Hi guys. Well I haven't stocked fish in some time, and was hoping to add a few more to an established tank. I got some input from MrTuskFish, but was hoping for a bit more information. You've never been reefing too long to learn something form the "New to the Hobby" forum right?
I have a tremendous amount of respect for MrTuskFish's opinion!
I'll give a little background on my tank: I have a 135g (may actually be a 125, but thats how AGA was marketing their tanks 72" x 24" x 18"). It just had its 6th birthday last month. Things had gotten a little messy while I was off at college, but I've spent the last three or four months doing some aggressive cleaning, maintenance, and upgrading and things are finally getting where I would like them. Now I just need to finalize what will be going in. Most of the fish I currently have, have been in the tank 5-6 years.
1 Sailfin Tang: The longest tank resident, perhaps a bit large for a tank this size, but I was a fool and whats done is done. He seems happy though. Apparently the tastiest algae grows on the MP40, as he enjoys swimming right in front of it, even at full blast, and trying to get close enough for a nibble.
Which is a reflection of his natural inclination towards current
1 spotbreast/swallowtail angel: Started out as a female about 5 years ago, decided to turn male a couple years back. Good friends with the Tang.
1 maroon clown (Dona Corleone): Oldest fish in the tank. She's been in my tank for just over five years, but was living in a cousin's tank for 2 or 3 years before it got torn down. After a few splits there are four bubble tips spread through the tank, and Dona Corleone likes to split her time between all four. Currently in a turf fight with the mag-float.
1 Bi-color Blenny: Newest member of the tank. Was in an 12gallon cube that sprung a leak, but has been in the 135 for almost 4 years.
had a 6-line for about 5years, but went MIA sometime last year.
What I am considering, in order of preference:
small maroon clown male-- hoping if I add this guy first Dona Corleone will be too busy to bother any other new additions. Either that or he will be last. MrTuskFish suggested I may have luck if I add the female to the quarantine tank for a week before putting them both in the display.
That WILL take luck as well as finding the absolute smallest GSM you can find. Odds are less than 50/50 IMO.
female spotbreast-- Always thought the females were prettier than the striped males, and hopefully everyone would get along well. May be too much to have the tang and two angels.
I have introduced the opposite sex Genicanthus three times, once successfully.
3-5 blue streak/blue eye/long spine cardinals. - wondering if they will be too shy for this tank, maybe pajamas instead
OR
3-5 anthias- perhaps lyretail, but not set in stone. I would love both, but thats a bit much fish.
The cardinals, other than being difficult shippers, are likely to do better. Anthias in a group have a social dynamic that may be iffy in your sized tank. Possible, however.
some type of wrasse-- leaning towards a Wetmorella of some type. I find wrasses to be colorful in both personality and scales and would like to add one at some point. My pod population is pretty low right now from when I had a 6-line, and I want to wait for the new refugium to repopulate before adding a wrasse. May substitute for a mandarin, but that's a tough call.
I LOVE the behavioral characteristics of all of the Wemorella. Very, very interesting.
Might be too many fish, but I would like to add at least a couple more. Four just feels lonely right now. I know the maroon is going to be trouble, but I'm rather attached to her, and hoping she doesn't prevent any other fish from being added.
Best chance is to add her perspective male last. If she ever bonds, the pair will be a terror towards new additions
I plan on quarantining each species one at a time for 4-8 weeks depending on how the seem to be doing, mostly to fatten them up.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
