How fast will these fish grow? - Page 2

bsauer · 03-31-2006, 07:42 AM

OK. Here is my "painfully revised"

Fish list:

1 Austrailian Harlequin Tuskfish...........10"
1 Dogface Puffer..............................13"
1 Australian Blue Devil........................8"
1 Emperor Angel................................16"
1 Lookdown......................................12"
1 Christmas Wrasse............................5"
1 Cuban Hogfish.................................6"

Is this still too much?

Cosine · 03-31-2006, 10:09 PM

I think the australian blue devil is a cooler water fish... check into that

to me it seems like a lot of fish once they start putting some size on... might need a bigger tank down the line

VWD · 04-01-2006, 11:30 AM

That was a big list of Fish. I have a 150 gallon that I think I have pushed to the limit with fish, I have a lunar wrasse, snowflake eel, Queen trigger, pinktail trigger, bluejaw trigger,My fish are pretty big, I do 40gallon water changes every 2 weeks . not only will the food bill be high but the salt bill also. You have to keep up with it. They are cool

bsauer · 04-01-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosine

I think the australian blue devil is a cooler water fish... check into that

to me it seems like a lot of fish once they start putting some size on... might need a bigger tank down the line

Indeed, I have found that you are correct!!!
He will need 70 degree conditions.

WOW YOU'RE GOOD!!! I can't believe I overlooked that

.

Thank you so much

. But I like him so much that I may have to devote an entire tank to him. Any idea what size tank would make him comfortable?

robsmith32 · 04-01-2006, 11:44 PM

revised list is much better... Most i've read feel that 200 gallons is minimum for a full grown emperor. Just think about the length alone, he gets as long as a 150 is depth. 18".
granted most list a 100 gallon minimum, but realistic, yeah if its a cube or pond shape that is shallow.
The grouper if not mistakened is on a list you don't want with the emperor as it will torment the emperor. putting these together, the emperor is likely to hide.

Yes a 125 is a nice size tank, but when thinking of large fish it becomes tiny fast as i discovered with my 150.. I so want an emperor angel, but I know when it gets larger , i'd have to turn it in for credit or sell to another person with larger tank.

I'm thinking you also want to acquire the emperor when it is between 3.5" -8" if possible for their adjustability to captivity.

That revised list at 4" or smaller seems great, but when they get larger that tank will look SMALL, as several of these like to swim around.
Best thing i can say, maybe you can go to a LFS that has a nice large display, and see how much real estate 8" plus fish demand.
The docile fish that just hover around a bit, doesnt' seem like much, but when you get some real swimmers in there that over 5-6" and have a bulk to them, not just slim like a firefish or most wrasse but like that emperor you mention, They demand space.
I like that revised list actually if its a 350 or 400. But then getting them 3" they'd be puny in that sized tank.
I'd suggest a bigger sump as well, skimmer rated at GPH doesn' tell me anything.
While the 200lbs liverock will help with bioload, its also taking up considerable amount of space that the fish will need to swim in.
200lbs of rock in a 125, you may want to look at fish max out around 4".
i'd Get a larger sump, and put most of that rock in the sump.
you don't need that much light for Fish only with LR.
A pair of t5 dual strips will do. fish arent' photosynthetic. But they will come out better with fair lighting.

bsauer · 04-02-2006, 04:54 PM

Thank you so much for your detailed advice.

Quote:

The grouper if not mistakened is on a list you don't want with the emperor as it will torment the emperor. putting these together, the emperor is likely to hide.

Yes I took the grouper off of my list.

Quote:

I'm thinking you also want to acquire the emperor when it is between 3.5" -8" if possible for their adjustability to captivity.

Does this mean that I should not get a juvenile? I was looking forward to watching him change.

Quote:

I'd suggest a bigger sump as well, skimmer rated at GPH doesn' tell me anything.

My skimmer is from pro clear w? an attached RIO 2500 pump, 19 inches tall...does that help?

robsmith32 · 04-02-2006, 08:19 PM

From what i've seen, Most 3.5" emperor's are still in their juvenile stage. At 4"-4.5" , they're mostly in the changing to adult.

I don't know anything about that skimmer.
oH, another thing with that emperor, make sure you feed it everyday small feedings. They have small stomachs. And tend to graze all the time.

bsauer · 04-03-2006, 03:36 PM

OK, one more revision:

1 Emperor Angel.....................16"
1 Look Down..........................12"
1 Spanish Hogfish....................12"
1 Australian Harlequin Tuskfish....10"
1 Pinkface Wrasse.....................6"

Should this be a healthy tank? I am trying so hard.

Thankyou for all of your help!!

Caoineag · 04-03-2006, 04:49 PM

Umm..not to be unhelpful, but where did you get your numbers?

I have you Emperor Angelfish reaching a max of 20"
Your Spanish Hogfish reaching a max of 16"
A max of 12" for the Australian Tuskfish
A max of 19" on your Lookdown

This was from websites about fish in the wild not sites trying to sell the fish to me and they were some of the first to pop up in a google search.

I think its wonderful you are trying so hard to make a healthy tank and I definitely understand how frustrating it can be not to be able to house all the fish you want in one tank but most likely, you should pick two big fish and then supplement with a few small ones that won't be eaten by the fish you pick. You can even potentially do two with the Pinkface wrasse since that number seems to be the only available but you are going to need a really good skimmer and big sump even with the combination I recommend. Have you considered 2 125g tanks?

robsmith32 · 04-03-2006, 05:21 PM

At any rate, a 125 is too small for an emperor that is full grown.
Granted that will be a few years down the road. But you are shortening that emperors lifespan in a 125.. granted many "experts" suggest minimum of 100 gallon tank.. 18" 40cm from fishbase, on a fish can't turn around in a 125 without rocks, much less when you put a bunch of rock in there.
Trust me, I WANT and Emperor myself.. and i have a 150G with 55g sump with 2 skimmers an aqua c ev180 and an asm G3. The lenght and depth or same as 120. If i had a 220G i'd have an emperor.

emperora · 04-03-2006, 09:39 PM

a 125 would be too small especially if you want the emp to go to adult from a juvi the best thing would be a 300 gal . for all those fish ,they need room to grow. all those fish would be cramed in a 125 at adult sizes .not to mention if they were even to grow that big ,not all fish reach full adult size in captivity.

bsauer · 04-04-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caoineag

Umm..not to be unhelpful, but where did you get your numbers?

I have you Emperor Angelfish reaching a max of 20"
Your Spanish Hogfish reaching a max of 16"
A max of 12" for the Australian Tuskfish
A max of 19" on your Lookdown

This was from websites about fish in the wild not sites trying to sell the fish to me and they were some of the first to pop up in a google search.

I think its wonderful you are trying so hard to make a healthy tank and I definitely understand how frustrating it can be not to be able to house all the fish you want in one tank but most likely, you should pick two big fish and then supplement with a few small ones that won't be eaten by the fish you pick. You can even potentially do two with the Pinkface wrasse since that number seems to be the only available but you are going to need a really good skimmer and big sump even with the combination I recommend. Have you considered 2 125g tanks?

For size reference I was using a combination of "Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes - Third Edition" and "Marine Fishes" by Scott W. Michael. However I did add the Hogfish as an afterthought, when I saw him on a website. After reading your post I checked with my atlas and it gave him a size of 19 inches.

As far as 2 pinkfaces...I would love to make the whole tank a wrasse tank, but I read that you should not put 2 wrasses of the same species in one tank...they will pick on each other. Have you heard this?

And finally, Yes I certainly have considered 2 125 gals...It's my husband that will not considered it...because he brings home the $ LOL

Thank you for all of your help.

bsauer · 04-04-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsmith32

At any rate, a 125 is too small for an emperor that is full grown.
Granted that will be a few years down the road. But you are shortening that emperors lifespan in a 125.. granted many "experts" suggest minimum of 100 gallon tank.. 18" 40cm from fishbase, on a fish can't turn around in a 125 without rocks, much less when you put a bunch of rock in there.
Trust me, I WANT and Emperor myself.. and i have a 150G with 55g sump with 2 skimmers an aqua c ev180 and an asm G3. The lenght and depth or same as 120. If i had a 220G i'd have an emperor.

OK OK OK!

You guys are really drilling me...but that is good...I need to do what is best for the fish

It is just funny that the Emperor is the reason I wanted to get into the hobby in the 1st place, and you have successfully talked me out of keeping him in my tank.

Yes I had read he needed a minimum of 125gal...so I thought I was all good. But I will have way too much rock for him to move freely by the time he is full grown.

Thanks again for all of your help. It is much better to talk to people who think of the fishes best interests, and not the sales people that just want to get the merchandise out of the store!

dobejazz · 04-04-2006, 09:51 PM

Have you decided on your final wish list?

bsauer · 04-05-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobejazz

Have you decided on your final wish list?

Well, looks like I may start from scratch. Pick 2 large ones...(most likely Tuskfish & Lookdown, although they will not be huge fish)...supplement with small ones...anxiously awaiting more info on houseing multiple wrasses in a safe manner.

My tank will be fully plumbed in about a week, then time to cure my rock...so I have plenty of time to keep changing my mind over and over and over and over and over....LOL

Any one with advice on how to group wrasses?...or how NOT to group wrasses?

Thank you so much!