TRUE nano fish suggestions

[mdjxn]

I've been a reefer for some time now and feel like I have my "sea legs" in the 100g+ reef world. I also started a nano reef in a converted fluval edge 6g (which looks pretty BA if I do say so myself) and it's been running great for about 2yrs with regular water changes and a little help from 10lbs live rock, good flow etc. Everything is super healthy and running fine but I want to add that "signature fish" and go either FOWLR or nano reef. This nano gets PLENTY of attention as it is in my office, so whatever I go with will get all the love needed to thrive but I want it to be an eye catcher, while staying small enough for it's environment....

Discuss...

[terrypercula]

How about a Helfrichi Firefish. Outrageous colors, fun personality, and can live full grown in small tanks.

[KirbyBTF]

Try a jester goby, they stay about one inch and are gorgeous.

[Nina51]

are you talking about just one fish in the tank? look at the purple striped dottyback. i have one in my 29g along with 2 snowflake clowns and an orange spotted goby. added him last and he's very well behaved.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/dottyback2_zps7441ddff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/dottyback2_zps7441ddff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo dottyback2_zps7441ddff.jpg"/></a>

i did have a cherub angel in this tank but he went missing a few weeks ago. don't think i can blame the dottyback because the angel seemed perfectly fine. ate one night, gone the next morning. go figure!

[spieszak]

There are several "varieties" of clown gobies. They definitely have personality, although not the "flashiest" fish out there. I have a citron clown in my eco pico. Awesome fish, doesn't care he has no room to swim, begs for food, always out. The pandas are a little flashier than the citron (and harder to find), but even the yellow (I have one in my 75) are pretty fish.

[Sugar Magnolia]

In a six gallon tank, one of the smaller species of gobies would work. I really like my green and red striped clown goby.

Looks like this:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-71055-green-clown-goby.jpg

Keep in mind though, you'll be feeding whatever you put in there which will add to the biological impact on the system. You may need to amp up the water changes and add a few extra CUC to handle the waste.

[Sugar Magnolia]

BTW Neeners, that cute little dottyback may have very well killed your angel. They are nasty, territorial buggers. I had one take out a six line wrasse in less that a half hour.

[Nina51]

that would suck, adrienne! so far, he seems to be getting along with everybody else. i never saw him chase the angel, never saw any torn fins or anything but you may be right. lesson learned, never again have i listened to the recommendations of my lfs. i read before i buy now. that was pretty much the only time i ever bought anything w/o looking it up on liveaquaria. i had forgotten my phone at home that day.

[fshlover]

How bout a yellow clown goby? Eye catching color! only gets like 1.5-2" i believe. They like to perch, so wouldnt need that much room to swim. And theyre like $10 bucks at petco! haha

http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/img/Gobiodon_okinawae_1.jpg

[mdjxn]

Thanks all. Still looking though.

There has got to be that "reef safe dwarf blacktippicasso flamelion jellyclown fish" out there somewhere... I'm looking for the sasquatch fish of nano setups. That "holy s I've never seen anything like that" fish...

[KirbyBTF]

Thanks all. Still looking though.

There has got to be that "reef safe dwarf blacktippicasso flamelion jellyclown fish" out there somewhere... I'm looking for the sasquatch fish of nano setups. That "holy s I've never seen anything like that" fish...

Aren't we all :p

[mdjxn]

Aren't we all :p

Right? I know there has to be something I'm not finding. I don't mind moving the coral and going FOWLR if I have to in order to get some crazy puffer. But I have to find the right thing.

[rovster]

Candy basslet if your wallet can handle it, LOL!

[spieszak]

if your willing to keep you temp way on the low end, catalina gobies are pretty awesome. Note that a MAX temp of 70 is recommended.

[mdjxn]

Candy basslet if your wallet can handle it, LOL!

Ahhh the elusive candy bs hahaha. That's a good lookin fish but don't believe the hype.

[mdjxn]

if your willing to keep you temp way on the low end, catalina gobies are pretty awesome. Note that a MAX temp of 70 is recommended.

Im not afraid to drop the temp if I go FOWLR but I think I'm staying away from goby world. There are a lot of options there, but I think I want something that will be a slow constant mover...

[spieszak]

Not sure you're going to find much outside gobies that would be happy in a 6 gallon tank. How about a 'flashy' invert. Fire shrimp arebrilliant in color, and without predators, out more...harlequin shrimp I don't know how big a tank they need) are pretty flashy too IMO. Regardless, good luck with the search!

[mdjxn]

Not sure you're going to find much outside gobies that would be happy in a 6 gallon tank. How about a 'flashy' invert. Fire shrimp arebrilliant in color, and without predators, out more...harlequin shrimp I don't know how big a tank they need) are pretty flashy too IMO. Regardless, good luck with the search!

Maybe, yeah. Imma keep looking, it's kind of my current obsession....

Again, thanks for the advice. Keep it coming if you can think of anything that hasn't been listed.

[mdjxn]

Not sure you're going to find much outside gobies that would be happy in a 6 gallon tank. How about a 'flashy' invert. Fire shrimp arebrilliant in color, and without predators, out more...harlequin shrimp I don't know how big a tank they need) are pretty flashy too IMO. Regardless, good luck with the search!

Maybe, yeah. Imma keep looking, it's kind of my current obsession....

Again, thanks for the advice. Keep it coming if you can think of anything that hasn't been listed.

[rovster]

Ahhh the elusive candy bs hahaha. That's a good lookin fish but don't believe the hype.

What hype? Its a beautiful fish, period. Not one you see very often. Fits your criteria as far as I know. You're welcome for the suggestion :p:hammer:

[Alavaster]

What about a Catalina Goby? Thats about as colorful as you can get with nano fish! I also believe they are parable with most pistol shrimp, So thats a cool communal relationship to watch on your desk!

[KirbyBTF]

I recently learned the MAX temp for a Catalina goby is 70 degrees, which severely limits stocking capabilities. I would love one though.

[Raptor72]

Don't believe everything you read. I have a Catalina Goby in my 30 and the temp during the summer has been at 79. Its the most active fish in there and eats like a pig. It will eat things that my clown can't fit in its mouth. The colors are beautiful and I love to watch it dart in and out of the rocks.

[terrypercula]

Don't believe everything you read. I have a Catalina Goby in my 30 and the temp during the summer has been at 79. Its the most active fish in there and eats like a pig. It will eat things that my clown can't fit in its mouth. The colors are beautiful and I love to watch it dart in and out of the rocks.

How long have you had him for? No one says they can't live in warmer water just that it shortens their lifespan. I don't know from experience so I'm curious.

[mdjxn]

What hype? Its a beautiful fish, period. Not one you see very often. Fits your criteria as far as I know. You're welcome for the suggestion :p:hammer:

I did not intend to offend... I agree with you, it is a good looking fish. The hype I speak of is related to the price point, of which looks like it is almost always set by the seller with a 'throw a dart and see what you get' approach. I understand supply and demand, and capitalism at work, etc... However, a $600 swing depending on who you talk to is garbage. I'll "invest" a grand on something I love/want as long as it is worth a grand everywhere, or at least most places I look.

Again, if I didn't thank you specifically, thank you for your suggestion. Please don't sic your angry emoticons on me ;).

[mdjxn]

Not sure you're going to find much outside gobies that would be happy in a 6 gallon tank. How about a 'flashy' invert. Fire shrimp arebrilliant in color, and without predators, out more...harlequin shrimp I don't know how big a tank they need) are pretty flashy too IMO. Regardless, good luck with the search!

Harlequin shrimp... hmmmm... I would have never thought of that and now I have been reading as much as possible just in case I "can't help" myself. Now I'm going to need to build a 4th setup just so I can stock CC stars. Thanks for that :).

Definition of insanity: Salt water hobbyist.

[rovster]

Lol, I was just joking. I love candy basslets, but I agree they are pricey. Color is electric. I've been keeoing my eye out for a pair of swales basslets, still cheaper than a single candy. Dracula and panda gobies are cool. Good thread;)