Best fish to keep with clams?

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by stepho, Aug 17, 2011.

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  1. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    I am throwing around the idea of adding a shallow frag tank on the side of my system for clams. Also thinking about putting a single fish in there too, whats my best option? Should meet as many of the following as possible.

    1) safe with clams
    2) ok in smallish tank (20g)
    3) extremely low jumper risk
    4) consumes parasites or algae or is otherwise useful
    5) looks pretty cool from above
     
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    #1

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  2. ferretfish

    ferretfish Sea Dragon

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    my LFS keeps a sixline wrasse in there frag tank
     
    ferretfish, Aug 17, 2011
    ferretfish, Aug 17, 2011
    #2
  3. aquariaman

    aquariaman Pajama Cardinal

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    "Reef Safe" fish. My first thought was goby but usually they throw sand all over it. You have a pretty tight list there. Meaning not too many options. :)
     
    aquariaman, Aug 17, 2011
    aquariaman, Aug 17, 2011
    #3
  4. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    That's actually what I was thinking, and will get if no one comes up with anything better.


    It doesn't have to fit the whole list. Its in order of importance though.
     
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    #4
  5. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    maybe a swissgaurd basslet?
     
    Va Reef, Aug 17, 2011
    Va Reef, Aug 17, 2011
    #5
  6. kss2801

    kss2801 Montipora Capricornis

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    A fish that eats pests on the clam would be a good choice. A yellow or green coris or a sixline, but they are all jumpers.
     
    kss2801, Aug 17, 2011
    kss2801, Aug 17, 2011
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  7. Reef-a-holic

    Reef-a-holic 3reef Sponsor

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    The wrasses are great choices in terms of eating potential "pests"...pretty much all wrasses have a fairly high likelihood of jumping though.
     
    Reef-a-holic, Aug 17, 2011
    Reef-a-holic, Aug 17, 2011
    #7
  8. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    Hrmm. I guess I can put a piece of glass or plexi over the top of it. Gas exchange shouldn't be a problem as it will be plumbed into another tank and a sump both of which will be open top.
     
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    #8
  9. Jva

    Jva Astrea Snail

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    I agree with the sixline idea, but they can be carpet surfers. If your tank is only 1 fish, and you don't have too many soft coral, then I'd suggest you go for a pygmy angel like a Coral Beauty. They are beautiful from the top and side, they eat algae, but they can nip at corals.
     
    Jva, Aug 17, 2011
    Jva, Aug 17, 2011
    #9
  10. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    I love coral beautys, but I have heard pygmy angels are not clam safe.
     
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    stepho, Aug 17, 2011
    #10
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