SteveJakubiec
In Memoriam
2- Ocellaris Clownfish
1- Bullet Goby
1- Starry Blenny
1- Leopard Wrasse
1- Bullet Goby
1- Starry Blenny
1- Leopard Wrasse
Am I overstocked?
- Thread starter SteveJakubiec
- Start date
SteveJakubiec
In Memoriam
So, I am guessing I am fine? I feed two times a day, unless the fish look very hungry, I feed a small meal somewhere in between the two main feedings. Would it be alright if I would add some type of water column swimming fish? What would you recommend? I probably won't add now, not until down the road.
SteveJakubiec
In Memoriam
I read you should have more than one anthias, but not sure if my tank would be able to handle that.
michael_cb_125
New member
Many species of anthias do very well singly. Most people do not have large enough tanks to keep a large school of anthias. Also most people do not realize how complex the social structure of anthias is. Many species need to be kept singly in small reef tanks.
Look at the male Lyretail anthias. They do very well singly, and are one of the easier to keep anthias.
Or if you are looking for something easier to keep, look at the flasher wrasses. these fish swim mid-column just like the anthias. Just be sure to get a lid or screen, as they are jumpers.
~Michael
Look at the male Lyretail anthias. They do very well singly, and are one of the easier to keep anthias.
Or if you are looking for something easier to keep, look at the flasher wrasses. these fish swim mid-column just like the anthias. Just be sure to get a lid or screen, as they are jumpers.
~Michael
SteveJakubiec
In Memoriam
Would the anthias stay female or turn male, I like the female lyretail better, what about bartlett's? Could I have a trio of them...?
michael_cb_125
New member
If you add a female it should stay female, but it could change on you. It is very difficult to say.
The barletts are a great reef fish, but they are a little more difficult to maintain than the lyretail. I would avoid adding a trio in a 55 gallon tank. There may not be enough room to hinder aggression, plus you will have to feed alot to maintain a trio of anthias. Then you have to consider how that extra feeding will effect your water quality.
~Michael
The barletts are a great reef fish, but they are a little more difficult to maintain than the lyretail. I would avoid adding a trio in a 55 gallon tank. There may not be enough room to hinder aggression, plus you will have to feed alot to maintain a trio of anthias. Then you have to consider how that extra feeding will effect your water quality.
~Michael
mmagaletti
In Memoriam
First off, if you add a female barlets anthias I can assure you it will change to a male if it is healthy. You can't prevent it.
As for the overstocking issue, as long as you can maintain your nitrates at 0 you can add more fish. Make sure your skimmer is working great and clean it regularly. Dont forget to allow for grow out space. Tangs get pretty big and as a result require a lot of food and a lot of waste results. If you stick with fish that stay around 3 to 4 inches or smaller you could probably have 5 fish. You already have 3 fish that fall into this category (female clown, bullet goby and wrasse). You could add an athias and still have space for another small fish or several nano fish like for example watchmen gobies, dottyback, cardinals, firefish.
In the end use your nitrate levels to judge what your system can hand. Going slow will allow you to push the envelope as well as carfeully controling your feeding.
Have fun
As for the overstocking issue, as long as you can maintain your nitrates at 0 you can add more fish. Make sure your skimmer is working great and clean it regularly. Dont forget to allow for grow out space. Tangs get pretty big and as a result require a lot of food and a lot of waste results. If you stick with fish that stay around 3 to 4 inches or smaller you could probably have 5 fish. You already have 3 fish that fall into this category (female clown, bullet goby and wrasse). You could add an athias and still have space for another small fish or several nano fish like for example watchmen gobies, dottyback, cardinals, firefish.
In the end use your nitrate levels to judge what your system can hand. Going slow will allow you to push the envelope as well as carfeully controling your feeding.
Have fun
SteveJakubiec
In Memoriam
I will most likely add a type of Flasher wrasse, maybe even a nice fairy wrasse if I can find any at my LFS.
