55g Stocking Questions

[laeelin]

I have a 55g + 20g sump.

It is currently stocked with:

2 x Clownfish
3 x Blue Chromis

I'd like some advice for the long term stocking plan...

I'd like to add:

2 x Royal Gramma
2 x Firefish
2 x Pajama Cardinalfish
2 x Ruby Red Dragonet
1 x Six Line Wrasse
1 x Lawnmower Blenny

I'm probably just humanizing them, but my gut always says to have two of each when possible. My mind knows that it's a bad idea with many species, so feel free to correct / modify the list as desired.

All of these fish are small, and I tried to get multiple different "layers"

I'm very flexible, and my only actual "requirements" are 1 x Royal Gamma, and 1 x Firefish. I have no idea of this is a reasonable stocking amount for a 55g or not.

Does this look reasonable, or should I thin out the list? I'm open for suggestions as well.

What order should I add them?

Thank you!

 

[shifty51008]

I would always love to get pairs of each fish also, make sure you buy them as pairs though as just adding 2 of the same kind dont always work out. Sorry im not much of a help though on which ones will be fine together though. However i would be worried about 2 dragonet's in a 55 gal. They are pod eaters and can starve if not a big enough tank and fuge, most reccomend only 1 in a 75 gal tank.

 

[gone fishin]

2 x Royal Gramma
2 x Firefish
2 x Pajama Cardinalfish
2 x Ruby Red Dragonet
1 x Six Line Wrasse
1 x Lawnmower Blenny



Thank you!

I would go with one royal gramma

1 firefish, unless paired one will die and if paired one may still die long term

I think 2 cardinals would work

I would skip the dragonets until a lot more research has been done.

I would skip the six line. They can be quite the bully. This where more research comes in for dragonets. The sixline will eat pods and outcompete the dragonets for food.

The lawnmower blenny would be good. I have had a couple of them that would only eat algae and would not touch prepared foods. Before you buy see if you can see them eat.

Good luck. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sk8r]

Never put a dragonet and a six line into the same tank. The dragonet will starve. And if you do not have a 20 gallon mature fuge producing pods, a 55 cannot support a dragonet. Hold off on that one. One chromis or one yellowtail to a 55. Damsels usually need a hundred gallon tank, but these are quiet fellows, if frantic, and will be fine if single.

 

[e048]

Ditch the six line get a yellow coris wrasse or a small fairy wrasse instead less aggressive and still pretty active

Get one gramma and firefish unless as stated above you know they are a mated pair

I would ditch the dragonet and cardinals and get a coral beauty or flame angel if you don't plan on keeping sps or clams

 

[laeelin]

Updated listing.

Updated listing.

========================================
=========== Currently In Tank ================
========================================

2 x Ocellaris Clownfish (I think)
Max Size: 3"
Temperment: Peaceful
Feeding: Mysis Shrimp + Pellets
Color: Orange / White

3 x Blue Chromis
Max Size: 3.5"
Temperment: Peaceful
Feeding: Pellets
Color: Blue-Green


=======================================
=========== Adding To Tank ================
=======================================

1 x Royal Gramma
Max Size: 3"
Temperment: Peaceful
Feeding: Mysis Shrimp
Color: Yellow / Purple

1 x Firefish
Max Size: 3"
Temperment: Peaceful
Feeding: Mysis Shrimp
Color: Red / White

1 x Longfin Fairy Wrasse
Max Size: 3"
Temperment: Peaceful
Feeding: Mysis Shrimp + Pellets
Color: Red / Orange

2 x Kaudern's Cardinalfish (changed from Pajama)
Max Size: 3"
Temperment: Semi-aggressive
Feeding: Mysis Shrimp
Color: White / Black


Additional Notes:
I have a 20g sump + fuge to help with bio-filtration

I would LOVE a coral beauty or flame angel, but I plan on having a hamemr coral and some Zoanthus.

The top of the tank is covered in eggcrate. Hopefully that is enough to stop jumpers.

When making the first draft I just looked at the "care level" and temperament. I assumed anything that needed pods would not be listed as an "easy" care level. My mistake...

I listed the additional fish in the order I plan on adding them.

Once my tank stabilizes from the move I plan on adding:

1 x Royal Gramma
1 x Firefish

Then once that stabilizes I'll add:

1 x Longfin Fairy Wrasse
2 x Kaudern's Cardinalfish

I'm assuming that would be better than adding them in all at once, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

.... I wish I had never saw a Coral Beauty now. Beautiful fish and because many have had success with them in reef tanks it's tempting to just cross my fingers and try.

Any other suggestions / changes?

BTW - if that is to much for a 55g, I'll drop the Cardinalfish.

Thank you!