My fish load-your thoughts??

[SouthFla]

I recently came from keeping Mbuna cichlids, where overstocking is preferred to help with aggression:

My current mixed reef (125G 6' tank-remaning specs in sig) *I think* is only moderately stocked:

However I'm really unsure where I stand in terms of fish load. Current fish:

3 Royal Grammas
Kole Tang
Bicolor Angel
Valentini puffer
Solorensis fairy wrasse

I'd be interested in adding some additional fish, to include:
Flame Hawkfish
African Flameback Angel*
A pair of Kleinii butterfly*

(*understanding I'm rolling the dice with them destroying corals)

What are your thoughts on my current fish load and whether some/all of the additional fish would push the limits of my system?

I appreciate any advice!

John

 

[ceruleanseaslug]

I don't know anything about the others, but I think a flame hawk would be a really good addition. I would be careful with the grammas, as they can get territorial with other bottom dwelling fish, so it's good you're adding it last. Mine might have gone after my pygmy waspfish when I added it if the little guy hadn't flared out its fins and showed it didn't wanna deal with it. Glad the hawk backed off because it would have gotten stung. With your current fish load, I'd only add one more fish.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Mature Flame Hawkfish are Aholes, they're great when younger. I loved mine until it turned on my other fish. They're definitely a cool fish though. I think your other choices will be fine. You can also do some really cool wrasses in your tank. Plus one other fish for you to look at is the Golden Midas blenny. Awesome fish!

 

[ca1ore]

Absent specific commentary on your fish choices, I'd judge neither your current population nor that proposed to be excessive. Whether a tank is 'overstocked' is about swimming room and the ability to,export nutrients satisfactorily. Your tank looks nice and open, so as long as things like phosphate and nitrate are controlled you'll be good.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I agree with ca1ore. You can certainly add more fish.
I'd rethink the butterflies personally. I love them but I wouldn't trust them in a reef.
But that's a great reason to build a FOWLR!

 

[SouthFla]

Thanks for the advice folks! I really don't want a "crowded" reef, but for me it's really hard to determine appropriate stocking levels so I appreciate your input!