PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

75G Reef tank is almost done cycling, so trying to develop a stocking plan.Assuming I quarantine each fish for a minimum of 30 days, the planned fishy additions over the next two years are:

- Ocellaris Clownfish
- Royal Gramma
- Helfrichi Firefish introduce early
- Yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp
- Mckoskers flasher wrasse
- Yellow-eye Kole tang
- Blue-Green Reef Chromis
- Banggai Cardinal
- Yellowtail Damsel aggressive
- Neon Goby short lived
- Solon Wrasse aggressive, especially towards similars

Any suggestions on stocking order to maximize tank harmony & minimize stress on less aggressive inhabitants?

generally, most aggressive last, most passive first;

 

[snorvich]

Everything looks good just the two wrasse are most likely not going to get along and I am sure the damsel will eventually pick on one or two of the fish. Just go slow on adding everything since your tank is new.

This thread is answered only by Reef Central Staff. While we encourage your participation elsewhere on Reef Central, we would be most appreciative if you would refrain from answering this particular thread. Your cooperation is most appreciated.

 

[msderganc]

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1

Last
White Tail Bristletooth Tang - Ctenochaetus flaviscauda
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1

Thanks again for your help!

One more question about this Steve - is the Butterflyfish compatible with the anemones? Also, in your experience, are they reef safe?

 

[snorvich]

One more question about this Steve - is the Butterflyfish compatible with the anemones? Also, in your experience, are they reef safe?

Heniochus diphreutes is reef-safe and tends to shoal whereas Heniochus acuminatus is not reef safe and is a loner. Be careful with purchase as many suppliers cannot tell the difference

Previously, you said:

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1 as early as possible
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2 tank raised; male plus female if more than one
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1 after 9 months

Last
White Tail Bristletooth Tang - Ctenochaetus flaviscauda
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1 this one must be last; zebrasoma, once established are reluctant to allow similars to be introduced

Thanks again for your help!

 

[msderganc]

Heniochus diphreutes is reef-safe and tends to shoal whereas Heniochus acuminatus is not reef safe and is a loner. Be careful with purchase as many suppliers cannot tell the difference

Ah, I see. Is there any easy way I could tell?

 

[snorvich]

Heniochus diphreutes is reef-safe and tends to shoal whereas Heniochus acuminatus is not reef safe and is a loner. Be careful with purchase as many suppliers cannot tell the difference

Ah, I see. Is there any easy way I could tell?

Unfortunately, no there is no easy way. In fact I am unable to tell via pictures although I can in real life. The Schooling Bannerfish, (also known as False Moorish Idol for obvious reasons, although Moorish idols have a distinctive nose), or Pennant Butterflyfish has a very elongated white dorsal filament. It has a base color of white with two wide black stripes. The soft dorsal and caudal fins are yellow, pelvic fin is black and there are black marks above the eyes and top of snout. Unfortunately, the Schooling Bannerfish are almost identical to the Black & White Heniochus Butterflyfish, Heniochus acuminatus, which is not reef safe. The most distinguishing feature of the Schooling Bannerfish Heniochus diphreutes is its rounder breast and less protruding snout. As such, it is NOT easy to tell the difference and many people screw up thinking they are getting one and really end up getting the other. Schooling Bannerfish are planktonivores and are therefore reef safe.

 

[Meanmike]

Do you think either the azure or yellowtail damsel would be a good choice?

You mentioned a second yellowhead pearly jawfish do you think it would be ok to add a mated pair of them? I found a place that collects them in pairs after I purchased the first one.

What about a starcki damsel?

 

[gsiegel]

Hey Steve. I posted this in another location in this forum but figured I would check with you here. What is your thought of adding a diamond goby to a 280g tank with a 1 inch sand bed that already had a gold headed sleeper goby (smaller than the diamond goby)? The gold headed goby is very active and constantly sifting through the sand I was wondering if it would be beneficial to have another sand sifting goby, or am I asking for trouble and fighting between the two? Thanks so much for your input.

 

[snorvich]

Do you think either the azure or yellowtail damsel would be a good choice? Starki would be better

You mentioned a second yellowhead pearly jawfish do you think it would be ok to add a mated pair of them? I found a place that collects them in pairs after I purchased the first one.

Yes. In the wild these live in groups so a large tank would be interesting with more than one

What about a starcki damsel?

 

[snorvich]

Hey Steve. I posted this in another location in this forum but figured I would check with you here. What is your thought of adding a diamond goby to a 280g tank with a 1 inch sand bed that already had a gold headed sleeper goby (smaller than the diamond goby)? The gold headed goby is very active and constantly sifting through the sand I was wondering if it would be beneficial to have another sand sifting goby, or am I asking for trouble and fighting between the two? Thanks so much for your input.

They most likely would not fight. However sand sifting fish are not really beneficial.

 

[cptstnkpnts]

90 gallon with 30 gallon sump protein skimmer and refugium. 160 lbs live rock 2 inch sand bed. Fish only.
Looking to get

Kole Tang

pair of Ocellaris Clowns

Diamond goby

2 Benggai Cardinals

Bluespot butterfly

Perhaps a Melanurus Wrasse if it can be supported.

Thanks.

 

[snorvich]

90 gallon with 30 gallon sump protein skimmer and refugium. 160 lbs live rock 2 inch sand bed. Fish only.
Looking to get

Kole Tang

pair of Ocellaris Clowns

Diamond goby

2 Benggai Cardinals should be tank raised, male plus female

Bluespot butterfly If and only if this is one of the tank raised, which does in fact eat pellets, that would work. If wild caught, they are obligate coral feeders

Perhaps a Melanurus Wrasse if it can be supported. Not invertebrate reef safe but bioload should be fine; occasionally difficult to begin eating in captivity

Thanks.

 

[Matt21345]

What should I get next?

What should I get next?

I have a 29 gallon aquarium. 65 gallon hydor slim skim protein skimmer, 1500 gallons per hour manufacture rating water rotaion, 28 lbs live rock, 30 lbs live sand, and a led light that supports coral.

In the tank currently I have 7 frags of coral which are doing great with the water rotation and lighting. I also have between 10-15 snails, 20 blue legged hermits, 10 red legged reef hermits, and an emerald crab. I also have a firefish and a snowflake clown in the mix right now.

In my qt tank I have a Picasso clown waiting to join in about a week or 2. I also have a 6 line wrasse and a red chromis (which I am debating putting into the display tank.

I wanted to add a couple more fish to the display tank and the following are a variety of what I am considering:

Sunburst Anthias
Lyretail Anthias
Royal Grama
Blackcap Basslet
Mandarin Goby
Pearly Jawfish
Blue Dot Jawfish
Rainford Goby
Zebra Barred Goby
Helfrichi Firefish Goby
Purple Firefish Goby
Hectors Goby
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse
Mystery Wrasse
Clown Fairy Wrasse
McCosker's Wrasse
Red Pygmy Possum Wrasse
Longfin Fairy Wrasse
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
Splendid Leopard Wrasse
Yellow Streaked Wrasse

 

[snorvich]

I have a 29 gallon aquarium. 65 gallon hydor slim skim protein skimmer, 1500 gallons per hour manufacture rating water rotaion, 28 lbs live rock, 30 lbs live sand, and a led light that supports coral.

In the tank currently I have 7 frags of coral which are doing great with the water rotation and lighting. I also have between 10-15 snails, 20 blue legged hermits, 10 red legged reef hermits, and an emerald crab. I also have a firefish and a snowflake clown in the mix right now. hermit crabs will kill snails for their shells

In my qt tank I have a Picasso clown waiting to join in about a week or 2. I also have a 6 line wrasse and a red chromis (which I am debating putting into the display tank.

In your sized tank, with a pair of clowns and a total of five fish, you are basically done.

I wanted to add a couple more fish to the display tank and the following are a variety of what I am considering:

Sunburst Anthias
Lyretail Anthias
Royal Grama
Blackcap Basslet
Mandarin Goby
Pearly Jawfish
Blue Dot Jawfish
Rainford Goby
Zebra Barred Goby
Helfrichi Firefish Goby
Purple Firefish Goby
Hectors Goby
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse
Mystery Wrasse
Clown Fairy Wrasse
McCosker's Wrasse
Red Pygmy Possum Wrasse If you do not put the six line wrasse in the tank, this is the only fish suitable for your sized aquarium
Longfin Fairy Wrasse
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
Splendid Leopard Wrasse
Yellow Streaked Wrasse

 

[Matt21345]

I will be getting rid of the 6 line and I may keep the red chromis in the qt for now. Are any of the fish other than the possom wrasse exceptible for the dt.

 

[snorvich]

I will be getting rid of the 6 line and I may keep the red chromis in the qt for now. Are any of the fish other than the possom wrasse exceptible for the dt.

Your previous list:

The combination of fish, tank size, feeding style, and behaviors are all relevant to mixing fish in a community tank. There are some fish which don't require a lot of room territorially but require larger tanks because they eat live food primarily. Some fish do not get along with other conspecifics. Some fish are too active for your sized tank.

Sunburst Anthias needs a larger tank
Lyretail Anthias needs a larger tank
Royal Grama acceptable but territorial in a small tank which excludes other tank mates
Blackcap Basslet
Mandarin Goby needs a larger tank
Pearly Jawfish
Blue Dot Jawfish needs cooler temperatures for long term survival
Rainford Goby
Zebra Barred Goby
Helfrichi Firefish Goby only one firefish per small tank
Purple Firefish Goby only one firefish per small tank
Hectors Goby
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse needs a larger tank
Mystery Wrasse needs a larger tank
Clown Fairy Wrasse needs a larger tank
McCosker's Wrasse needs a larger tank
Red Pygmy Possum Wrasse If you do not put the six line wrasse in the tank, this is the only fish suitable for your sized aquarium
Longfin Fairy Wrasse needs a larger tank
Filamented Flasher Wrasse needs a larger tank
Splendid Leopard Wrasse needs a larger tank
Yellow Streaked Wrasse needs a larger tank

 

[cdmbomont]

Hello, I am new in this hobby my husband has done aquarium his whole life and discus for the last 10 years. He has dabbled a little in saltwater. I want to start a saltwater tank we can enjoy together.
My equipment:
75 gallon tank
216 watts LED(72HO 3W LED's-54 10000k x 1.8actinic
Rapid Pro wet/dry filter rated 700 GPA
2 150W ebojager heaters
2- powerheads GPH??(Please advise)
80# live sand
50-80# dry live rock
I will be doing 10% weekly water changes
Stock List:
1- Coral Beauty angel
1- Yellow Tang
2- clowns(bonded)
1- Royal Gramma
1- Lawnmower Blenny
2- Diamond Gobies

Cleaner
20-Hermit crabs
3-6 Peppermint shrimp
5-7 Turbo snails

I plan on adding fish over 1 year and to start adding coral in 6 months.
Any advice and or suggestion will be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Crystal

 

[snorvich]

Hello, I am new in this hobby my husband has done aquarium his whole life and discus for the last 10 years. He has dabbled a little in saltwater. I want to start a saltwater tank we can enjoy together.

Hi Crystal, I did freshwater fish long ago and enjoyed it as well . . .
My equipment:
75 gallon tank
216 watts LED(72HO 3W LED's-54 10000k x 1.8actinic
Rapid Pro wet/dry filter rated 700 GPA
2 150W ebojager heaters
2- powerheads GPH??(Please advise)
80# live sand
50-80# dry live rock
I will be doing 10% weekly water changes
Stock List:
1- Coral Beauty angel
1- Yellow Tang I do not recommend a yellow tang in this sized tank. Zebrasome tangs, once established get very aggressive, especially as they mature. They will greatly limit options going forward
2- clowns(bonded) what species? Some are exceptionally aggressive while others are only mildly aggressive
1- Royal Gramma
1- Lawnmower Blenny
2- Diamond Gobies two will not coexist long term

Cleaner hermits kill snails so I would suggest either hermit or snails
20-Hermit crabs
3-6 Peppermint shrimp
5-7 Turbo snails

I plan on adding fish over 1 year and to start adding coral in 6 months.
Any advice and or suggestion will be greatly appreciated
Thank you Read about quarantine protocols and establish one for your system
Crystal

 

[silentstorm]

180 gallon tank stock list

180 gallon tank stock list

Hi, i would like some review & suggestions about my stock list for the 180 gallon I have setup .... 1st of all, would like to thank & appreciate those responsible for this thread .. :wave:

Currently I have (transferred from 55 & new fish)
hermits & few snails & peppermint shrimps & 1 cleaner shrimp
2 occ. clowns
1 bangai cardinal
1 chromis (started out with more though!!:headwally
1 blue tang
1 one spot foxface
1 diamond goby
1 yellow watchman & shrimp combo

1 flame angel
1 coral beauty angel
(added these recently...added them together but flame seems to chase the coral a lot..! unfortunately flame is a little bigger... have them separated with the clear mesh in the tank (really hard to catch one at the moment with the rock work) since yesterday... not sure if the flame will learn to tolerate after few weeks of being in just 1/3rd of the tank...!)

Wish list...

Blenny : Bi color blenny
or Midas blenny

Jawfish : Yellowheaded Jawfish (maybe 2?)

Tang : 1 Yellow Tang
a 3rd one? (a Naso? Chevron or Bristle tooth? suggestions?)

Anthias : 5 Lyretail Anthias (other suggestions welcome..need something colorful)

Butterfly : any suggestions (little bit reef safe?)

Wrasse: any suggestions (if there is room?)

Large angels : any suggestions (if there is room?)

Thanks for your input..

 

[snorvich]

Hi, i would like some review & suggestions about my stock list for the 180 gallon I have setup .... 1st of all, would like to thank & appreciate those responsible for this thread .. :wave:

Currently I have (transferred from 55 & new fish)
hermits & few snails & peppermint shrimps & 1 cleaner shrimp
2 occ. clowns
1 bangai cardinal
1 chromis (started out with more though!!:headwally that is normal, they reduce over time to one or occasionally a pair
1 blue tang P. hepatus will require a larger tank as it matures
1 one spot foxface
1 diamond goby two inhabitants of this ecological niche are not long term stable
1 yellow watchman & shrimp combo

1 flame angel
1 coral beauty angel
(added these recently...added them together but flame seems to chase the coral a lot..! unfortunately flame is a little bigger... have them separated with the clear mesh in the tank (really hard to catch one at the moment with the rock work) since yesterday... not sure if the flame will learn to tolerate after few weeks of being in just 1/3rd of the tank...!)

With four grazers in a six foot tank, adding addition grazers (blennies or tangs) will be problematic

Wish list...

Blenny : Bi color blenny
or Midas blenny

Jawfish : Yellowheaded Jawfish (maybe 2?) in the wild, colonies work, with appropriate subtrate and aqauascaping 1-4 should work

Tang : 1 Yellow Tang
a 3rd one? (a Naso? Chevron or Bristle tooth? suggestions?)

As mentioned above, adding tangs will be a problem; maybe not initially, but in the not too distant future

Anthias : 5 Lyretail Anthias (other suggestions welcome..need something colorful) anthias do best if fed multiple times per day due to their metabolism; I alwayhs suggest carberryi or resplendent

Butterfly : any suggestions (little bit reef safe?) None are really reef safe; pyramid are the closest

Wrasse: any suggestions (if there is room?)

Large angels : any suggestions (if there is room?) room is not the issue, ecological niche is the same as tangs and would not work well long term

Thanks for your input..