FOWLR compatibility questions

[ben jammin]

I've got a 260 gal FOWLR that's pretty well stocked with a mix of tangs, triggers, angels, and wrasses and some smaller fish that can hold their own, such as a fairy basslet, lawnmower blenny, etc. I'm trying to round out my stocking and wanted to get some opinions on a few compatibility issues:

-I'd like to add a decent size canary blenny. Are triggers (blue throat, Picasso) or angels (French, flame) likely to mess with him? I wouldn't think so, other than maybe being attracted to the tail streamers, but want to make sure.

-My flame angel has been established for 6 or 8 months, and can definitely be a little pugnacious though he is generally harmless. I'd like to add a bicolor angel. I have heard that flames can be intolerant of other centropyges, but a bicolor has very different coloration. I would expect some initial hazing, but is there likely to be all out war, or can these two species coexist?

-A flame hawkfish seems like it would fit in well. Any fish families that flame hawks don't get along with, or vice versa?

-My lawnmower blenny is FAT and could use some help keeping microalgae under control. If I added a starry blenny, are they likely to fight?

-My daughter really wants a purple pseudochromis, but I'm worried it would fight with my fairy basslet, who has claimed the very middle of the tank for its territory. Thoughts on that?

Appreciate hearing the collective wisdom on these issues.

 

[Vrod2169]

I have a 300 with a bicolor that is about 5-6 years old now. One year ago I placed a flame and after some initial curiosity they were fine by the next day. Two weeks ago I added a potters angel and everything is fine too. Good luck.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've got a 260 gal FOWLR that's pretty well stocked with a mix of tangs, triggers, angels, and wrasses and some smaller fish that can hold their own, such as a fairy basslet, lawnmower blenny, etc. I'm trying to round out my stocking and wanted to get some opinions on a few compatibility issues:

-I'd like to add a decent size canary blenny. Are triggers (blue throat, Picasso) or angels (French, flame) likely to mess with him? I wouldn't think so, other than maybe being attracted to the tail streamers, but want to make sure.

The canary blenny should be fine, the anthias may initially make displays, but be fine.
-My flame angel has been established for 6 or 8 months, and can definitely be a little pugnacious though he is generally harmless. I'd like to add a bicolor angel. I have heard that flames can be intolerant of other centropyges, but a bicolor has very different coloration. I would expect some initial hazing, but is there likely to be all out war, or can these two species coexist?

Body shape is also a factor, the size of your tank helps, but mixing dwarf angels may or may not work.

-A flame hawkfish seems like it would fit in well. Any fish families that flame hawks don't get along with, or vice versa?

He should fit in just fine.

-My lawnmower blenny is FAT and could use some help keeping microalgae under control. If I added a starry blenny, are they likely to fight?

The territory of a starry and lawnmower arent that big. Your tank should have enough space for both to coexist.

-My daughter really wants a purple pseudochromis, but I'm worried it would fight with my fairy basslet, who has claimed the very middle of the tank for its territory. Thoughts on that?

Purple pseudos can be quite aggressive, but adding him last will let him tolerate the fish already in there, and he will stay mostly within the rocks, so the anthias wont be an issue.

Appreciate hearing the collective wisdom on these issues.

 

[ben jammin]

Thanks for the responses. All sounds encouraging. I'm a little leery about the purple pseudo still as I am afraid I could never catch him if things don't go well. I may pull the trigger on the canary blenny and flame hawk though, and possibly the bicolor. I don't have any anthias, by the way, so no issue there. Closest thing is a red velvet fairy wrasse but he is not aggressive as far as I can tell.

 

[HumbleFish]

I would advise against adding the pseudochromis. They will usually stake out a hole in a rock and aggressively defend it from passing fish even 2-3 times their size. And then you gotta take the whole rock out (and usually kill them in the process) to have any chance of getting them out. Just a nightmare fish... I'd rather have a damsel in my tank.

 

[kw22]

i would advise against adding the pseudochromis. They will usually stake out a hole in a rock and aggressively defend it from passing fish even 2-3 times their size. And then you gotta take the whole rock out (and usually kill them in the process) to have any chance of getting them out. Just a nightmare fish... I'd rather have a damsel in my tank.

+1