PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[dthorn]

Forgot to mention after trio becomes pair, if aggression of pair is a problem with other tank mates I can put them in another tank instead and keep the single in the 56g.

 

[snorvich]

Stocking list for 56g with reef octopus bh90 skimmer, 85lbs live rock and dsb with top layer special grade that will be a mixed reef. Also run carbon, gfo, and purogen. Currently stock is 3 baby o. Clowns with another tank to move one to when they decide 3 is a crowd. three clownfish will become two clownfish as they mature

Loving the dispar anthias at lfs as next addition but originally planned mff trio before doing some research. Foster's says as small as a 25g for one,

actually a single anthias needs 75 gallons, 125 gallons for a group

but need a 125 for a group. Being the mature size is so small I am having a tough time accepting/understanding this and know being an anthias fan you are the guy to ask.

It is not physical size that is the issue, it is the nature of social interaction. Dr. Foster and Smith recommended tank sizes are excellent guidelines for tank size. On some of the larger fish, their tank size recommendations are, in my opinion aggressive since they give tank sizes in gallons whereas some fish should have tank sizes in tank length

I also read that they do poorly when kept singly and sometimes won't feed alone. If I can't have a trio, what about two different ones total such as ignatus or bartlett's?

Again, social interaction is the relevant issue with multiple anthias irrespective of species. Also, anthias need multiple feedings per day.

Future plans in order mccosker flasher wrasse,

an excellent choice

fairy wrasse(one of the less agressive ones),

some fairy wrasses need larger tanks

maybe a blue or blue green chromis (curious if one of each is as likely to end as one like with groups of same colored ones), and finally I may consider a kole or bristletooth tang knowing that it will eventually be my excuse to upgrade to a larger tank.

Tang sizes recommended by Reef Central can be found here. We always suggest upgrading before purchasing fish that cannot exist long term in the tank you have.

Sounds like way too many fish but that's because I know you don't make suggestions so I listed all the fish I like. Don't want to be overstocked but do love lots of fish and color. Thanks in advance and for all that I've already learned in this thread. Will be adding fish slowly with qt.

 

[snorvich]

Forgot to mention after trio becomes pair, if aggression of pair is a problem with other tank mates I can put them in another tank instead and keep the single in the 56g.

you may not have a chance. The third one will usually jump or be killed.

 

[kissman]

a long nosed hawkfish, while not shrimp safe, has no behavioral incompatibilities with your other fish, a sixline wrasse is aggressive; dwarf angels are not guaranteed to be coral safe

I guess its just best not to put any angels in sounds like. I forgot about the Hawkfish not being shrimp safe. Thanks

 

[dthorn]

Thanks! Will I be pushing bio load with a pair of clowns, one anthias, one mccosker, one of the small fairies, and one chromis? Or maybe one clown and a yet to be determined centerpiece fish? Just seems there is no good option for a tank my size with angels being nippers and tangs all needing more space. I push bio load hard in my 55g cichlid tank with over 100" of fish and insane amounts of filtation. Not my plan with reef tanks but still trying to get a feel for what load I can keep in a reef tank without pushing the system and causing problems.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks! Will I be pushing bio load with a pair of clowns, one anthias, one mccosker, one of the small fairies, and one chromis? Or maybe one clown and a yet to be determined centerpiece fish? Just seems there is no good option for a tank my size with angels being nippers and tangs all needing more space. I push bio load hard in my 55g cichlid tank with over 100" of fish and insane amounts of filtation. Not my plan with reef tanks but still trying to get a feel for what load I can keep in a reef tank without pushing the system and causing problems.

Bioload is rarely the issue with an established tank. Behavior, as influenced by perceived territory requirements and/or ecological niche is almost always the binding constraint on what you can successfully put in a tank. Again, fish size (e.g. small fairy wrasse) is not really the issue, it is behavior, perceived territorial imperative, and ecological niche.

 

[dthorn]

Thanks again! So if looking at these different niches, perceived threats, habits, etc. Would the mentioned group likely work out with my tank or am I pushing it with the limitations created by size of my tank? I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, and think this last one should be all for now. Will also continue reading this sticky, 30 pages in so far and a LONG ways to go! Lol

 

[kissman]

Possible Stocking ideas for a 55g SPS

stocking list

1 Royal Gramma
1 Diamond Gobie
2 True Perc
2 Green/Blue Chromis
1 Wrasse (not sure which yet) I really liked my Six Line
would love a Flame Angel or Bicolor Angel(but scared with SPS) or a longnose hawkfish

Thanks for your responses, if i take out the angel and hawk. In which order should the rest be added?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks again! So if looking at these different niches, perceived threats, habits, etc. Would the mentioned group likely work out with my tank or am I pushing it with the limitations created by size of my tank? I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, and think this last one should be all for now. Will also continue reading this sticky, 30 pages in so far and a LONG ways to go! Lol

When asking questions, please provide the stocking list and tank size. I have done thousands of these and cannot begin to remember an individual's requirements. But looking back, which I don't really want to do, you are trying to push the limitations of the space you are providing. Anthias, as an example, require a 75 gallon tank.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for your responses, if i take out the angel and hawk. In which order should the rest be added?

always, most peaceful first, most aggressive last. In your case, the sixline wrasse is for sure most aggressive.

 

[DeepBlueZoas]

OK seeing what you think about this I have a 14gl biocube has been stocked with soft corals, and lps for over a year so its a well established tank.
Here's the list of what I want
Pair of green banded gobies
Red-arrowhead wrasse
Blue-striped pipe fish feeding on mysis shrimp
yasha goby pair or just a male
red banded shrimp goby, or barber post goby
yellow stripe cling fish
and a rainfords goby

and I already have a few blue porcelain crabs and one red one

 

[snorvich]

OK seeing what you think about this I have a 14gl biocube has been stocked with soft corals, and lps for over a year so its a well established tank.

Here's the list of what I want while these fish individually can live in a small tank, the collection becomes difficult for me to assess and may not do well in a 14 gallon tank. If you feed small amounts of nutramar ova multiple times per day, feeding may work, but then I am concerned about bioload in such a small tank.
Pair of green banded gobies ok
Red-arrowhead wrasse fine
Blue-striped pipe fish feeding on mysis shrimp difficult/expert level; the problem is that this fish needs copepods in addition to mysis and is a delicate fish and is a delicate feeder
yasha goby pair or just a male one or a mated pair is fine with an appropriate pistol shrimp
red banded shrimp goby, or barber post goby no, not with the yasha goby; only one shrimp goby in a small tank, or even moderately sized larger tank
yellow stripe cling fish very difficult, may not be good with the other fish
and a rainfords goby eats copepods so long term, this may be difficult as it competes for copepods with the others in a small tank

If your tank were larger, most of these fish could co-exist (but only one shrimp goby), although the cling fish is very difficult. Tank size and copepod population becomes the limiting factor on a collection of this type fish even though, as individuals, most could do very well. Feeding once per day is unlikely to be sufficient as most of these fish are grazers of copepods.

and I already have a few blue porcelain crabs and one red one

 

[Dale Cooper]

Can one mix flasher wrasse with fairy wrasse, as a general rule?

I currently have a McCosker's Flasher, 1 maroon clown, and one pink diamond watchman goby.

I wish to next add the Tangaroa Goby along with a fairy wrasse, probably the Red Velvet.

And would these be compatible with a red firefish?

Add: This is in a 90 gallon.

 

[nickbuol]

Hey Steve,

As part of my stocking plan that you gave me input on a while back, I was planning on a Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) and a Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus).

Anyway, I am planning on getting them soon, but didn't know if you had any insight to the size of specimens I should order so that their personalities have the best chance of success? Some details:
120 gallon FOWLR with 1 firefish and 2 Ocellaris clowns (still somewhat small)
Size choices:
Small; 1" to 1-3/4"
Medium; 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"
Large; 2-1/2" to 4"

I saw thinking NOT large, but didn't want to assume that "small" was the ideal either.

I know that you make stocking recommendations, and this may fall into a gray area to some degree, but the recommendations you make are based off of personalities and characteristics of the aquatic fish, and that is the aspect I am looking for.

Thanks again.

 

[snorvich]

Can one mix flasher wrasse with fairy wrasse, as a general rule?

there are no general rules in this hobby

I currently have a McCosker's Flasher, 1 maroon clown, and one pink diamond watchman goby. the maroon clown will be a problem long term

I wish to next add the Tangaroa Goby along with a fairy wrasse, probably the Red Velvet. should be fine

And would these be compatible with a red firefish? should be fine

Add: This is in a 90 gallon.

 

[snorvich]

Hey Steve,

As part of my stocking plan that you gave me input on a while back, I was planning on a Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) and a Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus).

Anyway, I am planning on getting them soon, but didn't know if you had any insight to the size of specimens I should order so that their personalities have the best chance of success? Some details:
120 gallon FOWLR with 1 firefish and 2 Ocellaris clowns (still somewhat small)
Size choices:
Small; 1" to 1-3/4"
Medium; 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"
Large; 2-1/2" to 4"

I saw thinking NOT large, but didn't want to assume that "small" was the ideal either.

I would go with medium on both; I am always nervous about too small.

I know that you make stocking recommendations, and this may fall into a gray area to some degree, but the recommendations you make are based off of personalities and characteristics of the aquatic fish, and that is the aspect I am looking for.

Personalities, characteristics, tank mates, and tank size

Thanks again.

 

[nickbuol]

Thanks again Steve!

 

[DeepBlueZoas]

Thanks for the great input and I plan on upgrading the filter system of the tank to a external 20gl refugium to help with the bio load and copepod supplementation, as far as the cling fish I probably will not be getting they are quite hard to find and from what you tell me very difficult to keep. Maybe if I find one one day I will set up a separate species tank.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the great input and I plan on upgrading the filter system of the tank to a external 20gl refugium to help with the bio load and copepod supplementation, as far as the cling fish I probably will not be getting they are quite hard to find and from what you tell me very difficult to keep. Maybe if I find one one day I will set up a separate species tank.

I have spent a fair amount of time diving in the Solomon Islands and the only time have seen this cling fish is in association with long spine sea urchins. Those would not do well in a 14 gallon tank.

 

[gsiegel]

Hi Steve. A slight revised stock list if I can please get your input. 280g FOWLR
Current inhabitants:
3 chromis
Pair of black/white oscellarus
Gold headed sleeper goby
Exquisite wrasse
Xmas wrasse
Red tailed tamarin wrasse (eating and doing well)
Lineatus wrasse
Flame angel
Blond naso
Mimic tang
Magnificent fox face

All fish are doing well.

Future possible plans in order include:
Bellus angel female
Hippo tang
Harlequin tusk (aussie)
Crosshatch and/or Blue throat trigger
Goldflake and Blueface Angel (if adding both would likely introduce both together with the blueface being smaller)

Thoughts on overall compatibility and order of entry?

Thanks Steve!