just starting and i need help

[fishy122092]

Ive been researching saltwater tanks for a very long time now and i think i know just about everything i need to start my tank. but when i started deciding on which fish to put in, i realized that i knew nearly nothing about these fish. i know that damsels, mollies, and clownfish are good beginnner fish and angels and butterflies are not. i came up with a list of fish that i would like in my tank but i have no idea if they will get along. the last thing i need is for my fish to be fighting.i also dont know whether or not these fish are easier to care for and how many i should be able to fit in a tank. i have a 30 gallon tank right now but if need be i can use my dads 40 gallon tankeven though i would rather not. Will some one please help me!!!!!!!!

[dobejazz]

Welcome to TRT fishy122092. Are you planning a reef with corals or just Fish only?

[fishy122092]

heres the fish i would like:

-black mollie(i think they're saltwater and fresh water fish)
-white tailed damsel Dascyllus aruanus
-percula clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris
-black percula clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris
-blue damsel Pomacentrus coelestis
-yellowhead jawfish Opistognathus aurifrons
-cleaner fish Labroides dimidiastus
-royal gramma Gramma loreto
-firefish Ptereleotris slendidum
-blue tang Paracanthurus hepatus
-yellow tang Zebrasoma flavescens
-cleaner shimp
-starfish(any recommendations on what kind??)

[Hendersonracing]

Originally Posted by fishy122092

heres the fish i would like:

-black mollie(i think they're saltwater and fresh water fish)
-white tailed damsel Dascyllus aruanus
-percula clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris
-black percula clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris
-blue damsel Pomacentrus coelestis
-yellowhead jawfish Opistognathus aurifrons
-cleaner fish Labroides dimidiastus
-royal gramma Gramma loreto
-firefish Ptereleotris slendidum
-blue tang Paracanthurus hepatus
-yellow tang Zebrasoma flavescens
-cleaner shimp
-starfish(any recommendations on what kind??)

look here it will give you some comparisons on which fish are aggresive -semiaggresive-reef safe or not.....Its a good learning page for the beginners I think...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/genera...3479&subref=AC

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!!



i think for a 30g tank you should only keep 2 or 3 fish max. you can not stock a SW tank like you can a FW tank.

G~

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!And in a 30 g tank is to small for any Tangs!sorry!

[fishy122092]

i was only planning on having a few clowns and damsels to start and add the others later when i can get a bigger tank. i was wondering if these fish were compatable if they had plenty of room. sorry if i wasnt clear enough on that.
__________________________________________________ _____________

Originally Posted by Geoff

Welcome to TRT!!!



i think for a 30g tank you should only keep 2 or 3 fish max. you can not stock a SW tank like you can a FW tank.

G~

[DaviesPats]

i started my 20 gal. with 4 damsels and 25-30 lbs LR 2 in sand bed...after a week or so my 2 sergeant majors were fighting with each other and havent stopped and my four striped damsel ended up bein stressed to death by those two...starting off (and even though im sorta a beginnner just repeating what i heard)...id have 2 damsels in there for 3-5 weeks and then get rid of them and get your clowns and what not...damsels get very territorial as i saw with my clowns

[fchidsey]

Welcome To TRT the advice here is sold Everybody is great.

Fred

[stang5_o2002]

You might want to look into some chromis instead of damsels. Damsels are VERY fast and hard to catch when you get tired of them, which you will. Chromis are peaceful and they school together. Damsels will more than likely get mean, and when they do, im sure you arent gonna wanna yank all your rock work out just to catch them. Just an idea. If damsels are the fish you like, then go for it. Im just sharing my own experience. I've been there, and I still cant catch my 3stripe damsel because i refuse to tear my tank down. Hes mean as can be too.

Good luck whichever way you go

[DaviesPats]

stang...just throw a small clear plastic beta tank in there and sooner or later he'll swim in...easy and inexpensive

[leveldrummer]

welcome to TRT, hope you enjoy it as much as us. as for you fish list, like everyone said, ditch the damsels, i would try to go with the royal gramma, the fire fish, and the 2 clowns, a few shrimp in that mix is fine too, but you havent said if you plan on keeping corals. and mollies arent saltwater fish, no matter what anyone says, they are brackish at best. and wont last in a true marine system. good luck and hope it all comes together for ya!!

[jenajet]

Yep I say no go on the damsel. I have one and love him he gets along well with my maroon but I had to set up a fowler tank for them because they attack my other fish. My royal gamma is cool but only comes out to eat and will also attack anything that comes near his den. I like having more peaceful fish in my reef tank. Good luck on the setup and remember the tank will need to cycle before adding fish anyway so you have plenty of time to decide.

[ChrisPrusha]

Welcome aboard, fishy!! w000000000000000t!!!

It is always a good idea to go slow when starting a new tank. It's hard, I know, but it may save you heartache down the road.

Forgive what may be a silly question, but I assume from your research that you know about cycling a tank, correct? Just had to ask to be sure.

If it was me, I would go with a gramma or a firefish, and then allow the tank to settle for a month or two before considering anything else. Unfortunately, nothing good ever happens fast in this hobby. Good luck, and remember that we like pics!

[whatevva]

Welcome to TRT!!

No Six Line on your list?