Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm looking to set up my first marine nano tank and I'm after some advice. I've got a 20-odd UK gallon tank in mind, and I'm considering a small Fu Manchu lionfish, about 2-3 inches in length. I've been told they're primarily interested in inverts, not fish, so I'm wondering if they'd be okay with a pair of perc clowns. I know most lionfish would see the clowns as a snack, but I'm hoping the Fu Manchu might be different.

If the clowns aren't suitable, I'd love to hear some alternative suggestions for tankmates that would get along with the Fu Manchu. I'm looking for relatively low-maintenance fish, as I travel quite a bit and need something that can be easily cared for with an autofeeder. I'm also planning to stock some 'river' shrimp that can live in the tank for up to a week, which the Fu Manchu can munch on.

Alternatively, if the Fu Manchu isn't a good fit for the clowns, I'd be happy to hear some suggestions for tankmates that would work well with the clowns. I'm keen to keep things simple, so I'm looking for fish that are easy to care for and can thrive in a nano tank. I've kept fish since I was a kid, but I'm new to marine aquariums, so any advice would be much appreciated.

I've seen people pair clowns with lions, and I think it can work if you're careful. As a general rule, I'd say any dwarf lion tankmates should be at least half the size of the lion, and pretty robust - that way, everyone gets along.

Considering your requirements for a low-maintenance setup, I'd advise against a lionfish that's finicky about food, like the Dendrochirus biocellatus - it'll only add to your workload.

I'm not convinced you can keep a predatory fish like a lionfish happy with an auto feeder, to be honest. The thing is, they need varied and nutritious food, and an auto feeder just can't replicate that.

If you're going to be away for extended periods, you'll need to have a reliable backup plan in place - whether that's a trustworthy friend or neighbour who can check on the tank, or an auto top-up device to prevent significant changes in specific gravity. It's amazing how quickly evaporation can affect a nano tank's SG, and it's something you'll want to keep on top of.

You could put me in a room with a greasy burger, but I wouldn't even think about it if I was being fed authentic pad thai every day - eventually, though, I might just give in and take a small bite.

I think you'd be better off without the lionfish, to be honest. Consider adding some hawkfish, blennies or gobies instead - they're all great options for a nano tank like yours. The clownfish will dominate the tank once they start breeding, and any midwater fish will be at risk of being harassed. Bottom-dwellers are your best bet.

As for leaving your fish unattended for a week, I've done it myself without any issues. Just make sure they're well-fed when you're around, and they'll be fine. I've left mine for weeks at a time without feeding, and they're still going strong.

A good cover glass can help minimize evaporation and salinity fluctuations, so that's definitely worth considering.

Just a heads up, hawkfish can be a bit of a risk for inverts in a nano tank. I've read mixed reviews, but the majority of feedback from people who've kept them in small systems isn't great.

Regarding hawkfish, the compatibility really depends on the specific species and the types of inverts you have in the tank. While they do have a strong affinity for shrimp, they tend to leave other inverts like corals and most other creatures alone. If you're considering hawkfish, I'd recommend looking into species like flame hawks or longnose hawks, as they seem to be a better choice for a nano setup.

I think you're missing the point I was trying to make. It's not about knowing what's food or not, it's about temptation and preference. Just like I'd choose Thai food over a burger, a fish might choose its regular food over something new, but that doesn't mean it won't eventually give in to temptation.

My experience with some of the more unusual eaters has been that even when presented with easily accessible alternatives, they still opt for their preferred food source. For instance, my morays, trigger, and puffer have been in the same space as readily available 'hamburgers' with bacon for months now, yet they still exhibit a strong preference for the prawn pieces. As for hawkfish, I've found that the smaller species tend to be quite particular in their diet, primarily consuming the tiniest of shrimp and crabs.

Considering the feeding challenges associated with some species, you might want to explore alternatives like a zebra lion or a fuzzy lion, which are reportedly easier to feed and care for.