Need Advice For First Salt Water

[aquilla]

I am looking to start my first salt water tank. We will be moving to a house in about a year, and I would like to understand the basics before I get into a larger tank. Haven't bought anything yet, but think that the apartment floor limits me to a 30-40 gallon. Would appreciate any advice that you can give to a newbie. Really love puffers; will be getting one for the larger tank. Would love to get it now, so if you know of a smaller species, or one that grows slowly, then I would love to know. Otherwise, looking for suggestions on good fish for a beginner. Will keep the smaller tank set up when we move if all fish cannot mesh with the big guys. Welcoming any and all advice.

 

[Lynden]

Canthigaster species usually stay small and are generally peaceful, though some bad apples have been reported. They can usually also be kept with larger invertebrates, you may here of people complaining that their smaller ones were eaten though when I read these reports the evidence against the puffer is typically slim or lacking. I currently keep a puffer in a reef tank (and recently added a benthic feeding triggerfish) and so far he hasn't paid much attention to even the smallest ornamental invertebrates. Make sure to keep the fish fed; perhaps unsurprisingly, hunger is the number one reason a fish will start eating ornamental animals.