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SMALL BEGINNER SW fish?????

6K views 47 replies 7 participants last post by  veganchick 
#1 ·
PLEASE READ AND REPLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, I have been keeping freshwater fish for a while, and have done pretty well with them. I would really like to start a nano reef or something with some small, easy, beginner Saltwater fish. What do you think about Blue damsels??? Any other fish reccomended? If all goes well, in the future I would like to start a 5 gallon Dwarf Seahorse tank (I read that Dwarf seahorses NEED tanks between 2 and ten gallons, anything bigger is 2 big) , but I realize now that I will need a bit more experience first. Please help! I don't really know much about Saltwater, reefs, and live rocks, but I am doing some research. Please help! Suggestions? Advice???
 
#2 ·
We can't recommend fish untill we get a tank size.

But, about Damsels, do not purchase one unless you want it forever. They are called Blue DEVIL Damsels for a reason...

The only advice I can offer right now is to study, study, study, and study. Patience is the key to this hobby, and only bad things happen fast. Look around and get inspiration at other people's tanks, and just read up on everything. We can help you target what you need help on, because asking what you need is probably the most vague, "most-wide" question that can be asked.

Good luck.
 
#3 ·
Green chromis or lawnmower blennies are about the only fish I can think of for this tank size. Damsels are a pain to catch once you begin to regret keeping them. How about doing a SOWLR (snails only with live rocks)?:wink:
 
#7 ·
Hey, snails aren't bad. They're pretty to look at. Some people just overlook the natural beauties especially nerites.:wink: Vitta usnea is available around and can do well in SW conditions consuming algae effectively. Nerites absorb plenty of calcium so you may need to dose calcium to aid their very thick shells. There is no risk in overdosing calcium that I know of.
 
#10 ·
Thanks guys! today I went to my school library (it has everything) and got a bunch of books on marine aquariums. I am doing alot of research and stuff, and this sounds so cool! I think I will get a 10 gallon, not sure yet. I would like it if anyone can reccomend some peaceful snails that don't spread like wildfire, and will do well in a very small tank. I would also like snails that aren't likely to get eaten!! LOL! I will continue my research, and hopefully figure out how I want to set up my tank.
 
#15 ·
SW snails do not breed very often, and if they do the offspring is usually consumed and the eggs are very visable. Look on the suggestions I listed.
Astreas are great for Veggie matter. I would get 5.
Nassarius are great for eating up leftover food, and stay in the sand. I would get 2.
Ceriths and Nerites are nice also.

The only time they should get eaten is if you introduce non-reef safe fish/inverts, or have hermits that don't have extra shells to switch into.

Oh, and cody, you said clownfish would be ok in a 10 gallon, but I thought they needed a minimum of 30g
Not true, for False Percs and True Percs that is. Maroon, Tomato, Clarkii, etc, yes. Percs stay under or near 3", and a pair is fine in a 10G. I have one along with a YWG in my 10G.

Just one point. Regardless of what type of tank you want, the basics of how to maintain the proper water chemistry do not change. You want an aragonite sand bed, live rock, and a protein skimmer. This will be the basics of every marine aquarium you set up, regardless of size. (For aquariums under 20 gallons, activated carbon could be used instead of a protein skimmer, assuming regular water changes.)
Great point.

Ok i like the blue damsel idea

I would recommend

Amphiprion Ocellaris
any damselfish
Firefish
Purple Firefish
Chocolate Chip Starfish
Turbo Snails
Hermit Crabs
Neon Blue Gobie

ALSO DO NOT START SEAHORSES AS THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP

START LOW PROFILE
No Turbo Snails. They get too large for a 10G, and will knock down your livestock.
Like I said, Damsels are the Devil's fish. No other answers.
Firefish are great, you could get one.
CC Star are terrible. They will attack fish, corals, and inverts.
Hermits are not needed are are just lazy 90% of the time. Fun to watch, though.
Good call on the goby.
 
#12 ·
Just one point. Regardless of what type of tank you want, the basics of how to maintain the proper water chemistry do not change. You want an aragonite sand bed, live rock, and a protein skimmer. This will be the basics of every marine aquarium you set up, regardless of size. (For aquariums under 20 gallons, activated carbon could be used instead of a protein skimmer, assuming regular water changes.)
 
#17 ·
And DO NOT get a Damsel, especially in a 10G with another specie of Damsel (yes, clowns are Damsels). They will attack and harass the others constantly, and then good luck trying to get it out after it is in. You can have one alone, if you want.

Be sure to not add any fish untill 2-3 months AFTER the cycle. CUC goes first. Second fish is 8+ months in.
 
#19 ·
I would suggest just a single Yellow Tail or Blue Damsel, along with a few hermit crabs and snails. Add 6 or 7 pounds of NICE QUALITY live rock and you will have a very fun display that is full of life. Great for a 10 gallon. Add a small hang on filter with activated carbon and you are set.
 
#25 ·
OOOOOO!!! That makes me happy! I didn't know if there was anthing exept snails!! (I still want snails with my fishies, I just want other critters too!! SeaClear™ 20 Gallon Eclipse 2 Compatible Aquariums - Aquariums - Fish - PetSmart

this is the tank i REALLY want. I will get some reall good lighting, not sure exactly what yet, and I am planning on live rocks and coral. don't worry. I would get an fish are coral or any of that till I have done LOADS more research!!!
 
#26 ·
Just a word of advice - don't get that tank. For one, it isn't a 20 long. Two, it is acrylic. You do not want an acrylic tank unless you like scratches on your tank, and all over. Third, why would you spend $150 on a 20G tank that is horrible for Sw when you can get a 20L for $20-50, and then spraypaint the back.
 
#28 ·
Agreed, if you do want corals look for something that's reef ready. Also the biocubes or aquapod are good tanks for a quick setup. Cody and onfish could tell which is the better as i've never used them... I made the mistake of getting a NON-RR 25g tall tank for $600... and that was just the tank and stand. No canopy, lights of anysort, nothing... I've learned, but it's a really pretty tank.
 
#30 ·
I didn't say it was great advice... JK JK.. i know if you go to Petco, they have 20g long there for sell at $25-$35. It's just the tank. Then you can get a stand or build one for cheep too. Also get the filtration going and it not be a hang on or canister filter, and nothing with bio-balls and you've got a tank... (don't forget the powerheads).

I was just suggesting the AIO as a quick start...
 
#34 ·
Thanks guys! Ok, so I have a long list of fish and inverts that I would like...there are 2 kinds that I REALLY want!! So anyway I know that some of these guys are too big for a 20 gallon, or unfit for a begginer, but I just want your oppinion on a tank setup with maybe 2 or three of these guys! Thanks!!
Yellow Tang
Striped sailfin tiger
Spotted Cardinal
Scooter Blenny
Mandarinfish
LOngnosed Hawk
LEMON GOBY I want one REALLY BAD!!!!
orange spotted coby
black cap Gramma
big eye squirrel fish
cleaner wrasse
Dragon Wrasse
firefish
yellow headed jaw
Yellow Sweet lips
African Pygmy Angel
LemonPeel Angel
COMMON/ PERCULA CLOWN!!!!! I WANT ONE REALLY BADLY!!!!
Blue Chromis
orange sea perch
sharp nosed puffer
Cleaner Shrimp
orange starfish

OK, thats my list, I know its really long..... sorry, there are sooo many I like. Ok, so first off I am going to say I would like to have 1 or 2 clownfish, and a Lemon goby. will anything I listed get along with them??? THANKS!!!
 
#35 ·
A lot of these names I am unfamiliar with... maybe because of spelling or because I just don't know.

Yellow Tang - Nope.
Striped sailfin tiger -Trigger? Nope.
Spotted Cardinal - Pajama? Should work, but will only accept frozen/live foods.
Scooter Blenny - If you wait for your tank to mature for 1 year and find one that actually eats prepared food. Only some will take frozen, and I have never seen one take dry.
Mandarinfish - Same as above, but harder to keep.
LOngnosed Hawk - I wouldn't do it in a 20.
LEMON GOBY - Lemon Goby? Like the really really rare thing, or a Clown Goby?
orange spotted coby - They are one of the larger gobies, and wont be good in a 20 long term. Look up Yellow Watchman if you like that look.
black cap Gramma - Blackcap Basslet? Should work, but they are very shy.
big eye squirrel fish - No idea, but Squirrelfish (I think) should not go in a 20G.
cleaner wrasse - Maybe.
Dragon Wrasse - Not at all.
firefish - One can work
yellow headed jaw - Either have a DSB or make a PVC burrow, and it works.
Yellow Sweet lips - What?
African Pygmy Angel - Not sure, but many pygmy angels are not reef safe at all.
LemonPeel Angel - Nope.
COMMON/ PERCULA CLOWN - There is no common clown. You can have Percula or Ocellaris.
Blue Chromis - One may work.
orange sea perch - No idea.
sharp nosed puffer - Nope.
Cleaner Shrimp - Yep.
orange starfish - Red Reef star?

You can have 1-4 (or 5, but not recommended) depending on your WC schedule, your bioload, your LR/LS lbs, your skimmer, etc.
 
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