PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[RickyRicardo]

Revised combination below, can you also offer advice on order of additions?

Hello, I am actually looking for a suggestion for a larger fish and tangs for a 116 gallon corner tank plus sump and refugium (20 gal?).

I currently have
- two false perculae I have owned since they were juvenile
- 3 sexy shrimps
- one tricnacda clam

I want to add
- 3 cleaner shrimp (skunk)
- 2 red blood shrimp
- one dragonet (in 6 months)
- one watchmen goby (pair if possible)
- one kole tang
- one yellow tang
- two six line wrasse
- 3 Kaudern's Cardinal
- one orchid dotty back
- one firefish (or pair if possible)
- one fire angel

Thanks!

 

[308systems]

New fish compatibility questions

New fish compatibility questions

Hi,
We have a 180 gal cylindrical tank 4ft tall and 3ft diameter. It is established, and was started in 2009. We do 60gal water changes weekly, and use a filter sock and skimmer for water quality. Water temp is 72deg, and all other parameters are good.

We currently have the following fish:

1 Blue Tang
2 clownfish
1 firefish
1 6 line wrasse
1 pajama cardinal

I am interested in adding to the tank, and am looking at adding all these fish(or part of them based upon your recommendations)

1 dwarf angelfish
1 flame hawkfish
3 blue gudgeon goby
3 black axil chromis
1 lemnpeel angelfish
2 yellowtail damselfish
1 neon blue star damselfish
3 zebra catalina goby
1 similar damselfish

All comments regarding compatibility are appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[Empty Bottles]

This is a revised list that I gave a couple of weeks ago. I'm actually going to give two lists and I hope you have time to review them. I'm scared my preferred may be a little too risky.

I hope it's not too detailed and lengthy. I had an insane algae outbreak from Asian corner nori, and an Alk pump mishap that lead to a half crashed reef. Those two coupled with a pistol shrimp that I hated I figured it was a great time to teardown and rebuild. Anyway, I want to take every precaution that I can to make sure this time I have as few issues as possible this time around.

This will be for a 60" 100 gallon LPS dominant tank with a 40b sump(skimmer and refugium).
I've already made the decision against shrimp. They make it a pain to feed LPS.
The fish will be listed in the order I plan to add them hoping to mitigate any territorial/ecological niche aggression issues.

Preferred Option:
2 Occ Clowns- owned
Magnificent Foxface
Yellow Longnose Butterfly
Solon Wrasse
Orchid (Fridmani) Dottyback
Kole or Tomini Tang
Midas Blenny
Flame Hawk
Mystery Wrasse

Too many chancy fish personalities? Also, are there any non-burrowing bottom dwelling fish that you think will be compatible with this list?

2nd Option:
2 Occ Clowns
Royal Gramma
Flasher Wrasse
Magnificent Foxface
Solon Wrasse (I've been warned of aggressiveness towards flasher)
Midas Blenny ( And you've also told me potential nipper)
Flame Hawk
Pyramid Butterfly
Kole or Tomini Tang
Leopard Wrasse or Mandarin Dragonet ( I'm really interested in your opinion about which has the better long term survival rate and/or ease of care.)

This list is made with the feeding requirements of a Mandarin Dragonet taken into account. If there are any microfauna predators in the list please let me know.

 

[snorvich]

I have a 28g tank that I'd like to make mixed reef. It is cycling now. Not set on any particular inhabitants. What would you put in the tank Steve?

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always happy to review marine fish stocking lists for compatibility.

 

[snorvich]

Revised combination below, can you also offer advice on order of additions?
I currently have
- two false perculae I have owned since they were juvenile
- 3 sexy shrimps
- one tricnacda clam

I want to add
- 3 cleaner shrimp (skunk)
- 2 red blood shrimp
- one dragonet (in 6 months) not with a six line wrasse
- one watchmen goby (pair if possible)
- one kole tang
- one yellow tang not two tangs in this sized tank and of the two, the kole is better suited to this tank size
- two six line wrasse no. one at most, but these are aggressive and will not be compatible with a dragonet
- 3 Kaudern's Cardinal max of two, tank raised, male plus female
- one orchid dotty back not with a sixline wrasse
- one firefish (or pair if possible) not with a sixline wrasse and only one will survive long term
- one fire angel

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

This is a revised list that I gave a couple of weeks ago. I'm actually going to give two lists and I hope you have time to review them. I'm scared my preferred may be a little too risky.

I hope it's not too detailed and lengthy. I had an insane algae outbreak from Asian corner nori, and an Alk pump mishap that lead to a half crashed reef. Those two coupled with a pistol shrimp that I hated I figured it was a great time to teardown and rebuild. Anyway, I want to take every precaution that I can to make sure this time I have as few issues as possible this time around.

This will be for a 60" 100 gallon LPS dominant tank with a 40b sump(skimmer and refugium).
I've already made the decision against shrimp. They make it a pain to feed LPS.
The fish will be listed in the order I plan to add them hoping to mitigate any territorial/ecological niche aggression issues.

Preferred Option:
2 Occ Clowns- owned
Magnificent Foxface foxface is marginal for this sized tank
Yellow Longnose Butterfly
Solon Wrasse
Orchid (Fridmani) Dottyback risky with a mystery wrasse
Kole or Tomini Tang foxface is marginal for this sized tank and do not add a second grazer
Midas Blenny will nip planktivores
Flame Hawk precludes shrimp
Mystery Wrasse not with C. solorensis

Too many chancy fish personalities? Also, are there any non-burrowing bottom dwelling fish that you think will be compatible with this list?

2nd Option:
2 Occ Clowns
Royal Gramma
Flasher Wrasse
Magnificent Foxface foxface is marginal for this sized tank and do not add a second grazer
Solon Wrasse (I've been warned of aggressiveness towards flasher) correct
Midas Blenny ( And you've also told me potential nipper)
Flame Hawk precludes shrimp
Pyramid Butterfly three large fish is too many
Kole or Tomini Tang foxface is marginal for this sized tank and do not add a second grazer
Leopard Wrasse or Mandarin Dragonet ( I'm really interested in your opinion about which has the better long term survival rate and/or ease of care.) both are expert level fish and require non-aggressive tank mates and cannot coexist

This list is made with the feeding requirements of a Mandarin Dragonet taken into account. If there are any microfauna predators in the list please let me know.

 

[308systems]

Forgot to mention that I also have a 100 gal sump supporting the 180gal display tank. Thus, any comments regarding my desired fish list?
Thanks,
Mark

Hi,
We have a 180 gal cylindrical tank 4ft tall and 3ft diameter. It is established, and was started in 2009. We do 60gal water changes weekly, and use a filter sock and skimmer for water quality. Water temp is 72deg, and all other parameters are good.

We currently have the following fish:

1 Blue Tang
2 clownfish
1 firefish
1 6 line wrasse
1 pajama cardinal

I am interested in adding to the tank, and am looking at adding all these fish(or part of them based upon your recommendations)

1 dwarf angelfish
1 flame hawkfish
3 blue gudgeon goby
3 black axil chromis
1 lemnpeel angelfish
2 yellowtail damselfish
1 neon blue star damselfish
3 zebra catalina goby
1 similar damselfish

All comments regarding compatibility are appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[hajas]

I have a 210 with the following fish:
Powder blue tang, yellow tang, purple tang, flame fin tang, coral beauty angel, flame angel, firefish, bicolor dotty back, schooling bannerfish, diamond goby, and a pair of b/w clowns.

Could I add a pair of green mandarins?

Is there another sand sifting fish I could add?

Thanks in advance!

 

[snorvich]

Forgot to mention that I also have a 100 gal sump supporting the 180gal display tank. Thus, any comments regarding my desired fish list?
Thanks,
Mark

Originally Posted by 308systems View Post
Hi,
We have a 180 gal cylindrical tank 4ft tall and 3ft diameter. It is established, and was started in 2009. We do 60gal water changes weekly, and use a filter sock and skimmer for water quality. Water temp is 72deg, and all other parameters are good.

We currently have the following fish:

1 Blue Tang P. hepatus needs a larger tank
2 clownfish
1 firefish
1 6 line wrasse potential behavior problem with some fish going forward
1 pajama cardinal

I am interested in adding to the tank, and am looking at adding all these fish(or part of them based upon your recommendations)

1 dwarf angelfish
1 flame hawkfish
3 blue gudgeon goby
3 black axil chromis
1 lemnpeel angelfish
2 yellowtail damselfish aggressive
1 neon blue star damselfish aggressive
3 zebra catalina goby your temperature, even at 72F is a bit high, but may be marginally ok
1 similar damselfish

All comments regarding compatibility are appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[snorvich]

I have a 210 with the following fish:
Powder blue tang, yellow tang, purple tang, flame fin tang, coral beauty angel, flame angel, firefish, bicolor dotty back, schooling bannerfish, diamond goby, and a pair of b/w clowns.

Could I add a pair of green mandarins? the dottyback is unlikely to allow this

Is there another sand sifting fish I could add? most likely not as two occupying the same ecological niche will fight

Thanks in advance!

 

[mkoop]

Hi Steve,

Have you ever kept a Tamarin yellow tail wrasse? I really like the leopard wrasse and was told the Tamarin may be a bit easier to keep and they apparently dont show up around here often. I don't know if that is just smoke to make a sale or not but I actually like him on par with the Leopards so if this is true it may be a good route for me.

I currently have a 180DT with 2 Banggai cardinals, 2 O Clowns. The LFS has a Tamarin and I'm thinking about bringing him home to QT.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve,

Have you ever kept a Tamarin yellow tail wrasse? I really like the leopard wrasse and was told the Tamarin may be a bit easier to keep and they apparently dont show up around here often. I don't know if that is just smoke to make a sale or not but I actually like him on par with the Leopards so if this is true it may be a good route for me.

I currently have a 180DT with 2 Banggai cardinals, 2 O Clowns. The LFS has a Tamarin and I'm thinking about bringing him home to QT.

Anampses species is not easier; care level is comparable to leopard wrasses.

 

[mstark]

Here goes- current set-up (purchased off clist):
29 biocube, 50lbs live rock, 3.5 inch sandbed.
Current fish:
Occ Clown
Yellow-tail blue damsel
Bluespotted Watchman Goby

Plan to add:
Tailspot Blenny
Possom Wrasse
15g sump/fuge

Worried I won't see those two because of the damsel. Should have pulled him out before the wife named him... I know

Would like to add:
Pearly Jawfish. Some members seem to be able to keep this with the goby but odds are they'll fight in a 29 so doubt I'll add
Mandarin goby- once the fuge is WELL established and producing pods.
I realize to add either of these the damsel has to go (too many fish and would outcompete the mandarin).

Only one I'm really set on is the tailspot. That or recreating the tank from the dentist office in Finding Nemo. Jk!

 

[snorvich]

Here goes- current set-up (purchased off clist):
29 biocube, 50lbs live rock, 3.5 inch sandbed.
Current fish:
Occ Clown
Yellow-tail blue damsel I would not keep this fish if you are serious about the possum wrasse
Bluespotted Watchman Goby

Plan to add:
Tailspot Blenny
Possom Wrasse
15g sump/fuge

Worried I won't see those two because of the damsel. Should have pulled him out before the wife named him... I know

Would like to add:
Pearly Jawfish. Some members seem to be able to keep this with the goby but odds are they'll fight in a 29 correct, will not do well in this sized tank together so doubt I'll add
Mandarin goby- once the fuge is WELL established and producing pods. A 29 gallon tank is unlikely to sustain a mandarin long term even if it eats frozen
I realize to add either of these the damsel has to go (too many fish and would outcompete the mandarin). Yes, the damsel, sadly, was most likely used to cycle the tank; poor advice from the LFS that sold it for that purpose

Only one I'm really set on is the tailspot. That or recreating the tank from the dentist office in Finding Nemo. Jk!

 

[mstark]

Thanks for the wisdom! What about a 6-line wrasse with the current stocking and the tailspot, if it was added last? So:
Occ Clown
Bluespotted Goby
Yellowtail JERK
Tailspot Blenny
Six line wrasse

Would there still be room to add another occ clown (smaller than the established one, correct?)
Thanks
Michael

 

[steve120]

30g DT (LR & 1.5" sandbed)
20g Sump
Skimmer
extra LR rubble and 2"sandbed in sump
4*39w T5
Phosphate remover in home made canister filter working really well:bounce1:

Ocellaris Clownfish (3 weeks now no water issues at all)
Blood Red Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
various snails & dwarf hermits

1.023, ammonia=0, nitrite=0, nitrate=0, phosphate=0-0.25ppm
(feeding twice daily kelp flakes, once daily 1/2 cube frozen marine mix)

Who next:-

Royal Gramma Basslet,
Yellow Clown Goby (could I swap for any goby?)
Pyjama cardinal (Sphaeramia Nematoptera)

LLS has all 3 in and I've seen them all feed over that past week 2-3 times

 

[doofed300]

My turn please-

I have my tank cycling right now, 300G DT w/75G sump, 210lbs rock, 250lbs of sand. I am new to the hobby so for short term (under 1 year) I want to keep fish and hardy/low maintenance coral only, then go for the other fun stuff later. I want some colorful and fun fish/cuc that I can use later down the road for coral/mix tank. What should I get? sorry I tried to read about 20 page of questions and just couldn't find exactly like my situation. Thank

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the wisdom! What about a 6-line wrasse with the current stocking and the tailspot, if it was added last? So:
Occ Clown
Bluespotted Goby
Yellowtail JERK
Tailspot Blenny
Six line wrasse do you really want to add another JERK? Order is irrelevant when the fish is inherently aggressive

Would there still be room to add another occ clown (smaller than the established one, correct?) yes, but the clownfish once sexually mature will be aggressive, especially in a small tank; they will want to control about 25 gallons of tank space
Thanks
Michael

 

[snorvich]

My turn please-

I have my tank cycling right now, 300G DT w/75G sump, 210lbs rock, 250lbs of sand. I am new to the hobby so for short term (under 1 year) I want to keep fish and hardy/low maintenance coral only, then go for the other fun stuff later. I want some colorful and fun fish/cuc that I can use later down the road for coral/mix tank. What should I get? sorry I tried to read about 20 page of questions and just couldn't find exactly like my situation. Thank

I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is you need to learn about fish behaviors. I am always happy to evaluate stocking lists, however, for compatibility with each other and the with the enironment you are providing. By the way, tank length is more important than gallonage.

 

[vdub2013]

Hi! I have an 8GAL Nano Tank with an existing Bi-Color Dottyback. I'd like to add one more small fish, a Yellow Clown Goby.

Will my Dottyback bully the Goby too much? There is quite a bit of rock-work and holes for the Goby to hide in. I want a small fish that will be able to stand up to the Dottyback. Thanks!