PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[eidels]

I want to add an Achilles Tang to a 260 reef with Anthias and Wrasses. Any advice is appreciated

 

[eidels]

Also a Mandarin but with insufficient maturity in the fuge and dt reef. what copepods would you recommend to seed the tank?

 

[eidels]

Sorry last question I'm on the verge of going with Zeovit but not enthralled with incompatibility with refugium. would I still be able to have a healthy copepod population?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the quick response. I had a FOWLR tank for 7 years and had a big problem with Bristleworms that drove me nuts. I chose the Orchid Dotty because it will eat them. I was worried about the semi-aggressive nature of it though. I have been looking forever for a pieceful fish that feasts on these pest but have not been able to find any. Can I get steered in the right direction?

Well bristleworms are considered a desirable detrivore which clean up excess food, etc. I guess, it is your choice.

 

[snorvich]

Steve,
Just wanted to run an updated fish wishlist past you. Since the tank (90 gal tank, 40 gal sump) is 2 weeks or so away from being ready ready, and since I have a few new interests fish-wise, I wanted to see if these would work together:

1. *Black ocellaris clownfish x 2
2. *Yellowheaded jawfish x 4
3. *Yellow clown goby x 3
4. *Green chomis x 3 Will reduce their number to one over time and may conflict with anthias
5. *Lyretail anthias x 3 (1m+2f) Well, the generally recommended size for more than one anthias is 125 gallons and with semi-agressive ones such as lyretails, I would think that would be very prudent
6. *Orchid dottyback x 1 is somewhat aggressive but you do not have any fish that would be obvious candidates

It is a reef tank with 4-6 in aragonite sandbed. I have read that the jawfish do well in groups, and am very interested in featuring them in this tank. If 4 is too many, that's fine, just would like to do a small colony if possible.

I too like jawfish. "The Yellowhead Jawfish is moderately hardy. It tends to be shy and is best kept with other docile fish. It will not bother other tank inhabitants, but other burrowing fish may bully it. It needs to be kept on 5-7 inches of fine soft substrate such as sand of various particle sizes (not fine). Known for being a jumper when startled or frightened, the tank should have a tight-fitting lid. This fish will spend much of its time in its burrow and when it does venture out, if it is startled, it will bolt back into its burrow tail first with lightning speed. As long as the tank is large enough, several can be kept in the same tank. Multiple specimens provide very interesting behavior as they "dance" up and down in the burrow. Supply various size rocks among the soft substrate to help reinforce the burrows against them; rockpiles are ideal. "

The anthias are a point of interest as well. I understand they can be aggressive, and usually need a larger tank with larger groups, but if they could work, I'd like to try. If there is a better suggestion for a species of anthias for a 90 reef community tank, then I may give them a look. If you must have more than one, look at Carberryi or Resplendent.



As always, thank you for your help and suggestions,
Scott

 

[snorvich]

I want to add an Achilles Tang to a 260 reef with Anthias and Wrasses. Any advice is appreciated

They like lots of flow. I would not mix with other tangs and would be sure to quarantine, ideally using tank transfer.

 

[snorvich]

Also a Mandarin but with insufficient maturity in the fuge and dt reef. what copepods would you recommend to seed the tank?

My recommendation is simply to wait for the tank to mature as a mandarin will out eat almost any seeding effort. It will help to have "copepod piles" of live rock rubble

 

[snorvich]

Sorry last question I'm on the verge of going with Zeovit but not enthralled with incompatibility with refugium. would I still be able to have a healthy copepod population?

Before offering advice, I like to have personal experience with the question and unfortunately I do not have experience with Zeovit. So sorry.

 

[capps_caitlyn]

With the fish you have now, adding additional fish is going to be very, very difficult. A sexually mature pair of maroon clowns will want to control about 50 gallons of tank space and the dottyback will not be kind to any water column fish. You might be able to get away with a shrimp goby pair because it inhabits a space not owned by either of the other two species.

How old are clowns when they are considered sexually mature? I have had them less than a year and they are both still fairly small. Also, they tend to stay in one cave and the space right in front of it and don't move around too much other than in their little bubble of space.

 

[snorvich]

How old are clowns when they are considered sexually mature? I have had them less than a year and they are both still fairly small. Also, they tend to stay in one cave and the space right in front of it and don't move around too much other than in their little bubble of space.

It varies. Is there a size difference yet? Even if they are not yet, they will be soon and will attack anything within their perceived "territory".

 

[chucko]

Cycling my 75g tank (and ~12g sump) - plan on being a mixed reef with soft corals possibly LPS. I doubt we will be adding SPS. Will probably be adding a Clean up crew first, then some sort of coral like a zoa or mushroom, then considering the following fish:

Dwarf Half Black Angel
Dwarf Bicolor Angel
Yellow or Pink Spotted Watchman Goby
Six Line Wrasse
Couple of Clown Fish
Possibly a couple of Firefish as well

I know there is a chance the angel will nip at corals and I'm fine with that.

After talking with the fiance - made a few changes:
1. Bangaii Cardinal fish (instead of firefish) x2
2. Six Line Wrasse
3. Flame Hawk fish
4. Pink Spotted Goby
5. Bicolor Angel
6. Flame Angel
7. Ocellaris Clown x 2
8. Some sort of pistol shrimp
9. Bicolor Blenny Possible.

Trying to stick to small fish between 3" and 6" max.

 

[snorvich]

After talking with the fiance - made a few changes:
1. Bangaii Cardinal fish (instead of firefish) x2 must be a male + female for two
2. Six Line Wrasse aggressive
3. Flame Hawk fish
4. Pink Spotted Goby
5. Bicolor Angel
6. Flame Angel
7. Ocellaris Clown x 2
8. Some sort of pistol shrimp
9. Bicolor Blenny Possible.

Trying to stick to small fish between 3" and 6" max.

As you know, angels may make meaty LPS problematical; no shrimp with a flame hawkfish

 

[chucko]

As you know, angels may make meaty LPS problematical; no shrimp with a flame hawkfish

Do you think the six line would be aggressive towards the other fish in the list?

 

[snorvich]

Do you think the six line would be aggressive towards the other fish in the list?

That fish can be a big problem which many people have found out. Your fish list does not have other fish occupying his ecological niche but it is always possible he might be aggressive towards them. Going forward with additions, will even be more of a problem.

 

[radksa]

Steve,
Thanks for your reply earlier. It appears some of my choices would cause problems eventually (anthias and possibly the chromis). I've revised my list again, just curious about your opinion. Here's the original list:

1. *Black ocellaris clownfish x 2
2. *Yellowheaded jawfish x 4
3. *Yellow clown goby x 3
4. *Green chomis x 3
5. *Lyretail anthias x 3
6. *Orchid dottyback x 1

I have built screen lids for the tank with the jawfish in mind. I mentioned I was interested in the anthias, but it seems by your response that I should save those for a future larger tank. I am looking for some colorful, interesting fish that fit in with a peaceful community reef tank setup. What about this stock list:

1. *Black ocellaris clownfish x 2
2. *Yellowheaded jawfish x 4
3. *Yellow clown goby x 3
4. *Blue reef chomis x 3-4
5. *Orange-lined cardinalfish x 3-4
6. *Orchid dottyback x 1

As for the blue reef chromis and the orange-lined cardinalfish, I am not totally sure of the numbers. Liveaquaria made it seem both species would work well in small groups, but I figured I'd ask. Also, is there any temperment differences between the orchid dottyback and a black cap basslet? Would the black cap basslet be a better choice in a peaceful community tank? As always, thank you for your input, I can only imagine the issues I'd have without your suggestions.
Scott

 

[snorvich]

Steve,
Thanks for your reply earlier. It appears some of my choices would cause problems eventually (anthias and possibly the chromis). I've revised my list again, just curious about your opinion. Here's the original list:

1. *Black ocellaris clownfish x 2
2. *Yellowheaded jawfish x 4
3. *Yellow clown goby x 3
4. *Green chomis x 3
5. *Lyretail anthias x 3
6. *Orchid dottyback x 1

I have built screen lids for the tank with the jawfish in mind. I mentioned I was interested in the anthias, but it seems by your response that I should save those for a future larger tank. I am looking for some colorful, interesting fish that fit in with a peaceful community reef tank setup. What about this stock list:

1. *Black ocellaris clownfish x 2
2. *Yellowheaded jawfish x 4
3. *Yellow clown goby x 3
4. *Blue reef chomis x 3-4
5. *Orange-lined cardinalfish x 3-4
6. *Orchid dottyback x 1

As for the blue reef chromis and the orange-lined cardinalfish, I am not totally sure of the numbers. Liveaquaria made it seem both species would work well in small groups, but I figured I'd ask. Also, is there any temperment differences between the orchid dottyback and a black cap basslet? Would the black cap basslet be a better choice in a peaceful community tank? As always, thank you for your input, I can only imagine the issues I'd have without your suggestions.
Scott

Well, you are more likely to be successful with carberryi or resplendent anthias than with chromis as chromis believe in survival only of the strongest one. But chromis and anthias is not a good combination especially lyretail as they tend to be more aggressive. Both orchid dottybacks and black cap basslets are semi aggressive but probably not towards the fish you are planning; stick with the dottyback but add it last . The cardinals you chose are excellent I would suggest 5 of them

 

[Tank_Obsessed]

Goby/Pistol Shrimp

Goby/Pistol Shrimp

Hey everyone,

I have a 55 gallon reef tank with 2 percula clowns and a yellow tang who are BFFs. I have an urchin, skunk cleaner shrimp, arrow crab, a bunch of hermit crabs and two snails. I just saw the symbiotic relationship between the pistol shrimp and gobies and I want one. Good or bad idea? Do they pair up on their own just like that??? I also really want a green or red mandarin dragonet. But do they really spend all day hiding?

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

Hey everyone,

I have a 55 gallon reef tank with 2 percula clowns and a yellow tang who are BFFs. I have an urchin, skunk cleaner shrimp, arrow crab, a bunch of hermit crabs and two snails. I just saw the symbiotic relationship between the pistol shrimp and gobies and I want one. Good or bad idea? Do they pair up on their own just like that??? I also really want a green or red mandarin dragonet. But do they really spend all day hiding?

Thanks!

Assuming you get shrimp gobies and shrimp which will associate, they will pair up automatically. Your tank will not really support a mandarin. You need a 75 gallon tank for that. By the way, arrow crabs will take fish.

 

[Tank_Obsessed]

Thanks! Which goby/pistol shrimp pair works best?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks! Which goby/pistol shrimp pair works best?

Well there is no best. People normally purchase alpheus randall pistol shrimp (you can have a pair if you choose) and unless you choose a shrimp goby that is esoteric and requires a special shrimp (they are pretty expensive) you will be fine. There are, however, shrimp which will not associate (such as alpheus soror) and those will not work.