Pico-compatible fish - do they exist?

I set up my Dymax IQ3 pico (2.1 gallon I believe) at work yesterday with some rock and GSP. Everybody has been asking me today about when I am going to get a fish in there. My plan was to have some softies and maybe a crab or shrimp...

but do pico-compatible fish exist?

If so, what would be suitable for such a small tank?

matt

 

That is a ver small tank for slawater, Mat. I don't know of any fish I would recommend as being safe in a tank of that size.

If it were me, I would add some peteson shrimp...maybe make the tank with soft coral just shrimp? You can request an order with Diver's Den.

peterson shrimp - Google Search

The smallest fish I know of are 1.5" - the yellow and brown clown gobies.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Clown Goby, Yellow

 

red head goby?

 

Clown goby perhaps? They tend to remain perched in a coral and not swim much and I believe that they stay relatively small. I could be wrong about that though.

 

They get 2".

 

On Liveaquaria, all these little guys under the nano section. While all are recommended for 10 gallon min, they are the ones that really stay small. The small gobies are not huge swimmers, more of perchers which makes them a better choice.

Is there an ideal fish for a pico? No I do not believe so, but for those inclined with experience, such as yourself you could do it.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Clown Goby, Green
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Wheeler's Shrimp Goby
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Clown Goby, Black
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Red Striped Goby
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Clown Goby, Yellow

Oh if you have never had sexy shrimp, they are ideal for picos and pretty cool to watch, best kept in trios or odd numbers.

 

Those are probably your best bet, However There are rare and usual fish that you dont see every day. If I could find my book I would check the gobies, Cause I swear there are some that barely get to an inch in there and just arent sold as often.


Drs. Foster and Smith Diver's Den® - Lotilia graciliosa

Not much bigger then a clown goby if you wanted something out of the unusual.

 

a fish will dramatically increase your water maintenance needs...

in a tank that size, i'd think even a tiny fish would have a big impact. You got to feed it if nothing else...

PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE PICTURE

 

A catalina goby.
It gets up to 2" and is a colder water species (60-70 degrees F) so you don't need to worry about keeping it warm as much. Plus they are very bright and pretty, though 2.5 gal. is very little water but being colder would allow more DO.


Also found this
Assessor flavissimus (Yellow devilfish/Golden Forktail Gramma)
gets to 5.5 cm and is bright yellow.

Also this
Gold Neon Eviota Goby (Eviota pellucida) & Red Spotted Goby (Trimma rubromaculatus)
LA has them in stock and they're only 1".

 

Eric beat me to it.

I was going to say: sounds like the perfect tank for a white cap goby to me...