PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Larger cleaner shrimp and peppermint shrimp as well, or just ones that would fit in their mouths?

Larger shrimp would most likely be safe. Now if you were talking about hawkfish . . .

 

[ccreviston74]

Larger shrimp would most likely be safe. Now if you were talking about hawkfish . . .

Ok, good to know. I really enjoy the ornamental crustaceans, and would like to keep the sexy shrimp on my stocking plan, and I'm not generally inclined to press my luck. I know you are not generally in the business of reccommendations, but can you think of anything with a good amount of yellow that would move in the watercolumn? No one here carries the yellow assessors, and they tend to be a little pricy for me. Only thing close I've found is citron or yellow clown goby, our canary blenny. Thx.

 

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

Hi everybody,

I had a 20gal FOWLR for a year and a few months ago upgraded to a 125gal with 33gal night-lit sump (with macro-algae). I have a bicolor blenny, tail spot blenny, yellow-tailed blue damsel and a Randall's watchman goby paired with a 2" tiger pistol shrimp that I brought over from the 20gal. The only other things I've added are shrimp and snails for cleaner crew plus a BTA for the sexy shrimp. Here's a list:

2x small (1/2"-3/4") red-legged hermit crabs (don't like these and won't get more after they die - that's why I have an odd number of ceriths)
3x large turbo snails
10x small bumblebee snails (5x in sump)
30x nerite snails
~17x cerith snails (5x in sump)
1x large (2") pistol shrimp
12x small sexy shrimp (1/2")
4x medium (1.5") scarlet/skunk cleaner shrimps

1x medium (3" dia.) green BTA
1x large (2" dia.) Hawaiian Feather Duster
3x medium (1/2"-1" dia.) purple feather dusters

1x yellowtail damselfish (1.5")
1x Randall's Prawn Goby (2.5")
1x bicolor blenny (2")
1x tailspot blenny (1.5")

2x clumps of Halimeda in sump
3x clumps of Chaetomorpha in sump

I've had everything on this list for at least two months, and they all seem to be good and play nicely with each other.

I originally got the shrimp as cleaners since I don't like hermits or other crabs, and now my wife and I have totally fallen in love with them. Especially the sexy shrimp. The sexy shrimp are our favorite, so we absolutely don't want to add anything that will harass them (like coral banded shrimp). I also plan on getting a skimmer and start with clams, zoas and LPS coral in about 8 months, so I prefer reef safe options. On to my questions.

1) In a 125gal with the tiger pistol and its goby (they stay at the far right end of the 6' tank), can I add a second pistol like a bullseye and a goby at the other, left end? If yes, what goby would you recommend?

2) I know people use wrasses to control critters, but are there any that won't harass or kill our little sexy shrimp?

3) I know the coral-banded shrimp are bad, but are there others I can add to my fairly new 125g that will be interesting and act like CUC? I've held off on peppermint shrimp until I see an Aiptasia problem, and I'm not sure camels are useful. I don't want harlequin shrimp as I can't afford to feed them. Will fire shrimp play nice? Maybe other species of anemone shrimp?

4) Other than chromis, is there a reef safe, small, schooling fish?

Thank you very much!

 

[joegoersch]

Yasha Goby Pair with Diamond Goby

Yasha Goby Pair with Diamond Goby

I just upgraded from a 29 gallon tank to 120 gallon tank with 40 breeder gallon sump/fuge so right now lightly stocked. I have 2 to 3 inches of aragonite sand in the DT.

I just saw a Yasha Goby Pair and Pistol shrimp and thought that'd be cool to add to my tank, I really enjoy the diamond goby and want to make sure it'd get along with the Yasha pair. Do you see any problems ?

Current inhabitants:

2 Banggaii cardinals
1 Pajama Cardinal
2 Ocellarus Clowns
1 Diamond Goby
1 Flame Angel

2 Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
2 blood red red fire shrimp
1 bt anemone
1 feather duster

thanks,
:hmm5:

 

[snorvich]

Ok, good to know. I really enjoy the ornamental crustaceans, and would like to keep the sexy shrimp on my stocking plan, and I'm not generally inclined to press my luck. I know you are not generally in the business of reccommendations, but can you think of anything with a good amount of yellow that would move in the watercolumn? No one here carries the yellow assessors, and they tend to be a little pricy for me. Only thing close I've found is citron or yellow clown goby, our canary blenny. Thx.

I would go with a yellow assessor, but this is why I don't do recommendations: taste and budget

 

[snorvich]

Hi everybody,

I had a 20gal FOWLR for a year and a few months ago upgraded to a 125gal with 33gal night-lit sump (with macro-algae). I have a bicolor blenny, tail spot blenny, yellow-tailed blue damsel and a Randall's watchman goby paired with a 2" tiger pistol shrimp that I brought over from the 20gal. The only other things I've added are shrimp and snails for cleaner crew plus a BTA for the sexy shrimp. Here's a list:

2x small (1/2"-3/4") red-legged hermit crabs (don't like these and won't get more after they die - that's why I have an odd number of ceriths)

which is why I do not advocate hermit crabs

3x large turbo snails
10x small bumblebee snails (5x in sump)
30x nerite snails
~17x cerith snails (5x in sump)
1x large (2") pistol shrimp
12x small sexy shrimp (1/2")
4x medium (1.5") scarlet/skunk cleaner shrimps

1x medium (3" dia.) green BTA
1x large (2" dia.) Hawaiian Feather Duster
3x medium (1/2"-1" dia.) purple feather dusters

1x yellowtail damselfish (1.5")
1x Randall's Prawn Goby (2.5")
1x bicolor blenny (2")
1x tailspot blenny (1.5")

2x clumps of Halimeda in sump
3x clumps of Chaetomorpha in sump

I've had everything on this list for at least two months, and they all seem to be good and play nicely with each other.

I originally got the shrimp as cleaners since I don't like hermits or other crabs, and now my wife and I have totally fallen in love with them. Especially the sexy shrimp. The sexy shrimp are our favorite, so we absolutely don't want to add anything that will harass them (like coral banded shrimp). I also plan on getting a skimmer and start with clams, zoas and LPS coral in about 8 months, so I prefer reef safe options. On to my questions.

1) In a 125gal with the tiger pistol and its goby (they stay at the far right end of the 6' tank), can I add a second pistol like a bullseye and a goby at the other, left end? If yes, what goby would you recommend?

That may not work out. I have tried it in a larger tank and it did not for various reasons

2) I know people use wrasses to control critters, but are there any that won't harass or kill our little sexy shrimp?

Critter control and crustacean safe are somewhat mutually exclusive. Flasher wrasses are interesting but do not control critters

3) I know the coral-banded shrimp are bad, but are there others I can add to my fairly new 125g that will be interesting and act like CUC? I've held off on peppermint shrimp until I see an Aiptasia problem, and I'm not sure camels are useful. I don't want harlequin shrimp as I can't afford to feed them. Will fire shrimp play nice? Maybe other species of anemone shrimp?

cleaner shrimp are excellent scavengers and play safe with corals

4) Other than chromis, is there a reef safe, small, schooling fish?

Thank you very much!

 

[snorvich]

I just upgraded from a 29 gallon tank to 120 gallon tank with 40 breeder gallon sump/fuge so right now lightly stocked. I have 2 to 3 inches of aragonite sand in the DT.

I just saw a Yasha Goby Pair and Pistol shrimp and thought that'd be cool to add to my tank, I really enjoy the diamond goby and want to make sure it'd get along with the Yasha pair. Do you see any problems ?

I have found that multiple shrimp goby pairs do not play well with each other

Current inhabitants:

2 Banggaii cardinals must be a male + female
1 Pajama Cardinal
2 Ocellarus Clowns
1 Diamond Goby
1 Flame Angel

2 Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
2 blood red red fire shrimp
1 bt anemone
1 feather duster

thanks,
:hmm5:

 

[joegoersch]

just want to clarify

just want to clarify


I don't know how to tell the Baggai males from the females. But they were swimming together in the 29 for about 6 months with no signs of agression, so I guess I got lucky. But I'd rather not count on luck which is why I really appreciate your advice. Thanks !!!


I'm sorry, I just wanted to clarify. I'm not sure I know what you mean by "multiple shrimp goby pairs." The diamond goby is by itself, it is not paired with a pistol shrimp. Are you saying the Yasha and Diamond gobies would fight over the shrimp ?

 

[snorvich]

I don't know how to tell the Baggai males from the females. But they were swimming together in the 29 for about 6 months with no signs of agression, so I guess I got lucky. But I'd rather not count on luck which is why I really appreciate your advice. Thanks !!!

There is a morphological difference between males and females, but my eyesight in not good enough. HOWEVER, if they are good for 6 months you are likely good.


I'm sorry, I just wanted to clarify. I'm not sure I know what you mean by "multiple shrimp goby pairs." The diamond goby is by itself, it is not paired with a pistol shrimp. Are you saying the Yasha and Diamond gobies would fight over the shrimp

commensal gobies often steal shrimp, sometimes to the detriment of the smaller goby. Ironically even if you put a fair number of alpheus randall, the primary commensal shrimp, the dominant goby will (try to) collect all of them.

 

[Idahobob]

stocking list

I started cycling my tank a couple weeks ago and would like to run my intended stocking list by you for approval and or advise.My tank info is in my sig.This is also the order they will be in.I also plan on adding corals later.

1...2 ocellaris clowns (one will be black and white)

2...1 one spot foxface or yellow tang

3...1 blue reef chromis or azure damselfish

4...flame hawkfish

5...green mandarin (next year)

Thank for the help...Bob

 

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

First, thank you for all the responses. You're doing great work and saving frustration, money and lives.

1) In a 125gal with the tiger pistol and its goby (they stay at the far right end of the 6' tank), can I add a second pistol like a bullseye and a goby at the other, left end? If yes, what goby would you recommend?

That may not work out. I have tried it in a larger tank and it did not for various reasons

I just saw a Yasha Goby Pair and Pistol shrimp and thought that'd be cool to add to my tank, I really enjoy the diamond goby and want to make sure it'd get along with the Yasha pair. Do you see any problems ?

I have found that multiple shrimp goby pairs do not play well with each other

That's a shame, but thank you for saving a life or two.

3) I know the coral-banded shrimp are bad, but are there others I can add to my fairly new 125g that will be interesting and act like CUC? I've held off on peppermint shrimp until I see an Aiptasia problem, and I'm not sure camels are useful. I don't want harlequin shrimp as I can't afford to feed them. Will fire shrimp play nice? Maybe other species of anemone shrimp?

cleaner shrimp are excellent scavengers and play safe with corals

So will Fire Shrimp and un-Sexy Anemone Shrimp (like the Venus) play nice with the Sexy Shrimp and Scarlet Skunk Cleaners?

 

[snorvich]

First, thank you for all the responses. You're doing great work and saving frustration, money and lives.


You are most welcome. Your success is my success.


So will Fire Shrimp and un-Sexy Anemone Shrimp (like the Venus) play nice with the Sexy Shrimp and Scarlet Skunk Cleaners?

Yes, no problem.

 

[snorvich]

stocking list

I started cycling my tank a couple weeks ago and would like to run my intended stocking list by you for approval and or advise.My tank info is in my sig.This is also the order they will be in.I also plan on adding corals later.

1...2 ocellaris clowns (one will be black and white)

2...1 one spot foxface or yellow tang the foxface is a better choice

3...1 blue reef chromis or azure damselfish well, both are damsels. If you insist the reef chromis is less aggressive

4...flame hawkfish remember this fish will eat shrimp

5...green mandarin (next year)

Thank for the help...Bob

 

[Idahobob]

I was looking for something blue that's why the damsels,any suggestions, maybe a leopard wrasse?? I know the hawkfish will eat shrimp but do you ned shrimp in a reef tank?
Thanks for the help...Bob

 

[Idahobob]

what about a indigo dottyback instead of damsels?

Thanks...Bob

 

[ccreviston74]

I would go with a yellow assessor, but this is why I don't do recommendations: taste and budget

I would probably spring for one if I could ever find one here on kansas city. Those and possum wrasses i'm interested in, but have never seen.

 

[snorvich]

I would probably spring for one if I could ever find one here on kansas city. Those and possum wrasses i'm interested in, but have never seen.

Possum wrasses are one of my favorites and I would not hesitate to recommend them.

 

[ccreviston74]

I would go with a yellow assessor, but this is why I don't do recommendations: taste and budget

I would probably spring for one if I could ever find one here on kansas city. Those and possum wrasses i'm interested in, but have never seen.

 

[snorvich]

what about a indigo dottyback instead of damsels?

Thanks...Bob

Since our tanks are supposed to provide relaxation, the paradigm I use for stocking recommendations is having a stress free tank with fish not feeling cramped and consequently aggressive to their tank mates. Dottybacks are aggressive so I do not recommend them except in very large tanks. While Red flame hawkfish are exceptionally personable, shrimps do provide interest in a reef aquarium and they are superb cleanup crew members as well.

 

[Idahobob]

Since our tanks are supposed to provide relaxation, the paradigm I use for stocking recommendations is having a stress free tank with fish not feeling cramped and consequently aggressive to their tank mates. Dottybacks are aggressive so I do not recommend them except in very large tanks. While Red flame hawkfish are exceptionally personable, shrimps do provide interest in a reef aquarium and they are superb cleanup crew members as well.

I did not know that dottybacks were that aggressive.I agree with your last sentence,more choices for me to make...Thanks Bob