PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

I am brand new (no rock/water in tank yet) i purchased a used 72 gal bowfront with canopy. Its got a build in overflow with a 20gal sump. Plan on using part of sump for small fuge (if recommended) i have a bubble magus ps rated for 130gal. I hope to move up to a bigger tank in a few years if i do well with this. I think I would like this eventually to be reef but plan on starting out with live rock.

I am sure you know not to cycle a tank with live fish . . .

I want these fish in this order (any advice welcomed)
Green Reef Chromis*(Chromis viridis) chromis have been coming in less than healthy; I would avoid unless it is very high on your priority list
Ignitus Anthias*(Pseudanthias ignitus) one male two
females (or just one male if ok alone) really like these and have read up on them For more than one anthias, you really need a larger (longer) tank because of the nature of the social interaction of males with females; a single male is fine
Small Yellow Tang - Hawaii*(Zebrasoma flavescens Reef central's minimum recommended tank size for this fish is 100 gallons
Maroon Clownfish - Tank-Bred*(Premnas biaculeatus) a very aggressive fish that will limit the fish you can have going forward

I would like a starfish as well.
Any advice on clean up crew?

this thread is only about marine fish compatibility

[welcome]

 

[skrys20]

Thanks for the information.
So instead of Green Reef Chromis*(Chromis viridis) I think i will do a ocellaris clown( or a pair but i don't to worry about breeding)
Ignitus Anthias*(Pseudanthias ignitus) one male
Black cap basslet (or royal gamma if i can't find the other at a reasonable price
Yellow Tang - Hawaii*(Zebrasoma flavescens) (which i plan on moving into a bigger tank) I also like the yellowpeel angel but was worried it might destroy a reef tank.)
Do you think this would be better?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the information.
So instead of Green Reef Chromis*(Chromis viridis) I think i will do a ocellaris clown( or a pair but i don't to worry about breeding)

A. ocellaris is much more docile and less aggressive than GSM

Ignitus Anthias*(Pseudanthias ignitus) one male
Black cap basslet (or royal gamma if i can't find the other at a reasonable price
Yellow Tang - Hawaii*(Zebrasoma flavescens) (which i plan on moving into a bigger tank)

It is not a size of fish issue; these fish are aggressive especially if "cramped". Since most upgrades never happen, we would suggest getting this fish when you have the tank appropriate to its behavior. After all, these are very common fish and they will, for sure, be available if and when you upgrade.

I also like the yellowpeel angel but was worried it might destroy a reef tank.) All dwarf angels are a roll of the dice with regard to coral safety. Meaty LPS corals are the ones most susceptible to being picked on
Do you think this would be better?

 

[skrys20]

Last post on this would(i promise)

Last post on this would(i promise)

Again thanks. Sorry for the multiple post but I was given different information about the yellow tang. I bought a tank thinking a small tang would be happy in it. Thanks to you I will not be getting a tang. I think you just prevented me from having an unhappy tank.
Here's my new list

Ocellaris clown
Ignitus Anthias*(Pseudanthias ignitus)
Black cap basslet or royal gamma ( maybe both)
Lemon peel angel

Maybe a goby but I need to do some more research.


What is a gsm?

Again thanks. I can tell you truly care and i really want a happy successful happy tank.

 

[snorvich]

Again thanks. Sorry for the multiple post but I was given different information about the yellow tang. I bought a tank thinking a small tang would be happy in it. Thanks to you I will not be getting a tang. I think you just prevented me from having an unhappy tank.
Here's my new list

Ocellaris clown
Ignitus Anthias*(Pseudanthias ignitus)
Black cap basslet or royal gamma ( maybe both) Since these inhabit the same ecological niche, it can work in long tanks but in your sized tank it would be best to pick one not both
Lemon peel angel

Maybe a goby but I need to do some more research. many gobies would do well, but I would avoid sand sifting gobies for a couple of reasons: if you are going to keep corals, they create sand storms which can cover and damage corals, and they deplete sand beds of beneficial organisms, then starve to death


What is a gsm? Sorry, bad habit: Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish. Very aggressive, one of the most aggressive clownfish. Wants to control about 50 gallons of tank space and back in my diving days, would even attack divers.

Again thanks. I can tell you truly care and i really want a happy successful happy tank.

I very much care about the success of those who ask for advice and also want the fish in our care to live a long and healthy life

 

[nickbuol]

Hello.

I have a 120 gallon RR tank with a 40 gallon sump. 150 pounds of live rock and 120 pounds (dry weight) of live sand. I have a Reef Octopus NWB-200 skimmer.

Tank will be FOWLR (once I get fish in there, LOL) and has been aquascaped with lots of caves and "cubby-holes".

This is my second tank. My first one was a 75 gallon (no sump) FOWLR that had an accident after being up and running great for about 6 years. Our home's programmable thermostat kicked the heat on full, non-stop over a 3 day weekend when we weren't home. Cooked everything. We were moving at the time, and it was just too much hassle at the time, but I wanted to do it again some day... So 8 years later I am back.

Here are some fish that we are interested in. I will mark the "must haves" from my family's perspective.

(2) Tank Raised Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) (must have?)
(1) Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica or decora)
(1) Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) (my wife's favorite)
(1) Flame Angel (Centropyge loriculus) (I love their color)
(1) Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
(1) White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)
(1) Auriga Butterfly (Chaetodon auriga)
(1) Half Black Angel (Centropyge vroliki)
(1) Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)

Ok, NO I am NOT planning on all of those fish. I would be asking for trouble with that combination of angelfish. I put the last two on there because I think with all of the color, something more "black and white" would look really nice.

CUC will be purchased later and is a discussion for another time and another thread.

Thoughts on some combination of the above or other nice choices? I've liked the look of anthias for a while with their "soft" colors, but the peaceful ones might not fit into the mix well. I'm not sure.

Thanks for any insight. My tank is cycled and I still haven't purchased any fish and I still need to put whatever fish I do buy to start through my QT. I just want to have my road map figured out now rather than later.

 

[snorvich]

Hello.

I have a 120 gallon RR tank with a 40 gallon sump. 150 pounds of live rock and 120 pounds (dry weight) of live sand. I have a Reef Octopus NWB-200 skimmer.

Tank will be FOWLR (once I get fish in there, LOL) and has been aquascaped with lots of caves and "cubby-holes".

This is my second tank. My first one was a 75 gallon (no sump) FOWLR that had an accident after being up and running great for about 6 years. Our home's programmable thermostat kicked the heat on full, non-stop over a 3 day weekend when we weren't home. Cooked everything. We were moving at the time, and it was just too much hassle at the time, but I wanted to do it again some day... So 8 years later I am back.

Here are some fish that we are interested in. I will mark the "must haves" from my family's perspective.

(2) Tank Raised Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) (must have?)
(1) Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica or decora) introduce early in the stocking process
(1) Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) (my wife's favorite)
(1) Flame Angel (Centropyge loriculus) (I love their color)
(1) Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
(1) White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)
(1) Auriga Butterfly (Chaetodon auriga)

I think all of the above would be fine; I personally would skip the yellow tang as it will become aggressive over time

(1) Half Black Angel (Centropyge vroliki)
(1) Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)

These are fine but on the slightly more difficult side; I would only go with one, however if you think you must. In a perfect world having only the two dwarf angels in your top list would be best since your tangs are also grazers

Ok, NO I am NOT planning on all of those fish. I would be asking for trouble with that combination of angelfish. I put the last two on there because I think with all of the color, something more "black and white" would look really nice.

CUC will be purchased later and is a discussion for another time and another thread.

Thoughts on some combination of the above or other nice choices? I've liked the look of anthias for a while with their "soft" colors, but the peaceful ones might not fit into the mix well. I'm not sure.

Thanks for any insight. My tank is cycled and I still haven't purchased any fish and I still need to put whatever fish I do buy to start through my QT. I just want to have my road map figured out now rather than later.

 

[Ccarroll57]

Have 75g reef tank with the following in it now

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Scissortail Dartfish
1 Yellow tang (he is small right now and I know he will outgrow the tank. I bought him before doing much research and know he will have to come out at some point).

I am thinking of the following additions

Midas Blenny
MCCoskers Flasher Wrasse
Orangespot Diamond Goby
Foxface (small)

I have about 75lbs live rock, sand bed, using a sump with skimmer and have several coral frags just starting.

What issues do you see with my list?

Replace foxface with Royal Gramma and Purple Firefish Goby.

Will that work?

 

[snorvich]

Replace foxface with Royal Gramma and Purple Firefish Goby.

Will that work?

The royal gramma should be fine; the firefish may be an issue unless added early on since flasher wrasses have been known to intimidate later arrivals

 

[nickbuol]

Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbuol
Hello.

I have a 120 gallon RR tank with a 40 gallon sump. 150 pounds of live rock and 120 pounds (dry weight) of live sand. I have a Reef Octopus NWB-200 skimmer.

Tank will be FOWLR (once I get fish in there, LOL) and has been aquascaped with lots of caves and "cubby-holes".

This is my second tank. My first one was a 75 gallon (no sump) FOWLR that had an accident after being up and running great for about 6 years. Our home's programmable thermostat kicked the heat on full, non-stop over a 3 day weekend when we weren't home. Cooked everything. We were moving at the time, and it was just too much hassle at the time, but I wanted to do it again some day... So 8 years later I am back.

Here are some fish that we are interested in. I will mark the "must haves" from my family's perspective.

(2) Tank Raised Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) (must have?)
(1) Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica or decora) introduce early in the stocking process
(1) Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) (my wife's favorite)
(1) Flame Angel (Centropyge loriculus) (I love their color)
(1) Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
(1) White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)
(1) Auriga Butterfly (Chaetodon auriga)

I think all of the above would be fine; I personally would skip the yellow tang as it will become aggressive over time

(1) Half Black Angel (Centropyge vroliki)
(1) Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)

These are fine but on the slightly more difficult side; I would only go with one, however if you think you must. In a perfect world having only the two dwarf angels in your top list would be best since your tangs are also grazers

Ok, NO I am NOT planning on all of those fish. I would be asking for trouble with that combination of angelfish. I put the last two on there because I think with all of the color, something more "black and white" would look really nice.

CUC will be purchased later and is a discussion for another time and another thread.

Thoughts on some combination of the above or other nice choices? I've liked the look of anthias for a while with their "soft" colors, but the peaceful ones might not fit into the mix well. I'm not sure.

Thanks for any insight. My tank is cycled and I still haven't purchased any fish and I still need to put whatever fish I do buy to start through my QT. I just want to have my road map figured out now rather than later.

Any well behaved alternatives to the yellow tang? What about a nice fit for the black/white combo I was hoping for with the Eibli or half black angel or is it just that they need lots of seaweed (nori) in the tank?

Thanks again, you've been a huge help already.

 

[telijah]

40g DT with 20g sump, fowlr setup.
Currently have 2 Perc Clowns, two cbs, and some crabs and snails.

My lfs has green mandarin dragonets on sale, and I've always loved their looks. Are they OK for me? Looking at just getting one, but would two be a problem?

Thanks for your endless work in here Steve!

 

[snorvich]

40g DT with 20g sump, fowlr setup.
Currently have 2 Perc Clowns, two cbs, and some crabs and snails.

Note: Coral Banded Shrimp can take fish and unless they are a mated pair, only one CBB will survive long term

My lfs has green mandarin dragonets on sale, and I've always loved their looks. Are they OK for me? Looking at just getting one, but would two be a problem?

Actually, without very specialized effort, any mandarin would starve in your sized tank as they eat constantly and even if they eat frozen, will get insufficient nutrition

Thanks for your endless work in here Steve!

You are most welcome!

 

[snorvich]

Any well behaved alternatives to the yellow tang? What about a nice fit for the black/white combo I was hoping for with the Eibli or half black angel or is it just that they need lots of seaweed (nori) in the tank?

Thanks again, you've been a huge help already.

Please do not use coloration for your replies other than black. I use color to easily differentiate what you said from what I said. Ctenochaetus family tangs such as a Chevron would be a better alternative to a yellow. I discourage additional dwarf angels since you already have four grazers (two tangs, two dwarf angels). If you do it, however, be sure there is added Nori every day.

 

[Gone Snorkelin']

Addition question

Addition question

Steve,
I appreciate your time and comments. I have a question regarding new additions.
Our tank was born Jan. 2, 2012
120 gallon 4'x2'x2' DT
75 lbs base rock & 40 lbs live rock
Approx. 2" aragonite sand bed
30 gallon sump with some live rock rubble & chaetomorpha algae
In sump skimmer
8-bulb T5 lighting
Neptune Apex controller
Tunze ATO
It is a mixed reef tank with a variety of sps, lps & zoanthids.
I am leaning more towards sps dominant.

Currently inhabited by:
10 or 12 assorted snails (margaritas, Astrea, Turbos )
2 x Skunk cleaner shrimp - (Lysmata debelius)
1 x Peppermint Shrimp - (Lysmata wurdemanni)
1 x Strawberry conch - (Strombus luhuanus ? )
1 x Fighting conch - (Strombus alatus ? )

1 x Ocellaris Clownfish - (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 x Neon Blue Goby - (Elacatinus oceanops)
1 x Purple Firefish - (Nemateleotris decora)
1 x Royal Gramma Basslet "“ (Gramma loreto)
1 x Tail Spot Blenny "“ (Ecsenius stigmatura)
1 x Green Mandarin Dragonet "“ (Synchiropus splendidus)
1 x Yellow Pyramid Butterfly - (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) This guy lunched on one of my nicer acans but hasn't touched anything else since.

All fish were quarantined for a minimum 4 weeks including 15 days of tank transfer and 7 days of prazipro (except the dragonet).

We would like to add the following :
3 or 4 x Carberryi Anthias - (Nemanthias carberryi) - Would 4 be too many?
1 x Blue Reef Chromis "“ (Chromis cyaneus) Would this be OK with Anthias?
1 x Flame Angelfish - (Centropyge loriculus)


Thank you in advance for your time and comments.

Michael

 

[Terrance]

I'm planning to get a pistol shrimp with a yellow watchman goby for a bare bottom SPS/LPS tank. I read the shrimp loves to burrow. Will the combo be ok for a bare bottom tank?

 

[snorvich]

Steve,
I appreciate your time and comments. I have a question regarding new additions.
Our tank was born Jan. 2, 2012
120 gallon 4'x2'x2' DT
75 lbs base rock & 40 lbs live rock
Approx. 2" aragonite sand bed
30 gallon sump with some live rock rubble & chaetomorpha algae
In sump skimmer
8-bulb T5 lighting
Neptune Apex controller
Tunze ATO
It is a mixed reef tank with a variety of sps, lps & zoanthids.
I am leaning more towards sps dominant.

Currently inhabited by:
10 or 12 assorted snails (margaritas, Astrea, Turbos )
2 x Skunk cleaner shrimp - (Lysmata debelius)
1 x Peppermint Shrimp - (Lysmata wurdemanni)
1 x Strawberry conch - (Strombus luhuanus ? )
1 x Fighting conch - (Strombus alatus ? )

1 x Ocellaris Clownfish - (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 x Neon Blue Goby - (Elacatinus oceanops)
1 x Purple Firefish - (Nemateleotris decora)
1 x Royal Gramma Basslet "“ (Gramma loreto)
1 x Tail Spot Blenny "“ (Ecsenius stigmatura)
1 x Green Mandarin Dragonet "“ (Synchiropus splendidus)
1 x Yellow Pyramid Butterfly - (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) This guy lunched on one of my nicer acans but hasn't touched anything else since.

All fish were quarantined for a minimum 4 weeks including 15 days of tank transfer and 7 days of prazipro (except the dragonet).

We would like to add the following :
3 or 4 x Carberryi Anthias - (Nemanthias carberryi) - Would 4 be too many? No, should be fine but I would not mix a Chromis in with this
1 x Blue Reef Chromis "“ (Chromis cyaneus) Would this be OK with Anthias?
1 x Flame Angelfish - (Centropyge loriculus) not reef safe


Thank you in advance for your time and comments.

Michael

 

[snorvich]

I'm planning to get a pistol shrimp with a yellow watchman goby for a bare bottom SPS/LPS tank. I read the shrimp loves to burrow. Will the combo be ok for a bare bottom tank?

With no sand, I would not add the pistol shrimp

 

[Gone Snorkelin']

Thanks

Thanks


Thanks Steve.
I suspected the chromis would not be advised with the anthias. That is fine. I will forego the chromis for the MFFF harem of Carberryi Anthias. I was really only considering it for the color.

Is the bioload too high to take a chance on a Flame Angel as well? Are there any behavioural issues other than the probability of the angel eating corals?

Thanks again.
Michael

 

[snorvich]

Thanks Steve.
I suspected the chromis would not be advised with the anthias. That is fine. I will forego the chromis for the MFFF harem of Carberryi Anthias. I was really only considering it for the color.

Carberryi anthias are excellent. Ideally they should be fed multiple times per day with plankton type food (at least twice)

Is the bioload too high to take a chance on a Flame Angel as well? Are there any behavioural issues other than the probability of the angel eating corals?

bioload is fine; the flame angel is not safe for meaty lps type corals primarily. You might consider adding another fighting conch.

Thanks again.
Michael

 

[telijah]

You are most welcome!

I should have mentioned that I bought the cbs as a mated pair, but thanks for double checking me!

Are you able to expand on how the tank size makes a difference? I really am asking as a learning point, not trying to argue with you I thought maybe with a steady supply of copepods I would be OK. Or is it because I am running fowlr?