PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Tank size 6x3x2, Filtration Live Rock, 5x18x18 sump, Protein Skimmer MR-2R



Achillies
2x Amphiprion ocellaris only one pair of clowns, the others will be killed
2x Darwin clowns or true Percs
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Blonde Naso needs a larger tank
Powder Blue Tang
Sailfin Tang
Red Coral Goby
Anthias of some sort 5-7
5-7 Blue Green Chromis will become one or two over time
Blue Line Cleaner Wrasse
6 Line Wrasse aggressive and will not be happy with a cleaner wrasse
Banana Wrasse
scarlett shrimp
Manderin +6 or so months down the track
2x Wantanabei Angle a female is easy, a male is difficult
2x Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata) or pink spots or Gold head
Black Sailfin Blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus)
Bicolor Blenny only one blenny
Koran Angel
anything else you can suggest

In this sized tank, you have too many tangs and that simply will not work and way too many fish

 

[pjwperth]

Hi steve where do you get your information from so that I can do some more research.

What have you got in your tank and how big is the tank, Isearched but couldnt find any threads about it

 

[pjwperth]

Achillies rarely come up in Perth and im not 100% on the sailfin either might go for a smaller bristletooth tang kole eye maybe take out banana wrasse add 2x bangii cardinals take out 6line wrasse shying away from blue green chromis as well Wantanabei Angels change sex as far as I was aware so if I get two 1 should turn male and 1 female. I have successfully kept both of the blennies before in a much smaller tank had them both for over 2 years before I had to tear down the tank due to time restraints due to work and no support at home to look after my tanks

 

[snorvich]

Hi steve where do you get your information from so that I can do some more research.

What have you got in your tank and how big is the tank, Isearched but couldnt find any threads about it

My information comes from 30 years experience with marine aquaria (reef most recently, FO initially) (two large tanks, plus quarantine), extensive reading in the marine biology journals and books, and a little over 3000 dives. I do not provide threads about my tanks generally, unlike others, because I do not want this to be about me.

 

[snorvich]

Achillies rarely come up in Perth and im not 100% on the sailfin either might go for a smaller bristletooth tang kole eye maybe take out banana wrasse add 2x bangii cardinals take out 6line wrasse shying away from blue green chromis as well Wantanabei Angels change sex as far as I was aware so if I get two 1 should turn male and 1 female. I have successfully kept both of the blennies before in a much smaller tank had them both for over 2 years before I had to tear down the tank due to time restraints due to work and no support at home to look after my tanks

G. watanabei is a difficult fish. Best way to have a pair is to introduce 2 females concurrently. However, they can go to female to male, or male to female; therefore this is not a guaranteed process. I have tried it multiple times and eventually gave up on a pair. However, pairing Genicanthus, especially with other largish fish, can be frustrating unless you have a long tank. As always, my advice is available, but if you have experience to the contrary, go for it.

 

[johnike]

Good afternoon, Steve.
I've decided to end my stocking with a grazer (or three)
I want something to keep the Macro and bubble algae in check, not that it's out of hand, or anything.
8 foot, 240 gallon mixed reef.
Candidates are:
Foxface
Yellow Eye Kole Tang
Tominiensus Tang
A Zebrasoma of some sort (Scopas?)

Current inhabitants:
Pair True Percula
Orangestripe Brisletooth Tang
Midas, Starry, and Tailspot Blennies
Pair Firefish
Rainford Goby
Orangespot Goby
Pink and Bluespot Goby
Purple and Yellow Wrasse
Pair PJ Cardinals
Kaudern Cardinal
Flame Hawk
2 Mandarins
4 Yellowtail Damsels

Thanks for your time again, John.

 

[snorvich]

Good afternoon, Steve.
I've decided to end my stocking with a grazer (or three)
I want something to keep the Macro and bubble algae in check, not that it's out of hand, or anything.
8 foot, 240 gallon mixed reef.

Always a pleasure. For macro algae except bubble algae, my first choice would be a foxface or rabbitfish, all of whom have similar behavioral characteristics. As long as they are kept well fed, they are LPS safe, but if not, they can be a problem in this regard. Bubble algae is a different issue as I do not know of any fish or invert that will reliably consume it. People think that emerald crabs will, but I am skeptical that they will all do so as they prefer scavenging food fed to the tank, and can take small fish once they are large. The Red Sea Sailfin tang (which may be difficult to acquire) has by far the best reputation with bubble algae. I personally suck it out via siphon as it can easily be dislodged with a plastic siphon tubing.

Candidates are:
Foxface
Yellow Eye Kole Tang definitely will ignore it, but an excellent fish
Tominiensus Tang definitely will ignore it, but an excellent fish
A Zebrasoma of some sort (Scopas?) zebrasoma tangs once established will be highly territorial towards later additions. Your 8 foot tank may mitigate that, however.

Current inhabitants:
Pair True Percula
Orangestripe Brisletooth Tang
Midas, Starry, and Tailspot Blennies
Pair Firefish
Rainford Goby
Orangespot Goby
Pink and Bluespot Goby
Purple and Yellow Wrasse
Pair PJ Cardinals
Kaudern Cardinal
Flame Hawk
2 Mandarins
4 Yellowtail Damsels

Thanks for your time again, John.

 

[johnike]

Thanks so much for the lightning fast response.
LA has a Desjardini now.
Would I be pushing it, adding the 3 Tangs and a Foxface?
They're all small, and I'm upgrading....J/K

 

[snorvich]

Thanks so much for the lightning fast response.
LA has a Desjardini now. Not always available
Would I be pushing it, adding the 3 Tangs and a Foxface?
They're all small, and I'm upgrading....J/K

Probably would work (an 8 foot tank solves a lot of territorial problems), but be sure to quarantine, they are, after all, tangs. Best addition strategy is to add all concurrently just before lights out.

 

[snorvich]

They're all small, and I'm upgrading....J/K

Yeah right. Worth a response unto itself so it would not get lost in the one above. Everyone is always upgrading.

 

[johnike]

Thanks.
:wave:

 

[pjwperth]

G. watanabei is a difficult fish. Best way to have a pair is to introduce 2 females concurrently. However, they can go to female to male, or male to female; therefore this is not a guaranteed process. I have tried it multiple times and eventually gave up on a pair. However, pairing Genicanthus, especially with other largish fish, can be frustrating unless you have a long tank. As always, my advice is available, but if you have experience to the contrary, go for it.

No, thats why I here asking if I didnt care I wouldnt be here. I was asking about your tanks so that I could see how one's tank should look when properly stocked as so often on here yes you do see tanks which just looked crammed with fish. when selecting Qty of fish do you still use the inch rule as in freshwater plus take into account were each species swims or is there another rule I can use. There is not alot of support over here and the internet can be a curse.

2x Amphiprion ocellaris
2x Darwin clowns or true Percs
Bristletooth tang kole eye
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Red Coral Goby
5x Anthias of some sort
Blue Line Cleaner Wrasse
Banana Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)
2x Bangii cardinals
Scarlett shrimp
Manderin +6 or so months down the track
2x Wantanabei Angle
2x Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata) or pink spots or Gold head
Black Sailfin Blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus)
Bicolor Blenny
Koran Angel
Pepermint shrimp

 

[snorvich]

No, thats why I here asking if I didnt care I wouldnt be here. I was asking about your tanks so that I could see how one's tank should look when properly stocked as so often on here yes you do see tanks which just looked crammed with fish. when selecting Qty of fish do you still use the inch rule as in freshwater plus take into account were each species swims or is there another rule I can use. There is not alot of support over here and the internet can be a curse.

I keep both of my tanks lightly stocked because I do not want to see aggressive behavior among the inhabitants (which would be troublesome to watch) and because I enjoy watching natural behavior. (My diving days) There is no rule of x inches of fish per y gallons of tank. In fact, tank length is much more important than tank gallons which is why I indicated you have too many tangs. One has to know the behavior of the fish and understand how they perceive their territory within a give ecological niche in order to decide on a stocking plan. If fish feel crowded, they will eliminate the crowding. However, this thread is NOT a discussion thread. I can give you likely outcomes of a stocking plan and then you can decide whether you believe me or perhaps you know better. I have already given you feedback, e.g. only one pair of clownfish per tank, and you are certainly welcome to stock however you like. But, if I feel that I am wasting my time, then it would be best for you to get advice from another source.

2x Amphiprion ocellaris
2x Darwin clowns or true Percs
Bristletooth tang kole eye
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Red Coral Goby
5x Anthias of some sort
Blue Line Cleaner Wrasse
Banana Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)
2x Bangii cardinals
Scarlett shrimp
Manderin +6 or so months down the track
2x Wantanabei Angle
2x Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata) or pink spots or Gold head
Black Sailfin Blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus)
Bicolor Blenny
Koran Angel
Pepermint shrimp

 

[pjwperth]

Thanks your been a great help

 

[apolloreef]

30g mixed reef:

-tank bred ocellaris or perc pair
-Pygmy/cherub angelfish
-mccosker, carpenter flasher, Or red longfin fairy wrasse (3" reef safe varieties)
-bangaii cardinal (maybe)
-blue spotted yellow watchman goby + shrimp friend
-bicolor or tailspot blenny

Slightly crammed, so I am making sure to supply caves and open swimming space and trying to limit those that fill the same niche/areas of the tank. Any advice on addition order?

 

[snorvich]

30g mixed reef:

-tank bred ocellaris or perc pair
-Pygmy/cherub angelfish
-mccosker, carpenter flasher, Or red longfin fairy wrasse (3" reef safe varieties)
-bangaii cardinal (maybe)
-blue spotted yellow watchman goby + shrimp friend
-bicolor or tailspot blenny

Slightly crammed, so I am making sure to supply caves and open swimming space and trying to limit those that fill the same niche/areas of the tank. Any advice on addition order?

A bit too many fish for this sized tank; I would limit the number of fish to 5 or 6. Also the fairy or flasher wrasse require a larger tank.

 

[karasuyukito]

Downgraded, need a new stocking list.

Downgraded, need a new stocking list.

I've unfortunately had to downgrade my 29 gallon to a 20 long. Thankfully, I hadn't fully stocked it yet, but now I'm wondering if I can still have all the same fish I originally planned, or if I need to cut my list short. (The 29 was a used tank and sprung a leak. Tried to fix it unsuccessfully.)

This was the original list you had approved. "2 Ocellaris, 1 Firefish, 1 Hifin Red Banded Goby" added in that order. I currently only have the 2 Oc. at the moment. My husband has a 10 gallon nano set up where they're temporarily residing until I get my 20 set up and cycled. I still have my quarantine tank also.

Since the Oc. are now separate from my future DT, can I still have all four fish, maybe now if I stock them in a different order? Or do I have to skip either the Firefish or the Hifin?

Also, my husband now has a 10 gallon that he would like to stock once I get my Clowns out of it.

Wheeler's Watchman Goby or a Yellow Watchman Goby
Pistol Shrimp (He's looking for the symbiotic relationship pair.)
Tailspot Blenny

Could this combo work for him, or is he overstocking the tank?

 

[snorvich]

I've unfortunately had to downgrade my 29 gallon to a 20 long. Thankfully, I hadn't fully stocked it yet, but now I'm wondering if I can still have all the same fish I originally planned, or if I need to cut my list short. (The 29 was a used tank and sprung a leak. Tried to fix it unsuccessfully.)

This was the original list you had approved. "2 Ocellaris, 1 Firefish, 1 Hifin Red Banded Goby" added in that order. I currently only have the 2 Oc. at the moment. My husband has a 10 gallon nano set up where they're temporarily residing until I get my 20 set up and cycled. I still have my quarantine tank also.

Since the Oc. are now separate from my future DT, can I still have all four fish, maybe now if I stock them in a different order? Or do I have to skip either the Firefish or the Hifin?

Also, my husband now has a 10 gallon that he would like to stock once I get my Clowns out of it.

Wheeler's Watchman Goby or a Yellow Watchman Goby
Pistol Shrimp (He's looking for the symbiotic relationship pair.)
Tailspot Blenny

Could this combo work for him, or is he overstocking the tank?

The problem is that clownfish of that species once sexually mature, will want to control about 25 gallons of tank space. Since they will feel cramped in the new confines, I would limit any companions only to the watchman goby and pistol shrimp which will not occupy the same ecological niche as the clownfish.

 

[nanoreefer1000]

3rd 1 Ocean reefs and aquariums Hybrid Cleaner Goby (E. oceanops x figaro)
3rd 1 Ocean Reefs and Aquariums Red Head Goby (E. puncticulatus)
2nd 1 Ocean Reefs and Aquariums Tiger Goby (E. macrodon)
2nd 1 Green Clown Goby (G. atrangulatus)
1st 1 Hi Fin red banded goby (S. nematodes)
5th 1 Blue Stripe Pipefish (D. excisus)
4th 1 ORA Smith’s Blenny (M. smithi)
Tank is 24 x 12 x 18.5 approx 24g
with a 20 x 10 x 18.5 display fuge approx 17g
mixed reef
I may run some carbon or GFO in case of nutrient problems, water clarity, or coral warfare
The pipefish will be by itself in the fuge, i'm worried that it won't have enough swimming space.... I know of their feeding requirements and I will restock pods every once and a while and make sure the pipefish is eating a variety of prepared
The 1st goby will go in at 2 months, the 2nd batch of gobies will be added at the 4th month, the 3nd batch at 6, the blenny at 8, the pipefish at either 12 or 18.
The aquascape will allow the gobies to have ample territory.

 

[snorvich]

3rd 1 Ocean reefs and aquariums Hybrid Cleaner Goby (E. oceanops x figaro) while these are hybrids, if they are similar to the primary species, will have a short life span and may not tolerate conspecifics
3rd 1 Ocean Reefs and Aquariums Red Head Goby (E. puncticulatus)
2nd 1 Ocean Reefs and Aquariums Tiger Goby (E. macrodon)
2nd 1 Green Clown Goby (G. atrangulatus)
1st 1 Hi Fin red banded goby (S. nematodes)
5th 1 Blue Stripe Pipefish (D. excisus)
4th 1 ORA Smith's Blenny (M. smithi)
Tank is 24 x 12 x 18.5 approx 24g
with a 20 x 10 x 18.5 display fuge approx 17g
mixed reef
I may run some carbon or GFO in case of nutrient problems, water clarity, or coral warfare

While the pipefish should do well in the refugium, it should do fine in the primary tank

The pipefish will be by itself in the fuge, i'm worried that it won't have enough swimming space.... I know of their feeding requirements and I will restock pods every once and a while and make sure the pipefish is eating a variety of prepared

nutramar ova is usually good, creating "pod piles" will also help.

The 1st goby will go in at 2 months, the 2nd batch of gobies will be added at the 4th month, the 3nd batch at 6, the blenny at 8, the pipefish at either 12 or 18.
The aquascape will allow the gobies to have ample territory.

generally, a good plan; my only concern is that some gobies do not do well with conspecifics, but your tank size, and appropriate aquascaping my obviate that issue