Caribbean Biotope Seagrass Tank

I got a confirmation email; the fish come tomorrow! I ordered from KP Aquatics, formerly SeaLife Inc. This is my first time ordering from them, but I've heard good things.

I can't even imagine how different my tank will be, after these new additions. For one thing, it will be a lot more interesting to look at! Can't wait!

You told me about them! They are bookmarked in my browser under my huge folder 'Fish Stuff'. I'll be ordering from them next year.

Are you going to get Chalk Bass also eventually?
 
Chalk Bass are on my list. I just don't know how many, or when. I'd like to do a school of five or so.

First, I want to see how the seven new fish I'm adding tomorrow do. I imagine it will take a while for the ecosystem to adjust. Hopefully things don't go as badly as the last time I added fish!

As I said earlier, I have no idea how things will change. Just knowing that change is coming should help. I'll start out feeding sparingly, so the tank can adjust, without triggering an algae outbreak. And hopefully, the detrivores will adjust to the increased PL (poo load). We shall see!
 
Hey Michael, how'd you find that kp aquatics place? It looks like they have some nice stuff!

It looks like i'll have to wait to get some things from them
 
I think I first heard of them when they were Sea Life. Someone was setting up a SW planted tank and he used them. There are several good collectors in Florida, so if you're looking for caribbean species, they can save you some money. This is my first time buying from them, I think, so I'll hold off on the seal of approval, until I see the fish.

One possible complication for morning delivery today is the weather. Right now it's 15 degrees and snowing like a banshee. There's already a foot of snow on the ground, and at the rate it's going, it'll be close to two! They do a great job of plowing the roads, but the snow has to let up, so they can get ahead of it.

I hope they added heat packs!
 
My fish are here! Thanks, KP Aquatics!

Ironically, the small blue tang looked to be in the best shape of all of them. They sent me an extra gramma! I got them all acclimated and released in the display, rather than the quarantine tank. The QT needs a little more time, and a fish in there, to get it ready. I'll get a chromis in there asap.

So, the grammas went right for the wall. They're all hiding out, for now. The gramma caves (TM) appear to be a success!

The tang is exploring and nibbling about. More to come!
 
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Oh man, this fish is pretty!



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Being sociable.



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He's pretty small. Close to 3 inches.



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Love those blue accents.



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One more, with the nem.

Well I had fun, watching the new fish today. The grammas are still pretty shy, but they are way cool, the way they surf the current, oriented to the wall, and their constant interaction. A sight to behold! I'll try to get pics of them soon.

The tang is much less shy, but rarely stops moving, so it's hard to get a good pic. He cruises around, tasting the local flora. Doesn't seem too terribly interested in the caulerpa yet.
 
Very nice pics of your new fish. The splash of yellow against the natural greens and reds of your plants is beautiful. I can't wait to see the royal grammas.
 
Thanks, vlangel!

He seems to like the attention, but rarely sits still. I took about 100 pics to get 5 half decent ones. Of course, I'll keep trying. I really love doing it! Plus, I think it's very helpful for all of us to post more pics.

The grammas are still pretty elusive, but they seem to be settling in. I'm hoping to see them all out at once, but so far, the most I've seen is 5. When I approach the tank, they tend to hide. I've been sitting close to the tank to get them used to me. Some of them hide, some stay out, so it's just a matter of time. I'll try to get some pics of them, maybe today. They are fun to watch. The way they move, staying close to the wall, looks like very natural behavior.

It's funny, being in the hobby for 30 years or so, I never kept a single royal gramma. I guess their being the most popular and durable fish available, didn't have enough 'snob appeal' for me! And always seeing them singly in dealers' tanks, was less appealing. Having a harem of them cranks up my interest, watching them all interact, and hopefully I'll get to witness spawning activity (bow chika chika bow bow).

Looking at my fish list, I don't think I've kept ANY of these caribbean species. Coming from Florida, I guess none of them were 'exotic' enough for me. Now, living in Colorado, I'm fascinated with this Caribbean Biotope!
 
Thanks, vlangel!

He seems to like the attention, but rarely sits still. I took about 100 pics to get 5 half decent ones. Of course, I'll keep trying. I really love doing it! Plus, I think it's very helpful for all of us to post more pics.

The grammas are still pretty elusive, but they seem to be settling in. I'm hoping to see them all out at once, but so far, the most I've seen is 5. When I approach the tank, they tend to hide. I've been sitting close to the tank to get them used to me. Some of them hide, some stay out, so it's just a matter of time. I'll try to get some pics of them, maybe today. They are fun to watch. The way they move, staying close to the wall, looks like very natural behavior.

It's funny, being in the hobby for 30 years or so, I never kept a single royal gramma. I guess their being the most popular and durable fish available, didn't have enough 'snob appeal' for me! And always seeing them singly in dealers' tanks, was less appealing. Having a harem of them cranks up my interest, watching them all interact, and hopefully I'll get to witness spawning activity (bow chika chika bow bow).

Looking at my fish list, I don't think I've kept ANY of these caribbean species. Coming from Florida, I guess none of them were 'exotic' enough for me. Now, living in Colorado, I'm fascinated with this Caribbean Biotope!

I'll add a +1 about spawning activity.
 
Ok, I got some gramma pics! They're not too good yet, but it's a start.

Also, I can finally account for all 7 of them today. I'd only seen 5 at once before. The last 2 consist of a 'rogue' fish living in the holes at the left end of the tank, in the bright light, and another that got stuck behind the wall. I've tried to free him to no avail. I'll try again today.

Here are the pics:


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