PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[yachtdr22]

Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) precludes shrimp
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) precludes shrimp
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) may be intimidated by any flasherwrasse ** Is this the same for Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides) ? **
Sailfin/Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)

firefish, flasher and fairy wrasses
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi) may not mix well with chromis ** Going to Tade them to the LFS after they are verified okedokee**
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)

I have seen that almost half of these guys are out of Season.
I was planning on a 50% (or more if you recommend) W/C in QT before whatever guys go through next.
Since I have almost another 6 weeks before I can ready the QT for any new family members I wanted to figure out what will be available and the proper order in which to add so I can give LFS a heads up...

Thanks again Mr. Steve....

 

[snorvich]

Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) precludes shrimp
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) precludes shrimp
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
Kaudern's Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.)
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) may be intimidated by any flasherwrasse ** Is this the same for Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides) ? ** No they should mix ok, firefish, first
Sailfin/Algae Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
Australian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus)

firefish, flasher and fairy wrasses
Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi) may not mix well with chromis ** Going to Tade them to the LFS after they are verified okedokee**
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)

I have seen that almost half of these guys are out of Season.

This thread is not about fish diseases. However, if the QT is the one contaminated with ich, I would start that from scratch. And this time GO SLOWLY! Only bad things happen quickly in this hobby.

I was planning on a 50% (or more if you recommend) W/C in QT before whatever guys go through next.
Since I have almost another 6 weeks before I can ready the QT for any new family members I wanted to figure out what will be available and the proper order in which to add so I can give LFS a heads up...

Order is always most aggressive last.

Thanks again Mr. Steve....

 

[yachtdr22]

What is the best way to add a "Peaceful" fish to a tank that already has semi-aggressive..
Example, Lineatus Fairy Wrasse & Linespot Flasher Wrasse are peaceful, but showing not in season? What is the safest way to bring them into their new home?

 

[snorvich]

What is the best way to add a "Peaceful" fish to a tank that already has semi-aggressive..
Example, Lineatus Fairy Wrasse & Linespot Flasher Wrasse are peaceful, but showing not in season? What is the safest way to bring them into their new home?

Sometimes you cannot (which I emphasize on this thread frequently) but the best way to try is: after your QT protocol use an acrylic acclimation box. These are commercially available although not difficult to build.

 

[jg93]

Hi Steve -

I've been in the hobby for almost 5 years now and have recently transferred to a larger tank. I have a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon sump - I'm assuming about 80 or 85 gallons of water in the system.

I was told years ago to assume about 1 inch of fish for every 2 gallons of water. Now, just poking around here, I'm seeing many are claiming 1 to 3 (even though I had a brilliant, stable tank for years with no death, my 34 gallon red sea max, no less.)

Anyway, here is my current stock list, I'm not worried I've gone overboard:

2 ocellaris clowns (1 new to this tank)
3 green chromis (new to this tank)
1 tailspot blenny
1 catalina goby
1 chalk basslet (new to this tank)
1 royal gramma
1 six line wrasse
1 scopas tang (new to this tank)
1 Banggai Cardinal

Should I remove some fish? My water parameters are rock solid

pH 8.1
Temp 78.5
Salinity 1.025
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 5 ppm

I've tested these every 2 days for a month... Thanks for your advice and help.

 

[snorvich]

Hi Steve -

I've been in the hobby for almost 5 years now and have recently transferred to a larger tank. I have a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon sump - I'm assuming about 80 or 85 gallons of water in the system.

I was told years ago to assume about 1 inch of fish for every 2 gallons of water. Now, just poking around here, I'm seeing many are claiming 1 to 3 (even though I had a brilliant, stable tank for years with no death, my 34 gallon red sea max, no less.)

There is no inches per gallon rule (or guideline) for saltwater; even for fresh water it is debatable.

Anyway, here is my current stock list, I'm not worried I've gone overboard:

2 ocellaris clowns (1 new to this tank)
3 green chromis (new to this tank)
1 tailspot blenny
1 catalina goby requires cool water, will not do well at normal reef temperatures
1 chalk basslet (new to this tank)
1 royal gramma
1 six line wrasse very aggressive, will be a problem later on
1 scopas tang (new to this tank)
1 Banggai Cardinal

Should I remove some fish?

See comments. No bioload issues, however.

My water parameters are rock solid

pH 8.1
Temp 78.5
Salinity 1.025
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 5 ppm

I've tested these every 2 days for a month... Thanks for your advice and help.

always a pleasure

 

[jg93]

Thank you so much for your quick response.

 

[npeters1989]

I would really like to add another fish to my reef but need some advice:

I've had this stocking level for the past 6 months or so, in a 75 gallon tank + 20 gal. sump:

-Blue Damsel
-Sleeper banded goby
-Pajama Cardinal
-clownfish pair
-six line wrasse
-Scopas Tang
-Royal Gramma
-several soft corals, a few LPS and a couple SPS

Also in residence: probably at least 100 aiptasia (I can count 50). Added 3 peppermint shrimp about a month ago, can't tell that they're even making a dent in my aiptasia collection

Do I have room to get a copperband butterfly to eat aiptasia, and would it be likely that I could get it to feed on normal food by the time it had finished with the aiptasia?

Also/Or, would I be able to add a medium sized yellow tang without an all-out war between it and the scopas (which is about 3 1/2" long)? All fish at this point play nicely with very little bad behavior

 

[snorvich]

I would really like to add another fish to my reef but need some advice:

I've had this stocking level for the past 6 months or so, in a 75 gallon tank + 20 gal. sump:

-Blue Damsel
-Sleeper banded goby
-Pajama Cardinal
-clownfish pair
-six line wrasse
-Scopas Tang
-Royal Gramma
-several soft corals, a few LPS and a couple SPS

Also in residence: probably at least 100 aiptasia (I can count 50). Added 3 peppermint shrimp about a month ago, can't tell that they're even making a dent in my aiptasia collection

Do I have room to get a copperband butterfly to eat aiptasia, and would it be likely that I could get it to feed on normal food by the time it had finished with the aiptasia?

Copperbands do not all eat aiptasia. In fact getting copperbands to eat at all can be problematic. Best chance, but no guarantee are Australian originated ones. They are not necessarily reef safe either

Also/Or, would I be able to add a medium sized yellow tang without an all-out war between it and the scopas (which is about 3 1/2" long)? All fish at this point play nicely with very little bad behavior

Adding a second tang would be a bad idea and very risky

 

[billyboy61]

Neon dottybacks are terrors. Otherwise the others are fine but that tang will not allow any similar in the tank.

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. What kind of problems would the neon dottyback cause. Are there any small colourful fish that are community and reefsafe? Bill

 

[snorvich]

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. What kind of problems would the neon dottyback cause. Are there any small colourful fish that are community and reefsafe? Bill

Dottybacks, with very few exceptions, are incredibly aggressive fish and create coexistence problems.

 

[neptunestender]

I have made the list of wants for my 75 gal ATS filtered tank and display fuge with 20gal sump. I am including a number in front to signify the the desire for the fish. 1= cant live without 5=only if the species will not proclude lower number.

So here goes, dash all my hopes and dreams.

1 Mated pair of one of the following
Amphiprion Ocellaris, or Percula, or Perideraion. (Perideraion = Pink Skunk Anemonefish)

1 Cryptocentrus Cinctus, posibly mated pair. With Alpheus Bellulus (Yellow Watchman Gobie, with Tiger Pistol Shrimp)

2 Nemateleotris Magnifica (Flame Firefish)

3 Chromis Veridis, or Cyanea (Green Chromis, or Blue Reef Chromis)

3 Ecsenius Gravieri (Red Sea Mimic Blenny)

3 Labroides Dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse)

4 Centropyge Bospiniosa (Coral Beauty)

5 Cirrhilabrus Rubrisquamis (Maldive Velvet Fairy Wrasse)

5 Echidna Catenata (Chainlink Moray Eel)

Inverts to be included
Pachyclavularia Viridis (Green Star Polyp)
Zoathus
Euphyllia Ancora (Hammer Coral)
Euphyllia Divisa (Frogspawn Coral)
Euphyllia Glabrescens (Torch Coral)
Sabellastarte (Featherduster Worm)
Ophioderma Cf. Appressum (Marbled Serpent Star)

I hope I spelled it all correctly.

Thanks again in advance,
Ed

 

[snorvich]

I have made the list of wants for my 75 gal ATS filtered tank and display fuge with 20gal sump. I am including a number in front to signify the the desire for the fish. 1= cant live without 5=only if the species will not proclude lower number.

So here goes, dash all my hopes and dreams.

1 Mated pair of one of the following
Amphiprion Ocellaris, or Percula, or Perideraion. (Perideraion = Pink Skunk Anemonefish) either of the first two is fine, the pink skunk anemonefish fish, less so because they are more aggressive once mating

1 Cryptocentrus Cinctus, posibly mated pair. With Alpheus Bellulus (Yellow Watchman Gobie, with Tiger Pistol Shrimp)

2 Nemateleotris Magnifica (Flame Firefish) add early on so it can be established

3 Chromis Veridis, or Cyanea (Green Chromis, or Blue Reef Chromis)

3 Ecsenius Gravieri (Red Sea Mimic Blenny)

3 Labroides Dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse) I advise against as they will make your fish crazy since not all of them will allow cleaning; many do not establish. Also, they have no value for parasite protection (of the kinds we encounter)

4 Centropyge Bospiniosa (Coral Beauty)

5 Cirrhilabrus Rubrisquamis (Maldive Velvet Fairy Wrasse)

5 Echidna Catenata (Chainlink Moray Eel)

Inverts to be included
Pachyclavularia Viridis (Green Star Polyp) they will take over, be forewarned
Zoathus
Euphyllia Ancora (Hammer Coral)
Euphyllia Divisa (Frogspawn Coral)
Euphyllia Glabrescens (Torch Coral)
Sabellastarte (Featherduster Worm)
Ophioderma Cf. Appressum (Marbled Serpent Star)

I hope I spelled it all correctly.

Thanks again in advance,
Ed

 

[neptunestender]

Steve, I have another question. Are there any other small Schooling fish suitable for a tank my size I think I fall short on tank req. for anthias but anything else I could look into?

Thank you for the heads up on the cleaner wrasse. Could I add another blenny like bicolor or mandrin "scooter blenny".

The cleaner wrasse was not wanted for cleaning purposes just trying to find small coolheaded fish. I plan to do a full QT setup from the start and will even QT my liverock seed to try and prevent unwanted hitchhikers.

As for the Green Star Polyps I hope they will cover a large portion of my rockwall to give a more natural look and with two seperate dump bucketes maybe a nice movement too.

This does make me ask will the star polyps be controlable with regular "prunings"?

Thanks once more for the time you devote to us newbs, you could never be told that enough!
Ed

 

[npeters1989]

Adding a second tang would be a bad idea and very risky

I was thinking that would be the case, thanks for the confirmation! And I would like a copperband, but I'm still not sure if I'm willing to take that risk. I guess I'll just wait till I find one that I can watch eat in a dealer's tank...

 

[snorvich]

Steve, I have another question. Are there any other small Schooling fish suitable for a tank my size I think I fall short on tank req. for anthias but anything else I could look into?

Forgive me, but I am tired and running a fever but this is the redspot cardinal fish. This is a very small cardinal fish which does school but it may have requirements you cannot meet from a feeding perspective.

Thank you for the heads up on the cleaner wrasse. Could I add another blenny like bicolor or mandrin "scooter blenny".

blennies do not really like each other.

The cleaner wrasse was not wanted for cleaning purposes just trying to find small coolheaded fish.

Ok, look at the possum wrasses. VERY cool fish.

I plan to do a full QT setup from the start and will even QT my liverock seed to try and prevent unwanted hitchhikers.

As for the Green Star Polyps I hope they will cover a large portion of my rockwall to give a more natural look and with two seperate dump bucketes maybe a nice movement too.

This does make me ask will the star polyps be controlable with regular "prunings"? Many people do NOT find them controllable.

Thanks once more for the time you devote to us newbs, you could never be told that enough! Thanks. I am always here for questions but sadly tonight, I am a bit dull.
Ed

 

[snorvich]

I was thinking that would be the case, thanks for the confirmation! And I would like a copperband, but I'm still not sure if I'm willing to take that risk. I guess I'll just wait till I find one that I can watch eat in a dealer's tank...

Best chance is an Australian collected one.

 

[hobbby3]

90 galon tank already have the 3 blue green chromis and 2 clown. How does this look for a final total population?

3 blue green chromis
3 firefish
2 clown fish
1 foxface lo
1 sand sifting star
1 emeral crab

Feels like somethings missing any suggestions?

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

Just getting all my stuff together and going over my potential stock list.

57 gallon oceanic mixed reef tank

Pair of fireball angels ( understand the risk)
Pair of hooded fairy wrasses
Eight line flasher wrasse
Line spot blenny

Any feedback would be great. Thanks Tony

 

[snorvich]

90 galon tank already have the 3 blue green chromis and 2 clown. How does this look for a final total population?

3 blue green chromis
3 firefish you can only keep a male + female, more will not survive long term
2 clown fish
1 foxface lo
1 sand sifting star will deplete your sand bed of beneficial organisms, then starve
1 emeral crab can take fish

Feels like somethings missing any suggestions?