How stocked am I?

[xdestry]

Hey guys! I have been getting some new fish recently and I am wondering how much more I can stock my tank up before it gets to be too much. I have a 100gallon display and 40g breeder sump. Probably 100 gallons water net or so.
Current I have

Purple tang - 4 inch
2 Clownfish
1 bengaii cardinal
1 mandarin goby
1 starry blenny
1 small cleaner goby
4 lyretail anthias - 1 3in male, 3 2in females
1 1.5 in borbonius anthias
1 3in copperband butterfly
1 filefish


I would still like a sand sifting goby and shrimp goby pair, and maybe a firefish or two. What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[cloak]

Your already maxed out IMO. Add another year or two of growth to the stock list you already have and that 100 gallon tank might look a little bit smaller.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Depending on how much rock you have and how long the tank has been setup I think you will be fine with the additional fish you listed. I will say that don't plan on the cleaner goby living very long. These fish should never be collected and sold in the hobby

 

[A sea K]

I would agree that you are getting pretty close on your stocking level. It probably won't be an issue to add 1 or possible two small(and stay small) fish but I wouldn't do all of the ones that you mentioned.

Whats wrong with cleaner gobies? (neon or sharknose) I realize they have a short lifespan but did not think it was related to captive care, beside, they are easily captive bred so no issue there any longer either. Or are we talking about something different?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I would agree that you are getting pretty close on your stocking level. It probably won't be an issue to add 1 or possible two small(and stay small) fish but I wouldn't do all of the ones that you mentioned.




Whats wrong with cleaner gobies? (neon or sharknose) I realize they have a short lifespan but did not think it was related to captive care, beside, they are easily captive bred so no issue there any longer either. Or are we talking about something different?

Nope that is pretty much it, they don't live long in captivity. Yes there is some arguments going around that captive bred are easier to keep but the results haven't proven this. If you want a cleaner get a cleaner shrimp or even a Heniochus butterfly providing tank size is sufficient. I've had them and they are what I call my "nurse" fish and will setup cleaning stations very similar to what the cleaner shrimp do.

There are many of us that think certain fish should not be collected for the hobby and the cleaner wrasse is one of them, two spot goby is another and several of the butterfly fish as well, because they only eat certain types of corals. Most eat acropora but which one? It's a pet peeve for many in the hobby. Other species as well like many of the carpet anemones, it can take 10 or more for one to successfully make it to a home aquarium that will not be sick, bleached or diseased.

 

[xdestry]

Thanks guys for the input. I think the filefish and copperband are going to be temporary additions anyways... at the very least the filefish will be. I like the copperband a lot haha. Can't really get it to eat however which is a problem. I will not add too much more, maybe just a small sand sifting goby at most

 

[A sea K]

There are many of us that think certain fish should not be collected for the hobby and the cleaner wrasse is one of them,

I'm pretty sure we're talking about two entirely different fish. I'm speaking of cleaner GOBIES, IMO one of the easiest fish to keep, will eat just about anything as long as it is small enough to fit in its mouth.Only real problem is they have a short life expectancy 1-1/2 to 2years is about it I think. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+194&pcatid=194

You have referenced a cleaner WRASSE above, Don;t think this is what the OP has listed in his fish list. As for a cleaner WRASSE then yes, they should be left in the ocean.

 

[Shawn O]

Only one firefish per tank is the predominate opinion, unless you have a very large tank.