PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Ok here I am, I've been out of aquariums for 20 years. Prior to that I had 2 20 gallons and a 55. I really enjoy Oscars and Knife fish (yes I know they Don't go together) I have recently come off active duty and have my house and shop to establish in aqua heaven. It's been a long road but I am working my way into a HUGE undertaking and would appreciate ANY and ALL help you can give me.

As I said I like Oscars and all Cichlids. I currently have a 125 set up for a little over a month at my house that was an established tank, just drained and moved.

I have 3 albino Oscars 4 tiger Oscars, 4 black tail sharks, 3 Plecos, 4 corys, 3 jack Dempsey, 3 blue cichlids, 3 bumble bees, and 5 or 6 more that I am forgetting....

I HAVE grow in tanks bought and am in the process of climate controlling my shop to accommodate 1 125, 2x 55, 3 40Ls, and 6 20s. I want to grow my Oscars and breed them, build a community tank and a planted grow tank. All the shop tanks will be located in a separate building with water and floor drain. I know its going to be A HUGE amount of work and I want to go further properly so that all my fish can grow, be healthy, happy and disease free.

I am as you can see a freshwater guy so forgive me if this is posted in the wrong area... Awaiting replies!

Reef Central is only about marine fish and this particular thread is only about marine fish compatibility. I am sure there are fresh water forums to help, but I do not follow fresh water any longer. Best of luck!!

 

[SteveZZR]

Possum wrasses will work as a pair as long as the tank is reasonably sized (50+ gallons) and possibly in a smaller tank.

70G approx. 3x2x2

Pair Bangaiis

Pair Saddle Clowns

Pair Possums

Mandarin

Yellow Clown Goby

One Spot FoxFace



That sound alright?

I can only assume fully stocked with all those in it

 

[snorvich]

70G approx. 3x2x2

Pair Bangaiis male plus female; tank raised preferred

Pair Saddle Clowns

Pair Possums

Mandarin

Yellow Clown Goby

One Spot FoxFace



That sound alright? Should be fine

I can only assume fully stocked with all those in it

Correct

 

[SteveZZR]

Thanks a million Snorv!

I've already got the Bangaiis in my 30G, they're officially a spawning pair as of two weeks ago. Unfortunately male swallowed the clutch, apparently happens often with first batch......



Thanks again! Just need to set the tank up and fill it now!



Edit: Bangaiis are tank bred so good hardy fish

 

[duanegraham]

First off hello all, I have a 90g saltwater, running 2 eheim classics, I believe they are referred to as 600's now, a 220 gallon coralife hob skimmer, one aquaclear 70 powerhead, one hydor 850gph ph and may get another one of these, a 105 gallon water heater and two T5's. No sump or refugium. I'm going to ballpark the live rock at about 80lbs?? I've included the pic to give you all a better idea. In the future I am planning on adding coral, mainly soft and a little hard.
At the moment the tank is currently home to two blood shrimp and two cleaner shrimp living off pellets.
Now my list of interested fish is long, but I stress "interested " as I'm not expecting to cram all of these into my tank.
Basset blackcap
Angel masked swallow (maybe too big)
Anthias barletts
Cardinal flame and pajama
Clown maroon gold stripe and percula true
Chromis blue
Dottyback neon
Dragonette mandarin green (later on)
Goby Catalina firefish and greissingers
Foxface metallic and orange spot
Tangs naso blonde, hippo blue, powder brown, purple, and yellow (not sure if I can house any of these in 90g)
Many different types of wrasse
Flame angelfish (not sure with the coral though)
Regal angelfish (may also be too big)

Basically I'm looking for colourful and variety in my tank, but want whatever is in it to be comfortable. I've done some research on each and think they are mostly all well mannered fish and suitable with coral, but I'd much rather learn the easy way which is by asking instead of flushing. Thanks for reading, Duane.

 

[eclipse522]

So, I am new to the saltwater world. I have done a lot of research and still having trouble with a stocking list. I keep finding conflicting information. My tank has finished cycling a few weeks ago and I only have hermit crabs at the moment. It will be a reef tank in the future. I have a 40 gal breeder with a 20 gal long refuguim. I finally order my protein skimmer today. There will be a screen top for the aquarium. I have two water fans rated for 850 plus return from refugium. Depending on the fish, I will be raising copepods. I want fish that are colorful, safe for reef/invertebrates, movement, and no fishes that will spend most of the time hiding.

CUC
5 Hermit crabs
2 reef/fish safe shrimp

option 1
1 firefish
1 Candinal banggia or a mated pair (captive bred)
1 red scooter or ruby red scooter Or court jester goby
I think this is a not so active list
requires copepod farm

option 2
1 firefish
1 Tanaka's pygmy Wrasse or White banded possum (not sure if it will hide all the time or terrorize the firefish)
1 court jester goby

option 3
1 firefish
3 bicolor chromis (not sure if they will terrorize firefish)

option 4
2 ocellaris clownfish captive bred (probably no anemone and not sure if they will terrorize firefish)
1 firefish
1 red scooter or ruby red scooter or court jester goby

I want to maybe add 1 blue stripe pipefish but I think all options may have too much competition for copepods and too much water movement.

 

[snorvich]

First off hello all, I have a 90g saltwater, running 2 eheim classics, I believe they are referred to as 600's now, a 220 gallon coralife hob skimmer, one aquaclear 70 powerhead, one hydor 850gph ph and may get another one of these, a 105 gallon water heater and two T5's. No sump or refugium. I'm going to ballpark the live rock at about 80lbs?? I've included the pic to give you all a better idea. In the future I am planning on adding coral, mainly soft and a little hard.
At the moment the tank is currently home to two blood shrimp and two cleaner shrimp living off pellets.
Now my list of interested fish is long, but I stress "interested " as I'm not expecting to cram all of these into my tank.
Basset blackcap
Angel masked swallow (maybe too big) needs a larger tank
Anthias barletts
Cardinal flame and pajama
Clown maroon gold stripe and percula true only one plar of clownfish; GSM are very aggressive and not recommended
Chromis blue
Dottyback neon
Dragonette mandarin green (later on)
Goby Catalina firefish not suitable needs cool water

and greissingers
Foxface metallic and orange spot only one
Tangs naso blonde, hippo blue, powder brown, purple, and yellow (not sure if I can house any of these in 90g) needs a larger tank
Many different types of wrasse
Flame angelfish (not sure with the coral though) not coral safe
Regal angelfish (may also be too big) needs a larger tank

Basically I'm looking for colourful and variety in my tank, but want whatever is in it to be comfortable. I've done some research on each and think they are mostly all well mannered fish and suitable with coral, but I'd much rather learn the easy way which is by asking instead of flushing. Thanks for reading, Duane.

I cannot assess compatibility with lots of fish that won't work. If you wean the list down to more reasonable numbers, I will try it again

 

[snorvich]

So, I am new to the saltwater world. I have done a lot of research and still having trouble with a stocking list. I keep finding conflicting information. My tank has finished cycling a few weeks ago and I only have hermit crabs at the moment. It will be a reef tank in the future. I have a 40 gal breeder with a 20 gal long refuguim. I finally order my protein skimmer today. There will be a screen top for the aquarium. I have two water fans rated for 850 plus return from refugium. Depending on the fish, I will be raising copepods. I want fish that are colorful, safe for reef/invertebrates, movement, and no fishes that will spend most of the time hiding.

CUC
5 Hermit crabs
2 reef/fish safe shrimp

Red scooter dragonets will be very difficult in this sized tank unless you have an active refugium and no copepod competitors.

option 1
1 firefish
1 Candinal banggia or a mated pair (captive bred)
1 red scooter or ruby red scooter Or court jester goby
I think this is a not so active list
requires copepod farm

option 2 good
1 firefish
1 Tanaka's pygmy Wrasse or White banded possum (not sure if it will hide all the time or terrorize the firefish)
1 court jester goby

option 3 multiple chromis will become only one
1 firefish
3 bicolor chromis (not sure if they will terrorize firefish)

option 4 fine except for dragonet
2 ocellaris clownfish captive bred (probably no anemone and not sure if they will terrorize firefish)
1 firefish
1 red scooter or ruby red scooter or court jester goby

I want to maybe add 1 blue stripe pipefish but I think all options may have too much competition for copepods and too much water movement.

 

[duanegraham]

I cannot assess compatibility with lots of fish that won't work. If you wean the list down to more reasonable numbers, I will try it again

I will, thanks a million Steve! You're doing an incredible amount of great work on this topic, newbies and scared fish all over the world appreciate it! You keep our budgets from going haywire and more fish out of the crappers than one could count, cheers.

 

[mujtaba]

Hi,
I have a 200 gallons (7 feet) fowlr.
Current tank mates are
- Adult emperor 5"
- Powder brown tang 4.5"
- Fox face 4"
- Bicolor angel 3"
- Ocellaris clown 2"

I want to add following
- Blonde Naso
- Threadfin butterfly
- Desjardini Sailfin

Please advise. Thanks

 

[snorvich]

Hi,
I have a 200 gallons (7 feet) fowlr.
Current tank mates are
- Adult emperor 5"
- Powder brown tang 4.5"
- Fox face 4"
- Bicolor angel 3"
- Ocellaris clown 2"

I want to add following I would not do both of these tangs especially since, either really would require a longer tank, and you already have significant algae grazers
- Blonde Naso
- Threadfin butterfly fine
- Desjardini Sailfin

Please advise. Thanks

 

[_E_]

New tank upgrade and thought I'd run a potential stocking plan by you. Tank is going to be a 140 gallon (60.5" x 20.5" x 27.5") with a 40 gallon sump and 150# of rock. Will be a mixed reef.

Current fish that will be moving from my old tank:
3 tomato clowns (female, male, and juvenile)
Purple tang
Common cleaner wrasse
Copperband butterfly

Potential new fish:
Kole tang
Mystery wrasse
Starry blenny or midas blenny
Possibly a trio of Bartlett's anthias.

 

[snorvich]

New tank upgrade and thought I'd run a potential stocking plan by you. Tank is going to be a 140 gallon (60.5" x 20.5" x 27.5") with a 40 gallon sump and 150# of rock. Will be a mixed reef.

Current fish that will be moving from my old tank:
3 tomato clowns (female, male, and juvenile) the juvenile may be killed going forward
Purple tang
Common cleaner wrasse
Copperband butterfly

Potential new fish:
Kole tang the purple tang may not allow this fish to be added once established
Mystery wrasse not with a copper band butterfly and probably not with a cleaner wrasse
Starry blenny or midas blenny
Possibly a trio of Bartlett's anthias.

 

[moneymm]

46 Gallon Bow Front - 1.5" sandbed - eventual mixed reef tank

Currently In Tank
1 Phantom Occellaris Clown
1 Regular Orange Occ Clown

Want to Add Now
1 Red Serosa Dottyback(Pseudoplesiops typus)
1 PJ Cardinal
1 Bangaii Cardinal

are these three okay to QT (10 gallon) together and add to DT at the same time?


last to add
1 coral beauty or 1 flame angel

does that leave me with any room for another fish before the angel? perhaps a firefish?

 

[BigBlueTang]

Hi Steve.
Great work on all the replies! It must take a long time.
I have a 75 gal, with a 40B sump. I made the sump myself, and it has refugium,
How is my list so far?
2 Ocellaris Clowns
Blue Tang (Friend wants me to bring it up so it won't get killed in his tank)
Yellow tang
Clown Goby
Lyretail Wrasse
Thanks

 

[snorvich]

46 Gallon Bow Front - 1.5" sandbed - eventual mixed reef tank

Currently In Tank
1 Phantom Occellaris Clown
1 Regular Orange Occ Clown

Want to Add Now
1 Red Serosa Dottyback(Pseudoplesiops typus)
1 PJ Cardinal
1 Bangaii Cardinal

are these three okay to QT (10 gallon) together and add to DT at the same time? Yes. Long term, the dottyback is aggressive however so that will limit long term tank mates.


last to add
1 coral beauty or 1 flame angel Either one really needs a larger tank since they are algae grazers

does that leave me with any room for another fish before the angel? perhaps a firefish? a firefish is fine

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve.
Great work on all the replies! It must take a long time.
I have a 75 gal, with a 40B sump. I made the sump myself, and it has refugium,
How is my list so far?
2 Ocellaris Clowns
Blue Tang (Friend wants me to bring it up so it won't get killed in his tank) needs a much larger tank
Yellow tang needs a larger tank and definitely not with another tang in this sized tank
Clown Goby
Lyretail Wrasse
Thanks

Fine except as noted

 

[moneymm]

If it's aggressive how come it will be okay for a year or two but not long term?

This true with all dotty backs? Or just this one

 

[snorvich]

If it's aggressive how come it will be okay for a year or two but not long term? It will be ok in your QT assuming tank transfer because it will not have established territory. Once it is in a tank where it becomes established, it will be aggressive. Especially true in smallish tanks.

This true with all dotty backs? Or just this one

All dottybacks are aggressive, some are very aggressive. The least aggressive one is P. fridmani.

 

[chueu]

I have a 30 Gallon tank. No Sump..

Currently, cured live rock, live sand.. Corals will start coming in slowly.

Current Clean up Crew:
3 hermits - shell sizes 2 to 2.5 inches
7 Turbo Snails

Equipment:
Jebao WP10, IT2040 LEDS, Eheim Liberty 200 hob (till the skimmer gets here in a week, will likely host macro), Reef octopus HB1000 (arriving soon)

OK

Fish Choices as follows:

1. Clownfish - Saw some snowflake clownfish at the fish store. If these are not advisable, I might just go for a regular ocellaris/clarki. These are more for my children.

2. Goby - The ones in the fish store look like orange spotted gobies. This is my choice of fish. The ones i saw were about 1.5" long

3. Mandarin - There are a pair in the store that feed on algae.

4. OK this is gonna come under some flak.. But a 1" Emperor Angelfish. I realise my tank is small, will it be aggrerssive under the conditions? It will only be in the 30gal for approx 2-3 months before heading to tank in my new house (under renovation). How much will it grow in 2-3 months?

If I were to go with these 4 fishes. Can u also tell me in what order should I introduce them. I would not be adding any more fishes, at least not until the emperor moves.

I may also go firefish instead of the angel or mandarin. The wife likes those but i dont

I am still rethinking the emperor. Its my fav fish.

Thanks for any advice given