40 gallom breeder - how many fish?

[Mr Neon]

With my 40 gallon breeder mixed reef and fish, I have had good and bad luck. Partial based on not researching species of fish as well as going on advice from LFS that it is ok..

So..at the moment I have 2 Ocellaris clownfishs that I am pretty sure are a matted pair by the way they hang out and swim with each other. One cleaner shrimp. Some snails and blue hermits and red starfish. Mostly zoas, mushrooms and some polyps. I am looking at adding more zoas and other easy corals for now unless I jump up to a bigger tank. What I would like to know is the number of fish I can put into this tank that would be both beneficial to the system as well as hardy. I a not looking to stock it to the limit, but want to choose the right kind of fish and avoid mistakes as I did before.

I had gobies with no luck, Lyretail Anthias with no luck...Green/Blue Chromus with no luck. I did research these fish and realize why I had no luck given that the local LFS did not inform me of certain things about the fish except they eat good and are great..Again, I should have known better before buying them. I would enjoy another Anthias now that I know the background and would like to possible try an angelfish even though it is a 50/50 chance of it destroying my corals.

Again, something colorful and active would be cool and as well compatible with the clowns.

 

[Peale]

I have a 40B and I have...2 perc clowns and their RBTA, a green cromis, a pygmy hawkfish, a yellow prawn goby, a bristletail filefish, a green mandarin, a yellow clown goby, and a blue damsel.

I probably have more than most people would put in, but the gobies and hawkfish all pretty much just hang out in either their caves or on SPS colonies, so they are not out swimming in the open.

I really wanted to be sure that the tank was peaceful so made sure that everyone would get along. The blue damsel is so well behaved and more easy going than the clowns.

I would slowly add the fish you want and see how the tank progresses. You will know when you are at the max...just remember that your goal is to provide the BEST environment for the fish, not see how many fish you can cram into a tank.

Have fun!

 

[greech]

Sounds like a flasher or fairy wrasse would be a good addition.

I have 6 fish in mine and I won't be adding anymore. Pair of clowns, yasha goby, midas blenny, firefish and leopard wrasse. Took me 3 years to add this many fish and have success. I have lost a few fish trying to get here and feel my losses were due to me being stubborn and trying to manage a reef without a sump or skimmer. Despite taking time between additions, I still overloaded my system. Set a goal (stockilst) and take your time to reach it. You'll enjoy it more when your having success versus routine losses.

 

[Mr Neon]

Thanks for the info!

Still would like to get the Lyretail Anthias and definitely a wrasse. I know about damsels just might have to go to the internet to get a better species since the LFS only carry aggressive species it seems.

Thought about a tang, but then realized too small and possible tangs are not a good choice given their not too hardy..at least from my experience.

 

[greech]

The anthias are gonna be pushing it for a 40B as well as they are very active and like to swim a lot. They also really need to be fed multiple times each day. Something to keep in mind.

 

[MrTuskfish]

The anthias are gonna be pushing it for a 40B as well as they are very active and like to swim a lot. They also really need to be fed multiple times each day. Something to keep in mind.

I agree. I know its done; but (IMO & IME) no anthias really thrives in a tank this size.

 

[Mr Neon]

I agree. I know its done; but (IMO & IME) no anthias really thrives in a tank this size.

And the funny thing is I took tons of heat for calling out a LFS on "their" advice and "expertise" that the anthiasit for my tank was fine and great once acclimated. Again taking the advice without research is my fault.:fun5:

 

[sponger0]

I have a 40 breeder with 2 clowns, Ruby head fair wrasse, Starry blenny, mandarin, and a royal gramma in QT right now.

I would say 6-7 fish based on your filtration and how big they are when they mature,

But an anthia and wrasse in a 40 I wouldnt recommend. The wrasse could possible not be happy with sharing the swimming space...being its limited.

 

[jaa1456]

I have a 65 which is the same foot print as a 40B, except for the height. I have had a trio of Lyretail anthias for over a year with no problems, and 2 wrasses in there with them. As for an angel I have a Cherub/Pygmy angel and 2 clowns in there as well. So far everyone gets along. The last thing added was the yellow coris about 6-8 months ago.

 

[sponger0]

I have a 65 which is the same foot print as a 40B, except for the height. I have had a trio of Lyretail anthias for over a year with no problems, and 2 wrasses in there with them. As for an angel I have a Cherub/Pygmy angel and 2 clowns in there as well. So far everyone gets along. The last thing added was the yellow coris about 6-8 months ago.

The thing here is there is half as much more volume in the display itself.

 

[tritonman]

I currently have 5 in my 40b and not sure if I'll add another. 2 Ocellaris clowns, a firefish, striped blenny, and a mystery wrasse. Everyone gets along great (except for when the female feels like dominating the male). In time, may add a bottom dweller like a YWG, but want to feel the tank out for several months. Just added the wrasse a few weeks ago.

 

[jaa1456]

Its not half and most fish swim from side to side not up and down. Also the volume would depend on your sump volume.

 

[sponger0]

Its not half and most fish swim from side to side not up and down. Also the volume would depend on your sump volume.

The swimming part is true but that's 25 more gallons in the display alone. More swimming room, more volume. Also depending on the fish they will tend to stick to lower, middle or upper parts of the tank. I still say all those factors make a difference

 

[mapn4reef]

Correct jass1456, it's not half, it's 62.5% more water volumn than a 40g tank...

Be like comparing a 162.5 gal tank to a 100 gal tank...

I agree with sponger0...big difference...

 

[Mr Neon]

Since I have 2 Occ clowns right now that seem to be doing some dances once in awhile..would it best to wait to see if they mate? I haven't read up much about mated clowns and the habits since I didn't think I would be seeing this. I would like to venture out this weekend and get another fish and corals but don't necessarily want to disturb the clowns if something cool is going to happen.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Since I have 2 Occ clowns right now that seem to be doing some dances once in awhile..would it best to wait to see if they mate? I haven't read up much about mated clowns and the habits since I didn't think I would be seeing this. I would like to venture out this weekend and get another fish and corals but don't necessarily want to disturb the clowns if something cool is going to happen.

Two juvi clowns will usually form a bonded pair and become quite territorial. Adding a fish now sure shouldn't bother them and will be easier than after they have established a territory. Occ. clowns are quite passive fish; but once paired, they will defend their territory against any newcomer. A bonded pair could easily consider all of a 40 gal tank theirs and make adding fish more difficult in the future. Not impossible of course, but expect some squabbles at that time.

 

[Mr Neon]

Cool! Since I lost a lot of fish in the past few months I decided to be smart and ask others on here and finally do research on what to put into my tank instead of just going on the "wow" factor.

I am considering a 75g upgrade since I may want the "wow" factor fish..just have to look at budget and other variables.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Cool! Since I lost a lot of fish in the past few months I decided to be smart and ask others on here and finally do research on what to put into my tank instead of just going on the "wow" factor.

I am considering a 75g upgrade since I may want the "wow" factor fish..just have to look at budget and other variables.

:thumbsup: There is no substitute for soundly researching everything you do in this hobby. there just isn't one single source for info. Get opinions, use common sense, and you'll have a lifetime addiction. BTW, IMO, this is a great starting place for basic and reasonably accurate fish info:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15

My other passion is just the opposite; a rigid set of rules that must always be followed to the letter. Kind of a nice contrast.

 

[solaris11]

I have a 36 bow with a shrimp YWG pair (makes a mess of the sand) 2 clowns and a bengaii cardinal.....plan on getting a royal gramma, tail spotted blenny and 2 chromis.....been stocked with the existing fish and bioload is not an issue and I figure there are very friendly fish....thoughts?

 

[solaris11]

Didn't realize this thread was 3 years old...lol