PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Could a 6-line be a good replacement for the 4-line?

1 Banghai Cardinal

1 SIX-line Wrasse instead.

Lined wrasses will behave in a similar way, aggressively.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the reply, do you have an order of stocking recommendation?

I was thinking

Potters, lemonpeel, flame, then the harlequin tusk.

You are correct in that Potters is the more difficult, the rest of the order seems fine.

 

[snorvich]

125G 60x18x24 AQUARIUM
55G SUMP W/ REF
160LBS LIVE ROCK
2.5" CRUSHED CORAL SUBSTRATE
8 WEEK OLD TANK

Currently have
2 Ocellaris clowns----small 1"
1 Yellow Tang----2.25" even though young (small) it is likely this fish will be less than pleased with addition of any other tang

want to add
yellow watchman or orange spot goby with a pistol shrimp
yellow eye kole tang or blue eye tang
2 or 3 blue reef chromis
and 2 or 3 of the following wrasses:
melanurus, blue sided fairy, carpenter flasher,dot and dash flasher, clown fairy, McCasker flasher, or exquisite fairy.

I am skeptical of the "clown fairy wrasse", C. solorensis as it can be aggressive towards other fairy or flasher wrasses. Overall bioload should be fine.

I'd like to know if this is too much, what order to add over the next few months, and which, if any, wrasses would be best to combine of the choices above. Also will the goby be ok since I do not have a fine sand sandbed. The pistol shrimp can handle a variety of sand beds
I do not have any corals but would like to add some down the road 6 months or so. No obviously "reef unsafe" fish
Thanks.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Thanks for the reply, do you have an order of stocking recommendation?

I was thinking

Potters, lemonpeel, flame, then the harlequin tusk.

I'd be careful of the Lemon peel angle. I had a pair in my 400G tank and they completely wiped out my Zoa collection. I've never had a problem with a Potters or a Coral beauty though. I haven't kept a flame angle in so many years I can't comment on them.

 

[radbluesfan]

Thank you for the very quick reply. If do not add a second tang, could I add a coral beauty instead? Also if adding 1 goby/shrimp, 3 blue chromis, three wrasses, and a coral beauty---would there be an order of adding them to follow for best results? I am trying to get small fish as well if that means anything. I will have my screen tops done this weekend to prevent jumpers.

 

[neptunestender]

Hello everyone, I have kept FOWLRs on and off for over 20 years with my first 55 running only an undergravel filter and a biowheel (things have come a realy long way). I recently traded in my livestock for store credit, and started a complete redo of my 75. This overhaul will include a foam rockwall, an ATS , a 30 gal display fuge, and leds. All this built into the livingroom wall that backs up into manroom closet. With the rockwall almost done, I am starting to think about stocking. I realy have no experience with mixed reefs so I am hoping the pros on this thread could help me make an educated stocking plan. I have a couple of must haves and after that a few wants but I am flexible and would rathe go for tried and true tankmates.

For my must haves.
Pair of shrimp gobies with thiere prefered shrimp. (open to specific species but would prefer a large size.)

Clownfish preferably a pair in one of the less agresive species. maybe a species known to host a hammer coral or frogspawn.

breading pair of bangi cardinals ( these will be housed in the display fuge.)

would like.
firefish
some hardy species of shrimp
as far as corals to start star polyps, frogspawn or hammers, zoas.

after this open to recomendations with hardyness and non aggressive 'tude.

I also plan to have the ATS above the tank so pod population should be elevated. so
maybe a manderin.

please dont hate on the ATS, it will be part of the system. at least innitialy I have skimmers and reactors and will have over 150 lb of liverock between all thee tanks.

any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Ed

 

[snorvich]

Thank you for the very quick reply. If do not add a second tang, could I add a coral beauty instead? Also if adding 1 goby/shrimp, 3 blue chromis, three wrasses, and a coral beauty---would there be an order of adding them to follow for best results? I am trying to get small fish as well if that means anything. I will have my screen tops done this weekend to prevent jumpers.

Small fish are good, any dwarf angel is not guaranteed to be reef safe.

 

[snorvich]

Hello everyone, I have kept FOWLRs on and off for over 20 years with my first 55 running only an undergravel filter and a biowheel (things have come a realy long way). I recently traded in my livestock for store credit, and started a complete redo of my 75. This overhaul will include a foam rockwall, an ATS , a 30 gal display fuge, and leds. All this built into the livingroom wall that backs up into manroom closet. With the rockwall almost done, I am starting to think about stocking. I realy have no experience with mixed reefs so I am hoping the pros on this thread could help me make an educated stocking plan. I have a couple of must haves and after that a few wants but I am flexible and would rathe go for tried and true tankmates.

For my must haves.
Pair of shrimp gobies with thiere prefered shrimp. (open to specific species but would prefer a large size.)

In a relatively small tank, unless you get an actual pair of shrimp gobies, there will be issue. A mated pair solves that problem.

Clownfish preferably a pair in one of the less agresive species. maybe a species known to host a hammer coral or frogspawn.

Actually, the coral hosts, the clownfish associate. However that being said there is simply no way to predict if they will or will not.

breading pair of bangi cardinals ( these will be housed in the display fuge.)

would like.
firefish introduce early and have a top as they will jump
some hardy species of shrimp
as far as corals to start star polyps, frogspawn or hammers, zoas.

after this open to recomendations with hardyness and non aggressive 'tude.

I will be happy to comment on compatibility but we do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons.

I also plan to have the ATS above the tank so pod population should be elevated. so
maybe a manderin.

please dont hate on the ATS, it will be part of the system. at least innitialy I have skimmers and reactors and will have over 150 lb of liverock between all thee tanks.

any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Ed

 

[billyboy61]

beginner reef tank

beginner reef tank

Hi. I have a 90 gal. reef (start anyways) tank. As of now I have a small yellow tang which is pretty much bullet proof, a mag. Foxface and a pair of Banggi Cardinals. Cleanup crew consists of a couple of cleaner shrimp, 3 smalls hermits and some small snails that came in on the live rock. I would like to add a neon dottyback, pair of clowns and possibly a dwarf angel. Do you forsee any possible issues.

 

[Herstead]

Hi Steve,

I have read a lot of your previous posts and others here on reef central before posting this. My wife and I are in the planning stages of buying and setting up our aquarium and want to get a review of our stocking plan before going ahead.

We are planning a 250 gallon display tank with skimmer, refugium, frag tank, CUC, and live rock with lots of current for SPS after the tank is matured.

Currently in our wanted list we have a few fish where it may be one or the other as availability or compatibility issues come up. A recommended introduction order would be greatly appreciated. We know the dragonets should not go in until after 8 months and a suitable population of copepods are available.


2 McCosker's (P. mccoskeri) or Carpenter's (P. carpenteri) Flasher Wrasse (M+F)

1 Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)

2 Banggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni) (M+F)

3-5 Black Axil Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis)

3-5 Pictilis (P. pictilis) or Maldives Lyretail (P. squamipinnis) Anthias, either male plus females or all females so hopefully only one will change. I have heard Lyretail often winnow down to one or two, it this normal with them, or is it a function of tank size?

2 Mandarin Dragonets (Synchiropus splendidus) (M+F)

1 Spotted Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus) Would this work with the other dragonets? Would it need to be female? Or should we just go with the pair?

1 Atlantic Blue Tang (Acanthurus coeruleus)

1 Yellow Bellied Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

1 Desjardini Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini)

1 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

Is 250 gallons enough for 4 tangs if they are all added when small and grow together?

Also, I am hoping the Sailfin and Yellow tangs are different enough in colour that if introduced when young they would be ok. I am also worried about the Atlantic Blue and Yellow as the former is yellow coloured when young.

Is the bioload too high?

Thanks for all your hard work. (Though I have a feeling it is more for the fish then for us.)

- The Hersteads

 

[snorvich]

Hi. I have a 90 gal. reef (start anyways) tank. As of now I have a small yellow tang which is pretty much bullet proof, a mag. Foxface and a pair of Banggi Cardinals. Cleanup crew consists of a couple of cleaner shrimp, 3 smalls hermits and some small snails that came in on the live rock. I would like to add a neon dottyback, pair of clowns and possibly a dwarf angel. Do you forsee any possible issues.

Neon dottybacks are terrors. Otherwise the others are fine but that tang will not allow any similar in the tank.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve,

I have read a lot of your previous posts and others here on reef central before posting this. My wife and I are in the planning stages of buying and setting up our aquarium and want to get a review of our stocking plan before going ahead.

We are planning a 250 gallon display tank with skimmer, refugium, frag tank, CUC, and live rock with lots of current for SPS after the tank is matured.

Currently in our wanted list we have a few fish where it may be one or the other as availability or compatibility issues come up. A recommended introduction order would be greatly appreciated. We know the dragonets should not go in until after 8 months and a suitable population of copepods are available.


2 McCosker's (P. mccoskeri) or Carpenter's (P. carpenteri) Flasher Wrasse (M+F)

1 Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)

2 Banggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni) (M+F)

3-5 Black Axil Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis)

3-5 Pictilis (P. pictilis) or Maldives Lyretail (P. squamipinnis) Anthias, either male plus females or all females so hopefully only one will change. I have heard Lyretail often winnow down to one or two, it this normal with them, or is it a function of tank size? I recommend carberryi or resplendent

2 Mandarin Dragonets (Synchiropus splendidus) (M+F)

1 Spotted Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus) Would this work with the other dragonets? Would it need to be female? Or should we just go with the pair?

1 Atlantic Blue Tang (Acanthurus coeruleus)

1 Yellow Bellied Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

1 Desjardini Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardini)

1 Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)

Is 250 gallons enough for 4 tangs if they are all added when small and grow together?

In the short run, you may be ok (but I certainly would not do it) but in the longer run, I anticipate problems as their perceived territory requirements increase.

Also, I am hoping the Sailfin and Yellow tangs are different enough in colour that if introduced when young they would be ok. I am also worried about the Atlantic Blue and Yellow as the former is yellow coloured when young.

Is the bioload too high? Less a bioload issue than territorial issue.

Thanks for all your hard work. (Though I have a feeling it is more for the fish then for us.) Actually, both. I hate to see people not enjoy their tanks!

- The Hersteads

 

[yachtdr22]

Hi Steve,
I have spent the last 7 days reading almost 1000 posts and I want to thank you for introducing me to a whole new world of fish.. The Wrasse's and the Anthias!

My DT has been fallow going on week #11. My current Swimmers who should be done in the HT on Week# 16 DT Fallow (July 16) .....
The Survivors:
Marine Beta
2) Blue/Green Chromis
2) Clowns (dont think they are paired, never even found the Anemone i got for them)

I am interested in the following list of fish.
I would like to know what choices do I need to make, pair down the list.
Rate of addition to the HT & DT? All fish will go through 4 weeks of Cupramine & 2 weeks of PraziPro and then 2 weeks observation (Except Red Mandarin).
I would like to run as many fish thru the process together as possible.
QT is 75gal BB & PVC w/ Bio-Ball Sump, Skimmer & ATO.
DT tank info below
The List.... I know that the list will be cut in atleast half!

Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Kole Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Orange Lined Cardinalfish (Apogon cyanosoma)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora)
Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)
Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)
Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis)
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)
Blue Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus cyaneus)
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse(Wetmorella nigropinnata)
White Banded Possum Wrasse(Wetmorella albofasciata)
Pink-Streaked Wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia)
Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse (Wetmorella tanakai)

Thanks
Drew

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve,
I have spent the last 7 days reading almost 1000 posts and I want to thank you for introducing me to a whole new world of fish.. The Wrasse's and the Anthias!

My DT has been fallow going on week #11. My current Swimmers who should be done in the HT on Week# 16 DT Fallow (July 16) .....
The Survivors:
Marine Beta
2) Blue/Green Chromis
2) Clowns (dont think they are paired, never even found the Anemone i got for them)

I am interested in the following list of fish.
I would like to know what choices do I need to make, pair down the list.
Rate of addition to the HT & DT? All fish will go through 4 weeks of Cupramine & 2 weeks of PraziPro and then 2 weeks observation (Except Red Mandarin).
I would like to run as many fish thru the process together as possible.
QT is 75gal BB & PVC w/ Bio-Ball Sump, Skimmer & ATO.
DT tank info below
The List.... I know that the list will be cut in atleast half!

Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Kole Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Orange Lined Cardinalfish (Apogon cyanosoma)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora)
Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)
Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)
Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis)
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)
Blue Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus cyaneus)
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse(Wetmorella nigropinnata)
White Banded Possum Wrasse(Wetmorella albofasciata)
Pink-Streaked Wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia)
Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse (Wetmorella tanakai)

Thanks
Drew

Drew, you are going to have to reduce your options as I cannot do permutations on that many

 

[yachtdr22]

am I limited to any particular number of Wrasses & Anthias?
on the fire fish & Cardnals could I have 1 of each or need to chose 1 type and be M&F
again a very rough draft and really tried to not ask the same questions you have answered over and over..

thanks again for all of your patience and care!

 

[richfavinger]

75g well established system, planed upgrade to 90g in near future (4-6 months)...
I HAVE:
1x Pink Spot Watchman
1x Algie Blenny
1x Green Chromis (Adult)
1x Fire Shrimp (Adult)
1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Adult)
WANT
1x and only one... Kole Tang.. to be my baby!
1x Pair of Perc or Ocellaris Clonws
...
School of Banggai Cardinalfish?
Was considering the "School of Green Chromis" but... no, I'll stay away from that one!
Open suggestions for other fish...

 

[snorvich]

am I limited to any particular number of Wrasses & Anthias?
on the fire fish & Cardnals could I have 1 of each or need to chose 1 type and be M&F
again a very rough draft and really tried to not ask the same questions you have answered over and over..

thanks again for all of your patience and care!

Limit it to what is a realistic stocking level for your tank.

 

[snorvich]

75g well established system, planed upgrade to 90g in near future (4-6 months)...
I HAVE:
1x Pink Spot Watchman
1x Algie Blenny
1x Green Chromis (Adult)
1x Fire Shrimp (Adult)
1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Adult)
WANT
1x and only one... Kole Tang.. to be my baby!
1x Pair of Perc or Ocellaris Clonws

should be fine
...
School of Banggai Cardinalfish? They will only exist as a M+F pair or single, otherwise they will kill each other off.
Was considering the "School of Green Chromis" but... no, I'll stay away from that one!
Open suggestions for other fish...

 

[yachtdr22]

Hi Steve,
This is round Two....
These guys will be joining a Marine Beta, 2) Blue/Green Chromis 2) clowns

Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora)
Sailfin/Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)
Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)


your thoughts?

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve,
This is round Two....
These guys will be joining a Marine Beta, 2) Blue/Green Chromis 2) clowns

Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) precludes shrimp
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) precludes shrimp
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) may be intimidated by any flasher wrasse
Sailfin/Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)
Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) semi-aggressive, probably towards firefish, flasher and fairy wrasses
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi) may not mix well with chromis
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)


your thoughts?

Better, comments supplied. However, I would suggest waiting until you have a stable disease free environment.