Biocube Stocking Question

[mickeyfish]

Just added a Banggai Cardinalfish to join my two Clownfish in my reef setup with primarily softies. I also have a reasonably sized clean up crew, a skunk shrimp, and some peppermints.

I plan to add two more fish over the next couple of months for a total of 5 in the Biocube 32. I am between the below. Any advice?

1. Coral Beauty (would be added last).
2. Royal Gramma
3. Six Line Wrasse
4. Watchman Goby
5. Yellow Tailed Damsel (smaller version of Dory for the kids).

Thanks.


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[nereefpat]

Just added a Banggai Cardinalfish to join my two Clownfish in my reef setup with primarily softies. I also have a reasonably sized clean up crew, a skunk shrimp, and some peppermints.

I plan to add two more fish over the next couple of months for a total of 5 in the Biocube 32. I am between the below. Any advice?

1. Coral Beauty (would be added last). Gets too big. Also can be aggressive in small tanks.
2. Royal Gramma Good Choice
3. Six Line Wrasse These fish can turn nasty. They always make the list if things people wish they never put in their tank.
4. Watchman Goby Good choice, especially if it's a smaller species like the yellow watchman
5. Yellow Tailed Damsel (smaller version of Dory for the kids). Good fish, and definitely better than a blue tang. I fear the clowns and this may not get along in a biocube. It might be worth trying, but be prepared to possibly pull it out.

I would stay away from the angel and sixline wrasse for size and aggression reasons.

If I had to pick two, the gramma and goby would be the best choices.

Thanks.


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[kevin21]

Agreed with the above. You wont be disappointed with a nice yellow watchman goby and royal gramma.

 

[SRQreef3r]

I have a 34 gallon cube with 2 clowns, a yellow watchman and a six line. Six lines can be hit or miss, and if you get one that isn’t very aggressive they are good looking, fun, hardy fish. My watchman loves to jump into overflow on a weekly basis so that’s the only downside for mine.

 

[Cliving1]

Skip the coral beauty, you can do a pygmy cherub or flameback instead. I would skip the 6 line. Right now I have a possum wrasse, and is my favorite fish

 

[saf1]

Pass on the Coral Beauty - tank is too small. I have a baby in my 40 breeder and it uses every inch of the tank. Beautiful fish though I must say but he/she will be rehomed to a 240 here in a couple months.

Damsels - you have a few choices. Talbots, Azures, and Starcki would be great choices. Especially if you don't mind waiting until they are in stock - a Starcki would be awesome.


Royal Gramma are another great choice. Very striking with regards to color. Always a fan favorite when people visit.

Couple small clown gobies come to mind.

Blenny - starry or algae would be nice. They get a bit larger than say the bi-color. Blennies are always goofing around and have some great personality. I have an algae and while rather plain my nephew loves it. So glad I picked it up.

 

[kevin21]

Believe you can only have 1 clown goby per tank, especially in a 32. If you decide to go that route.

 

[mickeyfish]

Thanks for the good feedback everyone. From what I am reading I think the direction I might go is with a Pygmy Cherub and Royal Gramma.

Would 6 fish in the Biocube 32 be pushing it? Could I add the small damsel as well?

 

[kevin21]

I would stick with the 5. Anything more and it will be crowded with aggression becoming an issue from lack of swimming room. I have 4 in my 28, 2 clowns, flame hawkfish, and a purple psuedochromis....and I still feel like they are cramped

 

[TokiHacker]

Skip the coral beauty, you can do a pygmy cherub or flameback instead. I would skip the 6 line. Right now I have a possum wrasse, and is my favorite fish

That's what I was thinking. A nice flameback.

 

[Sk8r]

Suggest a pink margin or flasher wrasse instead.

 

[scooter31707]

For some reason, my gut is telling me that the 6-line will be a jerk in that size tank.

 

[reef cuber]

how about a green banded goby?

 

[mickeyfish]

I think the direction we will likely go depending on availability is either:

1. Pygmy Cherub and Royal Gramma
2. Flasher Wrasse and Yellow Tail Damsel.

Looking for fish that will swim out in the water column the most as my clowns and bangaii cardinal seem to stay behind rocks most of the day.

 

[homer1475]

I found that if the fish hide all day, no matter what you put in the tank they will all hide.

Like the reef, if fish are out swimming, other fish think it's safe and come out of the rockwork. If all the fish are in the rockwork, then they assume it's not safe to come out and swim. I think you'll find that if you put a couple more smaller fish in the tank, the rest will also come out to swim in the open spaces.

With that said, royal gramma and a flasher wrasse would definitely be out swimming enticing the rest to come out and swim around.

 

[sde1500]

I'd go RG and flasher/fairy wrasse. Pygmy would fit, but may run the tank and be the only one swimming around.