105 Stock List

[epon]

Recently wetted a DSA 105 and looking for a solid stocking list. Theres about 100 lbs of rock in a 4 x 2 x 2 open top which I dont want to cover if I dont have to. Rubble bottom and will hopefully keep clams.

In the past I've loved the mcneils assesor and the yellow assesor as well as shrimps so I think those are my priority.

so with a couple pair of cleaners, pair of fire shrimp and peppermints

4 yellow assesors (could I mix a blue pair with the 4?)
2 firefish but pretty sure they will jump maybe not if added first
1 or maybe 2 pair of weirdo clowns
blackcap basslet
neon goby
masked goby?
3 or 4 blue reef chromis
eventually a pair of mandarins

Looking for confirmation this list works in theory besides the firefish and hoping for suggestions on possible additions. TIA!

 

[scooter31707]

If I am not mistaking, 4x2x2 is a standard 120 gallon. Anyway, I don't have any experience with the Assessors, but I don't think it will go with the Black Cap. Also them, the Gobies, and the Black Cap will out compete the Mandarins for pods. Also a strong possibility that you can be down to one with the Chromis after they kill each other off.

 

[epon]

Ahh you're right its 48½ x 24½ x 21... The assesors Ive had in the past readily ate flake and frozen so I dont really see them as competition with the mandys. I'll probably wind up with a pair of the captive bred mandys and I guess they do pretty good on prepared foods too. Thanks for the heads up on the blackcap, I thought they did flake and frozen readily too. Agreed on the chromis, I should probably opt for the blue greens so they're easier to replace.. the darker blue ones are so much nicer looking though with the longer fins.

 

[Cliving1]

Not much experience with assesors either. But I would avoid the firefish, its more of a when they will jump. Great looking fish, just hard when they get scared. What about a chalk bass? I have added one to my tank and hes quickly one of my favorite.

 

[SecretiveFish]

All fish seem to want to go carpet surfing... I would have some kind of screen cover to keep everybody in.

If you want something that you can keep a group of, instead of chromis I would suggest a group of chalk basslets (so want to do this someday) or a group pajama cardinals. I wouldn't want to keep buying fish that I have to quarantine and then are pretty sure will not make it in my display tank. If you did the pajama cardinals instead of the basslets, you could get the black cap basslet.

A pair of neon gobies would be a nice addition or you could do a group of 3+ Greenbanded gobies instead.

Even if you add firefish first, they will jump. I will not keep one in any tank besides the one that has a glass lid and very closely cut backstrip.

I have never kept assessors, so no help there!

If you are able to get two mandarins that will eat prepared food, I am pretty sure you will need to feed multiple times per day. Does that fit your schedule? I would not purchase mandarins that are not eating prepared foods for a tank your size.

Do you like Kole, Tomini, or yellow tangs? You could have one of those in your tank.

 

[steallife904]

did you buy the tank new or used? just asking because I got my current DSA tank in 2015. About 2 months after I set it up I heard DSA went out of business!

 

[epon]

got the tanks used ... really like the open top and format so much so that I probably wont be adding the firefish or any jump prone fish. Really dont want a screened top since the top down view is one of my favs. Im not really a tang person feels cruel putting them in boxes. I'm planning to set up food cultures for the mandys and tank so Ill wait to add those till they're going.

I like the idea of the chalk bass, I had them once and they're pretty cool but really prefer the way chromis swim, they seem to surf the current more. Maybe a solo blue reef chromis.

My feelings on cardinals are they are kinda boring unless breeding and then you'd want an urchin for the babies to hide in and I dont want a urchin...

also like the pair of blues or the trio + of the greenbanded gobies, will do some more research on the latter

Really like the blackcap basslets, they always seem so elegant and sly.

thanks for the ideas !

 

[scooter31707]

Maybe look into some fairy and flasher wrasses.

 

[epon]

I thought the wrasses were jumpers

 

[scooter31707]

they can be, but IME, they jump when they are scared or being chase. Have you thought about putting a screen top on the tank?

 

[epon]

Have you thought about putting a screen top on the tank?

too much, too much :wave: