Hi all! I have had a saltwater tank (55 gal) for about 3 years now, one major bump in the road when I had a defective heater AND thermometer (Who expects both to be crappy at once??) and lost almost all livestock to ich because the temp was too low. Other than that, I have been set up and running pretty well for the entire 3 years. My livestock has been 2 percs (black and orange female and orange male) a yellow tang (I lost the tang just over a month ago, not sure why), a purple pseudo and a lawnmower blenny for the last two years. Due to personal reasons, the tank has not had as much attention as it should and was actually housed at a friends house for about a year. I moved it into my new house over a month ago and decided I wanted to add more livestock. Well, about a week ago, I added two small tomato clowns, apparently not a good idea. I lost my female perc last night who was more than twice the size of the larger of the two tomatos and I have removed the male and placed him in a QT for now because he is pretty beat up. So now the big question is, do I keep the tomato clowns (the larger has been hosted by an anemone) and get rid of the perc or the other way around. I feel some loyalty to the perc, hes been with me since I started, but I enjoy watching the tomato with the anemone. I do worry that once the percs are out of the tank the aggression will be directed at other fish (pesuedo, a few blue chromis and some sort of mysterious goby that apparently hitchhiked in a free decoration I got because I wanted the anemone attached to it, I cant figure out the type though). The larger of the two seems to leave all the other fish alone as long as they stay away from the anemone but would chase after the percs. I dont want to lose everything because of one fish. Thoughts on who to keep?
As to who to keep that is a personal preferance of which fish you prefer. I have tomato clowns and they can be bullies. They attack me if I get withing 18in of there spawing site. They chase away any fish that get within the same area but otherwise will leave the other fish be (chromis and anthias). I do have more room for teh other fish to occuppy than you do , my tank is 125gal. I would watch the interactions with the other fish. They may be fine but would say that you could not add any other clowns as you have learnt. Good luck.
I guess I will keep the perc in the QT for a bit and see how well the tomatos play with everyone else. I forgot to add that I also have a Rabbit Fish.
+1 with Patrick. It’s you discretion with who you would like to keep. Tomatoes will get along with most other fish in the hobby, just not with other clowns.
Also, once that perc is healthy and you decide to get rid of it or vise versa with the tomatoes, just post on here. I’m sure someone will take it off your hands. One more thing, you can also find other anemone for the perc as well, if it don’t host the one you have now. What type of anemone do you have in the tank now?
Future reference that I always suggest to people is to do research and see what is compatable to be able to put in your tank. That goes for everything that you put in your tank not just fish.
Thanks guys. I have two Haitian anemones, one with purple tips (the one that has hosted the tomato) and an all white one.
Isn’t haitian anemones are condylictis anemones? Kinda unusual to see a clown hosting that type of anemones. All white one, do you have a pic of it. Or better yet how about some pics of the tank and animals in the tank?
haha!! Give me a few to figure out how to insert pictures. That said, I only have a pic of the one with purple tips the white one is inside of a (ugly)decoration from the LFS. I actually wanted the purple one and instead of removing it (thank you!) they gave me the whole decoration. Turns out there was a second one inside that was closed up. Anyway, its so far inside that you really one see the ends of its tentacles. I keep hoping that they both will move but so far, no luck, they love it in that thing apparently!
use photobucket, copy the “IMG” and paste it in your post, then you have a picture!
Here is the larger tomato and his friend. I will try and get more pictures of the res of the tank tonight, hopefully with something other than my phone
Your too hard on yourself, that’s a great pic!
[quote=“bnelson, post:10, topic:7208”]
Your too hard on yourself, that’s a great pic![/quote]
Thanks!
Until I can get more pictures, I have a few other questions Im hoping to get help with. Should I post them in this thread or start a new one?
Please continue it here, so that it won’t jump all over the place.
ok…
My tank belonged to my grandparents (so its sentimental) but has quite a few scratches inside, does this pose a problem? You don’t see them from afar, but when you get close you can, and you will likely see them in some of my pictures.
Part of their setup was a beautiful shell and coral display (My Grandfather collected the shells and coral from around the world in the 60’s and 70’s I know its a big no-no now) on the bottom of the sand. I don’t know what happened to the shells but they gave me the coral, is it safe to incorporate into my tank with the LR? Im sure its very porous so Im not sure if that poses an issue?
My boyfriend came home the other day with a “red scooter blenny” (forgot to mention it in my list of tankmates) When I saw it I knew that’s not what it was, after some research I have determined that it is a Ruby Red Dragonete. I don’t run a sump or fuge (please don’t beat me up too badly here 
) and have copepods and amphipods (I’ve seen them at night) BUT figure in a few months it may consume them all. I was told to get Tigger Pods but since I don’t run a sump, would it even be effective in upping my population?
I have Vermitid Snails and would LOVE to get rid of them, anyone have any luck with something eating them? I have read you can super glue them shut, but I have A LOT. Not only are they not nice to look at or touch, I’m pretty sure they are upsetting my zoa.
Im sure I will have more as we go. I’ve had the tank all this time and just kinda let it do its thing while testing the water. I’m ready to amp it up a bit though.
Ruby Red Dragonete
First of all…
:Welcome) to the club
Don’t be too concerned about the scratches, most tanks have them, not a problem.And if you really get hooked, you will most likely upgrade to a bigger tank.
And i don’t think using the coral pieces will be a problem either.
WOW!!! That dragonete is amazing. Where are you located and from what store did he get that fish?
Ask as many ?s that you want, you will find plenty of help here. Good luck with your tank.
Thank you for the welcome!
I live in Bridgeville and the Dragonete came from Petco in Seaford. I had never seen or heard of one before and it intrigued me, it took me a bit of researching to figure out what it really was. It seems to be pretty happy so far. I tried to get it to eat frozen mysis, but no luck.
I know someone is jealous at you for having that Ruby Red Dragonette (Casey) :
: ::
And by the way :Welcome) to DRC as well.
Thanks Reefman! I was excited when I saw what we had, especially after reading what others have paid for one and we got ours for 10 bucks, made it an even better addition!
In a 55 to keep him feed and happy you will need to get him eating prepared foods, I would also see if you could get a blackworm or micro worm culture going and live BBS
[quote=“RhiannonB, post:18, topic:7208”]
Thanks Reefman! I was excited when I saw what we had, especially after reading what others have paid for one and we got ours for 10 bucks, made it an even better addition![/quote]
LOLLOL I called and they have 2 scooter blennies coming in tomorrow. Lady said they are sending them as scooters and are showing up rubym if they them tomorrow ill be there getting 1 if not both for 10 bucks.
Beautiful fish btw and hell of a score.
[quote=“reefman66, post:17, topic:7208”]
I know someone is jealous at you for having that Ruby Red Dragonette (Casey) :: ::
And by the way :Welcome) to DRC as well.[/quote]
You know me to well brother.