So What Fish Are Good for Saltwater Tanks?
Well, thankfully there are many. All these fish do good in a well-maintained tank, but remember to always quarentine your fish first. The q-tank need not be large (15 gal maybe), no gravel, just a sponge filter, but needs to be permanetly setup. This is the key to a saltwater aquarium. Quarentining is for 2 weeks at least, up to 4, and it helps get the fish to eat, lets it rest before fighting for space in the tank, and lets you control disease outbreaks. Remember--when adding fish to the tank that will compete for food and space (like any two tangs together) always turn off the lights and gently rearrange the rocks to put them all on equal level with each other. That said, here you are:
Clownfish are a type of damselfish (family Pomacentridae, the controversy is finally over). They can be kept in rather small tanks, as their natrual habitat are sea anemones, and they rarely stray too far from them.
There are 28 species, about half available for trade. They are not the only fish that live in anemones though. Many young black damsels, young thallasoma wrasses, some gobies, and many many inverts make their home there as well. The anemone get protection, maybe food (up for debate as to the exact whys of it), and the clown also gets protection (like at night) and gets a safe place to lay its eggs (under its base) and so forth. That is very general of course, but it's good for now.
These fish are among the hardiest in the aquarium. They can be the first fish in the tank AFTER the cycling damsels (usually of the dacyllus genus). They will readily accept food, sometimes from your hand, and are great. They can be aggresive for a small fish (under 4 inches) but never cause any real harm. Don't mix species though. The clown in the pic is a pink skunk. All clowns are from the Amphiron genus, with the exception of the Marroon---the Maroon clown is very aggresive and does grow large so watch out. Only about 3 anemones are usually host to certain clownfish, however, if threatened they will live in a hard coral, another anemone, etc. (Elegance corals are great I hear for this). A great fish, there's a clownfish for any tank. Occasionaly called anemonefish. Suits it, eh. Perculas can be bred in the aquarium, but raising the fry can be diffucult.
Hawkfish are fish that are only moderatly active, but have unique behavior and are a welcome addition to any tank. For an aggresive tank, chose a larger species. Hawks are mostly predators; they perch on a rock and wait for prey to come by, however, they change their place often. They are like gobies and blennies, but are prettier, and have more attitude I think. They are very hardy and always accept all foods in the aquarium. I have a Flame hawkfish personally. The one in the photo is the standard long-nose hawkfish, camoflagued in its gorgonian where they are usually found. Larger ones prey on shrimp, however you can get smaller ones like maybe the falco, flame, longnose, etc. that will be fine with most inverts. It is best to put the shrimp in first, and then the hawkfish. Also, more aggresive shrimp will stand a less chance of being eaten, like a coral banded boxer shrimp for example should be fine with smaller hawks.
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