first fish

[lilduud]

so im trying to figure out which fish to add first... i would simply add my clowns because they are typically hardy, but im after a pair of picasso clowns soooooo id rather not spend 250+ to have them die. the only other fish i could add now are the flame angel, midas blenny, or wrasse but idk which to add first. any thoughts? im sure the later the angel goes in the better because of the aggression but if hes the best candidate then so be it.

 

[BL1]

what type of wrasse are you looking to get?

 

[lilduud]

id really like a leopard wrasse pair but im not 100% decided... also i may not be able to get both regardless but most likely a single or paired leopard wrasse

 

[BL1]

I'd add the wrasse first then, since it's the most peaceful fish. If you want, it's easier to find females for sale. If you buy 2 females, when they hit maturity one will become the male.

 

[lilduud]

ill ask my lfs if they carry them normally and if not how much it would be to get two in... i am a little apprehensive to that specific wrasse however as i hear that they can be a little difficult... anyone have a comment on that?

 

[BL1]

They can be, they are similar to mandarins. Their primary food source are pods but, can be trained to eat frozen. The one I have started eating frozen on it's third day in the tank.

 

[lilduud]

hmm... this is tough because i want a mandarin or even mandarin pair thats where my main debate is... im obsessed with pairs and i love watching them court... if i could id have three pairs and three extra fish but thats not reasonable so im deciding on the ones i want the most. im almost positive on the picasso clown pair so im left between the wrasse and mandarin pair. if i had those two i feel like theyd fight over food but ive read that the leopard wrasse only eats amphipods and doesnt touch copepods. any commentary?thanks for all the advice btw.

 

[BL1]

The article I read said they will eat both. Here's the one I read before I bought mine http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/hcs3/index.php

"All Macropharyngodon species feed primarily on small, shelled protozoa called foraminiferans, and snails. Copepods and amphipods make up a small portion of their diet. The foraminiferans are picked from the reef using their small canine teeth, and are quickly pulverized with their large pharyngeal teeth. Sessile inverts are completely ignored, as are the majority of other fish."

 

[lilduud]

if i could here is the list i would have...

PURPLE TANG
FLAME ANGEL
MIDAS BLENNY
PAIR OF PICASSO CLOWNS
PAIR OF MANDARINS
PAIR OF LEOPARD WRASSES

obviously thats alot of fish for a 55... if you think i could pull it off then great but otherwise which do you think i should cut out? AND I KNOW YULL ALL SAY PURPLE TANG FIRST BUT THATS THE ONE FISH I WILL NOT LIVE WITHOUT! [at least having tried keeping it]

 

[OhNoNemo]

I would not put a purple in a 55....,but i understand the love for it ....i finally got one after about 4 years(i only had a 75 at the beginning),and it was the main reason i wanted to get into saltwater after seeing one,that and a Koran angel...
What about a mystery wrasse ,those are cool too

 

[lilduud]

I would not put a purple in a 55....,but i understand the love for it ....i finally got one after about 4 years(i only had a 75 at the beginning),and it was the main reason i wanted to get into saltwater after seeing one,that and a Koran angel...
What about a mystery wrasse ,those are cool too

haha i know everyone has said that aside from one or two people. im speciall ordering a juvi thats 1-2 inches but i still know the arguments. i just have to experience it for myself im like that. if hes a problem he will be going to my lfs asap though.
and about the mystery wrasse..yea i love them too bad they are 150 dolalrs haha

 

[Bifferwine]

You definitely shouldn't put a purple tang in a 55. That's one of the worst tangs you can put in a small tank. If you absolutely must have it, you absolutely must get a bigger tank, sorry.

 

[OhNoNemo]

haha i know everyone has said that aside from one or two people. im speciall ordering a juvi thats 1-2 inches but i still know the arguments. i just have to experience it for myself im like that. if hes a problem he will be going to my lfs asap though.
and about the mystery wrasse..yea i love them too bad they are 150 dolalrs haha

But your spending 250 on clowns:shock:,guess i thought money wasn't a big issue...
and + 1 Biff

 

[lilduud]

yes i suppose but those are my largest investment...and i know what you all have said and youll continue to say, weve had the arguments before

 

[OhNoNemo]

yes i suppose but those are my largest investment...and i know what you all have said and youll continue to say, weve had the arguments before

We sure have,
i just hope your purple doesn't end up going postal on your investments .........good luck

 

[Zissou]

If you got all that money, why not upgrade to a bigger tank? :|

 

[lilduud]

a) i just set up the tank so im not going to upgrade already b) i live with my parents and even if its the same length tank [a 4 foot 90 for example] they arent supportive. its their house afterall so ill take what i can get which is a 55

 

[Zissou]

So you respect your parents but you won't respect the needs of a fish that requires more than 55 gallons of water? These 'arguments' exist for only one reason: because ignorant tards won't take the advice from the thousands of experienced fishkeepers out there who've been keeping these kinds of fish for years.

While we're at it, you can count out that pair of mandarins too.

Just because it can live in a tank doesn't mean it's thriving. We can put you in a 6x6ft room and keep you alive but I'm sure you won't appreciate it much.

If you can't wait to get a bigger tank and can't settle for smaller fish, then you shouldn't be in the hobby, plain and simple. I don't mean to sound so abrasive but it irriates me when someone isn't really looking for advice and is just looking to hear what they want to.

 

[OhNoNemo]

So you respect your parents but you won't respect the needs of a fish that requires more than 55 gallons of water? These 'arguments' exist for only one reason: because ignorant tards won't take the advice from the thousands of experienced fishkeepers out there who've been keeping these kinds of fish for years.

While we're at it, you can count out that pair of mandarins too.

Just because it can live in a tank doesn't mean it's thriving. We can put you in a 6x6ft room and keep you alive but I'm sure you won't appreciate it much.

If you can't wait to get a bigger tank and can't settle for smaller fish, then you shouldn't be in the hobby, plain and simple. I don't mean to sound so abrasive but it irriates me when someone isn't really looking for advice and is just looking to hear what they want to.

This is a bit harsh ,but true....i just think if you get started with your 55 and get a couple years under your belt ,and hold off on the bigger fish till you upgrade ,everyone wins(fish and you)....i started with a 75,i wanted triggers,tangs and angels ,but i knew deep down i needed to wait till i got a bigger tank...as it is now ,i'm looking to upgrade to an 8 footer within the next year...in this hobby patience is rewarded :Cheers:

 

[lilduud]

This is a bit harsh ,but true....i just think if you get started with your 55 and get a couple years under your belt ,and hold off on the bigger fish till you upgrade ,everyone wins(fish and you)....i started with a 75,i wanted triggers,tangs and angels ,but i knew deep down i needed to wait till i got a bigger tank...as it is now ,i'm looking to upgrade to an 8 footer within the next year...in this hobby patience is rewarded :Cheers:

K thanks everyone. But for almost every "experienced person" who chews me out over the fact that I want to TRY a fish, there's an equally experienced person telling me it'll likely be fine and if anything I'll have to get rid of the fish. So going all " I'm the saltwater Internet police and your retarded for wanting a type of fish" is ignorant, rude, and clearly not helpful.
And in my opinion a little immature that your calling some a retard on a Internet forum. ;)