40B SPS stocklist, Suggestions:

Firefish are extremely difficult to pair since you can't distinguish the sexes. I took a chance & bought a pair knowing that it might not work.

They were good for 3 months & even exhibited spawning behavior. All of a sudden one started going after the other & went as far as to chase it out of a hiding spot only to torment it some more. Both of them had torn fins & what I saw was quite nasty since the tank is at work & I'm right next to it for 8 hours a day.

I have a very happy friend with a free Helfrichi. If they don't get along a 40B is not big enough for them to coexist. Plan on having to remove one from the tank eventually if you go that route.
 
fishhuman said:
Im sorry i bashed you i just saw yellow tang 40 gallons and went haywire.:o
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Trust me I get it. I worked in saltwater retail for about 6 years total and yes... you always get those who think a baby banded catshark can fit in their 5 1/2 gallon freshwater tank.

lol

They were good for 3 months & even exhibited spawning behavior. All of a sudden one started going after the other & went as far as to chase it out of a hiding spot only to torment it some more. Both of them had torn fins & what I saw was quite nasty since the tank is at work & I'm right next to it for 8 hours a day.
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Thats one H*LL of a lover quarrel!
 
Fish Biscuit said:
Firefish are extremely difficult to pair since you can't distinguish the sexes. I took a chance & bought a pair knowing that it might not work.

They were good for 3 months & even exhibited spawning behavior. All of a sudden one started going after the other & went as far as to chase it out of a hiding spot only to torment it some more. Both of them had torn fins & what I saw was quite nasty since the tank is at work & I'm right next to it for 8 hours a day.

I have a very happy friend with a free Helfrichi. If they don't get along a 40B is not big enough for them to coexist. Plan on having to remove one from the tank eventually if you go that route.
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Ok ok I'm sorry didn't realize you meant as a pair, I can see that happening. They usually are pretty good with most other fish, that's why I was confused!
 
Is it with Helfrichi specifically? I have paired up 2 sets of red firefish and 2 sets of purples. Each time I had gotten the fish out of a tank with half a dozen just swimming around. I have never had them fight and one of the purple pairs was in a 40b. I currently have a 38g and am thinking about the Helfrichi and now you have me wondering if this is common with them.
 
Dartolution said:
I think its safe to say I may stay away from these dart fish...

I have to have my fork tail fang blenny however!
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I love that type of blenny too, I'm in the market for a tail spot blenny this time. I've had the Smiths, Canary, and BiColor blennies and all were cool. Canary was the most aggressive, would rather get a Midas next time for yellow.
 
Dartolution said:
These are cave dwellers, why would this anthias not be appropriate?
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Worst fish I ever owned. Hard to get eating and even then only eats frozen food which means no automatic feeder if you need to go out of town for a few days. Also, hides a lot. In other words no fun having it despite it's pretty colors and small size.
 
Is it with Helfrichi specifically? I have paired up 2 sets of red firefish and 2 sets of purples. Each time I had gotten the fish out of a tank with half a dozen just swimming around. I have never had them fight and one of the purple pairs was in a 40b. I currently have a 38g and am thinking about the Helfrichi and now you have me wondering if this is common with them.
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I don't think it's specific to Helfrichi, I think you got extremely lucky the last 4 times & should go buy a lottery ticket. :)
 
List Narrowed:

List Narrowed:

So, after some thought, and browsing on various saltwater sites to view stock they had, Ive decided on the following list for candidates...

*NOTE: not ALL these fish are going in this build, this is just the list I have narrowed it down to.

Rainfordi Goby: Amblygobius rainfordi
- I have always loved these little guys, they are colorful, and active and fun to watch.

Blueline Neon Goby: Elacatinus oceanops
- Not only are they good at parasite control, they are fun to watch their antics.

Greenbanded Goby: Elacatinus multifasciatum
- I have seen these guys before, and mainly just like the pattern.

Catalina Goby:Lythrypnus dalli
- These are my favorite, even though they are a cooler water species, I have seen them tank raised, which are supposedly more hardy.

Red Firefish: Nemateleotris magnifica
- or
Purple Firefish: Nemateleotris decora
- or
Helfrichi Firefish: Nemateleotris helfrichi

Royal Gramma: Gramma loreto
- Normally end up with one of these little guys somehow

Flame Angel: Centropyge loricula
- Love the color splash

Potters Angel : Centropyge potteri
- If I can find an impressive specimen

Cleaner Wrasse : Labroides dimidiatus
- For the obvious parasite control, I have also successfully kept one of these guys before, tricky yes, but doable (however it is unlikely I will attempt again)

Leopard Wrasse (female): Macropharyngodon meleagris
- Also had a female for years, another tricky fish, unlikely but possible if I can find a healthy specimen.

Mystery Wrasse: (highly likely): Pseudocheilinus ocellatus
- Always wanted one several years ago but they were insanely priced, now I see the prices have gone down a little and they remain small.

6 Line Wrasse (doubtful due to open top): Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

Blue Reef Chromis:Chromis cyaneus
- I usually end up with one of these guys anyway

Forktail Blenny : Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
- This guy is going in my build no matter what. These are my favorite blenny's. A definite


For now I am choosing from this list.

Absolute NO's!:
No P*SS&$ off damsels, No tangs, No eels, No pipefish or filefish, No Clownfish, and No Butteflies, No Hawks, No Batfish, Puffers, Lions, or weird brackish fish that don't belong in a reef.
 
Skip the yellow tang, although zebrasoma tangs are slow growers and aren't nearly as "spastic" as tangs of other genera, he will take up a huge chunk of the bioload and will severely limit what else you will be able to add. Avoid the ventralis as well, they typically have a difficult time acclimating to captivity, as well as needing a dimly lit, slightly colder environment (your average tank wouldn't cut it). A forktail blenny would be good, a pair of helfrichi firefish, some kind of possum wrasse (the most underrated fish IMO), a fathead sunburst anthias and some kind of small blenny (tailspot, two spot, Red Sea mimic), and maybe a pair of neon gobies or something. That's what Id do anyways :bum:
 
Here are my thoughts:

Dartolution said:
Rainfordi Goby: Amblygobius rainfordi
- They have specific dietary needs, which you are probably aware of. Otherwise, ok.

Blueline Neon Goby: Elacatinus oceanops
- Don't bother IMO. They have short life spans, and in an open top tank, I would be surprised if they last a week. I have had four, and only one lasted more than a week in my tank (one was beat up by another and died, another died of unknown causes, one jumped on top of my overflow cover and dried up, and the last one lasted a couple months but jumped through my 1/4" mesh top and landed on top and dried up). Plus, everyone one came down with a disease (either Ich or Lympho).

Greenbanded Goby: Elacatinus multifasciatum
- Not familiar with their needs, so no comment.

Catalina Goby:Lythrypnus dalli
- You already mentioned that the tank raised ones should be ok in a cooler tank vs. the wild caught.

Red Firefish: Nemateleotris magnifica
- or
Purple Firefish: Nemateleotris decora
- or
Helfrichi Firefish: Nemateleotris helfrichi
- I would go with a helfrichi personally. Least aggressive of the bunch, and best looking IMO. However it will likely jump out of an open top tank.

Royal Gramma: Gramma loreto
- Ok.

Flame Angel: Centropyge loricula
- Hopefully you don't like PE (polyp extension) on your SPS; there is a good chance you will get a nipper. They also should really be in a larger tank IMO.

Potters Angel : Centropyge potteri
-See comment on the Flame Angel. Basically the same applies.

Cleaner Wrasse : Labroides dimidiatus
- I would definitely not attempt in a smaller tank. They can harass other fish trying to clean them, don't always do well in captivity period, plus are known not to be reef safe (they will consume polyps).

Leopard Wrasse (female): Macropharyngodon meleagris
- Tank is too small for one IMO, especially since you already have listed a couple pod hunters in your list. Will likely jump out of your tank.

Mystery Wrasse: (highly likely): Pseudocheilinus ocellatus
- They don't remain small, and are known to become jerks once established. Avoid the Pseudocheilinus genus period. Also, it will jump out of an open top tank.

6 Line Wrasse (doubtful due to open top): Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
- See above on Mystery Wrasse. Same applies regarding behavior and open top tank.

Blue Reef Chromis:Chromis cyaneus
- Never had any so can't comment.

Forktail Blenny : Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
- Assuming you have kept these in the past and so know their requirements.
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Bottom line is, get some kind of a cover on the tank if at all possible. 1/4" mesh top is a good choice, however a lot of your smaller fish would jump right through either way :( Hope this helps either way.
 
I'm a big fan of the Yellow Coris Wrasse, it's such a cool fish and the color is just awesome. If you can, definitely build a screen top no matter what fish you buy, I've heard of all types of fish jumping.
 
Rainfordi Goby: Amblygobius rainfordi
- They have specific dietary needs, which you are probably aware of. Otherwise, ok.
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Specific dietary requirements? The only specific requirements I am aware of are a varied diet as they are omnivorous, live foods like blackworms or brine help acclimate individuals to newly establish aquariums... Otherwise IME they are pretty hardy little guys.

Blueline Neon Goby: Elacatinus oceanops
- Don't bother IMO. They have short life spans, and in an open top tank, I would be surprised if they last a week. I have had four, and only one lasted more than a week in my tank (one was beat up by another and died, another died of unknown causes, one jumped on top of my overflow cover and dried up, and the last one lasted a couple months but jumped through my 1/4" mesh top and landed on top and dried up). Plus, everyone one came down with a disease (either Ich or Lympho).
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This build has a 2" clearance between the top of the water line and aquarium. I was thinking of installing a solid sheet of glass as a barrier to minimize evaporating water loss and jumpers, as I don't like mesh, thoughts?
I have had these guys before, but I don't remember their lifespan.

Flame Angel: Centropyge loricula
- Hopefully you don't like PE (polyp extension) on your SPS; there is a good chance you will get a nipper. They also should really be in a larger tank IMO.
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LOL! I actually like minimal PE but thats a preference haha!
I don't remember my flame angel in the past ever picking at any of my SPS corals... what about a coral beauty?

Cleaner Wrasse : Labroides dimidiatus
- I would definitely not attempt in a smaller tank. They can harass other fish trying to clean them, don't always do well in captivity period, plus are known not to be reef safe (they will consume polyps).
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Good point, I forgot what size build this is.

Mystery Wrasse: (highly likely): Pseudocheilinus ocellatus
- They don't remain small, and are known to become jerks once established. Avoid the Pseudocheilinus genus period. Also, it will jump out of an open top tank.
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Noted

Forktail Blenny : Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
- Assuming you have kept these in the past and so know their requirements.
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Yes but please elaborate.
 
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