PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Ive got a 29g Biocube with 12lb LR and 10lb sugar sand. 1 Koralia 425 and upgraded return pump Cobalt MJ1200. (Need to add another powerhead or two) Running Purigen and Chemipure and some Poly-Fil. Water changes every 1-2 weeks. Plan on increasing that to every 5 days once the fish come in until i get a skimmer. Current stock is: 2 Toadstools, 2 Zoa frags, 1 Pulsating Xenia frag, 1 hitchiker Fungia. 2 Occelarius Clowns 1 Cleaner shrimp 1 Emerald Crab and various snails and hermits for CUC. (Plan on getting rid of 5-6 of the hermits because they poop EVERYWHERE!)

Just ordered Horned Blenny and a Mimic Filefish due in Wednesday. I know the Mimic may bother some of the CUC but most of my research showed that they werent all that interested in them and that their mouths are very small. Also that theyre only interested in SPS and i dont plan on keeping any in this tank.

So anyways, my question is my rockwork is pretty low and and im guessing that the Blenny will want multiple levels? Should I be building it up before they come in?

Added a pic of current rockwork.

This thread is only about marine fish compatibility. However, while beyond the scope of this thread, your rockwork is fine.

 

[Stepho725]

Oh whoops. Sorry about that!

I am a bit nervous about my clowns being bullies towards the new fish. Would you say i could expect that?

 

[snorvich]

Oh whoops. Sorry about that!

I am a bit nervous about my clowns being bullies towards the new fish. Would you say i could expect that?

Sexually mature clownfish that have bonded are aggressive and depending on the species, will want to control 25-50 gallons of tank space. The most aggressive are gold stripe maroon clownfish, the least aggressive are Ocellaris. However, least does not mean non-aggressive. Remember, clownfish are damsels and damsels are aggressive.

 

[Stepho725]

Ive got two Occellaris and they are bonded but not full grown. Based on other experiences is it hit or miss as to whether the clowns will eventually calm down? Should i consider adding an Anemone to keep them in one area? Sorry im not sure if this is considered OT.

 

[snorvich]

Ive got two Occellaris and they are bonded but not full grown. Based on other experiences is it hit or miss as to whether the clowns will eventually calm down? Should i consider adding an Anemone to keep them in one area? Sorry im not sure if this is considered OT.

No, they will not calm down, in fact once they begin mating, will get worse at certain times. Clownfish may or may not associate with an anemone even if the proper one is selected. It seems that tank bred ones are less likely than wild caught.

 

[Stepho725]

So why do so many ppl consider clowns a good community fish?

If they become especially territorial should i consider getting rid of just one or selling the pair and buying a new single clown? I could always put them into a nano tank i suppose.

 

[snorvich]

So why do so many ppl consider clowns a good community fish?

If they become especially territorial should i consider getting rid of just one or selling the pair and buying a new single clown? I could always put them into a nano tank i suppose.

That question is unanswerable. I can only comment on what is rather than what ought to be. But, actually it gets worse. Since clownfish will indiscriminately associate with (what people improperly call "hosting") anything, including LPS corals, they can damage or destroy those corals. By the way, the anemone (or whatever they choose) "hosts", the clownfish "associate with".

 

[anpetey]

55 gallon stocking list

55 gallon stocking list

Hi all!

Here's my setup, a 55 gallon with live rock (not sure how much, maybe 30-lbs?). 20 gallon sump with urchin skimmer.

Current inhabitants:
1x Fathead Anthias
1x Midas Blenny (current "king" of the tank)
Assorted snails and hermits
2x Fire Shrimp
2x Cleaner Shrimp

Future stocking list: (in order of addition)
2x Zebra Barred Dartfish (would 3 be better?)
2x Neon Gobys
1x BW Ocellaris
Mabye an Orchid or Indigo Dottyback, although this might be too much for the tank.

My biggest concern is the midas picking on the dartfish or gobies. But I hope that adding them in groups will reduce that.

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

Hi all!

Here's my setup, a 55 gallon with live rock (not sure how much, maybe 30-lbs?). 20 gallon sump with urchin skimmer.

Current inhabitants:
1x Fathead Anthias
1x Midas Blenny (current "king" of the tank) and will remain so. The Midas Blenny will vex small planktivores and has been known to nip at firefish and gobies and having more than one will diffuse the behavior towards a single fish but will not eliminate it
Assorted snails and hermits
2x Fire Shrimp
2x Cleaner Shrimp

Future stocking list: (in order of addition)
2x Zebra Barred Dartfish (would 3 be better?) No, three will not be better.
2x Neon Gobys only one in this sized tank
1x BW Ocellaris
Mabye an Orchid or Indigo Dottyback, although this might be too much for the tank. If you think the midas blenny is bad, a dottyback can be worse

My biggest concern is the midas picking on the dartfish or gobies. But I hope that adding them in groups will reduce that.

It will not but any single fish will get proportionately less

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

 

[Benar]

650L (~175g?)

Copperband ~10cm,
Blue hippo, yellow tang, both ~5cm,
Solon fairy wrasse,
2 juv true percs.
..2 cleaner shrimp, burgandy star.

Thing is, my copperband eats frozen like anything, and those tangs are going to be growing. So this is more in relation to bio-load. I've been trying to find a gold-rim tang, would this just be dumping too much crap in my tank? Zeovit for no3po4.

 

[snorvich]

650L (~175g?)

Copperband ~10cm,
Blue hippo, yellow tang, both ~5cm, P. hepatus will become a problem in this sized tank; we recommend an 8 foot tank (2.44 meters) for this fish. The yellow tang, once established for a while will not be pleased with any conspecific additions
Solon fairy wrasse,
2 juv true percs.
..2 cleaner shrimp, burgandy star.

Thing is, my copperband eats frozen like anything, and those tangs are going to be growing. So this is more in relation to bio-load. bioload will adjust behavioral issues are more relevant


I've been trying to find a gold-rim tang, would this just be dumping too much crap in my tank? Zeovit for no3po4.

 

[lmfrancis]

75gallon

75gallon

75 gallon reef tank cycled about 3 months old
75# live sand
85# LR (TB saltwater)
Tunze 6045 powerhead, Penguin 550
Berlin filtration rated for 110 gallons
Reef Octopus NWB-110
Small CPR in-tank refugium
CUC--2 cukes, 30 hermits, 17 snails, 1 peppermint shrimp
Orange and Red tree sponges
Orange and Red Fringe sponges
Gorgonians
Assorted Sea Fans
Barred Goby(hitchhiker with the rock)
Brittle Star

Considering:
Tiny Blue Hippo
Clown Goby--mated pair
Lemon peel Angel
Spotted Cardinalfish
Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish
Whip Fan Fairy Wrasse
Falco Dwarf Hawkfish
Dancing Dhrimp
Spotted Porcelain Crab
Harlequin Shrimp

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations; however I am always ready to provide analysis of a fish list provided. However if you want to keep more than one tang in a 180 gallon tank, your best options are from the Ctenochaetus family.

 

[snorvich]

75 gallon reef tank cycled about 3 months old
75# live sand
85# LR (TB saltwater)
Tunze 6045 powerhead, Penguin 550
Berlin filtration rated for 110 gallons
Reef Octopus NWB-110
Small CPR in-tank refugium
CUC--2 cukes, 30 hermits, 17 snails, 1 peppermint shrimp
Orange and Red tree sponges
Orange and Red Fringe sponges
Gorgonians
Assorted Sea Fans
Barred Goby(hitchhiker with the rock)
Brittle Star

Considering:
Tiny Blue Hippo Reef central recommends an 8 foot tank for this fish
Clown Goby--mated pair how do you know they are mated? If they are not two will not work
Lemon peel Angel
Spotted Cardinalfish
Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish not compatible with shrimp
Whip Fan Fairy Wrasse
Falco Dwarf Hawkfish not compatible with shrimp
Dancing Dhrimp
Spotted Porcelain Crab
Harlequin Shrimp these shrimp only eat live starfish; are you prepared to feed them?

 

[lmfrancis]

I intend to purchase the clown gobies as a mated pair. Scratch the blue hippo and shrimp for the 75 gallon tank! Will look for another blue fish that is more suited to my tank. Thanks for your help.

 

[MoonPie88]

Hi snorvich,

Planning to fill my 63gal/4ft. freshwater tank with salt water :inlove:

I know the recommendations for tangs in the other thread. But I would love to add a brown tang or a mimicry surgeonfish.
When I add less other fish, would it be ok then?

Wishlist:
1x Mimicry Surgeonfish
2-3x Yellowheaded Jawfish

2x A.ocellaris (already have)
or
2x P. fridmanni

If the tang won't fit then I thought of this stock:
2x A. ocellaris
2-3x Yellowheaded Jawfish
2x P. fridmani
1x blenny (perhaps midas)

(perhaps 2x Chrysiptera talboti)

Thanks

 

[snorvich]

I intend to purchase the clown gobies as a mated pair. then you will be fine; they will mate in your sized tank with regularity


Scratch the blue hippo and shrimp for the 75 gallon tank! Will look for another blue fish that is more suited to my tank. Thanks for your help.

 

[snorvich]

Hi snorvich,

Planning to fill my 63gal/4ft. freshwater tank with salt water :inlove:

I know the recommendations for tangs in the other thread. But I would love to add a brown tang or a mimicry surgeonfish.
When I add less other fish, would it be ok then?

Wishlist:
1x Mimicry Surgeonfish
2-3x Yellowheaded Jawfish

2x A.ocellaris (already have)

This stocking list should be fine; you will need a deeper sand bed for the jawfish. The sand bed should be mixed with gravel, fine sand, and include some empty shells or comparable rubble.

or
2x P. fridmanni

If the tang won't fit then I thought of this stock:
2x A. ocellaris
2-3x Yellowheaded Jawfish
2x P. fridmani
1x blenny (perhaps midas) a Midas blenny would likely antagonize your jawfish

(perhaps 2x Chrysiptera talboti)

Thanks

 

[AZBigJohn]

Hi, Steve,

Borderline off-topic question here, but when you say "not reef safe, especially with meaty LPS corals" Do you mean things like frogspawn and such, that have the long, flowing tentalces? Or does any LPS coral that has "inflated, soft parts" fall into that category?

Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

Hi, Steve,

Borderline off-topic question here, but when you say "not reef safe, especially with meaty LPS corals" Do you mean things like frogspawn and such, that have the long, flowing tentalces? Or does any LPS coral that has "inflated, soft parts" fall into that category?

Thanks!

Frogspawn and their close relatives are noxious to those fish that like to eat corals; Meaty LPS corals are those that have "inflated, soft parts" such as brain corals of various types, ancanthastrea, blastomussa, etc. Sorry, I should have been more explicit; I occasionally fall into using jargon that is common usage for me, but may not be as obvious to others.

 

[AZBigJohn]

Frogspawn and their close relatives are noxious to those fish that like to eat corals; Meaty LPS corals are those that have "inflated, soft parts" such as brain corals of various types, ancanthastrea, blastomussa, etc. Sorry, I should have been more explicit; I occasionally fall into using jargon that is common usage for me, but may not be as obvious to others.

I appreciate all of your knowledge and information on this thread. I read it religiously, even though I haven't added a fish to either tank in almost a year (I am focusing on adding corals.)

Thanks for the explanation! I do have a pygmy angel in my larger tank, and you mention often to watch them around meaty corals, so I wanted to make sure I was making good choices in my coral selections.