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Duster

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Hi. I'm going to post this topic here because no one responded with their knowledge in the Nano forum. I'm a newbie whose had a 12g Eclipse System w/ LR setup for a couple months now. I know that there is tons of topics/threads out there on what fishes to put in a Nano. Most of what I've read indicates no more than two small fishes for a 12g, with many recommendations being a pair of Perc Clowns. Here is my problem: most say not to put three fishes in a 12 (a pair of Percs and a Royal Gramma for example), but nobody is saying why I shouldn't do this. Is it an issue of too much bio-load, making water quality/parameters difficult to maintain? If it is a bio-load issue, can larger weekly water changes (say 20%) be sufficient to export nutrients? Or is it an issue of aggression and/or territoriality? If two Percs and a Gramma are introduced at the same time and as juveniles, will this reduce or eliminate this possibility?
How about 2 1/2 fish, such as a single Perc, a single Orchid Dotty, and a Citron Clown Goby as the 1/2 fish? Please note: this is not a reef tank; it will contain 2 or 3 fish(es) and a team of hardy cleaning inverts to include a crab, 1 or 2 shrimp, some snails, and maybe a 2"-3" star, supplemented if necessary. [/b]
 

tazdevil

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Territorial issues are the thing that comes to mind. I can't even put a shrimp in my nanocube (just little smaller than a true 12gallon) without my royal gramma attacking it. If you really want three, I'd consider the following then:

1 percula (false or black)

1 citron goby

1 neon goby

Or you could do 2 neon gobies and no citron. Bioload is a issue as well, more water changes isn't necessarily the best answer.
 

Duster

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I appreciate your reply Tazdevil. I also posted a reply to you in the Nanos forum; it seems you thought I didn't like your reply but that is not the case at all. I posted similar topics in two forums, hoping to get alot of info.
I was already on the fence about getting a Gramma (shyness, territoriality), and the reply you gave about your Gramma attacking shrimp is all the more I needed to delete one from my list. Thank You.
 

tazdevil

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Don't worry about it, I was having one of those days. :oops: Yeah, I was actually surprised though that my royal gramma became territorial enough to attack shrimps. Lesson learned (he has a nanocube all to himself). I think in a 20 gallon your could do it, but the 12 definetely would be pushing it. Which 12 gallon was it again?

I also was thinking about the color differentiation (which a lot of people like to see some of) hence the perc, cirton goby, neon goby combo recommendation.
 
A

Anonymous

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I think my little clown Gobi is the Coolest fish ever. little fish with big personality. Adds a nice splash of color to the tank as well.

My Damsel never bothers it, and he does his own thing.
 

Duster

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My 12g is an Eclipse, stock lite and 3-stage filter (150gph), 18 lbs. LR, 2-inch Arag-Alive reef SB, and a Maxi-Jet PH. I'm starting to like the idea of a Clown Goby. Small and docile, but big on color; sounds good for a small tank.
 

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