PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

Steve,
...The LFS has a half dozen 1" female Maldives Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis). They have some 2" males, but I believe if I get several small females one will become male. I avoided them until I could post these questions.

If I get 3-4 females with the intention of one becoming male, is there a chance that one or two may be injured or killed trying to become dominant? Is it a more peaceful process than that, or should I just get a male? In addition to the list below, is 4 of these small females (no males purchased) reasonable or too much?

...

Thank you in advance (for this response and all of the others).

Well there are no obvious behavioral issues with existing fish; however it seems as if this species all eventually become males in moderate sized tanks.

Wow, all males. I'm guessing they will not peacefully coexist, or are they an exception there, too?

 

[snorvich]

Wow, all males. I'm guessing they will not peacefully coexist, or are they an exception there, too?

As a diver of many, many years and as an aquarist with large tanks, the social behavior of anthias that I have seen is that males will herd "their" females over the reef. In larger tanks, they can keep their herd separate from the other male's but in smaller tanks such as yours, that will not be the case, especially with a small number of that particular species.

 

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

As a diver of many, many years and as an aquarist with large tanks, the social behavior of anthias that I have seen is that males will herd "their" females over the reef. In larger tanks, they can keep their herd separate from the other male's but in smaller tanks such as yours, that will not be the case, especially with a small number of that particular species.

If I purchase a male (2-3") in addition to 2-3 females (1" each), will the females stay female?

Thank you again.

 

[snorvich]

If I purchase a male (2-3") in addition to 2-3 females (1" each), will the females stay female?

Thank you again.

In my opinion, no.

 

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

In my opinion, no.

You've saved me and my wife a lot of heartache (and some money), thank you.

 

[snorvich]

You've saved me and my wife a lot of heartache (and some money), thank you.

That is why, especially in this forum, I recommend Carberryi or Resplendent. However LFS in general will bring in lyretail or bartlett's because they are considered "easy".

 

[edsbeaker]

Stocking for 140 (60 X 24 X 22)

Stocking for 140 (60 X 24 X 22)

Thanks for doing this Steve!
I'm getting my stocking list in order for my new 140 tank with 40 gallon sump. Do you see any problems with compatibility or bio-load? I'm aware of the angels and fox face not always being reef safe, and am still contemplating a PBT in a 5' tank.

Thanks

1 Powder Blue tang
1 Flame Angel
1 Coral Beauty angel
1 Foxface
1 Solaris-Red Head Wrasse (netting on tank)
1 Mystery Wrasse (netting on tank)
2-Ocellaris Clowns
1 Midas Blenny
2 bangaii cardinal fish- male/female
1 purple fire fish

2 cleaner shrimp
RBTA

 

[Browndawg80]

So I know this is probably to many fish but here goes...

I've got a 90 gallon DT running for 4 months with a 5" DSB and 80-90 lbs of live rock. So far I've got a pair of black and white clowns already in the DT and a potters angel and a yellow eyed kole tang in QT. Can I eventually add 4 bartletts anthias, 3 yellowfined Flasher wrasse, and a one- spot foxface?

 

[snorvich]

Getting my stocking list in order for my new 140 tank with 40 gallon sump. Do you see any problems with compatibility or bio-load?

Thanks

1 Powder Blue tang
1 Flame Angel
1 Coral Beauty angel
1 Foxface
1 Solaris-Red Head Wrasse
1 Mystery Wrasse may be incompatible with the above and with cleaner shrimp
2-Ocellaris Clowns
1 Midas Blenny
2 bangaii cardinal fish- male/female be sure they are tank raised
1 purple fire fish introduce early

2 cleaner shrimp
RBTA

 

[snorvich]

So I know this is probably to many fish but here goes...

I've got a 90 gallon DT running for 4 months with a 5" DSB and 80-90 lbs of live rock. So far I've got a pair of black and white clowns already in the DT and a potters angel and a yellow eyed kole tang in QT. Can I eventually add 4 bartletts anthias, 3 yellowfined Flasher wrasse, and a one- spot foxface?

Bartletts or other anthias as a group do better in slightly larger tanks, otherwise fine. But with multilple grazers, you will need to supplement with Nori. Note that flasher wrasses are prolific jumpers and require a tightly covered tank (not with egg crate).

 

[Fish Biscuit]

Thanks Steve, then there will be a trip to Old Town for a helfrichi during the spring.

I'm curious what the issue is with Dracula gobies not lasting long term. Are there any other shrimp gobies that don't do well either?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks Steve, then there will be a trip to Old Town for a helfrichi during the spring.

Of all the firefish, these are my absolute favorite.

I'm curious what the issue is with Dracula gobies not lasting long term. Are there any other shrimp gobies that don't do well either?

Not that I know of. I also do not know the reason why Dracula gobies do not do well, they just don't seem to last long.

 

[Browndawg80]

Thanks Steve, Are you suggesting that maybe I should hold off on the anthias then? Only reason I ask is cause I think live aquaria lists the minimum tank size as 55 gallons, I do however want my fish to be happy and thrive. If I decide not to get the anthias would I be OK to add a Midas Blenny and some kind of goby to occupy the sand bed portion of tank? Perhaps a mandarin down the road once I get a good population of pods in my fuge?

 

[90G fowlr]

Originally Posted by 90G fowlr
advice please
90G fowlr - 110 lbs of LR and 80 of LS - tank up and running 5 weeks
i have 2 clowns, a Kole tang , and a Coral Beauty - a choc chip starfish , 10 hermits and about 50 assorted snails
i would like a total of 10 fish ( 6 more)

here is a list i was consideirng to pick from

i'd like to add 2 in early March , and then 2 more sets of 2 each every 6 weeks after

Wrasse - Scott's Fairy exclude, very aggressive

Lyrietal or bartletts anthias

Diamond watchman goby

Royal Gramma excellent

Blue Green Chromis have been coming in less than healthy, I would pass for now

Raccoon butterfly excellent, red sea variety is best, but shrimp are not safe

UPDATE

i am getting ready to add 2 fish next week, i am thinking of adding a royal gramma and a mccorsker's flasher wrasse next - 6 weeks thereafter, i'd like to add a raccoon butterfly and an anthias - is this plan feasible ?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks Steve, Are you suggesting that maybe I should hold off on the anthias then? Only reason I ask is cause I think live aquaria lists the minimum tank size as 55 gallons, I do however want my fish to be happy and thrive. If I decide not to get the anthias would I be OK to add a Midas Blenny and some kind of goby to occupy the sand bed portion of tank? Perhaps a mandarin down the road once I get a good population of pods in my fuge?

You are fine for one; a group, because of the social dynamic does better in a larger tank. Any of your other options are fine.

 

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by 90G fowlr
advice please
90G fowlr - 110 lbs of LR and 80 of LS - tank up and running 5 weeks
i have 2 clowns, a Kole tang , and a Coral Beauty - a choc chip starfish , 10 hermits and about 50 assorted snails
i would like a total of 10 fish ( 6 more)


UPDATE

i am getting ready to add 2 fish next week, i am thinking of adding a royal gramma and a mccorsker's flasher wrasse next - 6 weeks thereafter, i'd like to add a raccoon butterfly and an anthias - is this plan feasible ?

That should be fine. Remember that flasher wrasses are prolific jumpers and the tank must be covered (not with egg crate). Also in the future, please do not remove my magenta coloration as I use it to easily differentiate what I say from the question.

 

[90G fowlr]

yes sir ,and TY

 

[foreignman]

Hi there. Thanks in advance.

My tank is a 50 gallon "breeder" (36x18x19) style with a 30 gallon berlin sump, and a skimmer. Thinking of going to the ecosystem method. Mixed reef.

Anyway, stocking plans:

2 - Ocellaris clowns (I've seen several times in this thread that they may "take over" 25 gallons of water, but I don't know what that means)
1 - black axil chromis (I've seen several times in this thread that they've been "arriving sick" lately (uroenemia?) but that it's treatable with a careful QT and medication)
1 - Firefish (not sure of which type, is there a difference between N. magnifica, N. helfrichi and N. decora compatibility wise?)
1 - Yellow clown goby (will it pair with a shrimp?)
1 - Orchid dottyback (too aggressive?)

Thanks!

 

[ausram]

Hello! I have a 28g nano cube (30 lbs live rock, 1.5" live sand) that I am ready to stock. My LFS told me I could keep the following in the tank, but I wanted to get this checked here first:

True Percula Clown
Bengai Cardinal
Bicolor Dottyback
Mandarin Goby

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

Hi there. Thanks in advance.

My tank is a 50 gallon "breeder" (36x18x19) style with a 30 gallon berlin sump, and a skimmer. Thinking of going to the ecosystem method. Mixed reef.

Anyway, stocking plans:

2 - Ocellaris clowns (I've seen several times in this thread that they may "take over" 25 gallons of water, but I don't know what that means)

That means that once they have sexually differentiated, bonded, and start to lay eggs, that they will "protect" about 20-25 gallons of tank space.

1 - black axil chromis (I've seen several times in this thread that they've been "arriving sick" lately (uroenemia?) but that it's treatable with a careful QT and medication)

That is correct. However, the vast majority of aquarists do not quarantine (sadly) and do not know how to properly treat. Also, if you read back on what I said, I said Uronema like symptoms. It is not clear if it is actually Uronema. That, of course is beyond the scope of this thread.

I do not know if Black Axil's have been coming in with health issues, but other types of chromis have been.

1 - Firefish (not sure of which type, is there a difference between N. magnifica, N. helfrichi and N. decora compatibility wise?)

All of them can coexist in bonded pairs, but I know of no morphological way of differentiating male from female. N. helfrichi is probably the most timid of the three, but perhaps also the most beautiful. All firefish, however, are easily intimidated

1 - Yellow clown goby (will it pair with a shrimp?) clown gobies do not pair with shrimp, those are prawn gobies
1 - Orchid dottyback (too aggressive?) P. fridmani is the least aggressive of the pseudochromis, but it may intimidate any firefish.

Thanks!