Input on stocking a 40 Breeder

[greech]

Hello everyone. I have been lurking on RC since around February when I got my first SW tank and this site has been a tremendous resource for me. At that time I had bought a 12-gallon Aquapod which had been up and running for a little over a year. I quickly found that I would like a little more space so I recently upgraded to a 40 Breeder which is perfect for me and my family to enjoy. I could use a little help in deciding which fish to stock this tank with. Here are a few things about my tank that might help in figuring out what suitable fish I can care for.

This is a pretty simple setup as I do not have a sump. Instead I am using an Aquaclear 70 HOB filter (filter floss and Chemipure Elite). I plan to add a CPR fuge and possibly a Tunze skimmer in the future. Flow in the tank comes from two Koralia 2’s and my lighting is a 36” T5 Sundial. I will also be adding some dry base rock from marcorocks or reefcleaners very soon. I would like to keep some open space in the tank so I won’t be cramming the tank with rock top-to-bottom, end-to-end. With the exception of 1 or 2 SPS, this will be a LPS/softy tank.

Current stock includes
2 B/W clowns
Fire shrimp
2 fighting conchs and several snails and hermits.

I would like to have a total of 6 fish eventually and really like the following fish. I have researched them quite a bit but like everything, there are conflicting opinions about compatibility, etc. I would really appreciate any input from those that have kept these types of fish. I also include a few pics of my tank.

My wish list:

1. Midas Blenny
2. Radiant Wrasse (or Red Tail Tamarin Wrasse â€"œ willing to wait to find one)
3. Yellow Assessor, Black Cap Bassllet, Neon Pseudochromis, or Splendid Dottyback
4. Geometric Pygmy Hawk

My overall concerns with these options are…1) the order in which these fish should be added and 2) the apparent aggressive nature of the pseudo and dottyback.

I also really wanted some type of angel (or some other broad body fish) to be one of the 4 fish but the only angels I would feel comfortable with are the deep water angels such as the Red Zebra Angel, Wantanbe Angel, Bellus Angel and these are rare and will eventually get too large for a 40B. If anyone has any suggestions for fish with a similar body type that is reef safe and won’t be too large, I would love to hear about them. Thanks for any input you can provide!

 

[Beaun]

I would look at the dwarf angels if you really want one. The Coral Beauty, Cherub "Pygmy", Potters, or Flameback Angel, anything from the Pomacanthidae family would be best for a 40 gallon (most stay under 4").

 

[greech]

I really like several of the dwarf angels but everything I read is that they "may" nip at corals and that they are hit or miss. I really don;t want to have to tear my tank apart to remove a fish and stress everything else out in the process. Any thoughts on the other fish in my list? Are they compatible and if so what is the best order to add them? Thanks!

 

[Gwynhidwy]

How much do you like your clowns? Unless they host in and never leave their anemone/coral, you will likely see a lot of aggression from them towards other fish if they start breeding.

I would avoid the Pseudochromis (dottybacks are Pseudochromis as well) as they are well known for their aggression. If you really love the Pseudochromis', make sure to add the one you choose after all other fish and realize that they are also a risk to your shrimp.

Both of the wrasses you are considering, generally need a larger tank than a 40G, but you might be able to make it work.

Hawkfish are cool, but usually enjoy snacking on shrimp.

The midas blenny, yellow assessor, and black cap basslet are all great reef fish that would work in a 40G.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Many reefers keep Centropyge with no trouble, but there is definitely a risk. To be honest I've had far more trouble with my various Centropyge harassing snails than corals.

 

[greech]

Thanks for your honest input Gwynhidwy. I definitely don't want to get into something I can't care for. I love my clowns and getting rid of them is not an option. They host my frogspawn and mainly inhabit that corner of the tank. they did the same thing in my AP so when I moved everything over, I made sure to place the same piece of LR and the frogspwan in that corner. Its nice to see that helped them get comfortable in their new tank. Would you recommend an anemone once the tank gets established more to ease any agression from the clowns? I am very tempted to try a dwarf.

 

[greech]

Also, I am aware of Hawks and shrimp but I am under the impression that the Geometric Hawks are "shrimp safe" and they are not true Hawks. Is this not the case?

 

[Gwynhidwy]

It is true that Plectranthias inermis is not a true hawkfish, but it is my understanding that they are still shrimp, and the occasional crab, eaters. However, I have not owned one personally, this is just what I have heard from other reefers.

If your clowns already host in the frogspawn, there's not really any need to switch unless you want an anemone. Many people have happy clowns in community tanks, but in my experience they eventually become little terrors. Since they are staying, I say just go with it and hope for the best, yours may not ever be a problem.

Dwarf angels are very neat fish. They are active, super colorful, and very interesting. Many people find that theirs only eats one type of coral, some have ones that don't cause any trouble, some eat everything and still others are model citizens that one day start eating everything in sight. But they sure are pretty!

 

[greech]

Awsome thanks. Guess I am looking for guarnteed safe fish and their just aren't any when it comes to reef tanks . Thank you again for the input.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15329210#post15329210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greech
Awsome thanks. Guess I am looking for guarnteed safe fish and their just aren't any when it comes to reef tanks . Thank you again for the input.

You are most welcome! That's the trouble with 'reef safe', all fish are reef safe, its all about degrees and how much risk you are comfortable with. And of course since we are dealing with live animals, individuality likes to step in and muck everything up. Or is that what makes it fun?

 

[shroutk3]

Pygmy Hawk

Pygmy Hawk

I have a geometric pygmy hawk in my 40 breeder, and have absolutely no problems with him. He's very reclusive though, and likes a lot of hiding places, so I would recommend waiting to get it until there's more rock in your tank. I would also add it sooner rather than later (mine was 3rd fish in).

Other fish that I have are a couple of lyretail anthias', a scooter blenny, and a pair of occ. clowns. Hope this helps.

 

[greech]

shroutk3, thank you for the info. I am trying to be patient and add more rock before adding anymore fish. Hope I can hold of the urge

Do you have any photos of your tank? I also considered anthias but I didn't think they would work out in a 40B. How are yours doing? Have you had them long?

 

[Beaun]

Lyretails need more room. You might be able to get away with one dispar anthia, but that is pushing it. They do better in larger tanks with 1 male and several females. Your thoughts are probably correct, I would shy away from anthias in a 3' tank.

 

[greech]

Thanks Beaun. So many beautiful fish, so little space If my wife wouldn't kill me I's say its time for an upgrade already

I kid, I really like my 40 breeder. The great dimesions make it a small tank with a big attitude.