PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

55 gallon DT. Hob skimmer and refuge. 2 inches of sand in DT and 4 in the fuge

Current Residents
2 Amphiprion ocellaris (Bought them different sizes, bickering already over with/happy campers)
1 Alpheus bellulus
1 Stonogobiops yasha (These two have bonded and don't like my face) that will relax over time
5 Astraea tecta
5 Nassarius sp. (in the fuge)
5 Clibanarius sp in the DT with the Astraea tecta In the long run, they will decimate your snail population

I've been pushing to keep a mandy but I'm going to drop that because by the time its ready Ill be getting a bigger tank. I didn't really want crabs and snails but I had to get something and no shrimp were available at that time.

Just a reminder I'm as conservative as I can possible be and I'm trying to explore some more symbiosis in my tank.

As a long term diver I have always been fascinated with symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, etc. A pretty good article can be found here. In a larger tank, with a focus primarily on these types of behaviors, you can actually demonstrate quite a few. Clearly the clownfish anemone relationship is easy, but there are many more which, with a little research, are doable. When I provide advice on this thread, I am looking at compatibility for a five year time frame. Who wants to see fish or other animals become stressed out as they mature?

I guess I can't fill every niche in a 55 gallon but I'm going to try. Its hard looking at Live Aquaria sometimes and I value your opinion greatly. Just throwing some out there and please tell me what you think.

Live Aquaria is probably the best in terms of accurate advice but remember, they do sell items. I find them to be pretty accurate on the vast majority of things.

Gobiodon atrangulatus? works well as a single, but would normally perch of sps corals, inflicting damage sometimes
Ecsenius stigmatura? nice fish for a community tank such as you are planning
Sphaeramia nematoptera? all cardinal fish tend to be more active at night
Pterapogon kauderni? If you get tank raised, this will be an easy fish (but see comment above) and if you get a male plus female, the will spawn regularly; they are somewhat reclusive but not overly so
Nemateleotris helfrichi? excellent but introduce early

If it were a perfect world I would pick one of each, unless one requires a soulmate, then so be it. None of these must be paired

Thanks very much.

 

[Mg4life0331]

Sphaeramia nematoptera? all cardinal fish tend to be more active at night
Pterapogon kauderni? If you get tank raised, this will be an easy fish (but see comment above) and if you get a male plus female, the will spawn regularly; they are somewhat reclusive but not overly so

Are you saying one of each, if different sexes, would mate?

 

[Raven1770]

Splendid Dottyback

Splendid Dottyback

I have 40g with 30lbs-ish of rock. No fish yet but I want to center it around a splendid Dottyback. What will survive with him? Would like to get a very small coral beauty at the end, I know I have a smaller tank but I would trade the coral beauty in once it got full size. Should i just stick with damsels? What advice can you give me?

 

[snorvich]

Are you saying one of each, if different sexes, would mate?

No. Bangaii cardinals, if male and female will mate. But for best results you would need tank raised since wild caught often do not acclimate to captivity.

 

[snorvich]

I have 40g with 30lbs-ish of rock. No fish yet but I want to center it around a splendid Dottyback. What will survive with him? Would like to get a very small coral beauty at the end, I know I have a smaller tank but I would trade the coral beauty in once it got full size. Should i just stick with damsels? What advice can you give me?

Reef Central and I feel strongly that you should purchase only fish you can keep for their natural life. Dwarf angels need a 75 gallon tank as they graze constantly. Dottybacks are very aggressive, so I cannot predict what would survive in a small tank with an aggressive fish.

 

[Raven1770]

Thanks

 

[Mg4life0331]

55 gallon DT. Hob skimmer and refuge. 2 inches of sand in DT and 4 in the fuge

Current Residents
2 Amphiprion ocellaris (Bought them different sizes, bickering already over with/happy campers)
1 Alpheus bellulus
1 Stonogobiops yasha (These two have bonded and don't like my face)
5 Astraea tecta
5 Nassarius sp. (in the fuge)
5 Clibanarius sp in the DT with the Astraea tecta

I have a zoa, Ricordea, hammer, and a Tubastrea coral. With many differing types to come. Probably not SPS until I get a bigger tank.

I will add over a month or two time one of each of these.

Ecsenius stigmatura
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Pterapogon kauderni
Nemateleotris helfrichi

Live aquaria says not to mix nearly anything with Seahorses. Are some species more exclusive in requirements than others? (ie. Ocellaris less agressive than Clarkii). However in the description paragraph gobies and the like are ok. Im confused man. What do you think?

Thanks again Steve.

 

[snorvich]

55 gallon DT. Hob skimmer and refuge. 2 inches of sand in DT and 4 in the fuge

Current Residents
2 Amphiprion ocellaris (Bought them different sizes, bickering already over with/happy campers)
1 Alpheus bellulus
1 Stonogobiops yasha (These two have bonded and don't like my face)
5 Astraea tecta
5 Nassarius sp. (in the fuge)
5 Clibanarius sp in the DT with the Astraea tecta

I have a zoa, Ricordea, hammer, and a Tubastrea coral. With many differing types to come. Probably not SPS until I get a bigger tank.

I will add over a month or two time one of each of these.

Ecsenius stigmatura
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Pterapogon kauderni
Nemateleotris helfrichi

Live aquaria says not to mix nearly anything with Seahorses. Are some species more exclusive in requirements than others? (ie. Ocellaris less agressive than Clarkii). However in the description paragraph gobies and the like are ok. Im confused man. What do you think?

Thanks again Steve.

I think your stocking list is fine. While I am a very big fan of seahorses, I would not mix them with other marine fish. I would, however, enjoy a seahorse and pipefish dominated tank.

 

[Mg4life0331]

I think your stocking list is fine. While I am a very big fan of seahorses, I would not mix them with other marine fish. I would, however, enjoy a seahorse and pipefish dominated tank.

Well thanks, Im off to find another species then.

 

[michfish5]

Currently have an Ocellaris Clown, a blue green chromis, and a PJ cardinal in my 65 gal. mixed reef. I am hoping to add a Royal Gramma soon. Would a Starki Damsel be okay to add as well?

 

[lotzofgibberish]

I'm upgrading my tank to a JBJ 28g Professional LED nanocube with a Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer.

I currently have 2 ocellaris clownfish (mated pair), 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 emerald crab, corals (GSP & Paly), hermit crabs and snails (florida ceriths, dwarf ceriths, nassariuses, 1 astrea, and nerites).

I would like to add (over a long period of time -> how long?):

1 BTA
Various coral (LPS, SPS, and softies)
1 Clam (dependent on SPS's fate)
2-3 fish

I'm not sure what fish I can ethically keep in here. My LFS is totally untrustworthy so I can't get help there. I'm thinking about adding either:

1 six line wrasse & 1 goby
OR
1 goby & 1 blenny
OR
2-3 gobies
OR
3 blue-green chromis
OR
3 Acares Midget Reef Chromis
OR
suggestions?

I was hoping for advice as to how this would be in terms of:
bioload
compatibility
reef safety
invert safety
anything else I may of missed

Thank you for your help!

 

[aquacat10]

Help: review my fish list for 92 Gal Corner tank

Help: review my fish list for 92 Gal Corner tank

I have a 92 Gal corner tank. Live rock, extra large refugium, good simmer, good LED Lighting. Great water flow, using Panworld PS-250 (from basement to living room) and Jebao WP40 powerhead. It's been running for a year as a coral only tank. LPS/SPS & polyps/mushrooms. All doing well. Feed it very little.

My wife wants fish in it now. So I've come up with the following proposed fish:
(1) Lawnmower Blenny
(1) Blue Eye Tang
(3) Blue Reef Chromis
(4) Banggai Cardinal fish
(1) Splendid Dottyback
(1) Carpenters Flasher Wrasse

I would easily substitute different fish for both the cardinals & the Blue Reef chromis. But I do want something that will school and something that will help bring the other fish out of hiding on occasion.

I'm totally open to suggestions, so please help me and tell me what you think. Thank you!!

 

[Ryanaquarium]

I'm upgrading from a 144 half circle to a 180 gallon rectangular i would like to add a powder blue tang many people say they get ick and it can spread to other fish in tank anyone has a tip on how to prevent this and successful have a powder blue tang ? Any experiences ? Thank you in advance

 

[snorvich]

Currently have an Ocellaris Clown, a blue green chromis, and a PJ cardinal in my 65 gal. mixed reef. I am hoping to add a Royal Gramma soon. Would a Starki Damsel be okay to add as well?

Yes. Should be no problem. The chromis may chase a bit

 

[snorvich]

I'm upgrading my tank to a JBJ 28g Professional LED nanocube with a Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer.

I currently have 2 ocellaris clownfish (mated pair), 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 emerald crab, corals (GSP & Paly), hermit crabs and snails (florida ceriths, dwarf ceriths, nassariuses, 1 astrea, and nerites). hermits will kill snails over time for their shells

I would like to add (over a long period of time -> how long?):

1 BTA will outgrow your tank
Various coral (LPS, SPS, and softies)
1 Clam (dependent on SPS's fate) depends on lighting and which fish
2-3 fish depends on fish

I'm not sure what fish I can ethically keep in here. My LFS is totally untrustworthy so I can't get help there. I'm thinking about adding either:

1 six line wrasse & 1 goby I would avoid six line wrasses
OR
1 goby & 1 blenny depends on species
OR
2-3 gobies
OR
3 blue-green chromis will become one over time
OR
3 Acares Midget Reef Chromis will become one over time
OR
suggestions? I don't really provide suggestions for a variety of reasons, but I am always happy to evaluate any stocking plan.

I was hoping for advice as to how this would be in terms of:
bioload adding three small behaviorally compatible fish over time is consistent with the bioload of this sized tank
compatibility most important factor
reef safety
invert safety
anything else I may of missed

Thank you for your help!

 

[snorvich]

I have a 92 Gal corner tank. Live rock, extra large refugium, good simmer, good LED Lighting. Great water flow, using Panworld PS-250 (from basement to living room) and Jebao WP40 powerhead. It's been running for a year as a coral only tank. LPS/SPS & polyps/mushrooms. All doing well. Feed it very little.

My wife wants fish in it now. So I've come up with the following proposed fish:
(1) Lawnmower Blenny
(1) Blue Eye Tang
(3) Blue Reef Chromis will become one over time
(4) Banggai Cardinal fish only two tank raised male plus female; more will be killed
(1) Splendid Dottyback an ornery, aggressive fish, especially in this sized tank
(1) Carpenters Flasher Wrasse

I would easily substitute different fish for both the cardinals & the Blue Reef chromis. But I do want something that will school and something that will help bring the other fish out of hiding on occasion. nothing will school in this sized tank. Closest would be apogon parvulus but those are difficult

I'm totally open to suggestions, so please help me and tell me what you think. Thank you!!

 

[snorvich]

I'm upgrading from a 144 half circle to a 180 gallon rectangular i would like to add a powder blue tang many people say they get ick and it can spread to other fish in tank anyone has a tip on how to prevent this and successful have a powder blue tang ? Any experiences ? Thank you in advance

Your question is really not the subject for this thread which is ONLY about marine fish compatibility. Depends on total stocking list whether or not a powder blue would do well in this tank. Develop a quarantine protocol and follow it rigorously and parasites will not be a problem; I have one in my blog, or post in the Fish Diseases forum and you will get suggestions.

 

[michfish5]

Thanks! Now would it be okay to add the Royal Gramma after the Starki? Or should it be before Starki? Also just a thought, in lieu of the gramma would an Orchid or Purple Dottyback fit in the mix? And what about Yellow Clown Goby? Thanks again!

 

[aquacat10]

Couple quick follow ups:

Can I have just as single blue chromis with success?

How do I sex the cardinal fish? Or do I find a couple that are already paired up and purchase them?

I'll skip the splendid dottyback.

If I were to add one more fish, what's your favorite for a tank like this?

Thanks Steve!

 

[snorvich]

Thanks! Now would it be okay to add the Royal Gramma after the Starki? Or should it be before Starki? Also just a thought, in lieu of the gramma would an Orchid or Purple Dottyback fit in the mix? And what about Yellow Clown Goby? Thanks again!

dottybacks are aggressive (although P. fridmani is the least so) and I do not recommend in a small tank. Damsel last. Since I do thousands of these, it would be best to resubmit entire planned list and tank size. My memory is not what it used to be.