Brackish tank questions

[Gage.999]

Hello everyone ?? I was wondering a few things because I’m about to setup a brackish tank. It’s a 55 gallon tank and I’m wondering how much salt should I add? What other type of brackish fish can I keep with a Dragon Goby, Guppies and Swordtails? Can betta fish live in a brackish tank?

 

[bridget1476]

Get a refractometer so you don't have to make the salinity guesswork. reed fish, rope fish, golden top minnow. (disclaimer, I have never kept any of these fish, do your own research)

 

[twentyleagues]

No Betta. Salinity needs to be measured with either a refractometer or a hydrometer. Shoot for somewhere between 1.006 and 1.012.

 

[Gage.999]

Thank you, I’ll research those fish. I’ve had saltwater and freshwater tanks but this will be my first time with a brackish tank and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. The thing I’m trying to make sure of the most is having the right amount of salt.

 

[Gage.999]

Thank you. I will just keep the Betta in the freshwater tank I have it in. I’m gonna order one of those when I order the salt and stuff I need. I haven’t ever mixed salt before even when I had my saltwater tanks so I wanna make sure I do it right.

 

[twentyleagues]

Get a refractometer so you don't have to make the salinity guesswork. reed fish, rope fish, golden top minnow. (disclaimer, I have never kept any of these fish, do your own research)

Ropefish venture into brackish water but really shouldn't be kept in brackish permanently. If you do they will have a shortened lifespan. I've had ropes for years and currently own 14. I'm no expert but I've done lots of research.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Thank you, I’ll research those fish. I’ve had saltwater and freshwater tanks but this will be my first time with a brackish tank and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. The thing I’m trying to make sure of the most is having the right amount of salt.

What about puffers? Leopard or figure 8

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Ropefish venture into brackish water but really shouldn't be kept in brackish permanently. If you do they will have a shortened lifespan. I've had ropes for years and currently own 14. I'm no expert but I've done lots of research.

+1 I own 1 rope fish and mine cannot tolerate salt at all. I added a bit to the tank to treat ich a while ago and it started floating to the top but still acted normal. Don’t know if it had to do with salt but after a couple water changes he went back to normal after a couple days. In my experience ropefish are EXTREMELY sensitive to water quality

 

[xenacanth9]

Weird. My ropefish has never really given me any problems when it comes to salt and water quality. Always has seemed pretty hardy to me.

 

[SourAngelfish]

Weird. My ropefish has never really given me any problems when it comes to salt and water quality. Always has seemed pretty hardy to me.

As far as I am aware ropes should be fine in brackish for life.
I’m a big brackish person myself and as others have said, I would get a refractometer, keep saline depending on the species you are getting. I would personally not recommend CB swordtails or gupps for brackish as they tend to be fragile for whatever reason, I much prefer sailfin mollies. Green Scatophagus are a favorite of mine and I have grown out several in 55gals over the past few years.

If you’re interested in a cool species, I have a trio of Fundulus grandis that are awesome to watch, very large killifish.