Clown vs Clown? Yes No?

[BigAl07]

I have a "Nemo" in my 10g tank. I would like another one but want one that's a little different. If I get one of similar size would it be acceptable to get maybe a maroon or black clown?

What is acceptable and what isn't and why.....


Allen

[aquaman3680]

IME the black clowns are more aggressive, and a 10g tank is way to small for a maroon. If i were you i wouldnt add one because if they fought they wouldnt have much room to hide.

Matt

[InLimbo87]

I would personally stick with a clown of the same species in a tank that small. With bigger tanks, many have had mixed luck in keeping different clown species in the same tank. However, in a small tank, I don't think it would give them enough room to establish their own territory (ie they're going to have to get along!)

[BigAl07]

Same species it IS then Good thing is that if it doesn't work out my LFS would gladly accept one back (as long as healthy) in trade.

Allen

[lcstorc]

I definitely wouldn't add a maroon to that size tank. They are just too agressive particularly to other clowns. Plus one of the clowns maxes the bioload on a 10g to begin with.

[Saltwater Noob]

how do you know what your max bio load is on a tank and how much each fish accounts for?

[InLimbo87]

Its kind of tough to say on that one. There are all sorts of people with different inch/gallon type rules. I think 2 clowns for a 10gallon are just fine, I'm on nano-reef.com and tons of people on there do it with success all the time.

[InLimbo87]

and i think the range for fish per gallon is usually 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons for the conservative side all the way up to 1 inch of fish per every 2 gallons. I think it all differs based on many different factors, though, and is really hard to put to a "inch per gallon" rule. Factors such as the type of equipment you use, the frequency and size of water changes, the types of fish, etc all factor in on what kind of stocking load you can have.

[lcstorc]

The general guideline is one inch of adult fish per 3-5 gallons of water. Yes you can stretch it a bit with a good skimmer and waterchanges, but particularly in a new system and one so small you want to keep a very close eye on it since things can get out of hand very quickly.

[mps9506]

One thing to keep in mind is bioload is one thing, what is required for a fish to live long term is another. Things like not mixing different species of angels, not keeping tangs in a 3 foot long aquarium, keeping the tiny little mandarin goby in an aquarium large enough to sustain their specialized diet, etc.
Just because an aquarium meets the inches per gallon rule of thumb does not by any means indicate that a particular aquarium can handle all the fish someone wants to add. It is NOT a good rule to live by IMO.

[BigAl07]

The key to your BIO-load is to err on the side of caution. Stick with the lower range (1 per 3-5) and keep track of your tanks "conditions" (I note all my tests and then chart them to see any "trends" and to help me predict what's happening). If you have good success with that number (over a good period of time, not just a week or so) you can stretch it slightly by being more active with your water changes and upgrading equipment. The drawback is once it gets started down hill it will go that way at a fairly swift and urgent pace which can be very upsetting.

It really boils down to the fact there are so many variables (your amount of devotion, size of tank (Very important) type of filtration, type/size of fish, activity of clean up crew, your feeding habits (Over feeding maybe?) and believe it or not even placement of the tank due to light/algae issues). It's hard to put an exact # on it but if you stick around the 1/5 rule you're more likely to have success and not end up with a fast moving train to heart ache.

Remember time is on your side. Take it slow and "learn" from the whole process. This isn't a hurry up and get results kind of hobby which is basically the opposite of what our culture is all about now. Think of SW tanks and a liquid bonsai tree...... you watch it grow and "prune" it once in a while and over time you just end up with a wonderful product. It ends up being more of a relationship than a hobby. Your tank is a living and growing "Critter" that is entirely dependent on you for support, devotion and most of all good "Educated" decisions.

Well that should get us through lunch time for our reading for today. I'll climb down from my lecture stand and go test my water.

Good luck and above all, Enjoy the experience of reef keeping because it's all about the trip not the destination.

Allen

[aquaman3680]

I have three pipefish in my 20 gallon tank, now these guys are thinner than a pencil and with the inch per gallon rule they could max out a fairly large tank as they all get to be 8" inches. But it really just depends on the fish! Like my personal opinion is that you could add a clown and then add some type of goby, whether its a shrimp goby or just a small goby.
JMHO

Matt

[InLimbo87]

Very well Said Al...

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by aquaman3680

I have three pipefish in my 20 gallon tank, now these guys are thinner than a pencil and with the inch per gallon rule they could max out a fairly large tank as they all get to be 8" inches.....Matt

You're right about that... it really goes deeper than "length" of fish. You need to also consider the actual body contour of the fish. Imagine comparing an 8" pipe-fish to an 8" grouper. Trust me when I say the 8" grouper is going to be much tougher on your bio-load than a pipe-fish. The bio-load rule is merely a very ROUGH guideline that you can "reference" when all other things are considered into the equation. Above all you need to keep your tank (this includes fish and ALL other inhabitants) happy. They are in a confined area and it's your obligation to do anything within your power to make their life as good as it would be in the ocean (and better if you can). When you really think about it, we are giving ourselves a HUGE responsibility... yes they are "only" fish but they need to be treated and kept in the BEST way possible. Otherwise we need to look into another hobby (basket weaving is my next task).

Allen

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by InLimbo87

Very well Said Al...

Thanks InLimbo87! I tend to get long winded *long finger typing wise* at times. I just get on a roll and don't know when to stop! Ok I am stopping now