What fish can I put in my 30 gallon saltwater fish tank?

Question

I am a beginner,any suggestions

what are good stores 2 buy them from?

Answer 1

I'm sure some people will try to sell you on damsels, because they're hardy and cheap, but they're also aggressive and will terrorize any fish you try to put in after them, so I'd suggest avoiding most of these. Some exceptions to that I would make are for green chromis, or the ocellaris clownfish.

I would also recommend cardinalfish (I like Bangaii cardinals, but there are others), longnose hawkfish, clown goby, scissortail gobies, firefish, canary blenny, a dwarf angelfish,or royal gramma. This is too many to get all of them, but you could keep 3-4 depending on the size and species of the fish you choose. Most would have to be kept only one to a tank, but you could get two of the clowns or two cardinals (if your store can determine a male and female). The scissortails and chromis can be kept in a school.

Here are some websites where you can get some info on these fish, plus some general info about keeping saltwater tanks:
http://www.apapets.com/MarineEcosystem/whatto.htm
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=15
http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/


ADDITION: It would be best if you can find a store near where you live that carries saltwater fish. This lets you see the size and health of the fish before you buy them, plus it will save you the shipping costs. If you want to order online, find a website that offers an "arrive alive" guarantee. Some will even guarantee the fish for a few days after they are delivered. I don't know where you live, but check the liveaquaria website listed above - I haven't heard much bad fro people who have ordered from them - or try one of these links: http://www.marinedepotlive.com/
http://www.tropicalfishoutlet.com/
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/

Answer 2

Wow! I don't suggest a beginner start with a saltwater tank, *unless* you've had experience with fresh water.

Why?

Saltwater can be harder to learn about and to keep up.
You need to be serious about saltwater and take the time to learn about it.
The fish are more expensive and if you make a mistake and they die........
You can watch or ask pet stores when they will have sales on the freshwater and buy them as cheap as $1 to $2 to learn.

Expect some fish to die until you learn to get a 'green' tank going with good bacteria and a balance of the water chemistries. It just happens. I use a 'hospital tank' when we bring home new fish so as to not spread disease or internal worms to the others. I put Melafix in the water and feed them a parasite control fish food.

The saltwater fish sure are pretty, though! I have bright blues, yellow, clown fish, etc.

Not to put off answering you, but I would internet search saltwater and maintenance. Reading will help you most.... there's a lot to learn.

Next, I would research the type of fish you like and what fish are compatible.

Keep in mind, some of these fish can get quite large and will no longer fit in the 30 gallon tank ! I ended up with a 80 gallon salt water and use smaller ones for fresh water. I had 2 fish that were over 12 inches. We have one 80 gallon saltwater, and in freshwater, we have two 20 gallons, two 10 gallon for the live offspring.
If you get a decorative cabinet (can make yourself or get someone to help) the tanks look really nice even in a living room. The ones in the stores are too expensive, but look at them to get some ideas and head to Home Depot or Lowe's !

My wife hates messing with the saltwater fish. She bought show guppies from another breeder and drove 2 hours to get them. These are so much nicer than the ones called "Fancy guppy" in the pet stores. She has a few neon tetra, swordfish, lyre tail mollies, and several cory fish..... schwartzi cory, upside down, shark tipped, etc.

She has a friend who shows fish and belongs to a Beta fish club!!! in a nearby larger city. Her friend also works in a pet store that specializes in fish but also has dog and cat supplies.

Pet stores will not buy young fish from you, but if you got that far, you can advertise in a newspaper or thrift paper. It's not a good way to depend upon money, though - you will not profit.

Also, you cannot put as many fish in a saltwater tank as a freshwater. I use 1 inch (of fish) per 1 gallon freshwater and 1 inch per 2 gallon of saltwater..... check that, I may not have remembered correctly.

Oh, and make sure where you put your tank...... make sure that is where you want it because they are waaaay too heavy to move once the water is in.

I hope you learn alot and have fun !

Answer 3

smaller clowns, and gobies, some wrasses and dwarf angels, but the rule of thumb for stocking is 1" of adult fish per 5g of water. wetwebmedia.com and peteducation.com are good places to look for info, always always research before you buy anything. and any local pet store should carry saltater fish, i have seen small ones that dont have on stock but can order, alot of places will want cash upfront or atleast 50% before ordering something special for you unless they know you well enough to come over for dinner

Answer 4

it truly relies upon on the fish your set up and filter out you're able to desire to place like 4 or damsals in there yet a blue tang could be out. in case you're able to desire to furnish us an theory of the fish your are questioning approximately shall we provide you a much extra helpful theory.