What kind of fish can I have in a 6-gallon nano?

[Che's DW]

This is a cross-post from the AZ Frag forum, so apologies to those who have seen it over there.

I have a 6-gallon JBJ nano that my DH and his friend (who are the reefkeepers - I am a true newb to the hobby) are going to set up for me at my office. I plan to stock it with a few pieces of live rock and keep the corals to some nice colorful zoas/palys and maybe mushrooms.

I'd also like one nice fish for the tank, something that is colorful and preferably one that moves around a bit (versus a goby or something that will just perch itself on a rock or something that will hide and never be seen). Any thoughts on what kind of fish I can keep in it that won't quickly outgrow the tank? Would a small firefish be too big?

In case it matters, lighting is 150W DE MH, and I will have a 1/20 HP Arctica chiller on it. DH's friend, who works for a company doing tank maintenance, will stop by my office weekly to do a water change and other upkeep on it.

Thanks,
Eva

[KCZoanthid]

A 6-line wrasse doesn't get over about 2" or 2.5" when fully grown. They are colorful and swim almost constantly.

The red stripe goby only gets about 1" long and can be kept in small schools. You might actually be able to get 2 or 3 of them in there. They are beautiful.

[calvin415]

The imaginary type.

J/K, I you don't plan on any SPS a collection of different colored clown gobies would look pretty cool if you can get them on prepared foods.

[gsusfreak]

i wouldnt keep a sixline in a tank smaller than the standard 10gal.....those guys love to swim...in a 6gal would be like living a a coffin

[Che's DW]

Thanks, all. I checked out Nano-Reef, and the only fish that is "recommended" (I say that loosely- to be exact, it's the only fish with a minimum tank size smaller than my 6-gallon) is a firefish (although other sites recommend a larger volume for that species). I was surprised to see that even a clown goby needs at least 10 gallons.

I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open for little runt-sized versions of some of these fish that look like they might be stunted.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Nah, a clown goby will do just fine. Cool little creatures.

[Xandernfs]

I'm in favor of a clown goby......a 6 line is too big IMO. I had one in my 20H and he looked a little cramped. They swim, a lot...they need a minimum of 30, but thats just me....

[Shoreliner11]

Originally posted by Che's DW
Thanks, all. I checked out Nano-Reef, and the only fish that is "recommended" (I say that loosely- to be exact, it's the only fish with a minimum tank size smaller than my 6-gallon) is a firefish (although other sites recommend a larger volume for that species). I was surprised to see that even a clown goby needs at least 10 gallons.

I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open for little runt-sized versions of some of these fish that look like they might be stunted.

I disagree with the clown goby recommendation. Once established clown gobies stay pretty sedentary. Just as many clownfish won't venture far from their anemone. Liveaquaria sells many small gobies such as Trimma sp. and Eviota sp. gobies that are semi-cryptic but will do fine in a small tank. Good luck.

Aaron

[msu spartan]

how much clown gobies can they have in the 6g tank?

[msu spartan]

anyone?

[msu spartan]

bump^

[Shoreliner11]

Originally posted by msu spartan
how much clown gobies can they have in the 6g tank?

Well thats a different story. Personally I'd limit myself 1 but if sufficient water changes and/or skimming going on, you might be able to get away with 2. To my recollection, coral gobies (Gobiodon sp.) have indeterminate sexes when young but mature into either a male or female. I have also read that they are simultaneous hermaphrodites, choosing to reproduce as either a male or female. At any rate, to be safe I'd try to get some that were on the small side to make sure.

Aaron

[thrillreefer]

I'm pretty sure the 1 inch per gallon rule is still the best. Grab a 5 inch Queen angel and feed sparingly so it doesn't grow much...

[Bursa]

purple dottyback

[msu spartan]

if it was kinda small one, would it still eat a shrimp?

[Shoreliner11]

Originally posted by msu spartan
if it was kinda small one, would it still eat a shrimp?

Are you talking live shrimp or mysids or brine that you'd be feeding. They definitely would not eat cleaner shrimp or anything similar but would definitely still be able to eat brine. I'd just try cyclopeeze, which is small and nutritious and I've had a coral goby in the past that loved it. In fact, I've never had a fish that didn't like it. Good luck

Aaron

[Illuminati]

Dottybacks (in my experiance) are shrimp killers. Also they like to dart around and swim just as much as a six line wrasse.

Some fish idea's:

Greenbanded Goby
Trimma Goby
Blue or Yellow Neon Goby
Circus Goby
Red Headed Goby
Clown Goby

[FriendToNemo]

I am thinking about putting in a mandarin dragonette and i have seen at the LFS a sailfin in a 24 gallon and fish grow to the tank and if they get too big ...Take them out .... kinda a simple concept.

[dileggi]

Won't the 6 line jump? I thought the JBJ 6g was topless? Maybe I'm wrong.

As for the mandarin dragonette, I wanted one in my 29g. Every site I looked on said it needed an aged aquarium of at least one year. Is this not true?

[gsusfreak]

i have a 6line in a opentop tank, and it hasnt jumped yet

and yes, i believe mandarins belong in bigger and aged tanks