Another stocking question...

[sn4265]

I have a pretty well established 120g reef (4x2x2). Currently it only has a pair of Black Clowns along with the various corals (softies and LPS) and a clam. I have a horrible problem with bubble algae and also some terrible turf algae on my LR. I'm looking to restock my CUC with a package of snails and hermits and then planning on putting in a few new fish.

I have a 29g breeder for a QT. I would like to quarantine and add the new fish all at the same time if possible, but... I think I'm pretty much set on a Foxface of some kind, leaning mostly towards a Magnificent Foxface. I'm also thinking to include a pair of Firefish, probably the purple ones. Finally, I think I'm going to try another tang. I had horrible luck with my first tang (Kole Yellow Eye) as I think it is what sparked an ich outbreak and pretty much wiped out the tank. I'm considering mostly either a Whitecheek or White Tail Bristletooth, and wondering if one of these would be a better fit for my tank. There is a dwindling chance that I might consider a Powder Blue, but I really think I've just about eliminated that one from the running.

Aside from adding this combination of fish, how about the QT issue? Can I put all of these together in the QT at the same time? Is this just a recipe for disaster? I imagine that the Firefish could probably do OK in QT with either the FoxFace or the tang, I'm just not sure about having both the Foxface and tang together in QT.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

 

[Rea17]

You will want to go with a single firefish unless you are able to find a bonded pair, otherwise you will end up with one anyway.

I would pass on the powder blue and the white cheek, they will both need a larger tank. The bristletooth would be a good fit though. Definitely quarantine and treat the new fish. Did you treat the old ones since your ich outbreak? If not, it's highly likely that the parasite is still lurking in the tank and may infest new fish even if they are properly quarantined.

 

[sn4265]

You will want to go with a single firefish unless you are able to find a bonded pair, otherwise you will end up with one anyway.

I would pass on the powder blue and the white cheek, they will both need a larger tank. The bristletooth would be a good fit though. Definitely quarantine and treat the new fish. Did you treat the old ones since your ich outbreak? If not, it's highly likely that the parasite is still lurking in the tank and may infest new fish even if they are properly quarantined.

Yes. I put them into the QT and ran hpyo in there for 8 weeks before moving them back to the DT. My understanding is that 2 months in the DT without a fish host, the DT should now be completely clean. That is why I'm really trying to be sure that anything new we introduce is clean.

 

[Rea17]

Yes. I put them into the QT and ran hpyo in there for 8 weeks before moving them back to the DT. My understanding is that 2 months in the DT without a fish host, the DT should now be completely clean. That is why I'm really trying to be sure that anything new we introduce is clean.

Ok good, it sounds like you've done your home work.

Back to the fish choices, I think you could quarantine everyone in the 29g just fine, make sure there are plenty of PVC hiding places to go around. Being introduced to the QT at the same time or the foxface first will help with aggression. I think putting the foxface in a 4' tank is borderline, so I won't voice an opinion on that. I will say that my bicolor grew quickly and stopped around 7-8" but certainly isn't an active swimmer like my tangs are. One spot foxfaces stay a little smaller.

 

[rssjsb]

I have a pretty well established 120g reef (4x2x2).I think I'm pretty much set on a Foxface of some kind, leaning mostly towards a Magnificent Foxface.

I agree with Ami - a 4-foot tank is marginal for a foxface longterm. They grow quickly and will make your tank look crowded eventually.

Finally, I think I'm going to try another tang. I had horrible luck with my first tang (Kole Yellow Eye) as I think it is what sparked an ich outbreak and pretty much wiped out the tank. I'm considering mostly either a Whitecheek or White Tail Bristletooth, and wondering if one of these would be a better fit for my tank.

None of these tangs is less likely to bring ich to your tank than a Kole. It's a matter of personal preference which one you go with. I would not put any tang larger than a kole or tomini in a 4-foot tank.