PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Mg4life0331]

If I only have one clarkii it will still turn into a big female with no other clowns around? Get all mean and bully stuff?

 

[snorvich]

If I only have one clarkii it will still turn into a big female with no other clowns around? Get all mean and bully stuff?

The presence of two will accelerate the process of sexual differentiation. However a single will become female and this species is on the aggressive side, more so if part of a bonded pair.

 

[Mg4life0331]

55 gallon DT. Hob skimmer and refuge. 2 inches of sand in DT and 4 in the fuge with pods and chaeto. A couple of soft corals and zoas. Tbd on capability

1 ocellaris clown
1 spotted cardinal
1 green mandarin
1 royal gramma
1 purple fire fish

Around 10 assorted snails.
4 peppermint shrimp

Trying to be as conservative as I possibly can while maintaining a clown. If this isn't possible please tell me and Ill go another route (not asking for a replacement fish, Ill look on my own). I assume the mandarin is marginal due to pod population. I can assure you price will not be an issue feeding this guy and I will would push the limit on this to make sure he is fed. Hence the refuge, its the only reason I am running one.

In other words the "nemo" is for the knuckleheads in the household, the mandarin is for me. We may never find nemo *snicker* if I can't find a way to make it happen.

 

[snorvich]

55 gallon DT. Hob skimmer and refuge. 2 inches of sand in DT and 4 in the fuge with pods and chaeto. A couple of soft corals and zoas. Tbd on capability

1 ocellaris clown
1 spotted cardinal
1 green mandarin
1 royal gramma
1 purple fire fish

Around 10 assorted snails.
4 peppermint shrimp

Trying to be as conservative as I possibly can while maintaining a clown.

A. ocellaris is vastly different than A. clarkii in terms of aggressive behavior

If this isn't possible please tell me and Ill go another route (not asking for a replacement fish, Ill look on my own). I assume the mandarin is marginal due to pod population.

Correct. Since they eat virtually all the time, the capability of your tank with DT + Refugium capability needs to approximate 75 gallons. Most mandarins also eat frozen mysis but they are very poor competitors.

I can assure you price will not be an issue feeding this guy and I will would push the limit on this to make sure he is fed. Hence the refuge, its the only reason I am running one.

In other words the "nemo" is for the knuckleheads in the household, the mandarin is for me. We may never find nemo *snicker* if I can't find a way to make it happen.

Ironically, mandarins are one of my personal favorite fish. I keep a pair that mate nightly. Current stocking list should be fine.

 

[JFish]

90 gallon fowlr. 15 gallon sump. skimmer. w/d. Not my tank but they want some more fish and I'm trying to help them out with something blue/green in color.

Tank currently has 1 flame angel, 2 percula clowns (still young), 1 dwarf hawkfish, yellow tang (not a fan in this size tank based on guidelines, but it's still young).

Was thinking about a 6 line wrass will be a behavior problem with many fish going forward

or 5-6 longspine cardinals should be fine, but know that cardinals are primarily nocturnal and won't do a lot during the day

or both if possible. Any other suggestions for blue or green fish and provide more activity in middle of aquarium?

I like the chalk bass too, since the cardinals are more shy, would getting 3 of these, instead, work with the rest of the fish? or would 1 be better? Are all wrass bad news or just the six line. I was also looking at the green wrass but...

...I think I would rather:

3 chalk bass
1 royal gramma

to add to current mix.

 

[Lucky1s]

Getting ready to start adding fish to the system. Tank has been running for eight months now. I was given a fair amount of coral from a friend who tore his tank down and have added a few more pieces. I have one LTA green and two small RBTA.

Below is what I'm thinking. 11 fish may be too many in a 125. I have over 100 pounds of live rock. I've attached a crappy phone pic.

Six line wrasse
Kole yellow eye tang
Yellow tang
Diamond watchman goby
Green mandarin (understand I need to keep the pod population up)
Dispar anthais or flame angel
Ocellaris clowns (2)
Blue/green cromis (3)

 

[snorvich]

I like the chalk bass too, since the cardinals are more shy, would getting 3 of these, instead, work with the rest of the fish? or would 1 be better? Are all wrass bad news or just the six line. An impossible question to answer as it is far too general. No some wrasses are well behaved, others, timid, and still others are selectively aggressive


I was also looking at the green wrass but...

...I think I would rather:

3 chalk bass
1 royal gramma

Those should be fine, but know that chalk bass put shrimp at risk.

to add to current mix.

 

[snorvich]

Getting ready to start adding fish to the system. Tank has been running for eight months now. I was given a fair amount of coral from a friend who tore his tank down and have added a few more pieces. I have one LTA green and two small RBTA.

Below is what I'm thinking. 11 fish may be too many in a 125. I have over 100 pounds of live rock. I've attached a crappy phone pic.

Six line wrasse inconsistent with a mandarin
Kole yellow eye tang
Yellow tang needs a larger tank and two tangs would be problematical
Diamond watchman goby
Green mandarin (understand I need to keep the pod population up) which cannot occur with a sixline wrasse since they eat copepods
Dispar anthais or flame angel
Ocellaris clowns (2)
Blue/green cromis (3) three will become one over time

 

[msderganc]

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1

Last
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1

Thanks again for your help!

Hi Steve, I was wondering about adding a Blackcap Gramma (Gramma melacara) to this mix. I have two questions:
1. Do you think that it will have issues with the Gramma loreto?
2. Will it be compatible with my Thor amboinensis?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve, I was wondering about adding a Blackcap Gramma (Gramma melacara) to this mix. I have two questions:
1. Do you think that it will have issues with the Gramma loreto? almost certainly; in a very long tank (which you do not have), it might work although it would be iffy
2. Will it be compatible with my Thor amboinensis? No

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Lucky1s]

Originally Posted by Lucky1s
Getting ready to start adding fish to the system. Tank has been running for eight months now. I was given a fair amount of coral from a friend who tore his tank down and have added a few more pieces. I have one LTA green and two small RBTA.

Below is what I'm thinking. 11 fish may be too many in a 125. I have over 100 pounds of live rock. I've attached a crappy phone pic.

Six line wrasse inconsistent with a mandarin
Kole yellow eye tang
Yellow tang needs a larger tank and two tangs would be problematical
Diamond watchman goby
Green mandarin (understand I need to keep the pod population up) which cannot occur with a sixline wrasse since they eat copepods
Dispar anthais or flame angel
Ocellaris clowns (2)
Blue/green cromis (3) three will become one over time

Steve,
Are there two species of tangs that will do fine in a 125?
I thought I read cromis would live together in odd numbers?
Also, on the wrasse / mandarin thought - solid pod population right now and understand I would need to periodically purchase additional. Or is there another wrasse possible?

 

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Lucky1s
Getting ready to start adding fish to the system. Tank has been running for eight months now. I was given a fair amount of coral from a friend who tore his tank down and have added a few more pieces. I have one LTA green and two small RBTA.

Below is what I'm thinking. 11 fish may be too many in a 125. I have over 100 pounds of live rock. I've attached a crappy phone pic.

Six line wrasse inconsistent with a mandarin
Kole yellow eye tang
Yellow tang needs a larger tank and two tangs would be problematical
Diamond watchman goby
Green mandarin (understand I need to keep the pod population up) which cannot occur with a sixline wrasse since they eat copepods
Dispar anthais or flame angel
Ocellaris clowns (2)
Blue/green cromis (3) three will become one over time

Steve,
Are there two species of tangs that will do fine in a 125? two of the Ctenochaetus tangs if added concurrently in your sized tank should do fine
I thought I read cromis would live together in odd numbers? No. Urban myth.
Also, on the wrasse / mandarin thought - solid pod population right now and understand I would need to periodically purchase additional.

The sixline will intimidate the mandarin and it will die. Pod population, while relevant, is not the issue

Or is there another wrasse possible? Many are possible, but behavior and ecological niche are relevant. Check first.

 

[JiveWalker]

A friend has offered to give me 3 free Ocellaris.

Currently I have:

2 Green Chromis
1 PJ Cardinal
1 Feather Blenny
2 Unknown Blennies (algae Maybe)
5 Hermits
5 Turbo Snails
20 Grass Shrimp
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab

What kind of trouble am I getting into?

 

[snorvich]

A friend has offered to give me 3 free Ocellaris.

Currently I have:

2 Green Chromis
1 PJ Cardinal
1 Feather Blenny
2 Unknown Blennies (algae Maybe)
5 Hermits
5 Turbo Snails
20 Grass Shrimp
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab

What kind of trouble am I getting into?

Depends. Three will become at most two. If they are all small, two will survive long term. If you have multiple females, one will survive.

 

[JiveWalker]

Depends. Three will become at most two. If they are all small, two will survive long term. If you have multiple females, one will survive.

Thanks! I should have mentioned that the three have been living together peacefully with no other fish in a 55g for the past 3 years. Will that increase the chances of all 3 surviving after relocating, or does everything reset when placed in a new environment? I basically have to take 3 or none but also don't want to knowingly doom one of them. Thanks again!

 

[miah2bzy]

Is a green mandarin out of the question?

Is a green mandarin out of the question?

29 gallon setup for 5 months with 2 96 watt PC one 420nm the other 10000.
30lbs high quality rock from a 10 year established tank.
20 lbs crushed argonite sand bed
I use kent salt mix change out 3 gallons every 2 weeks.
Skimmer: reef octopus bh100 hob old style not new. Works great so far
Refugium(?): DIY hob seaclone skimmer mod. Took the riser tube out and filled w chaeto, added a power head with tubing going to the bottom of the seaclone.
Flow: seio pro 1200
Cleanup crew: 1 emerald crab, multiple narsius snails, couple of trocus snails
Corals: multiple Zoas, some mushrooms floating around, rainbow pocillipora, candy cane.
Current inhabitants: 2 oc clowns - they typically only hang out on one end and don't go very far from that corner.
Parameter: specific grav 1.030, temp 80' w heater, I don't and haven't ever tested anything else.
My wife wants me to add a fish for my son for Christmas. Thinking of a green mandarin but unsure still. LFS says it would be ok. At lights out the tank crawls w mysis shrimps, amphipods and Copepods. I am working on a separate 10 gallon w chaeto and tonga rock to make a 'pod tank'.
Any advice is great, tanks!

 

[snorvich]

Thanks! I should have mentioned that the three have been living together peacefully with no other fish in a 55g for the past 3 years. Will that increase the chances of all 3 surviving after relocating, or does everything reset when placed in a new environment? I basically have to take 3 or none but also don't want to knowingly doom one of them. Thanks again!

Everything resets. The vast majority of time, only a bonded pair will survive long term. I am surprised that three made it this long.

 

[snorvich]

29 gallon setup for 5 months with 2 96 watt PC one 420nm the other 10000.
30lbs high quality rock from a 10 year established tank.
20 lbs crushed argonite sand bed
I use kent salt mix change out 3 gallons every 2 weeks.
Skimmer: reef octopus bh100 hob old style not new. Works great so far
Refugium(?): DIY hob seaclone skimmer mod. Took the riser tube out and filled w chaeto, added a power head with tubing going to the bottom of the seaclone.
Flow: seio pro 1200
Cleanup crew: 1 emerald crab, multiple narsius snails, couple of trocus snails
Corals: multiple Zoas, some mushrooms floating around, rainbow pocillipora, candy cane.
Current inhabitants: 2 oc clowns - they typically only hang out on one end and don't go very far from that corner.
Parameter: specific grav 1.030, temp 80' w heater, I don't and haven't ever tested anything else.
My wife wants me to add a fish for my son for Christmas. Thinking of a green mandarin but unsure still. LFS says it would be ok. At lights out the tank crawls w mysis shrimps, amphipods and Copepods. I am working on a separate 10 gallon w chaeto and tonga rock to make a 'pod tank'.
Any advice is great, tanks!

The odds are stacked against you and either the LFS knows that and does not care or does not know that which is worse. SG of 1.030 is not optimum, it should be closer to 1.026 NSW. (although beyond the scope of this thread)

 

[flixxx]

Hello, I have a 45 gallon cube aquarium with a 15 gallon sump
I have approximately 25 pounds of live rock and skimmer

I'd like to have a reef tank but before that i want some fish in there in this order (they will be introduced 3-4 weeks of each other:

2 clownfish
1 turbo snail
5 nassarius snail
6 Green Chromis (Chromis viridis)
bubbletip sea anemone
3 Banggai Cardinal Fish (Pterapogon kauderni)
1 purple firefish
Dwarf flame angel fish


Considering I eventually want some corals (about 5-6). Would the above overcramp the aquarium?

If so what is the maximum recommended fish i should have to ensure for a 45 gallon display tank?

 

[snorvich]

Hello, I have a 45 gallon cube aquarium with a 15 gallon sump
I have approximately 25 pounds of live rock and skimmer

I'd like to have a reef tank but before that i want some fish in there in this order (they will be introduced 3-4 weeks of each other:

2 clownfish what species???
1 turbo snail
5 nassarius snail
6 Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) six will become one over time
bubbletip sea anemone
3 Banggai Cardinal Fish (Pterapogon kauderni) only a male plus female, tank raised, is a stable number
1 purple firefish
Dwarf flame angel fish needs a larger tank


Considering I eventually want some corals (about 5-6). Would the above overcramp the aquarium? yes

If so what is the maximum recommended fish i should have to ensure for a 45 gallon display tank?

That is an unanswerable question as it depends on ecological niche, behavior, and size