What type of saltwater fish should I get?

Question

I am starting a new saltwater tank and I am about a month out from getting fish. I have a 55 gallon and need suggestions on good tank mates with a clown fish. Thanks for you help.

Answer 1

Partly this will depend on the type of clowns you are planning to get. The most popular are the ocellaris & percula clowns ("Nemo" fish). Clowns tend toward being semi-aggressive or aggressive and can range in size from 2.5 to 6 inches.

Unless you plant to get other large aggressive fish, I would go with the ocellaris, percula, or skunk clowns because they show less aggression towards their tankmates (except when spawning) and stay smaller. You should only keep one species of clowns to a tank because even though they will get along for the most part with other fish, they will fight with other clownfish species.

Some choices for tankmates if you want a relatively peaceful community are yellow tang, a pair of cardinalfish (pajamas or Bangai), longnose hawkfish, some of the blennies & gobies, a dwarf anglefish, and some of the dottybacks (pseudochromis). You want to be careful about mixing fish that have similar colors or shapes because this will lead to aggression. Try to add the more peaceful species first - otherwise your fish are going to have territorial issues. If you plan to cycle your tank with a fish, you can acclimate a molly or some guppies to keep with the marine fish. They are more peaceful than the damsels that saltwater aquarists usually start with. Just keep them in a small tank (I use a 2.5 gallon) and add 1 tsp - 1 Tbsp of sea salt each day to get it to marine strength. Both species tolerate salt well if acclimated slowly (both species can go from fresh to marine in less than a week). It makes for some interesting conversation, too, when everyone says "But I thought those were freshwater fish!".

Here's a few websites where you can look up some of the saltwater fish species to get an idea of colors, shapes, sizes, & personalities:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/fish.html
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16

I also like a more "reef-like" environment in my tanks, so consider some larger shrimp (peppermint or cleaner shrimp), snails, and crabs (emerald, Sally lightfoot, arrow, blue-lleged and scarlet hermits). A 55 gallon would also support a small brittlestar or sand-sifting star.

Good luck with the new tank!

Answer 2

Gat an anenome for the clown, you should only have 1 clown per tank in most cases. Itf you want an eel make sure you have a sealed top as they will "climb" out. Also make sure you get one that won't eat your fish such as a snowflake eel. Clownfish are pretty passive so just get more fish that are passive. A lot of types of fish can be mixed with other breeds but not with the same. Always ask the people at the fish store and just go by what you see and like and can afford.

Answer 3

if you want a cool looking fish go with the False clown or clown fish because they are eisier to keep then many other fish. But if you don't know much about a saltwater set up statr with a molly its originaly from saltwater so its a good choice. But if you want a Awsome preditor fish get a lion fish or a trigger fish but watch out they can only handle eachother no small fish. Good luck any thing you need ask me

Answer 4

First things first you need to check into all the different species and check on compatibility. Are you planning to have a community tank? I believe a great starter fish would be a blue damsel. Very hearty and very cheap to get started with. Doesn't make sense to start out with a $50 fish that may not acclimate to an immature tank. Gobies and Blennies are also good starters but beware with the Gobies as they can be sensitive to certain water conditions. My suggestion to you would be to check out a website on the different species. Marinedepotlive.com is an excellent site. Gives pictures and all the info you will need to make comparisons!!!

Answer 5

Try lures that look like shad (silver fish about 4-6 inch long) Try live crabs, shrimp or cigar fish. Find the marinas in the area you are visiting, call them. Ask if they know a site on line to look at(many charters have websites) Captains give fish reports regularly.\ Google " Anytown, LA fish reports" something should pop up. Probably, a good time for Redfish in the area. Loads of fun

Answer 6

A star fish is an excellent choice - as are a variety of snails and small conch. You do plan on have anemone, right? Those are very curious creatures and contrary to the one that "Nemo" lived in, they actually can move around in the aquarium. Shrimp are also cool to watch.

Answer 7

If the tank is large enough for separate territories,Blue Damsels are sort of neat to watch,and very tolerant of beginners problems. Before the hobby went to fishless cycling every pet store had some for cycling tanks.-------PeeTee

Answer 8

You should get a Eel you can by one at Petco they are so cool or mabey a knife fish the way they move there fins is wierd hope that helps!

Answer 9

get some crabs oh sorry that dont sound to fun a lobster i dont know their names but i have them there a blind fish that lifes in a hole that is dugg by this little shrimp tell
him when a predaotor is near and he runs in the hole it cool and a spider starfish there cool