40 Gal Breeder Stock List - Recommendations

[txt7994]

I'm currently in the process of upgrading my 29 gal to a 40gal breeder with a 10gal sump. Everything fromt he 29gal is moving to the 40gal (pair of snowflake clown and watchman/pistol pair).

I trying create a stocking list of about 5-6 fishes.
This will be a reef thank and I'm planning on farming pods in the sump.


Initial List:
2x Snowflake Clowns (Already have)
1x Watchman Goby/Shrimp pair (Already have)
1x flasher or fairy Wrasse
1x 6-Line Wrasse
1x Mandarin Goby


Other options/substitutes:
1x blue reef chromis
1x coral beauty
1x Orchid Dottyback
1x chalk bass

what do you experts think?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I've noticed that 6 lines don't mix well with other wrasses. If you put a dottyback with a wrasse expect the former to chase the latter.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've noticed that 6 lines don't mix well with other wrasses. If you put a dottyback with a wrasse expect the former to chase the latter.

Agreed about the 6 line, but I wouldnt be overly concerned about orchid dottyback, they a far less aggressive than most dottybacks, and will be even less aggressive if added after.

 

[txt7994]

So between the 3 Wrasse- what would be the recommendation (flasher or fairy or 6-Line Wrasse)? I like the 6 line b/c it's very active - I don't know how active the others are.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

So between the 3 Wrasse- what would be the recommendation (flasher or fairy or 6-Line Wrasse)? I like the 6 line b/c it's very active - I don't know how active the others are.

Six line is one of my favorites for one big reason: it can take care of corals really well, especially SPS. They are hard workers when it comes to eliminating pests. My birds nest was unhappy due to pest infection. Once I put a six line it started to thrive again. Six lines are pretty too and active. Only downside is aggression towards other wrasses and fish added after it.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Flashers and fairy wrasse are very active.

A few choices to consider:
Mckosker flasher
Lubbock fairy
Exquisite fairy

 

[CoralsAddiction]

For fairy wrasse I would consider small ones that stay around 3 inches like Yellow Fin, Social Fairy and Lubbocks. I would skip the exquisite. They get 5 inches big and need more room.

 

[kw22]

I'm currently in the process of upgrading my 29 gal to a 40gal breeder with a 10gal sump. Everything fromt he 29gal is moving to the 40gal (pair of snowflake clown and watchman/pistol pair).

I trying create a stocking list of about 5-6 fishes.
This will be a reef thank and I'm planning on farming pods in the sump.


Initial List:
2x Snowflake Clowns (Already have)
1x Watchman Goby/Shrimp pair (Already have)
1x flasher or fairy Wrasse
1x 6-Line Wrasse
1x Mandarin Goby


Other options/substitutes:
1x blue reef chromis
1x coral beauty
1x Orchid Dottyback
1x chalk bass

what do you experts think?

Everything on the first list minus the wrasse and a coral beauty and maybe chalk bass.

 

[eatbreakfast]

If you are planning on more than 1 fairy or flasher due to skipping the 6 live, I would also skip the social fairy wrasse as they usually fairly aggressive toward other fairy and flashers.

 

[txt7994]

So here's my updated list

Updated List:
2x Snowflake Clowns (Already have)
1x Watchman Goby/Shrimp pair (Already have)
1x Mandarin Goby
1x 6-Line Wrasse

I still would like to add one more to list - perhaps one of these three:
1x blue reef chromis
1x coral beauty
1x Orchid Dottyback

I would like to add a the chromis or coral beauty. But i heard chromis maybe too aggressive and coral beauty are not completely reef safe. Any suggestion?

 

[kw22]

Coral beauties,like most angelfisj are a 50:50 chance.

I still recommend my above advice.Dottybacks can be aggressive.

 

[kw22]

After reading over my first post it's very confusing.I meant I do recommend the coral beauty and chalk bass.Chalk base would be a way better addition then the dottyback and chromis.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Also 6 lines can be aggressive to other fish added after them, not just other wrasses. He would likely attack the orchid dottyback and blue reef if added. He also pts pressure on the pod population and that would not be good for the mandarin.

Blue reef chromis are very peaceful, so they wouldnt be an issue.

 

[txt7994]

I don't think pod will be an issue as I plan on farming them in the sump/refrugium. As for the 6-line, it will be the last addition to the tank.

 

[bryn.sessums1]

Chromis are great. I have a 40 breeder with a school of 5. Love them, very peaceful and great color.

 

[Fish Ed]

Would a melanurus wrasse be a better substitute for the 6 lined wrasse? They seem to be less aggressive towards other wrasses and tankmates also they protect corals from pests. But may kill good snails, crabs, smaller shrimps too.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

If you do add a mandarin, I'd wait at least 4 months to give your pod population a chance to start reproducing. If you add right away your mandarin will quickly decimate your population. I also have a 40 breeder and have a 20 gallon sump, 5 gallons of that is a refugium. Even with that I am adding 1-2 bottles or packages of pods a month to keep up with mines diet.

As for the wrasse, I personally love flasher and fairy wrasses and to me, they are way more attractive then the 6 lines with minimal aggression (most species). They are also incredibly active and are very inquisitive and seem intelligent. I have yet to be able to get a decent picture of my lubbocks in the 8 months or so that I have had him, he never stops long enough for me to get a non blurry picture.

 

[jtsreef]

Tagging along

 

[bryn.sessums1]

Also if you have a sand bed you have a lot of entertaining options. I have a 2 inch sand bed with a sand sifting sea star, sand sifting watchman goby and 2 dozen nassarius that are like zombies rising from the sand when you feed.

I figured I would mention it since all the other post have been mostly fish.

 

[kw22]

No.No on the sand sifting starfish.It will die.They sometimes starve in 150 Gallon systems never mind 40 gallons.