Picking Stock

[Scoutcarcer]

Im starting a 10 gallon saltwater tank and Im picking my stock. I might get a Firefish but I dont have to get one. Any ideas?

[Deltoid]

I'm also interested in what you could put in there. Could have a Yellow Coral Gobie.

[Caesar777]

Here are a few ideas, though, really, it's something you should be looking up!

 

Clown gobies are a great choice, but make sure you get one that's eating; they have a poor shipping/eating record. They can be yellow, black, green, "panda", maybe a few others. Cute, small, just make sure it's eating! They can be kept with other fish, but NOT with other clown gobies.

 

Neon gobies are another good small tank choice. They can be kept singly or in groups, are easy to keep and feed, and many are captive-bred. Nice electric-blue stripes. Easily a trio could be kept in your ten-gallon tank.

 

You could have two firefish, red or purple. The purples are more expensive, but very beautiful. The reds are still plenty cute, though, imo, and are just as easy to keep. They do jump, though, so watch that lid.

 

I wouldn't recommend clowns of any type, as even the perculas/ocellaris get big--I've seen pairs with a 4" female, and that's not so above-average.

 

Many gobies can do well in small tanks, since they're small fish--I'd do research on gobies in general. Blennies, on the other hand, can get a bit bigger. At least an algae blenny (aka sailfin blenny, the common gray guy with the cute face) can get to 5 or 6 inches or so, easily. A midas blenny could work, or a bicolor. Careful mixing those guys; they can be moody.

 

There are also cardinalfish: both the the black-and-silver guys and the "pajama" cardinals, the slightly colorful ones. Great in groups (could do two in your tank), many are captive-bred.

 

Damselfish can be cute but aggressive, and most actually get quite large--about the size of your palm--so I wouldn't do that. Mandarin gobies/dragonets will NOT get enough food in your tank--they're gorgeous, but please DON'T "try" one. Everyone tries, but few are successful.

 

Fairy wrasses (a whole group of smaller, reef-safe wrasses) are pretty but pricey.

[Caesar777]

You can always find some fish you like and post here to ask whether or not your tank would be suitable for them.

[g0tfish]

There are also cardinalfish: both the the black-and-silver guys and the "pajama" cardinals, the slightly colorful ones. Great in groups (could do two in your tank), many are captive-bred.

 

Warning. The wild bangaii cardinals are actually harder to keep and care for than most people think. I recently bought 3 very healthy looking specimens. However, after 2 days one of em has died. I quickly did some research on RC and found out wild ones are prone to die due to cyanide poisoning. Also, they are sensitive to internal parasites like mad. O yea, they are nocturnal too. Another note is i have heard they do best in schools above 8 and when there is an "aggressor" type fish. I bought 3 assuming they would immediately start schooling and form a family. Damn was i wrong. I feel like one of em bullied the other 2, probably until 1 of them died. The other is skinnier and unless they are a pair, doubt it will survive. Well good luck. Just some of my experience with these beautiful fish.

 

O yea.. u should get a bi color blenny. they usually come pretty small at LFS and they love rockwork. great personality too