Saltwater Fish for Cycling Aquariums

Although there are many ways to establish the nitrogen cycle in an aquarium, most hobbyists
choose to use so-called "starter fish for the purpose. Perhaps this is because this method allows
the new aquarist to have life in their aquarium while the tank is still new. The key to stocking an
aquarium is to be patient!
The following is a list of fish (and a few invertebrates), which, in our experience, have proven
hardy enough to survive the initial "break in" period, or establishment of the nitrogen cycle in a marine
aquarium. The creation of this list was not based on any type of scientific method, but rather on our own
experience with the many aquariums we've installed. Each species on this list, has consistently proven able to
tolerate high levels of ammonia and nitrite, for at least six weeks, in hundreds of saltwater aquariums installed
by The Aquarium Professionals Group. We have had success with each of the listed species on at least fifty
separate occasions, and with some species, many more.
It is important to note, that we have tried many other species within the same Family, or even Genera, as
those shown on the list. However, we have found that not all members of a given Family or Genus are equally
hardy. For example, while many species of Pseudochromis have proven themselves as "cycleable" species, we
have not had success with Pseudochromis dilectus, and several other Pseudochromis species. There are also
many fish in a given family that we have not tried, because they were not available at the time, or some doubt
existed as to whether they would survive, based on literature we've read. We are sure there are many other
suitable species for starting a new marine aquarium, we just haven't tried them.
Always remember to start an aquarium with no more than 25% of the total
carrying-capacity of the tank.

Damsels and Chromis

Common Name Scientific Name
Three-Striped Damsel Dascyllus aruanus
Four-Striped Damsel Dascyllus melanurus
Domino Damsel Dascyllus trimaculatus
Snowflake Dascyllus albisella
Blue Damsel Chrysiptera cyanae
Orange-Tailed Damsel Chrysiptera cyanae
Yellow-Tailed Damsel Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Fiji Devil Damsel Chrysiptera taupou
Azure Damsel Chrysiptera parasema
Starcki Damsel Chrysiptera starcki
Blue and Gold Damsel Pomacentrus coelestis
Blue Star Damsel Pomacentrus alleni
Canary (Cook's Island) Chrysiptera galba
Garibaldi Hypsypops rubicunda

We have not found a species of Damsel that did not make a good "starter" fish for a new marine
aquarium.
The species listed are simply a sample of the commonly-available species in our area. Damselfish are
territorial, and often aggressive towards other tank mates. In our opinion, aggressive tendencies of a
particular species, is a more important factor in deciding whether to use it to start a new aquarium.

Green Chromis Chromis viridis

Lightning Chromis Chromis opercularis
Blue Reef Chromis Chromis cyaneus
Black and Gold Chromis Paraglyphidodon nigroris
Purple Chromis Chromis scotti

Unlike Damsels, most Chromis are fairly peaceful. Many Chromis species do not tolerate new-tank
conditions well. Most Chromis including the species listed, do much better in reef tank.
Clownfish
Common Name Scientific Name
Tomato Amphiprion frenatus
Maroon Premnas biaculeatus
Clarkii Amphiprion clarkii
Sebae Amphiprion sebae
Percula Amphiprion percula
Occellaris Amphiprion ocellaris
Pink Skunk Amphiprion perideraion
Orange Skunk Amphiprion akallopisos
Melanopus Amphiprion melanopus
Blue-Striped Amphiprion chrysopterus
Xanthurus Premnas xanthurus
Saddleback Amphiprion polymnus
Red Saddle Amphiprion ephippium
Allard's Amphiprion allardi

Like their cousins, the Damsels, most Clownfish are quite hardy and can tolerate new-tank conditions
during the establishment of the aquarium ecology. However, if the tank is over-fed, and ammonia
levels get too high, Clownfish will start to suffer, and will get diseased. A water change done every two
weeks during the break-in (cycle) period will help to prevent this. These species do not seem bothered
too much by nitrites. Like most saltwater fish, most Clownfish will not tolerate other species of
Clownfish in the same aquarium. The most peaceful Clowns are the Occellaris (sometimes sold as a
Percula Clown), and the True Percula Clown.

Pseudochromis
Common Name Scientific Name
Purple Pseudochromis porphyreus
Australian Pseudochromis novaehollandiae
Diadema Pseudochromis diadema
Dottyback Pseudochromis paccagnellae
Fridmani Pseudochromis fridmani
Flavivertex Pseudochromis flavivertex
Springeri Pseudochromis springeri
Mccullochi's Pseudochromis mccullochi
Splendid Pseudochromis splendens
Yellow Pseudochromis aureus
Arabian Neon Pseudochromis dutoiti

Pseudochromis are exceptionally tough fish, and we have tried the above species with great success
for starting new marine aquaria. Pseudochromis can get quite aggressive toward tank mates and
should be watched. Like most saltwater fish, most Pseudochromis will not tolerate other species of
Pseudochromis in the same aquarium.

Basslets, Hamlets, Snappers, Groupers

Common Name Scientific Name
Royal Gramma Basslet Gramma loreto
Black-Capped Basslet Gramma melacara
Harlequin Basslet Serranus tigrinus
Lantern Basslet Serranus baldwini
Tobacco Basslet Serranus tabacarius
Swissguard Basslet Liopropoma rubre
Gold Assessor Assessor flavissimus
Red Emperor Snapper Lutjanus sebae
Blue Hamlet Hypoplectrus gemma
Shy Hamlet Hypoplectrus guttavarius
Butter Hamlet Hypoplectrus unicolor
Miniatus Grouper Cephalopholis miniatus
Clown (Leaflip) Pogonoperca punctata
V-tailed Grouper Cephalopholis urodelus
Blue-Dot Grouper Cephalopholis argus
Panther Grouper Cromileptes altivelis
Blue-lined Grouper Cephalopholis boenack
Marine Betta Calloplesiops altivelis
Damperia Labracinus cyclophthalmus

With the exception of the Basslets and Assessors, most of these fish grow quite large and are
predatory. Groupers, Hamlets and Snappers should not be kept with smaller fish they can swallow.

Lionfish
Common Name Scientific Name
Volitan Pterois volitans
Antennata Pterois antennata
Radiata Pterois radiata
Dwarf Lionfish Dendrochirus brachypterus

These are the only Lionfish species we recommend for starting a marine aquarium. The Radiata
Lionfish is questionable, but we have had success with them as a starter fish. All Lionfish have
poisonous, sharp dorsal fin rays. Great care should be taken not to get stung when you are cleaning
the aquarium.

Hogfish
Common Name Scientific Name
Diana Bodianus diana
Coral Bodianus mesothorax
Spanish Bodianus rufus
Cuban Bodianus puchellus

While hogfish are members of the Wrasse family, we have not had success with any other family of
wrasses when it comes to starting a new aquarium. We should also point out that the Lyre-tailed
Hogfish has not proven suitable for starting a new aquarium.

Moray Eels
Common Name Scientific Name
Snowflake Echidna nebulosa
Tessellata Gymnothorax tesselata
Zebra Gymnomuraena zebra
Brazilian Gold Gymnothorax miliaris
Dragon Muraena pardalis
Yellow-Tailed Gymnothorax fimbriatus
Jeweled Muraena lentiginosa
Chain Link Echidna catenata
Comet Gymnothorax meleagris

All true Moray Eels make great starter fish. We do mean ONLY true Moray Eels. The Ribbon Eels are
not hardy, and in fact, should not be sold for home aquaria at all, as they very rarely live in captivity.
This is also true for the so-called Snake Eels and the Garden Eels. Naturally, care should be taken not
to put these fish in the same tank with any crustacean, most mollusks and any small fish. With the
exception of the Zebra Moray, most Moray Eels have sharp teeth and can bite the hand that feeds
them. Moray Eels have very poor eyesight, and will often bite at other fish during feeding time because
they smell the food but can't see it. No harm usually comes of this. The Green Moray and the so-called
Yellow-mouthed (Dinosaur) Moray are not listed here as both species will quickly grow too large for
almost any home aquarium.
Triggerfish
Common Name Scientific Name
Humu (Picasso) Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Rectangulatus Rhinecanthus rectangulus
Bursa Rhinecanthus verrucosus
Assasi Rhinecanthus assasi
Blue-Lined Pseudobalistes fuscus
Niger Odonus niger
Clown Balistoides conspicillum
Blue-Throat Xanthichthys auromarginatus
Pink-Tailed Melichthys vidua
White-Tailed Sufflamen chrysopterus

Obviously, we left out a few species. With the exception of some Odonus and Xanthichthys Triggers,
almost all other Triggers are exceptionally aggressive fish. Of those on our list, The Blue-Throat and
Niger Trigger are the only Triggers we can safely recommend for peaceful tanks. This is also true of
the Sargassum Trigger, which we did not list, as we do not feel they are ammonia-tolerant. Most
Triggers are extremely tough and hardy, but many do not belong with peaceful community fish. Don't
count them out though, as there are many fish that they will get along with, such as large Angels,
Tangs, etc.. We do not recommend either the Undulate or the Queen Trigger under any circumstances!

Invertebrates
Common Name Scientific Name
Coral Banded Shrimp Stenopus hispidus
Arrow Crab Stenorhynchus setrcornis
Most Hermit Crabs Mostly Dardanus species

The Giant Hairy Gold-legged and the Giant Hairy Red-legged Hermit Crabs are fairly sensitive to
ammonia and are not recommended for starting a new aquarium. We have also found many species of
the larger Hermit Crabs to be tolerant of fairly high copper levels during fish treatment for parasites.
Condylactus Anemone Condylactus species
This is the only anemone we have ever successfully used in a new tank. As this is an Atlantic species,
most Clownfish will normally not adopt this anemone.

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