Hello,
I am brand new to this hobby and to this site. I just recently purchased a 48"x12.5"x21" (55gal) and I was wondering about the compatibility of some of the fish I have chosen for this tank. I would like to include:
2-3 Blue Devil Damsels (not for cycling but just as some starter fish since I'm new to this)
1 Flame Hawkfish (My fav and the reason I got into this)
1 Fuzzy Dwarf Lion (really like but could go if not compatible)
1 Bursa Trigger (also really like but could go if needed)

I plan on putting a lot of live rock with tunnels and caves so hiding places shouldn't be a problem. But based on these fish the tank will be set up as an FO. Any help I could get on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

TheNewGuy, welcome to TR. You'll find this a good place to ask questions, even ones you think are dumb. We like to answer those too, because there are no dumb questions.

First, I'd discourage you from buying the damsels because they will become the terrors of the tank. There actually are a couple of damsel species that are not terrors but, they are seldom available and pricey for damsels.

Second, the rest of your choices seem to be ok, with the possible exception of the dwarf lion. He will probably need live food and may not convert to frozen. Ask the LFS to feed him. If they throw in a couple of guppies and he eats, that's what you'll have to supply him with and try to convert him to frozen. It can be done but, it can be difficult, too.

Good Luck and remember, "The only thing that happens fast in a marine aquarium is disaster".

Dick

Welcome to Talkingreef !

Dick has already mentioned the dwarf lion and the damsel fish. I think an "allen's" damsel can be less tank mate aggressive and there are a few others, you would need to do some research in books/web to be sure.

I would be a little concerned about the Bursa Trigger in a 55g tank. Considering he could reach a captive length of 6" inches (10" in the wild) the tank may be too small for him as an adult. Triggers do like lots of swimming room and can be tank aggresive to smaller tank mates - though every fish is different with personality. As a juvenille he should be ok though give thought to his life as an adult.

Marine Depot is a good online source of information on livestock if nothing else. e.g. for your trigger Bursa Trigger - Rhinecanthus verrucosus (http://www.marinedepotlive.com/bursa-trigger---rhinecanthus-verrucosus-fish--triggers.html). WetWebMedia is also another excellent resource. SufflamenFAQs (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/triggers/sufflamen/faqs.htm).

Hope this helps!

Warm Regards,

Hi NewGuy and :welcome: to TR. ^^What they said.^^

Thanks guys, I can do without the damsels I just wanted a hardy inexpensive fish to help get my feet wet. Any suggestions on that? Also is there a downside to having to feed the lion live food? I was planning on buying a small size so I was thinking maybe feeder shrimp? And thanks for bringing up the trigger dkone, people seem to be indecisive about requirements for that fish ( I've seen anywhere between 30-100gal) and more light on that would be helpful. Thanks again

Colin

hey Colin, welcome to TR. i agree with everything above. for more ifo on the trigger click the link he provided or go to www.fishbase.org as they are FULL of useful info. i personally, would not attempt a trigger in a 55g tank, but that is just my opinion.

DAMNsels are the cheapest saltwater fish to my knowledge, the next would be something like Percula clownfish (technically they are DAMNsels too). does the way that i spell DAMNsel tell you anything about them ?? lol the Percula Clowns are a pretty hardy fish and should be well suited for a tank the size of yours. not to mention that they will add a lot of color to the tank.

I guess I'll have to say no to the trigger and the damsels. Sounds like I could have had a disaster on my hands here, thanks a ton guys

Around here the cheapest next to damsels are chromis. They are actually a damsel too but they are not the terror that many of their cousins are.

haha wellllllllll...he COULD get the "DAMNsels"...but then once they become the little devils that they are....he can get his fuzzy dwarf and allow it to eat them as food...lol idk how long it will be until hees big enough to fit em in his mouth...but he would outgrow the damsels im sure....haha

my first 2 fish were damsels....a 4stripe and a domino. i really actually liked the domino damsels, but the 4 stripe one was a little p.i.t.a. i was very tempted to feed him to my lionfish when i had him. lol

I agree with Carmie.

If you want a pretty hardy blue fish, check ot the Blue Reef Chromis. They are a nice color and shoal nicely in goups of 3. They would be a much better addition that the Blue Devil Damsel.

The Chromis swim quite nicely in open water, makeing them a great display fish.

Good Luck!

John

I think I'm leaning more towards a reef with a few more reef friendly fish. The blue reef chromis are pretty cool and actually look a lot like the blue devils, thanks for the suggestion.