Fish Suggestions for my nano

[jejton]

My 12 gallon cube is finally ready for fish. The only livestock in it right now are some snails and scarlet hermits, as well as some frags of zoo's and softies. I am having a hard time deciding what fish to put in so I am asking for suggestions. Here are the criteria:

1.) I would prefer to be able to house 2 fish in here.
2.) On the cheaper side ( preferably under $20/fish ).
3.) Relatively hardy.
4.) Good personality. I dont want a fish that will spend its whole life hiding under a rock.
5.) It wouldnt hurt if the fish controls algae as I am battling an algae problem ( see other tread ).

I am leaning towards a pair of ocellaris or perculas. If not a pair, then perhaps one of those plus a goby or blenny species. I would prefer to buy from an MR vendor or member, but I dont have quarantine facilities so I would love to buy from someone who can quarantine the fish for me ( I dont mind giving a deposit ).

 

[House of Laughter]

I would get a clown goby or randali goby or candy stripe hogwrasse - or a citron even a nice pair of clowns.

House

 

[scarf_ace1981]

jejton- gobies are most likely your best bet

 

[jejton]

Thanks, I will look into those species
Any specific combination ?
Can I keep all of those above mentioned in pairs? If not, is there any combinations of two of the above that I should avoid or that would work better ?

 

[jejton]

I do like the shrimp gobies and I did consider getting a shrimp/goby pair but I dont have much clear floor space in this tank ( it is 12 gallons ) and I dont want to risk having the fish knock over the rock work while burrowing.

 

[jejton]

If I do go with a pair of clowns, would I be ok with either percs or ocellaris? Do I have to take care that they are paired already or can I just buy unpaired fish
and put them in.

 

[bklynreef]

gobies or blennies will do.

 

[drunktank]

get a yellow tang:shhh:







just kidding Have u thought about a pistol shrimp and goby combo, or perhaps 2 firefish.

 

[prattreef]

Wetmorella pygmy wrasse

 

[jejton]

just kidding Have u thought about a pistol shrimp and goby combo, or perhaps 2 firefish.

See above comment.

As for firefish, I have read that you cannot keep more than one unless you have a large tank due to territoriality.

 

[jejton]

I am leaning heavily towards a pair of clowsn. If I do go with a single clown, what would be a good blenny or goby to add? Would a firefish be ok ? I like the randalli and would consider getting one ( or a similar shrimp goby ) and attempting a shrimp to pair with it but would I be risking rockslides and cracked glass?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

As for firefish, I have read that you cannot keep more than one unless you have a large tank due to territoriality.

So far, I have been with luck to pair them. No issue of fighting bewteen themselves nor with other fish that looks fearful including the royal gramma and pseudochromis(I guess this is just luck). Instead, my tomate are always curious about them and kind of pushing them out of her territory.

Make sure you have a tight lid. They jump really HIGH



Shrimp and goby pair do not always swim around. I usally have to lay on the floor to sneak at their love nest from the bottom of the tank.

 

[clamcrazy]

how about a catalina goby or a helfrichi firefish

 

[scarf_ace1981]

catalina gobies are a colder water species.

jejton if you are willing to spend $100-200 on a 2.5" fish make sure every crevice is covered or your $200 fish will become a carpet dried sardine.

 

[Spracklcat]

My suggestion is a lawnmower blenny (aka algae blenny). Small, funny looking, lots of personality, gets along great with other fish. One of my all time favorites for small tanks. Inexpensive too.



Christine

 

[heuerfan]

Neon Goby, comes in blue or yellow stripe. Just can't keep them with clams.

 

[masterswimmer]

If I do go with a pair of clowns, would I be ok with either percs or ocellaris? Do I have to take care that they are paired already or can I just buy unpaired fish
and put them in.

Unpaired is fine. Just make sure you buy one that is obviously smaller than the other. The larger one will morph into a female. The reason for buying the one noticeably smaller is to make sure you aren't getting two females. Once it morphs to F it can't revert back to M. The likelihood of them pairing off this way is very good.

swimmer