, it might help you refine your choices.

small fry

Thanks! I still don't have any ideas (that wouldn't be disasterious), though. Do you have any fish suggestions? I just want a nice, peaceful fish (unless it is a 30g hahaha (lionfish!)).

tanker

Sorry, I know even less about saltwater (ie nothing) than I do freshwater. I only know those nice little "Nemo" fish (clownfish?) I was just curious to see what might have been suggested by others.

thefishboy

Thought you were getting bigger for your other fish??? And wernt aloud anymore fish?? LOl, its gunna cost alot to get it started and stuff.. And it will be ages till you get your fishies.... Clown Fish are good, Tangs are also nice but a 55g is the limit, Blennnys, Puffers are a stand alon fish so..

small fry

Nemo is a clownfish. It is funny, due to my species research, I can name just about every main fish on that movie. Clownfish (nemo), Regal Tang (Dory), then the lesser main characters are Royal Gramma, Porcupinefish, Yellow Tang, Humbug Damsel, Moorish idol, starfish (which is an invertabrate), butterfly fish, sea horse, etc. I probably missed afew but I haven't seen the movie this year so I can't remember everyone.

Ok, a little off topic, I am just glad to know that all the fish in finding nemo are real saltwater fish. (I don't think all the fish in the dentist's tank are compatable, I wouldn't try it.)

Unfortunately, the only peaceful fish (above) I can/want to keep in my tank is a clownfish (which are best kept in pairs). I love yellow tangs and Royal Grammas but they are highly aggressive.

Any suggestions will be appretiated! Thanks!

thefishboy

I think 3 clown fish or a pair with a Yellow Tang and maybe a royal gramma with some hermits and some other small less aggresive fish?

small fry

Sorry thefishboy, we posted at the same time so I couldn't comment on my last post.

Yes, I am also setting up an amazon tank soon. I had to put down my male Swordtail today (the fry is still alive), so I might move the fry to a small tank temporarly so I can soften the water (slowly) for my Tetras and corydoras.

I think I found out the mysterious diesase, parasitic infestation (must have been internal). The other fish were treated today for the first time with parasite meds and there syptoms are quickly disappearing. Unfortunately, it was too late for my male Swordtail...

My friend has 2 tanks they are trying to sell me. I will use the smaller one (20g - 55g, I have NO idea) for the amazon tank and the bigger one (20g - 70g) my saltwater tank.

But yes, I am putting all of my christmas money to tanks.

(BTW my mother wanted me to start SW for marine biology credit)

thefishboy

Sounds good wish my firends hd tanks to sahre!!

Sorry about your Swordtail..

small fry

Sorry, I (again) was typing while you posted. I will certainly look into that idea (yellow tangs and Royal Gramma). Thanks for the Suggestion, never thought of that.


What does the community think of;
2 Yellow Tangs
1 Royal Gramma
BTW I don't know much about the Yellow Tang except that it is somewhat aggressive. If it has any feeding issues, please let me know. I have heard they are good for beginners.

Thanks!