PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Hello, Steve. I am in the process of setting up my first saltwater aquarium. It is a 29g that I will be filling with fully cured live rock (planning around 30 pounds to start). I will run a skimmer, hob refugium with chaeto, power filter with purigen, and two power heads inside the tank. A weekly water change, at minimum, will be performed; I am used to this task with my freshwater cichlid tank and do not find it to be a chore.

I would like to hear your thoughts on compatibility with these fish in my tank, as well as the best order to add them in.

Midas blenny
Royal gramma
Coral beauty angel
Six line wrasse (I know you dislike, but I would choose the smallest available and add last)

If it makes a difference, the only coral I plan to keep is a sun coral (I'll take my chances with the CB angel nipping). I have no plans for inverts, other than a CUC (not decided on yet, but I will look for advice on the appropriate threads).

I think your stocking list is fine and appropriate. I have never combined a coral beauty with a sun coral so I cannot assess what risk level you are incurring. You will need to devise a feeding plan for this coral; many people use a tupperware plastic dome with holes and turkey baster. As you know a six line wrasse can be very aggressive, it is not that I do not like the species, it is that many run into problems with them.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[snorvich]

Hello Steve,

Thank you very much for your feedback. Is there any way that I can do a non-aggressive fish tank keeping the Picasso-trigger? What would be non-aggressive tankmates for this fish (Picasso trigger) and this tank size?

I can change anything that needs to be changed and my main priority for the whole aquarium would be the trigger.

Sure, if you keep the fish by itself. Triggers are by their nature aggressive to very aggressive depending on species. But a species tank can be interesting and gorgeous. If I were doing that, however, I would do so with an undulated trigger which is one of the most gorgeous fish in existence.

Thanks again for all the good info and patience with us beginners!

Patience is not really the issue, I had people help me when I was starting (over 30 years ago) so I feel it is only fair to give back to people with less experience now.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve,
Checking out possible stocking list for a 100 Gallon reef tank has a 55 gallon sump it's been up and running for 5 months.

Current fish:
Pair of Snowflake Clowns (A. ocellaris)

Stocking Wish List:
A White Tail Bristle Tooth Tang (C. flavicauda)
Pair of Orange Back Fairy Wrasse (C. aurantidorsalis)
Pair of Carpenters or McCoskers flasher wrasse (P. carpenteri or P. mccoskeri)
Pair of Blue flasher Wrasse (P. cyaneus)
A Radiant Wrasse (H. iridis) needs sand
A Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (W. nigropinnata)
A Mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus or splendidus) last to see if the pod population survives the wrasses

I cannot predict if there will be sufficient copepods for the dragonet, but a refugium would help. Otherwise, I think the population and order is terrific. The acclimation box for social introduction of newcomers will make life much easier. Covering with 1/4 inch mess is essential.

My tank is definitely covered for the wrasses. I have an acclimation box for them when they are introduced into the main tank after their four week stay in quarantine. :fish1:
How does the bio-load look on this?

 

[snorvich]

Hello, currently looking into getting a bristletail file fish. My tank is 600L with a display DSB and a mud section. Tank is mostly SPS and i have a massive clam which is my main concern. The purchase is based on its ability to eat majano but I also like the fish for its looks.

Current fish

1 yellow tang
1 lipstick tang
1 purple tang
1 leopard wrasse
3 red face wrasses
1 yellow coris wrasse
2 oscallaris clowns
1 cleaner wrasse

I have this fish in two different tanks (LPS and SPS, and SPS) but I do not keep clams so I cannot predict accurately. I am not sure they will necessarily eat aiptasia or mojanos, mine do not. Nice tank!!!

Thanks for the help, Dave

 

[fishmanstan]

I have a 120g
Yellow tang
2 bw clowns
4chromis
2 bangaiis
I plan on buying a blue spot jawfish or gold head sleeper goby. Sand is 3-4"deep. Some areas 5" maybe.

 

[heller792]

thanks snorvich

 

[tomlow617]

Get that fish?

Get that fish?

Can I get thoughts on adding a

a Mandarin Synchiropus splendidus - and
Bicolor blenny - csenius bicolor

to the my tank?

My copepod level is not high enough for the mandarin so I need to wait on that, but I am concerned about the flame angel beating the crap out of the Blenny

OK since the blenny will hide in the rock work? Adding a Mandarin Last OK?

Tank details below

LiveStock

2 Orcellaris Clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris
Flame Angel - Centropyge loricula
Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus
Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus spp.
Yellow Eye Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus

Display Tank
Birthday - 1/15/12
AGA 90 Gallon Tank, 2 Radions running 60% natural, MP40, 85 pounds of Pukani Rock Glass Holes 1500 GPH overflow, 100 lbs Pink Samoa Reef Sand

Sump
Apex Controller (Ph, Temp, wireless module) Aqueon Proflex Sump 4, Reef Octopus XP1000SSS (rated for 125 gallons), 2 Eheim Jager 200w heaters, Eheim 900G return pump, Tunze ATO "“Kalkwasser, Cheato, 6500K 24w Compact Fluorescent Bulb, dose two part

Water Quality
dKH 11, Ca 430, Po 0.03, Ammonia, Nitrate, & Nitrite 0

Corals

Dendrophyllia Sp. - Sun Ployp
Entacmaea quadricolor "“ RBTA
Seriatopora sp. "“ several
Caulastrea furcata "“ Kryptonite Candy Cane
Palythoa sp - several Zoas
Euphyllia glabrescens - Torch
Montipora digitata
Montipora Capricornus "“ several
Anthelia sp. "“ waving hand coral
Euphyllia divisa "“ Frogspawn
Acroporah - Several
Sarcophyton sp. - Toadstool
Xenia Sp.
Pachyclavularia spp. - GSP
Actinodiscus sp. - several
Ricordea florida

 

[C.Rayven]

I have a deep sand bed for that Radiant Wrasse. Yeah I'm not too sure what my pod population will look like after all the wrasses either, I do have a very productive refugium so maybe that will help.

Thanks so much for your input on this list!

 

[snorvich]

I have a 120g
Yellow tang
2 bw clowns
4chromis will likely reduce to one or two
2 bangaiis
I plan on buying a blue spot jawfish or gold head sleeper goby. Sand is 3-4"deep. Some areas 5" maybe.

Blue Spot Jawfish really need cooler temperatures. Many golden headed sleeper gobies create sand storms and starve to death

 

[snorvich]

Can I get thoughts on adding a

a Mandarin Synchiropus splendidus - and
Bicolor blenny - csenius bicolor

to the my tank?

My copepod level is not high enough for the mandarin so I need to wait on that, but I am concerned about the flame angel beating the crap out of the Blenny copepods should be fine around the 9 month point. I too am concerned about the flame angel and the blenny as both are grazers.

OK since the blenny will hide in the rock work? Adding a Mandarin Last OK?

Tank details below

LiveStock

2 Orcellaris Clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris
Flame Angel - Centropyge loricula
Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus
Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus spp.
Yellow Eye Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus

Display Tank
Birthday - 1/15/12
AGA 90 Gallon Tank, 2 Radions running 60% natural, MP40, 85 pounds of Pukani Rock Glass Holes 1500 GPH overflow, 100 lbs Pink Samoa Reef Sand

Sump
Apex Controller (Ph, Temp, wireless module) Aqueon Proflex Sump 4, Reef Octopus XP1000SSS (rated for 125 gallons), 2 Eheim Jager 200w heaters, Eheim 900G return pump, Tunze ATO "“Kalkwasser, Cheato, 6500K 24w Compact Fluorescent Bulb, dose two part

Water Quality
dKH 11, Ca 430, Po 0.03, Ammonia, Nitrate, & Nitrite 0

Corals

Dendrophyllia Sp. - Sun Ployp
Entacmaea quadricolor "“ RBTA
Seriatopora sp. "“ several
Caulastrea furcata "“ Kryptonite Candy Cane
Palythoa sp - several Zoas
Euphyllia glabrescens - Torch
Montipora digitata
Montipora Capricornus "“ several
Anthelia sp. "“ waving hand coral
Euphyllia divisa "“ Frogspawn
Acroporah - Several
Sarcophyton sp. - Toadstool
Xenia Sp.
Pachyclavularia spp. - GSP
Actinodiscus sp. - several
Ricordea florida

 

[tomlow617]

flame angle and Blenny

flame angle and Blenny


I really like the "personality" of bicolor Blennies and the way the perch on the rock work. (Lost my first to ich but that is a separate thread....)

Is there any blenny that will work with

Mandarin Synchiropus splendidus
2 Orcellaris Clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris
Flame Angel - Centropyge loricula
Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus
Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus spp.
Yellow Eye Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus

I would like one that will "perch" on the rock work and survey the tank.

 

[Arnel0387]

Setting up a 300 gallon aquarium with 120gallon sump/refugium, mixed reef. I'm still not sure if I want 3-4inch sand or go BB.

Fish list:

Achilles Tang
Black Longnose Tang
Regal Angelfish
10 Bartlett's Anthias
Labout's Fairy Wrasse (male)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (male)
Flame Fairy Wrasse (male)
Golden Romboidalis Wrasse (male)
Attenatus Flasher Wrasse (male)

Do I need to add females for my wrasses?
THANKS!

 

[justinf67]

I have a few issues going on with my tank, but, I want to sort out my stock list while I am dealing with those issues. I have a 75gallon fowlr, which I want to add only softies and LPS to at some point down the road. I have skimmer, etc, and a 40g sump/fuge.

Current stock is:
Flame Hawk
Yellow Watchman Goby
2 engineer gobies (only about 2 inches right now)
coral beauty.....

The flame hawk has been harassing the ywg, making his life miserable. I am trying to decide which one I should get rid of, as I love the hawks personality and he doesnt bother any other fish... Are they notorious for not getting along?

Anyway, fish that interest me are:
blue reef chromis
Anthias
McCoskers Fairy Wrasse or Carpenters wrasse
Pair of occelaris
Midas Blenny
Kole or Mimic Tang......

Not saying I want all of these, just these are interesting fish to me.... I'd like to keep the hawk, but, if he cant get along with others, then I will rehome him...
I like the reef chromis for color and supposedly not as aggressive. I want some activity in the tank, they would be easier than the anthias.
Only definite is the pair of occelaris. I would like either a kole or mimic tang as a centerpiece fish, but, not sure which would be better for the tank size. The wrasse's I dont know much about except they are jumpers. Midas I find to be very cool, but not sure where he would fit in with the others. Complete newbie on stocking, so, all advice would be appreciated.

 

[snorvich]

I really like the "personality" of bicolor Blennies and the way the perch on the rock work. (Lost my first to ich but that is a separate thread....)

Is there any blenny that will work with

Mandarin Synchiropus splendidus
2 Orcellaris Clowns - Amphiprion ocellaris
Flame Angel - Centropyge loricula
Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus
Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus spp.
Yellow Eye Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus

I would like one that will "perch" on the rock work and survey the tank.

The vast majority of blennies are herbivores and are very docile, being easily intimidated. I really cannot recommend one that for sure will work with another herbivore, especially one that is semi-aggressive.

 

[snorvich]

Setting up a 300 gallon aquarium with 120gallon sump/refugium, mixed reef. I'm still not sure if I want 3-4inch sand or go BB.

Fish list:

Achilles Tang
Black Longnose Tang
Regal Angelfish
10 Bartlett's Anthias
Labout's Fairy Wrasse (male)
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (male)
Flame Fairy Wrasse (male)
Golden Romboidalis Wrasse (male)
Attenatus Flasher Wrasse (male)

Do I need to add females for my wrasses?
THANKS!

The fish list is fine. If you have females, you may/will see mating behavior.

 

[snorvich]

I have a few issues going on with my tank, but, I want to sort out my stock list while I am dealing with those issues. I have a 75gallon fowlr, which I want to add only softies and LPS to at some point down the road. I have skimmer, etc, and a 40g sump/fuge.

Current stock is:
Flame Hawk
Yellow Watchman Goby
2 engineer gobies (only about 2 inches right now) they will be a problem long term
coral beauty.....

The flame hawk has been harassing the ywg, making his life miserable. I am trying to decide which one I should get rid of, as I love the hawks personality and he doesnt bother any other fish... Are they notorious for not getting along? the vast majority of the time they will get along but they WILL eat shrimp

Anyway, fish that interest me are:
blue reef chromis
Anthias
McCoskers Fairy Wrasse or Carpenters wrasse
Pair of occelaris
Midas Blenny
Kole or Mimic Tang...... Kole is preferred

Not saying I want all of these, just these are interesting fish to me.... I'd like to keep the hawk, but, if he cant get along with others, then I will rehome him...
I like the reef chromis for color and supposedly not as aggressive. I want some activity in the tank, they would be easier than the anthias.
Only definite is the pair of occelaris. I would like either a kole or mimic tang as a centerpiece fish, but, not sure which would be better for the tank size. The wrasse's I dont know much about except they are jumpers. Midas I find to be very cool, but not sure where he would fit in with the others. Complete newbie on stocking, so, all advice would be appreciated.

A mesh top (1/4 inch) will keep jumpers in

 

[fishmanstan]

Snorvich, can you answer my stock list?

 

[justinf67]

Originally Posted by justinf67
I have a few issues going on with my tank, but, I want to sort out my stock list while I am dealing with those issues. I have a 75gallon fowlr, which I want to add only softies and LPS to at some point down the road. I have skimmer, etc, and a 40g sump/fuge.

Current stock is:
Flame Hawk
Yellow Watchman Goby
2 engineer gobies (only about 2 inches right now) they will be a problem long term
coral beauty.....

The flame hawk has been harassing the ywg, making his life miserable. I am trying to decide which one I should get rid of, as I love the hawks personality and he doesnt bother any other fish... Are they notorious for not getting along? the vast majority of the time they will get along but they WILL eat shrimp

Anyway, fish that interest me are:
blue reef chromis
Anthias
McCoskers Fairy Wrasse or Carpenters wrasse
Pair of occelaris
Midas Blenny
Kole or Mimic Tang...... Kole is preferred

Not saying I want all of these, just these are interesting fish to me.... I'd like to keep the hawk, but, if he cant get along with others, then I will rehome him...
I like the reef chromis for color and supposedly not as aggressive. I want some activity in the tank, they would be easier than the anthias.
Only definite is the pair of occelaris. I would like either a kole or mimic tang as a centerpiece fish, but, not sure which would be better for the tank size. The wrasse's I dont know much about except they are jumpers. Midas I find to be very cool, but not sure where he would fit in with the others. Complete newbie on stocking, so, all advice would be appreciated.

The engineers will be a problem because of their size, or because they will make tunnels and disturb the sandbed?

If I added the pair of clowns, Kole, and wrasse, would I be at capacity, or room for some chromis or anthias still? Does the Midas get along with all the fish listed, as I may remove the ywg for the Midas, or the hawk.

Also, is there any general preference between the two wrasses, or are they both pretty similar in demeanor?

 

[fishmanstan]

Snorvich, my tank is at 77-78. Is this too high for a blue spot? Could I keep a jawfish and goby?

 

[agarzac81]

Hello Steve,

Thanks again for your feedback, I will do as adviced and the Picasso triggerfish will be the only one in my tank. Just one last question, I have read that he will eat srhimps, snails, hermit crabs and any invertebrate that goes into the tank but will he harass soft corals? (thinking about some mushrooms and zoas).

I will do the tank qith the picasso because undulated triggers are imposible to get ahold of here in Mexico (at least a good specimen), and I really like the picasso.

Thanks

Best regards

Alejandro