Am I overstocked? 55 gallon

[rfonofrey]

I recently converted a 55 gallon tank from freshwater to saltwater. I now have 85 lbs. live rock with lots of caves and hiding places, 80 pounds live sand, bak pak 2 protein skimmer, fluval 305 canister filter, fluval 70 HOB filter, and completely cycled for a few weeks before adding fish. My ammonia and nitrites are 0.0, and my nitrates are about 10 ppm. I do weekly 10% water changes. My fish world consists of:

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
3 female Lyretail Anthias
1 six line wrasse
1 diamond watchman goby
2 purple firefish
1 cleaner shrimp
1 red skooter dragonet
25 hermit crabs
4 snails

I plan on letting the tank go for a month or so before adding an Anemone, and eventually some soft coral.

Anyway, am I fully stocked? I'd like to add one more "centerpiece" fish, like a dwarf angelfish, tang, or small butterfly. Can I?

 

[cloak]

Fish wise, your already maxed out IMO. The corals & the anemone would be ok though, just as long as your parameters are kept within reason and the lighting is sufficient. GL.

 

[jrr98002]

In my opinion you're pretty well stocked for a 55 gallon. If you MUST add another fish though, go with the dwarf angel out of the ones you mentioned, as your tank won't be big enough for the other two unless you get them very small and plan on switching them out frequently as they get bigger.

 

[atraperegrinus]

6 line, and dragonnet in same tank, and a freshly cycled tank at that, isn't that kinda bad? already no pod population. wont the 2 fight for the pods that are there?

keep in mind im newer to the hobby, its a legitimate question, not trying to start a fight. lol

 

[goliwala]

I am the Sargent of dragnonett police (AKA Manderin police). If your dragonett is eating frozen or pallet, you are fine, else you'll have a dead dragonett soon.

 

[stingeragent]

It's Sergeant.

 

[rfonofrey]

Will my POD population be eliminated?

 

[chimmike]

IF you have a significant pod population, it will be decimated in less than a day with those two.
I'd give the dragonet to someone with a tank that can sustain it.

 

[gone fishin]

Will my POD population be eliminated?

With the info provided I would say it would be exhausted pretty quick. Just about anything will outcompete a mandy for pods. They are slow methodical feeders. Ideally they will eat a pod about every 5 seconds while they are awake.

I think your stocked up as well. Good luck

 

[CStrickland]

Yeah, I haven't seen a single pod in my 55 since I added a melanurus wrasse.
It doesn't sound like op has a sump to breed them in either. I'd rehome the scooter and not add anything else. The ones you have will get bigger too

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Your tank isn't large enough for a Tank or Butterfly fish either. I also agree get rid of the scooter as it doesn't have much of a chance unless you spend a fortune buying pods every week or start producing them yourself. I'd also get rid of the 6 line as they get very aggressive when they mature.

 

[CHizer]

I think your slightly overstocked on fish. You'll be ok but I wouldn't add more. I agree with everyone about the dragnet though. He needs a more established pod population.

You'd be good to add corals and the anemone.

 

[Taahirs]

I'd get rid of the anthias and dragonet.

Then you'll be good to add a Dwarf angel comfortably.

 

[gji]

even thou they are small fish, they do require their own space, so IMO I think you are at the limit. I wouldn't add anything else. how are the fish acting toward each other????

 

[rfonofrey]

even thou they are small fish, they do require their own space, so IMO I think you are at the limit. I wouldn't add anything else. how are the fish acting toward each other????

They all seem really happy and don't bother each other at all. I'm thinking because I have a lot of hiding spaces and places to swim in and out of?

 

[snorvich]

IF you have a significant pod population, it will be decimated in less than a day with those two.
I'd give the dragonet to someone with a tank that can sustain it.

I agree. And the six line will likely be a problem in any case.