PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

220gal, 75 gal sump half of which is a refugium. vertex 280 skimmer, vertex media reactor running rowaphos and carbon, reeflo dart hybrid pump, 2 ATI T5s 75 mixed LEDs. 150lbs live rock

Current inhabitants:
Lots of different types of snail and small hermits, 2 saddle back (fire) clowns,

One of the more aggressive, any other clownfish would not be tolerated

3 peppermint shrimp, 2 Fighting Conch, 1 Red Mithrax Crab, 1 Porcelain Crab, 1 Blue Sand Sifting Star, 1 Nudibranch Lettuce

Corals: Mushrooms, Zoas, 2 hammer, 2 torch, 2 frog spawn, 1 Pink Pulsing Xenia, 1 Feather Pink Xenia, 1 Purple Acropora

Wishlist: 1 blond naso tang, 1 achilles tang, 1 powder blue tang, yellow watchman golby>pistol shrimp pair, pair of black and white clowns, 1 flame angel, fire shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of those tangs in the same tank. The naso will grow large but is fairly docile, normally I would advise a ten foot tank. The other two tangs probably would work, but I suggest reading the primer in the reef fish forum on their care. Flame angels are not reef safe but may do ok with what you have.


I am willing to get rid of the saddle back clowns for the black and whites.
What is the max number of fish I should add?

That is impossible to answer. If fish feel crowded, they diminish their number.

What are some other good choices to go along with this group that I have picked, or the substitions that need to be made?
Thanks

I don't normally make recommendations but will be happy to comment and your proposed fish list.

 

[snorvich]

First, this is my setup:

75g tank, 25g sump, refugium w/chaeto, 2x 1050gph powerheads, 80 pounds live rock, 2 inch sand bed, protein skimmer.

I currently have a bunch of various snails (nassarius, nerite, trochus, cerith), a florida fighting conch, 3 peppermint shrimp, and an urchin. I have a few softies already and plan to add more softies/LPS in this tank.

I currently have 2 percula clowns.


I am looking to add in this order (each line would be purchased/added at the same time):

2x carpenter flasher wrasse (1 male 1 female)
2x red head solon fairy wrasse One of the more aggressive fairy wrasses
1x diamond watchman goby
1x orchid dottyback, 1x sunrise dottyback (tank bred) In general, dottybacks and fairy and flasher wrasses do not mix well. If the P. fridmani is added last, it may work
1x banggai cardinal (tank bred), 1x orange lined cardinalfish




How does that look? Is this amount of fish ok for my setup/size?

 

[Maine_fisher]

Tank Information

57g tank,
20g sump with refugium
MP10 Vortech pump
2 inch sand bed
Skimmer
biopellet reactor

Inverts: TYPICAL CLEAN UP CREW

FISH WISH LIST:

1x Mystery wrasse
2x Mardrain (Male and Female)
1x Fire Fish
1x PJ Cardinal
2x Anthias
1x Mimic tang

Thanks!!!!

 

[snorvich]

Tank Information

57g tank,
20g sump with refugium
MP10 Vortech pump
2 inch sand bed
Skimmer
biopellet reactor

Inverts: TYPICAL CLEAN UP CREW

FISH WISH LIST:

1x Mystery wrasse copepod eater not compatible with a mandarin
2x Mardrain (Male and Female) One would be difficult, a pair almost impossible to maintain in your sized tank
1x Fire Fish should be introduced first
1x PJ Cardinal
2x Anthias One requires a 75 gallon tank, two really need a 125 gallon tank
1x Mimic tang No tang in this sized tank

Thanks!!!!

 

[Maine_fisher]

57g tank,
20g sump with refugium
MP10 Vortech pump
2 inch sand bed
Skimmer
biopellet reactor

Inverts: TYPICAL CLEAN UP CREW

FISH WISH LIST:

1x Mystery wrasse copepod eater not compatible with a mandarin
2x Mardrain (Male and Female) One would be difficult, a pair almost impossible to maintain in your sized tank
1x Fire Fish should be introduced first 1x PJ Cardinal
2x Anthias One requires a 75 gallon tank, two really need a 125 gallon tank
1x Mimic tang No tang in this sized tank

Okay Revised List:

1x Fire Fish - INTRODUCED FIRST!
2x Percula Clowns (from ORA)
1x Watchman Goby
3x PJ Cardinals
2x Neon gobies
1x ORA tank raised mandrain - ORA Claim in a quiet tank they will eat other foods than cocopod
1x Golden Pygmy Angel
Still learning...please be patient. I definately don't want to make a mistake.

 

[snorvich]

57g tank,
20g sump with refugium
MP10 Vortech pump
2 inch sand bed
Skimmer
biopellet reactor

Inverts: TYPICAL CLEAN UP CREW

FISH WISH LIST:

1x Mystery wrasse copepod eater not compatible with a mandarin
2x Mardrain (Male and Female) One would be difficult, a pair almost impossible to maintain in your sized tank
1x Fire Fish should be introduced first 1x PJ Cardinal
2x Anthias One requires a 75 gallon tank, two really need a 125 gallon tank
1x Mimic tang No tang in this sized tank

Okay Revised List:

1x Fire Fish - INTRODUCED FIRST!
2x Percula Clowns (from ORA)
1x Watchman Goby
3x PJ Cardinals
2x Neon gobies
1x ORA tank raised mandrain - ORA Claim in a quiet tank they will eat other foods than cocopod
1x Golden Pygmy Angel
Still learning...please be patient. I definately don't want to make a mistake.

Don't worry, I am patient. I have been where you are. Unfortunately I cannot recommend an ORA mandarin although I know about them. Search for experiences on them, which, unfortunately, are mixed. I think the neon gobies must be a pair to coexist. Otherwise, a bit heavy but fine.

 

[f3honda4me]

Ok revised my list based on my last feedback.


First, this is my setup:

75g tank, 25g sump, refugium w/chaeto, 2x 1050gph powerheads, 80 pounds live rock, 2 inch sand bed, protein skimmer.

I currently have a bunch of various CUC snails, a florida fighting conch, 3 peppermint shrimp, and an urchin. I have a few softies already and plan to add more softies/LPS in this tank.

I currently have 2 percula clowns.

I am looking to add in this order (each line would be purchased/added at the same time):

2x carpenter flasher wrasse (1 male 1 female)
1x diamond watchman goby
1x banggai cardinal (tank bred), 1x orange lined cardinalfish
1x bartlett's anthias
1x tang (either whitetail bristletooth or bristletooth tomini)

My tank is a 48" wide 75g. If the tang is too much for my tank, then I'd probably change that to:

1x royal gramma basslet
2x neon blue goby

 

[snorvich]

Ok revised my list based on my last feedback.


First, this is my setup:

75g tank, 25g sump, refugium w/chaeto, 2x 1050gph powerheads, 80 pounds live rock, 2 inch sand bed, protein skimmer.

I currently have a bunch of various CUC snails, a florida fighting conch, 3 peppermint shrimp, and an urchin. I have a few softies already and plan to add more softies/LPS in this tank.

I currently have 2 percula clowns.

I am looking to add in this order (each line would be purchased/added at the same time):

2x carpenter flasher wrasse (1 male 1 female) be sure tank is covered with something with 1/4 inch holes (mesh)
1x diamond watchman goby
1x banggai cardinal (tank bred), 1x orange lined cardinalfish
1x bartlett's anthias
1x tang (either whitetail bristletooth or bristletooth tomini)

My tank is a 48" wide 75g.

If you pick one of the Ctenochaetus tangs it would work

If the tang is too much for my tank, then I'd probably change that to:

1x royal gramma basslet
2x neon blue goby

The option would be fine as well but I believe the neon gobies must be a mated pair to work

 

[f3honda4me]

Steve thanks so much. You truly are such a huge help for us newbies who have no idea on stocking! I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your help!

As for my flasher wrasse, I have eggcrate for covering the tank. I also have glass tops if necessary.

 

[snorvich]

Steve thanks so much. You truly are such a huge help for us newbies who have no idea on stocking! I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your help!

As for my flasher wrasse, I have eggcrate for covering the tank. I also have glass tops if necessary.

Egg crate does not work! The holes are just too large. You need a mesh top with 1/4 inch holes (BRS and other vendors sell the supplies to make this).

 

[Beefy_Reefy]

Snorvich great thread! It's been a great read.
I'm brand spankin new to the hobby and have a custom tank being made. So I'm preparing my wish list.
Tank size 150 gallons (60x24x24)
Various corals / CUC

What do you think of my fish lineup?
2 Mandarin (trained to eat other food besides copepods)
2 B&W Percula
2 Kaudern's Cardinal
1 Orange Stripe Prawn Goby (paired with Randalls Shrimp)
1 Lawnmower Blenny

Any problems with lineup so far?
Do you have any suggestions on some other fish I can add that will not be problematic? Or am I pushing the max number of fish?

 

[Casey8]

I have a fire and a purple goby, can I get a yasha goby without them putting up a fight ?
I also have 2 pajama cardinals, they are fighting with each other sometimes, so obviously they are not a mate. Can I get a bangai cardinal ?

 

[f3honda4me]

Egg crate does not work! The holes are just too large. You need a mesh top with 1/4 inch holes (BRS and other vendors sell the supplies to make this).

Good to know!

 

[homehobby]

Missing fish

Missing fish

I know this is a forum for what to purchase. I guess I am asking if I made the wrong one already. I am very new to the salt water tank experience. I started my tank about 2 months again. I have a 29gal with 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 diamondback sand shifter goby (so much fun watching him re-decorate the tank), 1 firefish goby, 1 fiddler crab and my issue now is my sharknose goby. I had him for about two weeks. The first week he was swimming around and relaxing on the LR and now for this past week I can not find him. I don't want to stress my other fish by moving rocks to check. Would something in my tank have eaten him or is he really hiding. I should also mention that all of my other fish are doing fantastic!! I am scheduled to do a water change this weekend so I may search more at that time. I am really just going by what I am told at my local pet store. Thoughts??

 

[snorvich]

Snorvich great thread! It's been a great read.
I'm brand spankin new to the hobby and have a custom tank being made. So I'm preparing my wish list.
Tank size 150 gallons (60x24x24)
Various corals / CUC

What do you think of my fish lineup?
2 Mandarin (trained to eat other food besides copepods) I do not advocate this for a variety of reasons. ORA mandarins have had mixed results, do a search and read for yourself. Mandarins metabolism requires constant feeding rather than once or twice a day feeding. Mandarins "trained" this way may or may not be able to sustain themselves in the long run. Success with this fish is one year.
2 B&W Percula
2 Kaudern's Cardinal For two, must be a male plus female pair
1 Orange Stripe Prawn Goby (paired with Randalls Shrimp)
1 Lawnmower Blenny

Any problems with lineup so far?
Do you have any suggestions on some other fish I can add that will not be problematic? Or am I pushing the max number of fish?

Bioload is not a problem in your sized tank with that fish list. I don't make suggestions but would be happy to provide feedback on any fish list provided.

 

[snorvich]

I have a fire and a purple goby, can I get a yasha goby without them putting up a fight ?

firefish will not really notice shrimp gobies. On the other hand, depending on tank size, your two firefish may or may not tolerate each other long term

I also have 2 pajama cardinals, they are fighting with each other sometimes, so obviously they are not a mate. Can I get a bangai cardinal ?

Tank size?

 

[snorvich]

I know this is a forum for what to purchase. I guess I am asking if I made the wrong one already. I am very new to the salt water tank experience. I started my tank about 2 months again. I have a 29gal with 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 diamondback sand shifter goby (so much fun watching him re-decorate the tank), 1 firefish goby, 1 fiddler crab and my issue now is my sharknose goby. I had him for about two weeks. The first week he was swimming around and relaxing on the LR and now for this past week I can not find him. I don't want to stress my other fish by moving rocks to check. Would something in my tank have eaten him or is he really hiding. I should also mention that all of my other fish are doing fantastic!! I am scheduled to do a water change this weekend so I may search more at that time. I am really just going by what I am told at my local pet store. Thoughts??

Wrong thread, but . . . I do not trust crabs. Period. Also, is your tank covered?

 

[homehobby]

Thank you for responding so quickly!! If my other fish are larger do you think they are ok with the crab. My tank is covered. Could you also direct me to the correct thread?

Fish purchase question: If I were to get a mandarin that is TR and I have a refugium with a copepod colony, would it work out?

Thank you for your help!!

 

[snorvich]

Thank you for responding so quickly!! If my other fish are larger do you think they are ok with the crab. My tank is covered. Could you also direct me to the correct thread?

It is not really a size issue, crabs are opportunistic feeders. Always a good idea to post your own thread in New to the Hobby and many, many people (including me when I have time) will be glad to help.

Fish purchase question: If I were to get a mandarin that is TR and I have a refugium with a copepod colony, would it work out?

Although many people well tell you that you can train a mandarin to eat frozen, the metabolism of a mandarin (all dragonets actually) is predicated around eating constantly. When you couple that with a mandarins slow deliberate style, they will only be able to sustain themselves on copepods even though (like mine do) they eat frozen. I general recommendation is a 75 gallon tank with at least 8 months or thereabouts of maturity.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[homehobby]

Thanks again. I will wait on the mandarin until I upgrade.