PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Armand9601]

Steve:

Just started setting up a 60 gal cube with an Eshopps RS-75 refugium - looking to do a reef tank. What would you suggest - please note I'm coming back into the hoppy after a 12 year hiatus & relearning everything

Thanks!

 

[MoonPie88]

Hi,

After starting my new 63gal (4ft.) reef I am wondering how much fish I could add in the new tank (bioload?). Think it would get too much, so I am wondering which fish to drop for reducing bioload.

Already have:
2x A. ocellaris
1x A. randalli + pistol shrimp

What I would whish to add:
1x Mimicry Surgeonfish
2x P fridmani
2x Elacatinus oceanops
1x S. splendidus
2x V. puellaris

I Think considering the bioload, I should drop fridmani and splendidus, or what would you say?

Greetz

 

[snorvich]

I'm starting to research fish for a new 125-150 gallon setup. This will be an LPS/soft coral tank, maybe SPS way down the road if I get the itch.

I'd like to stock with several smaller fish in the 2-5 inch range (obviously reef safe) that will not simply stay hidden in rocks due to intimidation, as well as with a couple of larger (5-12").

I literally went through each page of LiveAquaria's stock identifying fish that I thought looked interesting and at least from the quick summary seemed compatible with each other. But for probably half of these fish I found, I don't know much about them at all.

I'd love to keep multiples if possible of any of the smaller fish that support it, but not really sure how many or which species would tolerate it. So without further ado, here's the list of fish that caught my eye:

Purple firefish One only, introduce early
Neon blue goby One only, introduce early

ocellaris clownfish - I'm not really sold on clowns, but like 1 million other reefers I have kids. If I get them, I'd do a pair and attempt an anemone or coral that they may like.

Green clown goby One only, introduce early
Yellow striped cardinalfish
Bicolor dottyback or purple dottyback aggressive, limits other choices such as the flasher wrasse below and firefish
Carpenter Flasher Wrasse

Zebra barred dartfish or Gudgeon Goby (do the zebra's show much color in a tank? I don't trust the stock photos.....)

Coral beauty or a Flame Angel

Sixline wrasse (have heard they can be mean, so may not do this one, just think it's pretty) it is pretty but mean

Bartlett's Anthias - I know Anthias can be hard to keep, would probably be one of the later additions to the tank after a year or two of stability.

Red Stoplight cardinalfish

Blue Chromis - Seems like most of the people's tanks I see with Chromis have Blue/Green chromis. Any particular reason for that? I like the color on the blue better. Actually have had yellow tailed blue damsels before and loved the color they brought to the tanks, but I think I got lucky with them. They didn't display anywhere near the amount of aggression that most folks seem to have. I'd actually prefer yellow tailed blue damsels if they'd fit in this setup over the chromis.

Sunrise dottyback dottybacks are very aggressive

Green or Red Mandarin goby not with a six line wrasse - like the anthias, this would probably only be a late addition to the tank after I feel like I have a shot at not killing it.

Yellow Prawn Goby
Longnose hawkfish not shrimp safe
Redstripe hogfish hogfish are not invert safe or small fish safe
Cuban hogfish

White tail tang or powder blue tang or 2 spot bristletooth tang - I kept a small powder blue for awhile in a 90 gallon before a 2 week power outage wiped out everything. Love the fish, not sure about the other two tangs, but I liked the colors on them.

a bristle tooth tang should be fine


Sheesh, realized this post reads like a novel.... is there a donate button somewhere on this forum? Truly appreciate the feedback and wealth of knowledge available here!

 

[snorvich]

I have a Biocube 29 currently. It is fish only for the foreseeable future.

Current Stock List
Two ORA Snowflake Clowns
A Yasha Goby and Pistol Shrimp pair from LA are going to be here tuesday.

My main idea is since this is fish only to have a somewhat heavier bioload. I run chaeto and do 20% water change every other week. I am looking into some sort of dwarf angel if possible (flame, coral beauty, any ideas?). Is 5 fish into this tank pushing it? Not sure what other type of nano fish would be good. Have a nice rock work with a lot of swimming room and caves.

bioload is not usually the issue it is behavioral, trying to put fish in a tank where their need for territory is not satisfied

 

[snorvich]

Steve:

Just started setting up a 60 gal cube with an Eshopps RS-75 refugium - looking to do a reef tank. What would you suggest - please note I'm coming back into the hoppy after a 12 year hiatus & relearning everything

Thanks!

As those who follow this thread know, I do not make recommendations; however I am quite happy to review and analyze any stocking plan

 

[snorvich]

Hi,

After starting my new 63gal (4ft.) reef I am wondering how much fish I could add in the new tank (bioload?). Think it would get too much, so I am wondering which fish to drop for reducing bioload.

Already have:
2x A. ocellaris
1x A. randalli + pistol shrimp

What I would whish to add:
1x Mimicry Surgeonfish tangs need larger tanks depending on species
2x P fridmani while these are the least aggressive of the Pseudochromis, they will preclude other options
2x Elacatinus oceanops only one
1x S. splendidus your tank is marginal for long term sustainenance of this fish unless you add a refugium
2x V. puellaris only one unless they are a bonded, mated pair

I Think considering the bioload, I should drop fridmani and splendidus, or what would you say?

Greetz

 

[MoonPie88]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice.
Is there a tang, which I can add in a 63gal (4ft) tank? Most sides say that 4ft is minimum for some tangs.

Reduced wishlist:
2x A. ocellaris
1x A. randalli + pistol shrimp
1x Tang ?
2x P. fridmani
1x Elacatinus oceanops
2x V. puellaris (if already mated)

 

[snorvich]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice.
Is there a tang, which I can add in a 63gal (4ft) tank? Most sides say that 4ft is minimum for some tangs.

No, sorry. Reef Central's recommended tank size for tangs can be found here.

Reduced wishlist:
2x A. ocellaris
1x A. randalli + pistol shrimp
1x Tang ?
2x P. fridmani I previously commented that this would be problematic
1x Elacatinus oceanops
2x V. puellaris (if already mated) as previously commented on and I can assure you that getting a mated pair from normal sources is unlikely at best.

 

[Armand9601]

Steve:

In regards to my 60 gal setup, here's what I would like to stock it with:

1x Blue-spotted Jawfish
1x Mandarin Dragonet
1x Blue Tang
2x Percula Clown (tank bred)
1x Wrasse (6-line, open to suggestions)
1x Purple Dottyback

For filtration I will be using an Eshopps RS-100 refugium with chaeto

 

[snorvich]

Steve:

In regards to my 60 gal setup, here's what I would like to stock it with:

1x Blue-spotted Jawfish requires cooler temperature (72-75F) for long term viability, peaceful tank mates, and a deeper sand bed with live rock rubble
1x Mandarin Dragonet
1x Blue Tang Reef Central recommends an 8 foot 240 gallon tank for this fish
2x Percula Clown (tank bred)
1x Wrasse (6-line, open to suggestions) not consistent with a mandarin, especially in this sized tank
1x Purple Dottyback aggressive, will limit future and current options

For filtration I will be using an Eshopps RS-100 refugium with chaeto

 

[Armand9601]

Steve:

Thank you, appreciate your help & saving me from some mistakes.

Any order I should use to offset some of the aggressiveness?

 

[Spork3245]

90 gallon marineland tank w/approximately 80lb of sand (aragonite) - Tank is FOWLR. I have a 30 gallon sump with a refugium, I have not set the refugium up yet but will be doing so in the next 3-4 weeks (currently just live rock rubble in it and a light that I hope is powerful enough for algae growth )

Current fish/inverts:
3x Tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (guy at the store told me to get three-five, instinct said get two but I listened to the LFS guy for some stupid reason... Afterwards, people on here have said to "worry about the third" once two of them pair up, but two other LFS's I stopped at yesterday said that the 3rd will be fine since I got them all at the same time and basically that the female will become a "group leader" and have a "love triangle" going, they said if it was a more aggressive clown species the third would indeed be "screwed"... Considering the wide-variety of responses I've received and the fact that the LFS I purchased from has a "no returns on livestock policy", I've decided to just keep an eye on them and pull out the 3rd if he begins to get bullied once two of them pair - If you have any suggestions/advice I'd appreciate it)

1x Cleaner Shrimp
3x Turbo Snails
6x Nassairus Snails
3x Bumblebee Snails (are these guys evil? See next purchase...)
1x Trochus Snails (had three but two were eaten by the bumblebees...?)
5x Astrea Snails
6x Hermit Crabs (3 red legged, 3 blue legged)

Intended future purchases:
1x Fox Face Rabbit Fish (Some say 4 feet is enough room, others say 6 feet so if I see he's stressed out in the 90 gallon once he reaches maturity, I will swap him out for another small one - I *really* would like this fish but if you think it's a horrible idea I will listen)
1-2x Heniochus (for my girlfriend)
1x Diamond Goby OR Blue Cleaner Goby (I honestly don't know which would be better?)
1x Mimic Tang
1x Flame Angel
1x Green Mandarin Dragonet (6-12 months down the road, also he's a *maybe*)

BTW - Any order in which to purchase these next fish if you think I'd be okay with them?

Thank you!!!

 

[snorvich]

Steve:

Thank you, appreciate your help & saving me from some mistakes.

Any order I should use to offset some of the aggressiveness?

Order will not help as those fish are inherently aggressive, especially in small tanks.

 

[snorvich]

90 gallon marineland tank w/approximately 80lb of sand (aragonite) - Tank is FOWLR. I have a 30 gallon sump with a refugium, I have not set the refugium up yet but will be doing so in the next 3-4 weeks (currently just live rock rubble in it and a light that I hope is powerful enough for algae growth )

Current fish/inverts:
3x Tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (guy at the store told me to get three-five, instinct said get two but I listened to the LFS guy for some stupid reason... Afterwards, people on here have said to "worry about the third" once two of them pair up, but two other LFS's I stopped at yesterday said that the 3rd will be fine since I got them all at the same time and basically that the female will become a "group leader" and have a "love triangle" going, they said if it was a more aggressive clown species the third would indeed be "screwed"... Considering the wide-variety of responses I've received and the fact that the LFS I purchased from has a "no returns on livestock policy", I've decided to just keep an eye on them and pull out the 3rd if he begins to get bullied once two of them pair - If you have any suggestions/advice I'd appreciate it) Three clownfish never work long term. Once sexually differentiated, the female will kill the third one or cause it to jump. My advice is not to listen to those LFS as they do not know what they are doing. I would especially NEVER purchase from the initial LFS that sold them to you.

1x Cleaner Shrimp
3x Turbo Snails
6x Nassairus Snails
3x Bumblebee Snails (are these guys evil? See next purchase...)
1x Trochus Snails (had three but two were eaten by the bumblebees...?)
5x Astrea Snails
6x Hermit Crabs (3 red legged, 3 blue legged) hermit crabs will kill snails for their shells

Intended future purchases:
1x Fox Face Rabbit Fish (Some say 4 feet is enough room, others say 6 feet so if I see he's stressed out in the 90 gallon once he reaches maturity, I will swap him out for another small one - I *really* would like this fish but if you think it's a horrible idea I will listen) The minimum tank size recommended is 125 gallons; Reef Central does not recommend swapping fish out but rather purchasing for the tank size you have now
1-2x Heniochus (for my girlfriend) The minimum tank size recommended is 125 gallons; Reef Central does not recommend swapping fish out but rather purchasing for the tank size you have now
1x Diamond Goby OR Blue Cleaner Goby (I honestly don't know which would be better?) Both are fine, the cleaner goby would have interesting behaviors but so with the diamond goby if paired with an alpheus randall shrimp
1x Mimic Tang two large grazers in this sized tank is not recommended but the mimic tang is preferred to the Foxface.
1x Flame Angel
1x Green Mandarin Dragonet (6-12 months down the road, also he's a *maybe*)

BTW - Any order in which to purchase these next fish if you think I'd be okay with them?

Thank you!!!

 

[Spork3245]

Thank you!!! I didn't know that "swapping" was a bad thing or I would've never considered it, also didn't realize that Heniochus need a 6ft tank. It's really hard to tell these things as blue zoo was the site I was initially always going by but then I found out that their listed "minimums" might be way off. Glad I asked!

With the fish store that told me to go with 3 clowns it seems to be who I talk to, as the gentleman who I believe is the owner told me that the Lime Green Wrasse who my gf fell in love with would eat and/or kill smaller non-aggressive fish, while the gentleman who told me to get the 3 clowns also told me to get a yellow coris wrasse and that they would be peaceful even when I mentioned the clowns :hmm4: . My friend who lives a couple hours away from me has a 46 gallon tank with a single 2-3 year old Tomato Clown (and a few other fishes), since the Ocellaris is a juvenile would I be able to give the "extra" clown to him without worry?

I knew about the hermit crabs and the snails, I did get a handful of various sized hermit shells, cleaned them and put them in my tank but I'm not sure if this will deter them or not.

My gf and I originally wanted a Diamond Goby and Pistol combo (as you suggested with the randall shrimp) but I've become worried of the Pistol going psychotic and killing off its goby and other fishes. Is this something to worry about or am I just being paranoid?

Thank you again! I greatly appreciate the straight answers!

 

[snorvich]

Thank you!!! I didn't know that "swapping" was a bad thing or I would've never considered it, also didn't realize that Heniochus need a 6ft tank. It's really hard to tell these things as blue zoo was the site I was initially always going by but then I found out that their listed "minimums" might be way off. Glad I asked!

There are some online vendors with reasonable tank size minimums. However, vendors have an agenda of selling. We at Reef Central have no profit agenda.

With the fish store that told me to go with 3 clowns it seems to be who I talk to, as the gentleman who I believe is the owner told me that the Lime Green Wrasse who my gf fell in love with would eat and/or kill smaller non-aggressive fish, while the gentleman who told me to get the 3 clowns also told me to get a yellow coris wrasse and that they would be peaceful even when I mentioned the clowns :hmm4: . My friend who lives a couple hours away from me has a 46 gallon tank with a single 2-3 year old Tomato Clown (and a few other fishes), since the Ocellaris is a juvenile would I be able to give the "extra" clown to him without worry?

No. Tomato clownfish are on the aggressive side and mixing species except in very large tanks does not work.

I knew about the hermit crabs and the snails, I did get a handful of various sized hermit shells, cleaned them and put them in my tank but I'm not sure if this will deter them or not.

No, it will not deter them.

My gf and I originally wanted a Diamond Goby and Pistol combo (as you suggested with the randall shrimp) but I've become worried of the Pistol going psychotic and killing off its goby and other fishes. Is this something to worry about or am I just being paranoid?

Pistol shrimp do not go psychotic. The only time equivalent behavior evidences itself in aquaria is when a fish matures, notices its territorial imperative is not being met, and reduces the co-inhabitants of that ecological niche. However, there are some fish that go psychotic, but the only one I have personally seen is a Sohal tang.

Thank you again! I greatly appreciate the straight answers!

 

[kered38]

38 gal, live rock, softies.
Current stock
Pair of false clowns
2-turbo snails
8- blue legged crabs


Future stocking list
2- Banggai cardinals
1or3- black axil chromis
1- watchman goby
1- lawnmower blenny
1- flame angel

Would like to add a couple peppermint shrimp and one coral banded shrimp

Steve, thanks for this thread there is a lot of great info.

 

[snorvich]

38 gal, live rock, softies.
Current stock
Pair of false clowns
2-turbo snails
8- blue legged crabs crabs kill snails for their shells


Future stocking list
2- Banggai cardinals must be tank raised and a male plus female
1or3- black axil chromis
1- watchman goby
1- lawnmower blenny
1- flame angel

this is too many fish for this sized tank

Would like to add a couple peppermint shrimp and one coral banded shrimp coral banded shrimp can take fish

Steve, thanks for this thread there is a lot of great info.

 

[kered38]

Thanks for the info. I'll cut the coral banded shrimp out.
What would be the appropriate number for fish for a tank this size?
If I cut back to one cardinal and cut out the chromis would that be alright or would more cutting back be needed?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the info. I'll cut the coral banded shrimp out.
What would be the appropriate number for fish for a tank this size?
If I cut back to one cardinal and cut out the chromis would that be alright or would more cutting back be needed?

The clownfish, once sexually mature, will want to control about 20-25 gallons of tank space. Non-water column fish should be fine, but even though small, I would try to limit the number of water column fish including the clownfish to six.