Finally Decided On Brackish.

[Freedom18]

Well, after what seems like months of research and debating, me and my fiance finally decided to go brackish. We have a stocking plan, but I wanted to run it by you guys first, get some opinions. (I think it may be a little to much...) its a 55 gallon tank, and I haven't bought a filter or anything for it yet, so I still have some flexibility.

6 sailfin mollies
1 dragon goby
1 sleeper goby
3 "freshwater" archer fish

Im also worried that the dragon goby could have some trouble getting food. Oh, and my sleeper goby (which I have in another tank) is Dorimatator Maculatus (sp?) so what do you guys think? over crowded? could I add more?

 

[Freedom18]

Anybody? This is my first time doing brackish and I want to make sure I got it right.

 

[DarkEntity]

Im confused as to why you have decided on Brackish yet have in your stock list "freshwater Archers"?

 

[kanzaris]

Well, after what seems like months of research and debating, me and my fiance finally decided to go brackish. We have a stocking plan, but I wanted to run it by you guys first, get some opinions. (I think it may be a little to much...) its a 55 gallon tank, and I haven't bought a filter or anything for it yet, so I still have some flexibility.

6 sailfin mollies
1 dragon goby
1 sleeper goby
3 "freshwater" archer fish

Im also worried that the dragon goby could have some trouble getting food. Oh, and my sleeper goby (which I have in another tank) is Dorimatator Maculatus (sp?) so what do you guys think? over crowded? could I add more?

Hi

I am a bit confused freshwater Archer Fish in a Brackish Tank? I often read on hear that they are smaller then the Brackish Archers, but here in the UK they are not that easy to obtain.
Brackish Archers can get big and I know your Dragon Goby gets even bigger.
I don't keep any of the Fish on your list only Archers so I am probably not the best person to advise you. Also be careful what Fish needs what salinity !!!!

Sabby

 

[Freedom18]

Ive read that the "freshwater" is just a moniker. just like "freshwater" moray eels. The species is Toxotes microlepis. And if they are harder to find, could i fit a

Toxotes jaculatrix instead of the 3 microlepis?

 

[kanzaris]

Ive read that the "freshwater" is just a moniker. just like "freshwater" moray eels. The species is Toxotes microlepis. And if they are harder to find, could i fit a

Toxotes jaculatrix instead of the 3 microlepis?

Hi

I think Fresh Water Archers are smaller and are fresh water. If anyone know different please correct me. I started of with one T Jaculatrix in a 75 gal tank, and they are ok on there own. Toxotes Microlepis
are Brackish Archers but low end Brackish 1.001-1005 , mind you mine are in a salinity of 1.010 together with 1 Toxotes jaculatrix.

Sabby

 

[Freedom18]

Alright, my sources must have had the common name wrong. But if archers can live alone, i might just do that to save space in there.

 

[nmonks]

Sabby's right, "freshwater archers" aren't the same as common archers. The two common species (T. jaculatrix and T. chatareus) are both brackish water fish. They don't care about the salinity, but around 1.010 suits them well. The third species is T. microlepis. It is smaller and it does well in either neutral, moderately hard freshwater or slightly brackish. SG 1.005 is fine for them, and as such you could mix them fine with knight gobies, mollies, etc. They'd be a less good choice for life with scats, monos, etc.

I'll disagree with Sabby about availability though. All 3 species seem about equally common. The problem is retailers almost never ID them, so you have to know what to look for (see the FAQ on my web page, it has some pictures).

"Sleeper goby" covers a lot of territory. Dormitator maculatus is indeed one of the more common species. It's a lovely fish, but it does get big (~20-30 cm in aquaria) and although an omnivore biologically and requiring some green foods in its diet, it can and will eat smaller fish. Sailfin mollies should be fine as adults, but their fry will be dinner. Smaller species of mollies would be at risk.

In a 55 gallon tank you should be fine with the selection of fish mentioned. The only risk is archers, because they tend to squabble in small groups. I've kept them singly. Others have kept them in big groups (6+ specimens). But twos and threes tend to be tricky, so watch your fish.

Violet gobies are lovely fish, but do research them carefully. They're quite specialised fish and need a number of things to do really well, i.e., sand, burrows, plankton-sized food, and algae.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Freedom18]

Thats just what I needed to know! thanks! Tomorrow I'm gonna buy the filters and what not so I can start cycling my new tank. I also will probably just go with one archer and save myself (and them) the headache of dueling fish. Thanks again for the help!