What salt water fish should I start with?

[flishess]

I am going to be setting up a salt water tank for the very first time, I was just wondering what type of fish would be good to start with?

Also if you could provide any references on where to get information that would be great.

[jerryc]

A clown fish is a good one to start with,But don't add a fish or coral
to the tank for at least 2 month's after start up.
I like to perches my fish from the local LFS so i can see them and no
I'm getting good healthy fish.

AND WELCOME TO CR

[chrisl1]

Hi and WELCOME!!
Are you going to be doing a fish only tank, fish only with rock, fish with coral? These are questions inquiring minds need to know, lol. I think your first fish needs may be depending on the answer to that question. Maybe a damsel, or a tang you need to pick up a book and see all the ones you like and research them.

[Sweetpea]

Welcome to Captive Reefing!

WetWebMedia (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/) can provide you with a wealth of information!

Good luck, and be sure to let us know how you are progressing!

[stevebla]

The New Marine Aquarium "step by step setup and stocking guide" By Michael S. Paletta is a good basic first book

[graphixx]

well first of all welcome to CR. give us a little bit of background of what your looking to accomplish with your tank (reef set up, fish only) I think your off to a good start here. There are alot of good people here with a wealth of knowledge. Like stated before a clown is a good starter fish, they are very hardy and will handle a newer tank as it goes through the changes. but I would not add anything till the tank is done cycling which takes from 1 to 3 months. The best thing you can do while the tank is cycling is soak up as much info as you can. The name of the game is PATIENCE!!! nice and slow and ask a lot of questions. thats what forums like this are for is for all of us to help one another to be successful in this hobby and enjoy it. And you picked a great forum to join for that. GOOD LUCK

[RWalston]

Try this web site out for some information

Fish Information Service (FINS)
http://fins.actwin.com/

Rich

[MedicMike]

Hey welcome to CR i'm also fairly new to the salt water thing but i started with two percula clowns and they've been through **** because like graphix said patience is the name of the game and i dont have patients.!!! So they are living in my ever cycling tank but the dont seem to mind at all. Clowns are also a reef safe fish so if you do decide to add corals you'll have some friendly neighbors.

[an enemy]

Welcome aboard, I'm rather new to saltwater as well as reefing but I have also found that it depends on if your going fish only or with a reef tank. As a new one to the site myself I can tell you that you will find out a lot of info on this site and everyone is willing to help you.

[davejnz]

WElcome to CR,here's a link to a thread you might find interesting
http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=2916