Livestock ? for 30g pred

The problem is your looking at the size of the fish now. That will not be the size of the fish later. Keep in mind dwarf lion fish get to 7"+. That just will not work in a 30. The Fu Manchu is one of the smallest lions, but I still wouldn't personally keep one in anything less than a 55.
I think LVsuckerfish really hit it on the head. Predators are big fish. That's just the way it goes. In all honesty, a 30g is much too small for a true predator tank.
Now, if you can get some fish small enough, and your LFS will let you trade them back in as they grow, then there is certainly nothing wrong with that. But some people get attached to their fish to return them after a certain amount of time, or some LFS's will not accept livestock. So its really something you will have to research and take into account.

 

Major K+ for keeping fish happy. Many people would throw them in there anyway and see what happens.

 

There are a TON of fish that you could keep in a 30 gallon tank just not many predators. You could just make it a community tank.

 

I personally would do a damsel tank. I love damsels but I don't have the tank for them.

 

Thanks so much for the enlightenment guys. Really.


1. I go damsel tank, maybe those black and white bowties, or green chromis or mean maroon
2. I get a 3" dwarf, but once it becomes 5" I move the dwarf to my 55G reef...this avenue will take an abundance of research regarding compatibility with other inverts and verts upon my behalf. Very hesitant regarding this route. My LFS is awesome so I'm covered if I cant put in the 55G for any reason, but again would be hard to give up. But would do so to ensure a better "lifestyle"...
3. Ultimately I would like this to be a nonreef safe tank, meaning urchins, stars, snails...so I'm back to the drawing board on this!

Again, thank you for the insight.