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[Gagonzalez]

I have a 28g JBJ Nano that had the following:

1 - Purple Firefish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Longnose Hawk

My Purple Firefish died all of a sudden and I was wondering if I would be able to replace him with the same or if that would cause problems?

Previously, I also had a Flame Angel that became aggressive after 3 months and I ended up giving him up to a fellow reefer with a bigger tank. However, it seems my hawk learned how to be aggressive from the flame because he took over immediately after that.

I ended up moving my Hawk over to my QT for 10 days and then when I moved him back to the 28g DT, he was fine and all 3 were happy once again but alas 6 months later, my Firefish dies suddenly.

If I can't replace him with the same, what would I be able to add at this point? A Semi-aggressive fish maybe since a peaceful fish would probably get hounded to death?

Thank You

 

[Nina51]

A difficult question. Gramma loretto, while territorial, guards a rather small territory which has a modest footprint. The dottyback is most likely to interact primarily with this fish; there may be sufficient "non-gramma" territory in the new tank so this would work. However, I cannot say definitively. Best strategy is to add the dottyback last, just before lights out. If possible, aquascape such that the gramma has an opportunity to establish a "discrete territory" (i.e. such as two "reef sections" with a channel between) . Additional fish, however, may run into problems, especially if conspecifics.

thanks so much, steve. since i don't know what additional fish i will be adding over the next few months, i will likely take the dottyback out. i would hate to have things going along fine and then suddenly go south. i can't even begin to imagine how i would catch the little bugger in a 75g tank!

 

[snorvich]

I have a 28g JBJ Nano that had the following:

1 - Purple Firefish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Longnose Hawk

My Purple Firefish died all of a sudden and I was wondering if I would be able to replace him with the same or if that would cause problems?

Previously, I also had a Flame Angel that became aggressive after 3 months and I ended up giving him up to a fellow reefer with a bigger tank. However, it seems my hawk learned how to be aggressive from the flame because he took over immediately after that.

I ended up moving my Hawk over to my QT for 10 days and then when I moved him back to the 28g DT, he was fine and all 3 were happy once again but alas 6 months later, my Firefish dies suddenly.

If I can't replace him with the same, what would I be able to add at this point? A Semi-aggressive fish maybe since a peaceful fish would probably get hounded to death?

Thank You

Hawkfish are ambush predators which can and will eat shrimp and small fish.

 

[ThaBeast]

160 reef moving towards all sps, I currently have:

Regal Angel
One spot Foxface
Yellow halichores wrasse
Pair of ocellaris clowns
Starcki damsel
Yellow assessor
Royal gramma
Randall's goby
Yellow watchman goby (been in same tank with Randall's for several years)

Would like to add a female watanabei...if doable, should I obtain a small, medium, or large specimen?

Thank you for the advice!

 

[snorvich]

160 reef moving towards all sps, I currently have:

Regal Angel
One spot Foxface
Yellow halichores wrasse
Pair of ocellaris clowns
Starcki damsel
Yellow assessor
Royal gramma
Randall's goby
Yellow watchman goby (been in same tank with Randall's for several years)

Would like to add a female watanabei...if doable, should I obtain a small, medium, or large specimen?

Thank you for the advice!

I am always reluctant to suggest small as they are often more difficult to acclimate. Medium would be best.

 

[Portsie]

90g with 33g sump. Current stock: ywg/tiger pistol, orange tail damsel, 2 bangaii cardinal, cleaner shrimp, asst. snails and hermits.
Looking to add: yellow coris wrasse, bristletooth tang, black photon clown, snowflake clown, flasher wrasse of some kind...
Thanks in advance for the input
Jeff

 

[snorvich]

90g with 33g sump. Current stock: ywg/tiger pistol, orange tail damsel, 2 bangaii cardinal, cleaner shrimp, asst. snails and hermits.
Looking to add: yellow coris wrasse, bristletooth tang, black photon clown, snowflake clown, flasher wrasse of some kind...
Thanks in advance for the input
Jeff

No problems that I can forsee.

 

[Portsie]

No problems that I can forsee.

Thanks, and that might be a record for quickest reply ever.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks, and that might be a record for quickest reply ever.

Sometimes I am fast. Sometimes not so very.

 

[Nevil]

Hello
I have a 28 gal nano cube with about 30# of live rock and aquamaxx hob1 for a skimmer. I have a small pair of snowflake clowns. I will be getting an orchid dottyback p. Firmidi and will be the last fish I add. Was wondering if I could get either a yasha goby or Midas blenny prior to adding the dottyback. Thanks

 

[snorvich]

Hello
I have a 28 gal nano cube with about 30# of live rock and aquamaxx hob1 for a skimmer. I have a small pair of snowflake clowns. I will be getting an orchid dottyback p. Firmidi and will be the last fish I add. Was wondering if I could get either a yasha goby or Midas blenny prior to adding the dottyback. Thanks

the goby would be fine; a midas blenny can nip fins of tankmates

 

[Odysi]

Hi all! Have a 40B that will eventually be mixed reef tank. Starting with FOWLR

x2 Misbar Clowns
x2 Purple Firefish
x1 Pinkbar/Shrimp Goby
X1 Royal Gramma Basslet
x1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp or Blood Red Fire Shrimp

 

[wicz101]

Standard 90 gallon mixed reef, current livestock: 1 orange & 1 black Ocellaris clownfish( in tank about 3+ months), banded coral shrimp and clean up crew

Looking to add: lemon peel mimic tang, gold head sleeper goby, and flame angel
Maybe a 6 line wrasse( or other reef safe wrasse,open to suggestion) or a one one spot foxface.

Suggestion on what order to add them to the tank please.

Thanks much

 

[snorvich]

Hi all! Have a 40B that will eventually be mixed reef tank. Starting with FOWLR

x2 Misbar Clowns
x2 Purple Firefish only one is viable long term unless a bonded mated pair
x1 Pinkbar/Shrimp Goby
X1 Royal Gramma Basslet
x1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp or Blood Red Fire Shrimp

Fine, except as noted

 

[snorvich]

Standard 90 gallon mixed reef, current livestock: 1 orange & 1 black Ocellaris clownfish( in tank about 3+ months), banded coral shrimp and clean up crew

Looking to add: lemon peel mimic tang
gold head sleeper goby, creates sand storms and will eventually starve
and flame angel
Maybe a 6 line wrasse aggressive, will limit other tank mates
( or other reef safe wrasse,open to suggestion) or a one one spot foxface.

Suggestion on what order to add them to the tank please.

always most aggressive last (tang) and wrasse first

Thanks much

 

[Odysi]

Thx for the reply Snorvich! Would a Strawberry Dottyback work in the place of the second firefish if i introduce it last into the tank?

 

[mkoop]

Hi Steve, I have a question...

I notice the Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Tang is a more aggressive tang as noted in the tang sticky. I see several times you note to add this fish 'last'. I am curious what 'last' actually means here...

If I am looking to add a chevron tang and a powder blue, should I not QT them together in the 40gB and introduce simultaneously (going into 180DT with 75sump) ? Should I do it in sequence? How long do I need to wait after the introduction of the chevron before introducing the powder blue?

Does last mean this is the last fish I can safely add to my system? Or just the last tang? Does having this fish mean I will not be able to replace lost fish or have to move him to a different system if I need to restock lost fish?

Just looking for a bit of clarification into this as I'm in the dark completely.

 

[Bwall19d]

Stocking a 300 gallon 8 ft tank was wondering I this would be a doable list about 250lbs of live rock and 3 inch sand bed

Queen angel
Potters angel
Purple tang
Pacific sailfin tang
Kliens butterfly
Gold headed sleeper goby
3 firefish
8 blue/green chromis
2 lyrtail anthias
Niger Triger
Arc eye hawkfish
Yellow candy hogfish
Lawnmower blenny
Pair of maroon/gold stripe clowns
Yellow tail tamarin wrasse

 

[snorvich]

Thx for the reply Snorvich! Would a Strawberry Dottyback work in the place of the second firefish if i introduce it last into the tank?

In a small tank, any pseudochromis would have issues with the gramma loretto

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve, I have a question...

I notice the Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Tang is a more aggressive tang as noted in the tang sticky. I see several times you note to add this fish 'last'. I am curious what 'last' actually means here...

If I am looking to add a chevron tang and a powder blue, should I not QT them together in the 40gB and introduce simultaneously (going into 180DT with 75sump) ? Should I do it in sequence? How long do I need to wait after the introduction of the chevron before introducing the powder blue?

Does last mean this is the last fish I can safely add to my system? Or just the last tang? Does having this fish mean I will not be able to replace lost fish or have to move him to a different system if I need to restock lost fish?

Just looking for a bit of clarification into this as I'm in the dark completely.

Unfortunately, it is complex because certain fish, angels and tangs, (but not only those), once established have territorial imperatives that they will try to maintain. The larger (longer) a tank, the more that territorial imperative can be "managed". So adding a Chevron and Powder Blue together means that neither is established but if you are adding a conspecific in the case of fish replacement, it can definitely be a problem. Zebrasoma are the worst tangs for territory. Some people rearrange the aquascape, but that is infeasible in reef tanks. Other strategies involve removing the territory loving fish and reintroducing after the newcome. Difficult strategy at best.