PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

I have a 55 gallon up and running. 60-70 lbs live rock
Sump. Skimmer aqua-c. Not set up yet.
Hopefully corals eventually.
4 t5 54 watt. Two 10k and two actinic + 4 moon LEDs. Timer on light.

Ammonia - 0. Nitrite 0. Nitrate 4-5. PH 7.8

It's cycled. About 3 weeks. Added partial CUC last week.

3 Astraea Turbo Snail
3 Cerith Snail
1 Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab
Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crab (7-8)
1 Electric Blue Hermit Crab
1Emerald Crab
3-4 Nassarius Snail
2 - Peppermint Shrimp
1 - Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
1 - Snapping Shrimp maybe... have not seen it since release

Of interest: mixing hermit crabs and snails will result in only hermit crabs at the "end"

I will add more snails as needed down the road.



I plan on adding these critters:

Pistol shrimp/goby combo first.

I would also like to add a blenny. Second I think.

Followed by another fish... not sure what yet. 3rd (angel of soe sort ?)

dwarf angels are not reef safe, especially towards meaty LPS corals. Large angels need a much larger tank

Then later down the road 2 clown fish with anemone. (4-6 weeks on the clowns) and ... 6 months later for anemone? Suggestions for clowns? Anemone?

Amphiprion Percula and A. ocellaris are the least aggressive clowns, which given your tank size would be desirable. A bonded mated pair of these will want to control about 20-25 gallons of tank space

Any suggestions would be helpful, compatibility, order to buy, etc.

Plus I'm not sure what to add for a third fish.

I would also like to add a cleaner shrimp in the very near future.

While cleaner shrimp do not clean parasites, they are great scavengers

I appreciate it! :spin1

 

[jBugg]

Hi, I recently upgraded to a 120 gal tank with 40b sump and the package came with fish. I already have a 34 gal solana with some fish as well. I will be moving the livestock and corals to the 120 gal so it will be a mixed reef setup.

Here's a list of all the current livestock and our planned future purchase. Can you tell me which ones we can keep or avoid/remove?

34 gal solana (all small size, about 1 inch):
Fairy wrasse
Clarkii clownfish
Royal gramma
Purple firefish
Yellow watchman goby

120 gal:
Sailfin tang (approx 5 inches)
Queen angel (approx 4 inches)
Gold-stripe maroon clownfish (approx 4 inches)
Tomini tang (approx 4 inches)
Hippo tang (approx 3 inches)
Square-back anthias (approx 2 inches)

Want to buy:
Midas blenny
Blue-spotted jawfish
Shoaling fish like Anthias or Chromis

I'm pretty sure the clarkii and maroon can't be in the 120 so 1 or both of them have to go. The maroon currently doesn't get aggressive with the big fish, but he might with the smaller ones from our 34 gal. The angel definitely has to go because I don't want it to nip at my corals.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[snorvich]

Hi, I recently upgraded to a 120 gal tank with 40b sump and the package came with fish. I already have a 34 gal solana with some fish as well. I will be moving the livestock and corals to the 120 gal so it will be a mixed reef setup.

Here's a list of all the current livestock and our planned future purchase. Can you tell me which ones we can keep or avoid/remove?

34 gal solana (all small size, about 1 inch):
Fairy wrasse what kind?
Clarkii clownfish
Royal gramma
Purple firefish
Yellow watchman goby

120 gal:
Sailfin tang (approx 5 inches) trade in for credit
Queen angel (approx 4 inches) trade in for credit
Gold-stripe maroon clownfish (approx 4 inches) trade in for credit
Tomini tang (approx 4 inches)keep
Hippo tang (approx 3 inches) trade in for credit
Square-back anthias (approx 2 inches) keep

Want to buy:
Midas blenny
Blue-spotted jawfish Does best with cooler temperature and may object to the watchman goby
Shoaling fish like Anthias or Chromis they don't really shoal; chromis will reduce their number to one or at most two, anthias might work, but will not shoal

I'm pretty sure the clarkii and maroon can't be in the 120 so 1 or both of them have to go.

Correct. The maroon will kill the clarkii; long term, once the clarkii are sexually mature and breeding, they can get pretty aggressive


The maroon currently doesn't get aggressive with the big fish, but he might with the smaller ones from our 34 gal. The angel definitely has to go because I don't want it to nip at my corals.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[jBugg]

I think it's a lubbock fairy wrasse. In regards to the jawfish, with such a big tank, wouldn't he and the YWG simply look for different hiding spots/territories?

Thanks!!

 

[snorvich]

I think it's a lubbock fairy wrasse.

should be fine


In regards to the jawfish, with such a big tank, wouldn't he and the YWG simply look for different hiding spots/territories?

In an 8 foot tank, perhaps. In your sized tank, probably not.

Thanks!!

 

[jBugg]

Any advice on fish that shoal? Cardinals?

 

[snorvich]

Any advice on fish that shoal? Cardinals?

I only know of two that will actually shoal in home aquaria: in your sized tank red spot cardinal fish, in much larger tanks, glassy sweepers.

 

[jBugg]

Thanks for all your help Steve!

 

[MrClam]

Steve,

Two things. Wanted to give an update of my stocking so far. Its been several months since my tank finished cycling and I have

Pinkbar/Aurora goby (Amblyeleotris aurora) paired with a tiger pistol shrimp

Benggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)

Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora)

As well as two A. ocellaris in QT

All fish thank you for your advice as they are getting along wonderfully.

But, once again I must ask your assistance. I have grown to like the possum wrasses such as white banded (w. albofasciata) and yellow banded (w. nigropinnata). I have also seen several morphological variations on DD. Do all the species have similar behavioral characteristics? Would there be any behavioral problems with my current list or future additions? I am planning:

Royal Gramma
Carpenters flasher wrasse
CBB or One spot foxface
Chevron or powder brown tang
Red mandarin


Again thanks for all the help from a happy, albeit young tank community.

 

[snorvich]

Steve,

Two things. Wanted to give an update of my stocking so far. Its been several months since my tank finished cycling and I have

Pinkbar/Aurora goby (Amblyeleotris aurora) paired with a tiger pistol shrimp

Benggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni)

Purple firefish (Nemateleotris decora)

As well as two A. ocellaris in QT

All fish thank you for your advice as they are getting along wonderfully.

But, once again I must ask your assistance. I have grown to like the possum wrasses such as white banded (w. albofasciata) and yellow banded (w. nigropinnata). I have also seen several morphological variations on DD. Do all the species have similar behavioral characteristics? Would there be any behavioral problems with my current list or future additions?

I have kept all three (you are missing one) species of possum wrasse and they are a delightful tank inhabitant. All three have identical behavioral characteristics.

I am planning: tank size?

Royal Gramma
Carpenters flasher wrasse
CBB or One spot foxface If you try CBB be sure to get the Australian collected variety
Chevron or powder brown tang Chevron is superb
Red mandarin


Again thanks for all the help from a happy, albeit young tank community.

Always a pleasure, be sure to come back with any questions

 

[GeorgeMonnatJr]

Steve,

This is a recycled request from me. I've wanted anthias to have a group of dither fish, but they have problems of their own (as you've mentioned numerous times in this thread). I saw you mentioned Fowleria isostigma a few posts ago. Normally I don't pay attention to cardinals, because I don't prefer how the PJs look. But looking at the Fowleria/Redtail Cardinalfish got me a bit excited.

So would they work in my tank, what would you recommend as the upper limit for numbers and does the gender proportion matter?

Here's what's in my 1-year-old 6', 125g DT with 190# of LR and good flow (in order of had longest to newest; wasn't ideal but what happened):

1 medium (1.5") Yellowtail Damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema) - will be removed if is a problem, but it hasn't bothered anything else on this list even though it was one of my first fish
1 large (2.5") Randall's/Orange Stripe Shrimp/Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli)
1 large (2.5") Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
2 medium (2") Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
1 medium (1") Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae)
1 medium (2.5") Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
1 medium (1") Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
1 small (1") White Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata)

Thank you in advance (for this response and all of the others).

 

[snorvich]

Steve,

This is a recycled request from me. I've wanted anthias to have a group of dither fish, but they have problems of their own (as you've mentioned numerous times in this thread). I saw you mentioned Fowleria isostigma a few posts ago. Normally I don't pay attention to cardinals, because I don't prefer how the PJs look. But looking at the Fowleria/Redtail Cardinalfish got me a bit excited.

So would they work in my tank, what would you recommend as the upper limit for numbers and does the gender proportion matter?

They should work just fine. In your sized tank, I suggest 5-6 but remember that all cardinal fish are problematic shippers.

Here's what's in my 1-year-old 6', 125g DT with 190# of LR and good flow (in order of had longest to newest; wasn't ideal but what happened):

1 medium (1.5") Yellowtail Damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema) - will be removed if is a problem, but it hasn't bothered anything else on this list even though it was one of my first fish
1 large (2.5") Randall's/Orange Stripe Shrimp/Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli)
1 large (2.5") Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
2 medium (2") Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
1 medium (1") Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae)
1 medium (2.5") Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
1 medium (1") Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
1 small (1") White Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella albofasciata)

Thank you in advance (for this response and all of the others).

 

[SantaMonica]

Speaking of clams and clowns, my one clown had taken to pushing my clam off the rocks so many time that the clam's shells separated; now the clam is the first to be transferred to the new poly tub, and is by himself for a while. Not sure how many clowns do this, however.

 

[snorvich]

Speaking of clams and clowns, my one clown had taken to pushing my clam off the rocks so many time that the clam's shells separated; now the clam is the first to be transferred to the new poly tub, and is by himself for a while. Not sure how many clowns do this, however.

One of the downsides to clownfish is that they will associate (what most people call host (but that is incorrect usage)) with almost anything. In nature, it is normally an anemone, but in an aquarium it could be a coral (often damaging the coral), clam, or any perceived protective location including, in some cases aquarium equipment. Undesirable in many cases, this behavior occurs even if there is an anemone present of the right species.

 

[hogfanreefer]

72x20x21 tank with 36 gallon sump/fuge. 140lbs of live rock

Most desired in no particular order.

Royal Gramma.....Gramma loreto
Clowns X2..........Amphiprion ocellaris
Clown gobie either Gobiodon atrangulatus OR G. okinawae
Yasha Shrimp gobie/shrimp pair........Stonogobiops yasha
Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse...........Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse.........Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Blue Flasher Wrasse.................Paracheilinus cyaneus if not too closely related to McCosker's
White Banded Possum Wrasse......Wetmorella albofasciata

If room

White Tail Bristletooth Tang........Ctenochaetus flavicauda
One Spot Foxface.....................Sigunus unimaculatus


Would love when/if system sustains a big enough pod population.

Green Mandarin.........Synchiropus splendidus

Thanks for you service in doing this Steve!

 

[milonedp]

450g tank has 425 system volume (more displacement than I was expecting), SRO XP5000 EXT skimmer, will set up bio-pellets (tank has had water and some corals from my old tank for 2 months). Using Seachem Matrix in a milk crate in the sump (150g rubbermaid stock tank).

I've had saltwater tanks for 20 years this spring and aquariums for over 30 years but ALWAYS looking for advice, especially as I've never had this much space and options before so I'm a little all over the place, 180 was previous largest tank.

I've added pods and the population is growing steadily, I've added some snails, nerites, florida and dwarf ceriths as cleaners. Started with 300lbs of reef saver rock that went through an acid bath, added about 20lbs from my old tank (had corals on them that I didn't want to frag). Used 200lbs of arag-alive to start.


Already have from my old tank and going through QT now
- Flame Angel
- Scopas Tang
New but also going through QT now:
- 7 small female lyertail anthais
- royal gramma

If all goes well they'll be going into the tank early to mid-April then I'll be looking to get the next batch into QT. I'm looking to stock this over an extended period of time, I'm in no rush so comments on order would be helpful too.


Future - in no particular order
- pair of true percula clowns
- Some sand sifter
- Algae Blenny
- Pair of Red Mandarins (once tank much more established)
I probably have too many tangs
- Kole Tang
- Desjardini Tang
- Blond Naso Tang
- Atlantic Blue Tang
- Purple Tang
- Hippo Tang
- Powder Blue Tang
- Powder Brown Tang
- Achilles Tang
- Yellow Tang
- Bellus Angel
- Black Cap Basslet
- Banggi Cardinals (small school)
- BiColor Blenny
- some sort of butterfly (Tahitian maybe?)
- fill in Anthais (resplendent / square)
- gobbies
- jawfish

Possible: I haven't decided on Wrasses yet, what wouldn't I be able to get with these guys, shrimp?
- Mystery Wrasse
- McCoskers Fairy Wrasse
- Whipfin Fairy Wrasse
- 6 line Wrasse

Thanks for any input or suggestions!

 

[snorvich]

72x20x21 tank with 36 gallon sump/fuge. 140lbs of live rock

Most desired in no particular order.

Royal Gramma.....Gramma loreto
Clowns X2..........Amphiprion ocellaris
Clown gobie either Gobiodon atrangulatus OR G. okinawae
Yasha Shrimp gobie/shrimp pair........Stonogobiops yasha
Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse...........Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus Males are poor shippers for unknown reasons
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse.........Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Blue Flasher Wrasse.................Paracheilinus cyaneus if not too closely related to McCosker's
White Banded Possum Wrasse......Wetmorella albofasciata

With fairy and flasher wrasses you need to insure your tank is tightly covered (not egg crate)

If room

White Tail Bristletooth Tang........Ctenochaetus flavicauda
One Spot Foxface.....................Sigunus unimaculatus

I would only do one of the above, probably Ctenochaetus flavicauda, but either would be fine


Would love when/if system sustains a big enough pod population.

Green Mandarin.........Synchiropus splendidus

Normally, 9 months of maturity should be sufficient.

Thanks for you service in doing this Steve!

Always a pleasure. Should be fine with the annotations noted.

 

[snorvich]

450g tank has 425 system volume (more displacement than I was expecting), SRO XP5000 EXT skimmer, will set up bio-pellets (tank has had water and some corals from my old tank for 2 months). Using Seachem Matrix in a milk crate in the sump (150g rubbermaid stock tank).

I've had saltwater tanks for 20 years this spring and aquariums for over 30 years but ALWAYS looking for advice, especially as I've never had this much space and options before so I'm a little all over the place, 180 was previous largest tank.

Large tanks are fun because some of the behavior compatibility issues relax a bit

I've added pods and the population is growing steadily, I've added some snails, nerites, florida and dwarf ceriths as cleaners. Started with 300lbs of reef saver rock that went through an acid bath, added about 20lbs from my old tank (had corals on them that I didn't want to frag). Used 200lbs of arag-alive to start.


Already have from my old tank and going through QT now
- Flame Angel
- Scopas Tang
New but also going through QT now:
- 7 small female lyertail anthais
- royal gramma

If all goes well they'll be going into the tank early to mid-April then I'll be looking to get the next batch into QT. I'm looking to stock this over an extended period of time, I'm in no rush so comments on order would be helpful too.


Future - in no particular order
- pair of true percula clowns
- Some sand sifter If you have corals, I would avoid as some of them rise into the water column before sifting and dust the corals.
- Algae Blenny
- Pair of Red Mandarins (once tank much more established) It is important to introduce them concurrently if you can. If not, introduce the female first
I probably have too many tangs You do even for this sized tank; can you prioritize them? Or, alternatively go with a smaller number of the naso family tangs which other folks cannot have because their tank is too small. An example would be naso vlamingi, one of my all time favorites. Generally a large tank with more small fish and a few larger fish is incredibly impressive. Too many largish fish makes the tank look small.
- Kole Tang
- Desjardini Tang
- Blond Naso Tang
- Atlantic Blue Tang
- Purple Tang
- Hippo Tang
- Powder Blue Tang
- Powder Brown Tang
- Achilles Tang Prefers lots of surge due to its natural environment.
- Yellow Tang
- Bellus Angel females are more stable and transport better
- Black Cap Basslet
- Banggi Cardinals (small school) Only a male plus female or a male and two females can coexist
- BiColor Blenny
- some sort of butterfly (Tahitian maybe?) With corals? The vast majority are not coral safe
- fill in Anthais (resplendent / square)
- gobbies
- jawfish Blue spotted do best with a deeper sand bed with rubble included and require cooler temperatures since they were collected in the Sea of Cortez; other ones are sustainable at more normal temperature

Possible: I haven't decided on Wrasses yet, what wouldn't I be able to get with these guys, shrimp?
- Mystery Wrasse not shrimp safe
- McCoskers Fairy Wrasse
- Whipfin Fairy Wrasse
- 6 line Wrasse

all of the above are prolific jumpers and require 1/4 in holes maximum

Thanks for any input or suggestions!

 

[hogfanreefer]

Always a pleasure. Should be fine with the annotations noted.

Thanks Steve!

The clear 1/4" screen is ordered!

I'm sure I can find another fairy wrasse I like. There are so many interesting ones.

 

[footballdude2k3]

Planning a 75 with a 40 sump, mixed reef. I am aware that I am about to list too many fish, but I would just like to put down all of them that I like and know which ones will work best together

Tailspot blenny
Midas Blenny
Either a purple or helfrichi firefish
Bicolor blenny
Longfin Fairy Wrasse
2 onyx clowns

Other suggestions welcome

bioload, however, is fine.

What if I got rid of the Midas for a YWG
And traded the Bicolor for a mated pair of fire fish?