PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Right now I have a 6 line wrasse and 3 hermits. I was going to fallow with:

1: Kole tang and a couple more hermit crabs
2: Pair of clowns
3: Blue reef cromis (maybe 2 or a cardinal at the same time) chromis have been coming in not healthy recently
4: Foxface

you have two fish that are grazers (kole tang and foxface) in a tank that is marginally sized for one let alone two. Two fish that occupy the exact same ecological niche will eventually feel cramped when their territory is too confined. Usually when that is the case, over time, they will reduce the number occupying that territory.

That is pretty much as heavy as I want to go with livestock. Just want a double check if that will work out alright without the fish fighting one another. If I can get my pod population high enough I might get a mandarin goby. a sixline in that sized tank will preclude a mandarin (dragonet not goby)


These where my additions by month. I will quarantine for 4 weeks at a time at a minimum. After the livestock is introduced it might be time for corals.

 

[kismetsh]

Potential stocking list for 29 gallon mixed reef

First I want to thank you Steve for the tremendous service you are doing for the hobby! What an amazing thread!

I have been away from the hobby for about 5 years (raising children mostly) and am in the planning stages for my return. My tank will be a standard 29 gallon with a 20L modified into a sump/refugium. 30-35 lbs of live rock in the DT and sand/rubble/chaeto in the fuge. I'm not planning to skim at this point but will leave room in the sump if it becomes necessary in the future. Lighting will be a Razor LED.

I love inverts and fish with interesting behavior (as a younger person I loved cichlids but don't think I can stomach that level of aggression anymore) LOL.

This is what I'm considering:

Inverts
Skunk cleaner shrimp (maybe 2)
Peppermint shrimp (maybe 2)
Sexy shrimp (2-3) **will this total # of shrimp cause problems in this size tank?
Porcelain crab
Various snails
Clam (after the tank is mature, if ever)

Corals
Mostly LPS, some zoas

Fish
1 shrimp goby with 1 or a pair of pistols (S. yasha or S. nematodes)
1 small wrasse (P. ataenia, W. tanakai or W. albofasciata)
1 Tail spot blenny (E. stigmatura)
1 tank bred Ocellaris clown
1 Royal gramma (G. loreto) or Gold assessor (A. flavissimus) or tank bred Orchid dottyback (P. fridmani)

The last group scares me as I have heard conflicting stories on the gramma and dottyback as to their aggression levels. The assessor seems a safer bet but availability varies.

Looking forward to your input!

 

[snorvich]

Potential stocking list for 29 gallon mixed reef

First I want to thank you Steve for the tremendous service you are doing for the hobby! What an amazing thread!

My pleasure. I think I have literally done thousands of these by now, the vast majority of which were fun.

I have been away from the hobby for about 5 years (raising children mostly) and am in the planning stages for my return. My tank will be a standard 29 gallon with a 20L modified into a sump/refugium. 30-35 lbs of live rock in the DT and sand/rubble/chaeto in the fuge. I'm not planning to skim at this point but will leave room in the sump if it becomes necessary in the future. Lighting will be a Razor LED.

I love inverts and fish with interesting behavior (as a younger person I loved cichlids but don't think I can stomach that level of aggression anymore) LOL.

This is what I'm considering:

Inverts
Skunk cleaner shrimp (maybe 2)
Peppermint shrimp (maybe 2)
Sexy shrimp (2-3) **will this total # of shrimp cause problems in this size tank?

No, not at all. Shrimp do not really contribute to bioload

Porcelain crab
Various snails avoid hermits
Clam (after the tank is mature, if ever) depends on lighting

Corals
Mostly LPS, some zoas

Fish
1 shrimp goby with 1 or a pair of pistols (S. yasha or S. nematodes) a pair of pistol shrimp is fun
1 small wrasse (P. ataenia, W. tanakai or W. albofasciata) I would probably opt for one of the latter two, but all are excellent with similar behavior
1 Tail spot blenny (E. stigmatura)
1 tank bred Ocellaris clown
1 Royal gramma (G. loreto) or Gold assessor (A. flavissimus) or tank bred Orchid dottyback (P. fridmani)

The assessor is preferable, but the gold color ones are not commonly available. I am nervous about dottybacks in general but P. fridmani is the least aggressive by far

The last group scares me as I have heard conflicting stories on the gramma and dottyback as to their aggression levels. The assessor seems a safer bet but availability varies.

Looking forward to your input!

Feel free to check back with any additional questions. Items I do not annotate are fine as they are.

 

[kismetsh]

Feel free to check back with any additional questions. Items I do not annotate are fine as they are.

Thank you!

I'm assuming that if I get a gramma or orchid it should be introduced last. Is the assessor mild enough that he could be introduced at any point in the stocking order? If so that may give me enough flexibility to jump on one if it becomes available.

 

[luker80]

Hey guys.

I will have a 25g tank with a 20g sump. The sump will be devided with a refug.

I would like to have 2 clowns but I don't know what else I could put in there with them. Possibly a Royalgamma and some type of goby?

What do you think? Keep in mind, in about a year, I'll add some type of host for my clown fish. Probably a bubble tip.

 

[snorvich]

Thank you!

I'm assuming that if I get a gramma or orchid it should be introduced last.

correct

Is the assessor mild enough that he could be introduced at any point in the stocking order? If so that may give me enough flexibility to jump on one if it becomes available.

gold assessors are slightly less aggressive than blue assessors but either could be acquired at any point in your process.

 

[snorvich]

Hey guys.

Actually only Reef Central staff answer this thread

I will have a 25g tank with a 20g sump. The sump will be devided with a refug.

I would like to have 2 clowns but I don't know what else I could put in there with them. Possibly a Royalgamma and some type of goby?

All clowns are not created equal, some species are less aggressive; a bonded mated pair will want to control about 25 gallons of tank space minimum, depending on species

What do you think? Keep in mind, in about a year, I'll add some type of host for my clown fish. Probably a bubble tip.

Be sure the anemone you select is a match to the clowns you wish to keep. All clownfish will not associate with all anemones. Clownfish by Joyce Wilkersen will give you details on matching.

 

[Dbondaruk]

I got a 40g reed tank with 1 carpenters wrasse/1 royal gramma/
planning on getting a pair of osc clowns/ i want to purchase a coral beauty tommarow???
i know it is a 50-50 chance of nipping corals. tha tank will be eventually a 120g in like 8 months...has sump/lot of rock


also snorvich what reccomendations for fish would you have for my 40g??? i took my six line wrasse out that was fun

 

[snorvich]

I got a 40g reed tank with 1 carpenters wrasse/1 royal gramma/
planning on getting a pair of osc clowns/ i want to purchase a coral beauty tommarow???
i know it is a 50-50 chance of nipping corals. tha tank will be eventually a 120g in like 8 months...has sump/lot of rock

We at Reef Central always feel you should purchase fish for the tank you have. None of the fish you are talking about will be unavailable when/if you upgrade. Dwarf angels are a roll of the dice and I wish the odds were really 50/50. For meaty LPS, it is closer to 100%

also snorvich what reccomendations for fish would you have for my 40g??? i took my six line wrasse out that was fun

Taking out a sixline wrasse is nontrivial but it would have killed your flasher wrasse long term. As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons but am always happy to reassess the compatibility of any stocking plan.

 

[cmabrey75]

I have a 75 with a 40 gallon sump with a refugium, the sump holds around 30 gallons. Right now I have a pair of onyx clowns, fox face, variose snails and hermits. Tank has been up and running for around 4 months.

Here'sy list of what I want to add and in this order:

Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus)
Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus) after tank has been running for a year or longer

Also maybe a pistol shrimp and goby pair.

 

[snorvich]

I have a 75 with a 40 gallon sump with a refugium, the sump holds around 30 gallons. Right now I have a pair of onyx clowns, fox face, variose snails and hermits. Tank has been up and running for around 4 months.

Here'sy list of what I want to add and in this order:

Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda) You have one grazer already in a marginally sized tank and adding a second one is not wise
Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) not shrimp safe
Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus) after tank has been running for a year or longer

Also maybe a pistol shrimp and goby pair.

other than ones annotated, all else is fine

 

[cmabrey75]

other than ones annotated, all else is fine

Ok thanks,

I will replace the flame hawk with a midas blenny.

Can you recommend a fish to replace the bristle tooth tang?

Thanks

 

[snorvich]

Ok thanks,

I will replace the flame hawk with a midas blenny.

Can you recommend a fish to replace the bristle tooth tang?

You want a fish of moderate size that is not a grazer of algae; I will be happy to reevaluate any potential stocking plan

Thanks

 

[jerkyjunky]

So I have a 4'x2'x2' DT, with a 4'x18"x18" sump. Approx 180g of water, 180lb live rock. Sump has a sectioned off 20g-ish area for a refugium. Currently I have 2x Green Chromi and 2x Firefish. Would I have any problems getting the following:

Display:
1x Scopas tang
1x One spot foxface
2-3x Green Chromi (additional)
1x Blenny (4-5" probably horse or lawnmower)
2-3x Carpenter Flasher Wresse (MF-MFF)
2x Ocellaris Clownfish
2x Cleaner Shrimp
2x Fire Shrimp
3x Nassarius Snails

Refuge:
1x Yellow Watchman Goby
1x Pistol Shrimp
2x Trochus Snail

Would that all get along? Is it too much fish for my setup or is there still some room for more? Also was hoping for some other fish that would go well in the refuge, but haven't found any good ideas yet. Thoughts?

 

[snorvich]

So I have a 4'x2'x2' DT, which is a 120 gallons with a 4'x18"x18" sump. Approx 180g of water, 180lb live rock. Sump has a sectioned off 20g-ish area for a refugium. Currently I have 2x Green Chromi and 2x Firefish. two firefish may become only one eventually unless they are a male plus female


Would I have any problems getting the following:

Display:
1x Scopas tang
1x One spot foxface
2-3x Green Chromi (additional) chromis will winnow down their number until there is at most one, or possibly a pair. Also, chromis have been coming in less than healthy recently
1x Blenny (4-5" probably horse or lawnmower)
2-3x Carpenter Flasher Wresse (MF-MFF)
2x Ocellaris Clownfish
2x Cleaner Shrimp
2x Fire Shrimp
3x Nassarius Snails

Refuge:
1x Yellow Watchman Goby I would not put fish in a refugium
1x Pistol Shrimp
2x Trochus Snail

Would that all get along? yes, except as noted


Is it too much fish for my setup or is there still some room for more?

It is impossible to answer how many fish, if any could be added, but small non-aggressive fish could be added but it would depend on the behavioral interaction with tank mates

Also was hoping for some other fish that would go well in the refuge, but haven't found any good ideas yet. Thoughts?

I recommend not putting fish in a refugium

 

[ashnat]

Stocking my 150gal Reef Tank

Stocking my 150gal Reef Tank

I am looking for advice regarding the melanurus wrasse. I would like to add one to my tank but I'm not sure if it will be compatible with what I have and plan to have in the future. I plan to get several more fairy wrasses and maybe one or two flasher wrasses, some clown fish and a couple Tangs in the future.

Current Tank:

150gal with sump

Solar Wrasse
Blue Flasher Wrasse
Starry Blenny
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Fire Shrimp
Turbo Snails
hermit crabs
Zoanthids
Duncan Coral
fungia plate coral

 

[snorvich]

I am looking for advice regarding the melanurus wrasse.

They are generally peaceful and will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. Keep in mind, however, the pyramidellid snails tend to be nocturnal whereas a melanurus wrasse will be diurnal. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. Of the existing inhabitants, C. solorensis can be aggressive which could tend to intimidate a melanurus wrasse. But then again, C. solorensis can also be aggressive towards other fairy wrasses.

I would like to add one to my tank but I'm not sure if it will be compatible with what I have and plan to have in the future. I plan to get several more fairy wrasses and maybe one or two flasher wrasses, some clown fish and a couple Tangs in the future.

Current Tank:

150gal with sump

Solar Wrasse
Blue Flasher Wrasse
Starry Blenny
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp at risk
Fire Shrimp at risk
Turbo Snails
hermit crabs at risk
Zoanthids
Duncan Coral
fungia plate coral

 

[jerkyjunky]

I recommend not putting fish in a refugium

I saw refugium but really it is just a segmented area of the sump with a 4" DSB, some smaller live rock pieces and a ball of chaeto and about 700gph flowing over the top (some around inside it). The stand is designed such that this section is visible at all times, so I wanted to treat it like a 2nd tank. Keep it clean and show off something that might be a harm or be at risk in the main tank. Would you still not recommend fish in something like this? Either way, is there some form of life you would say was better?

 

[ashnat]

If I wait to see how the Solar Wrasse responds to new inhabitants would that be a good indication of how it will respond to a melanurus or are you concerned specifically about how the Solar will behave with the melanurus. I just removed an agressive High Hat that had my flasher wrasse hiding under my anenome and would chase my Solar wrasse. As soon as I removed it, the stress level in the tank lifted and my Solar wrasse and flasher wrasse seem to get along well. Also, you list my shrimp and crabs as at risk. Is this just a chance you have to take or is it a high probability that the melanurus will go after them.

Thanks

 

[snorvich]

I saw refugium but really it is just a segmented area of the sump with a 4" DSB, some smaller live rock pieces and a ball of chaeto and about 700gph flowing over the top (some around inside it). The stand is designed such that this section is visible at all times, so I wanted to treat it like a 2nd tank. Keep it clean and show off something that might be a harm or be at risk in the main tank. Would you still not recommend fish in something like this? Either way, is there some form of life you would say was better?

Areas acting as a refugium are designed to protect small critters such as copepods, amphipods, mysis shrimp, etc. But animals in that area defeats the purpose. Gobies/pistol shrimp or similar would not be at risk in the main tank.