Fish - What fish go good in a small 24 gallon nano?

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What fish go good in a small 24 gallon nano?

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Topic: What fish go good in a small 24 gallon nano?

Posted By: lukeskybaker
Subject: What fish go good in a small 24 gallon nano?
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 11:45am

I'm new to this hobby, and am loving it so far! I got a 24-gallon nano tank. What fish would you recommend? I'm thinking maybe 4 or 5 fish max, right? I've heard suggestions of getting two clown fish with an anemone, is that a good start? I also heard about getting a small blue tang...

Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:18pm

4-5 fish sounds decent to me. Your clowns are an option but add them last as they will become territorial. However, definitely a no on the "small" blue tang. Much like that cute little Great Dane puppy, a baby Blue Tang will become a much bigger Blue Tang.

Some other suggestions; a Possum Wrasse, Clown Goby (which may nip at coral), a Pearly or Bluespotted Jawfish or a Barnacle Blenny (or some of the other smaller Blenny's)

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A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.

Posted By: BillyC
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:19pm

Clownfish and anemone would be awesome. Personally, I would never get any tang in a 24g cube. Good luck!

Posted By: Josh95
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:19pm

no on the tang. any tang should ever be in a tank < 3'

i would do a 4 line wrasse or a 6 line.

a bicolor blenny

and maybe 2 clowns. no more than that though.

imo

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Josh M.
Phone: 406.471.1334

Posted By: BillyC
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:23pm

Just an FYI, your local fish store may try talking you into buying all sorts of fish for your cube but definitely do your research first. When I first got into the hobby, my local fish store talked me into buying 4 tangs for my 55g which ended up in a lot of deaths and an unhealthy tank.

Posted By: Christianwaisath
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:28pm

Also a few firefish are pretty cool, I have two in my 29 gallon biocube and they are super cool to look at with a cheep price tag! I also have chromis, which idk If you like the look of but they are only 4 bucks a piece

Posted By: Cody
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:39pm

I have 2 clowns and a purple firefish and a yellow banded goby. Seems to do well in my 14g BC.

Posted By: faith=fear
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:40pm

2 Picasso clowns w/ rose anemone, McCosker Wrasse and a Flame Hawk. (this is what's in mine)!

Stay away from the 6-line! They turn mean and you will have a hard time ever getting the SOB out.

No on the Tangs.

Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:49pm

If I were limited to 5 fish here is what I would choose, added in the following order:

Bluespot Jawfish, with a DIY PVC "tunnel home" (1st)

Oscellaris (or Percula) Clownfish + RBTA

Melanarus Wrasse

Flame Angel - OR - Coral Beauty Angel

Longnose Butterfly (last)

Just basing list this on the coloration and 'personalities' of the fishes involved. This would give you 5 colorful, interesting - looking fishes that do not all look alike. On the Melanarus and Longnose you would need to get small specimens (2 - 3").

I think you could create quite a nice display with these fishes and a nice RBTA for the clownifish to host. You could also put in a pair of Fire Shrimp or Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, a few Peppermint Shrimp, and of course whatever types of coral you are looking to keep.

I would recommend a decent amount of Live Rock in such a setup to provide adequate 'grazing' places for the Angel and Butterfly to not feel too competitive with each other...

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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *

Posted By: fishnfresh
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 12:54pm

If you go to liveaquaria.com there is a section for nano fish will give you some good ideas.

Posted By: Cody
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 1:19pm

Sorry I meant High fin red banded goby.

Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 23 2012 at 3:07pm

I am on my second 24g tank. My first was over 2 years old when I took it down.

I have found that firefish are excellent fish in a smaller tank. They are very docile and easy to care for. Do NOT put more than one in though. In time, only one will remain as it will kill the others.

I tried a couple dwarf angels but none of them lasted.

Blennies and gobies are your best bet.

Posted By: lukeskybaker
Date Posted: March 29 2012 at 7:34pm

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!