PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[horseplay]

Question on Mandarin Dragnet. Tank is:

1. 100g tank with 30g refugium, 40g sump.
2. Plenty of live rocks but no sand.
3. Other tankmates - Yellow and Kole tangs, foxface, (I know, a lot of algae grazers), a pair of regular clowns and 2 blue chromis.

The question is can I get a single or a pair. Also do they jump? I prefer not to keep a cover.

Thanks.

 

[snorvich]

Question on Mandarin Dragnet. Tank is:

1. 100g tank with 30g refugium, 40g sump.
2. Plenty of live rocks but no sand.
3. Other tankmates - Yellow and Kole tangs, foxface, (I know, a lot of algae grazers), a pair of regular clowns and 2 blue chromis.

The question is can I get a single or a pair. Also do they jump? I prefer not to keep a cover.

Thanks.

clowns also eat copepods. A single should do fine but a pair would not work long term.

 

[horseplay]

clowns also eat copepods. A single should do fine but a pair would not work long term.

Thanks Steve.

 

[Jeff210]

Hey Steve,

Tank has been up for 4 months and is 72x24x25 with 120 lbs of live rock and a 2" sand bed in the display and a 3" sandbed in the sump/fuge w/an additional 20 lbs of live rock rubble coming this week to start curing/cycling and added to the sump. In addition, the ubiquitous ball of chaeto in the fuge.

Currently have a Vertex 180i skimmer which will be upgraded to a 200i as bioload increases. 2 MP40's currently running with a Gyre that I will be receiving and installing this week. I run GFO and GAC 24/7 and have a 40 watt UV that I will be receiving and installing this week.

Current tank inhabitants:

2 - Columbian/Black Fin Catshark (Adult)
1 - Desjardini Tang (Adult)
1 - Banana Wrasse (Adult)
1 - Clarkii Clown (Adult)
2 - Boxfish (Adult)
1 - Emperor Angel (Juvenile)
1 - Goldflake Angel (Juvenile)
1 - Watchman Goby (Juvenile)

Possible immediate addition (from my 65 gal FOWLR):

1 - 3 Spot Domino Damsel (Adult)

Possible future additions:

1 - Clarkii Clown (pair w/existing and possible hosting by RBTA)
1 - Harlequin Tusk
1 - Achilles Tang
2 - Cleaner Wrasse

Many thanks in advance for the invaluable service that you provide here...

Jeff

 

[snorvich]

Hey Steve,

Tank has been up for 4 months and is 72x24x25 with 120 lbs of live rock and a 2" sand bed in the display and a 3" sandbed in the sump/fuge w/an additional 20 lbs of live rock rubble coming this week to start curing/cycling and added to the sump. In addition, the ubiquitous ball of chaeto in the fuge.

Currently have a Vertex 180i skimmer which will be upgraded to a 200i as bioload increases. 2 MP40's currently running with a Gyre that I will be receiving and installing this week. I run GFO and GAC 24/7 and have a 40 watt UV that I will be receiving and installing this week.

Current tank inhabitants:

2 - Columbian/Black Fin Catshark (Adult) brackish fish
1 - Desjardini Tang (Adult) needs a larger tank
1 - Banana Wrasse (Adult)
1 - Clarkii Clown (Adult)
2 - Boxfish (Adult) do best in a reef tank with gentle tank mates; I am not sure how well these will do long term
1 - Emperor Angel (Juvenile) When mature, will not likely tolerate another angel in a six foot tank
1 - Goldflake Angel (Juvenile)
1 - Watchman Goby (Juvenile)

Possible immediate addition (from my 65 gal FOWLR):

1 - 3 Spot Domino Damsel (Adult) A royal PITA becase of their aggressive nature

Possible future additions:

1 - Clarkii Clown (pair w/existing and possible hosting by RBTA) must be tiny to insure it is not down the road to becoming female
1 - Harlequin Tusk
1 - Achilles Tang probably will not work with the fish already in place
2 - Cleaner Wrasse only one, African endemic will work but will have no value in parasite control

Many thanks in advance for the invaluable service that you provide here...

Jeff

 

[friedwilly]

After a long awaited build of my first saltwater tank (60G Cube). I am now starting to plan my livestock. First, Cleanup Crew. Second, Fish (order to add please). Third, Inverts and Corals.

My intended livestock is as follows:

Soft Corals and Inverts
Anenome (Add after 1 year)
Zoanthids
Polyps
Mushroom
Ricordea
Feather Duster

Cleanup Crew
20 - Margarita Snails
20 - Mexican Turbo Snails
15 -Nassarius Snails
1 "“ Scarlett Hermit Crabs
2 "“ Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Fish
2 - Ocellaris Clownfish (Paired)

1 "“ Pink Spotted Watchman Goby or Orange Spotted Goby

1 "“ Lawnmower Blenny

3 - Yellowstriped Cardinalfish

1 "“ Pink Streaked Wrasse

2 - Firefish

1 - Chalk Bass (Maybe)

 

[RG Rude]

29 gal. reef with plenty of rock and flow.
Current stock:
3 Emerald Crabs
12 Banded Trochus snails
1 brown brittle star
2 Skunk Clowns (Captive bred)
1 Tailspot Blenny
1 Cryptic Wrasse

Future addition question ???
1 Banggai Cardinal or yield to a suggestion.

 

[snorvich]

After a long awaited build of my first saltwater tank (60G Cube). I am now starting to plan my livestock. First, Cleanup Crew. Second, Fish (order to add please). Third, Inverts and Corals.

My intended livestock is as follows:

Soft Corals and Inverts
Anenome (Add after 1 year)
Zoanthids
Polyps
Mushroom
Ricordea
Feather Duster

Cleanup Crew hermits or snails but not both
20 - Margarita Snails
20 - Mexican Turbo Snails
15 -Nassarius Snails
1 "“ Scarlett Hermit Crabs
2 "“ Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Fish
2 - Ocellaris Clownfish (Paired)

1 "“ Pink Spotted Watchman Goby or Orange Spotted Goby

1 "“ Lawnmower Blenny

3 - Yellowstriped Cardinalfish

1 "“ Pink Streaked Wrasse

2 - Firefish one only

1 - Chalk Bass (Maybe)

except as annotated, fish list is fine

 

[snorvich]

29 gal. reef with plenty of rock and flow.
Current stock:
3 Emerald Crabs when mature, can take fish
12 Banded Trochus snails
1 brown brittle star
2 Skunk Clowns (Captive bred)
1 Tailspot Blenny
1 Cryptic Wrasse six line wrasses are aggressive, especially in small tanks so I would suggest the Banggai Cardinal (below) instead

Future addition question ???
1 Banggai Cardinal or yield to a suggestion.

 

[Nina51]

steve, i got the vrolik's wrasse, he's been in qt for a week. beautiful fish, just wanted to thank you again for your input and tell you HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg. hope you have a wonderful day!!

 

[snorvich]

steve, i got the vrolik's wrasse, he's been in qt for a week. beautiful fish, just wanted to thank you again for your input and tell you HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg. hope you have a wonderful day!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! I think you will be pleased with that wrasse. I am a big fan of Halichoeres wrasses keeping in mind that inverts are on the menu. Otherwise, great community fishes.

 

[Nina51]

i have eleventy billion tiny feather dusters in my dt. he will be well fed!

since i added the yellow coris wrasse, my flat worm problem has disappeared. i was looking for a small rock with some flat worms to put in the qt and i couldn't find any!!

 

[snorvich]

i have eleventy billion tiny feather dusters in my dt. he will be well fed!

since i added the yellow coris wrasse, my flat worm problem has disappeared. i was looking for a small rock with some flat worms to put in the qt and i couldn't find any!!

They are good at that. Also good at more virulent pests which hopefully you do not encounter. Many folks buy them just for that type of protection but find they enjoy the cool behaviors.

 

[Nina51]

that's what i really like about these wrasses. all of the ones in my dt are very bold and this new guy is downright friendly. or, maybe he just wants to eat. all. the. time.

 

[tjh9100]

I have a 90 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I wanted to know if it would be a bad idea to keep a flame hawkfish with a snowflake eel. I do not have either of the fish yet and my current fish are
One spot foxface
Ocellaris clown with hosted h. Crispa anemone
And a yellow tail damsel.
I also have a coral banded shrimp that has eaten about 4 other small fish and a brittle star.
I have about 110 lbs of rock and a 3 to 5 inch sand bed.

 

[snorvich]

I have a 90 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I wanted to know if it would be a bad idea to keep a flame hawkfish with a snowflake eel.

Unfortunately, I do not provide analysis for aggressive fish community tanks where one tank mate could/may eat another. Those questions can be posed in the aggressive fish forum.

I do not have either of the fish yet and my current fish are
One spot foxface
Ocellaris clown with hosted h. Crispa anemone
And a yellow tail damsel.
I also have a coral banded shrimp that has eaten about 4 other small fish and a brittle star. Green brittle stars will take fish as will coral banded shrimp.
I have about 110 lbs of rock and a 3 to 5 inch sand bed.

 

[Gmang]

just a little help 15 year newbie

just a little help 15 year newbie

looking for advice have had many reef tanks but this one is minimalistic want 1-2 more fish
60 gallon open top cube mostly zoes. 2 year old tank 78 deg ph stable ish at 8.1-8.25 (shouldn't affect fish) 60 pounds live rock, 1 ocelaris clown (spelling)
blue/yellow damsel(daughter loved), royal guarama(spelling)emerald crab. need a couple more. did have a kole tang and lawnmower blennie seemed to starve over time even with addition of norrie. 1 blue green chromis died due to bulling by occelaris clown.
sorry about spelling

 

[snorvich]

looking for advice have had many reef tanks but this one is minimalistic want 1-2 more fish
60 gallon open top cube mostly zoes. 2 year old tank 78 deg ph stable ish at 8.1-8.25 (shouldn't affect fish) 60 pounds live rock, 1 ocelaris clown (spelling)
blue/yellow damsel(daughter loved), royal guarama(spelling)emerald crab. need a couple more. did have a kole tang and lawnmower blennie seemed to starve over time even with addition of norrie. 1 blue green chromis died due to bulling by occelaris clown.
sorry about spelling

While I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons, I am always happy to analyze stocking plans as long as tank size is also provided. Feel free to check back!

 

[iced98lx]

Steve, thank you again for providing this service.

Getting my 180 running, looking at stocking options. Mixed Reef, lots of open water in the aquascape. My want list includes:

Black Oc. Clown pair (Currently in BioCube, so must move with me)
3/5/7 Anthias (unsure of genus, looking at Pseudanthias dispar 6 females 1 male perhaps)
Shrimp/Goby Combination (YWG / Pistol Shrimp)
Banggai Cardinalfish (3-4?) Only a tank bred male plus female. In a six foot tank, you might get away with two pairs but it is not a guaranteed thing
Yellow or Black Tang two zebrasoma tangs should ideally be introduced concurrently; yellow, black, and purple are all zebrasoma
Purple Tang

Thanks!

Always a pleasure

Thank you Steve, I appreciate the insight. Would you say I should experience an acceptable relationship between a yellow or black and a purple if they're similar size and introduced at the same time? Staggered sizes?

I will look into captive bred cardinals, I wonder if red stop light or yellowstriped would be feasible in a grouping vs 2?

I know you don't do suggestions, but is there a family of Anthia that in your experience would thrive with the other fish I plan to stock in a 78-80 degree tank? I work from home in the room with the tank and am installing an auto-feeder to help keep the anthias well fed.

Thank you again!

 

[snorvich]

Thank you Steve, I appreciate the insight. Would you say I should experience an acceptable relationship between a yellow or black and a purple if they're similar size and introduced at the same time? Staggered sizes?

With no other tangs, a small yellow and black introduced concurrently should be ok.

I will look into captive bred cardinals, I wonder if red stop light or yellowstriped would be feasible in a grouping vs 2?

Apogon parvulus would do well in a group of five to ten but as they are small, I would not try them with any other cardinal fish. They are finicky, however, so you would need to feed them multiple times per day as well

I know you don't do suggestions, but is there a family of Anthia that in your experience would thrive with the other fish I plan to stock in a 78-80 degree tank? I work from home in the room with the tank and am installing an auto-feeder to help keep the anthias well fed.

I am partial to carberryi or resplendent anthias; however, they would need to be trained to accept pellets and I would certainly mix frozen and pellets into the multiple time feeding schedule.

Thank you again!