How much longer can my clown live in my tank?

**Tigerbarb** · 10-10-2008, 03:03 AM

My tomato clown is now at about 3" long, and is just thinking about out growing my tank. How many more months do you think the clown can live in my tank without any long-term health affects? I have to setup a 55g freshwater first, like I said in Cocoa's tang thread, so I have no idea when I can pick up a 55g tank for saltwater.

**cocoa_pleco** · 10-10-2008, 03:42 AM

I would say 2-3 more months, ive got a tomato in my 125g and hes pretty big and takes advantage of all the room

Dont forget you have to get the 55g going, and until you can transfer him over would probably be another few months

**Tigerbarb** · 10-10-2008, 06:00 AM

So, if the Tomato can live for about another 2-3 months in my tank, and it will be a few months before I can move the Tomato to the 55g, you're basically saying that I need to go out and buy a 55g tank with all the supplies right now? I wish I had a nearby friend with a marine tank that could hold onto my Tomato until I can get the 55g set up. I wonder how much it would cost for my lfs to hold a marine fish.

**cocoa_pleco** · 10-10-2008, 04:40 PM

yeah, the 55g would basically need to be going soon. Boarding it at a LFS or a persons tank should only be a few bucks

**Dr.Fragenstein** · 10-11-2008, 03:14 PM

The tomato can live in there for longer than two months, he will get aggressive towards the other fish but he will be all right. The 55 can get established by using the stuff from you other tank. Theoretically you can buy the 55 and supplies and when its all purchased and ready to go transfer everything into the 55. The water, substrate and rock will be enough to establish a good bio filter. The only catch would be transferring it all, it will take a good portion of your day. Honestly I have done moves/upgrades/transfers 11 times now and I'm sure I forgetting a few. It is possible and SHOULDN'T have any problems. Heck, when I switched my 125 into my 180, my orange shoulder tang was in a garbage can w/ live rock without any water for probably 20mins before I discovered him on the bottom of the can. He's doing fantastic and recovered totally. Just take account of your livestock and makesure none hide in rock holes like the tang did.

Good luck

**Tigerbarb** · 10-11-2008, 05:20 PM

Oh, this has nothing to do with the 55g whatsoever, but will a Volitan Lionfish eat a Tomato Clown? I know it's possible, but I am sure the Tomato Clown could grow it'self out of harm's way. The Coral Banded shrimp is the one I'm worried about, as Lionfish are known to eat small crusteaceans.

**xximanoobxx** · 10-11-2008, 05:25 PM

Volitan might eat it....
Volitans are better in species only tanks

**Dr.Fragenstein** · 10-11-2008, 05:35 PM

The volitan won't eat it until its just about full grown which can be close to a foot, then they will try to eat what they can.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 10-11-2008, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Tigerbarb

Oh, this has nothing to do with the 55g whatsoever, but will a Volitan Lionfish eat a Tomato Clown? I know it's possible, but I am sure the Tomato Clown could grow it'self out of harm's way. The Coral Banded shrimp is the one I'm worried about, as Lionfish are known to eat small crusteaceans.

Have you ever seen a Volitan strike? Their strike is faster than the human eye can process. Your poor little clown wouldn't be fast enough to get out of the way of that. I'd actually be more worried about the clown than the shrimp.

**cocoa_pleco** · 10-11-2008, 07:19 PM

Volitans strike fast, i put a new damsel with my Volitan in my 55g and he had it in his mouth within 2 hours.

if youre getting a volitan you need at least a 125g