PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Steve below is my previous post and suggestions by you. I almost have my wish list complete but was wanting to add a few raccoon butterflies as well. What do you think?

Originally Posted by LCDR Noble View Post
I would like to thank you in advance for your assistance with this tread as I see it keeps you very busy. My tank will be FOWLR and is 300 gallons 96x24x31. It has a built in sump that houses my skimmer and the wet dry bio balls. I have a sand substrate, 150 lbs of base rock in place and plan on adding 50 lbs of live rock next week to start the cycle. Im looking at this crew of course added slowly until complete.

one of the clean up crew packages (snails and small hermits)
1 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Coral Banded Shrimp can take fish; two require a bonded pair or they will kill each other
2 Emerald Crabs
1 diamond watchman goby
1 Sleeper Gold head goby will deplete your sand bed of beneficial organisms then most likely starve in the long run
2 Firefish Goby unless a bonded pair, only one will survive
1 Purple Dotty back inconsistent with firefish and with fairy and flasher wrasses; very aggressive
5 Lyretail Anthers (females)
1 Bicolor Benny
2 Clown Goby
1 Fox Face
3 Yellow Tangs difficult; may or may not work and MUST be added concurrently and the last fish added
1 Royal Gramma
2 Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish you only get ONE pair of clownfish
2 Percula Clowns

For me to give you an intelligent answer, I would need to know which fish you actually did add and which if any you substracted based on recommendations.

 

[formsix]

This is such a useful thread; I really appreciate all the great info and help here!

The size of our tank increased since I last asked for advice, so I'm back with a new stocking plan. The tank is going to be 48" x 18" x 18" (~67 gallons).

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Assessor
1 Blue/Green Chromis
1 Pink Spotted Watchman Goby
1 Orchid Dottyback
1 Diamond Watchman Goby
1 Red Fin Fairy Wrasse (or 1 male and 1 female?)
1 Yellow Coris Wrasse (unless bioload is getting too heavy)

The plan is to add the orchid dottyback as the last fish -- I know they can be aggressive (though less so than the other dotty backs), but I would like to try and have one. I also really want a diamond watchman goby, but I'm planning to wait a while until the tank is established to add him in. I will also have a refugium going to try and produce extra food for him and plan to avoid other creatures that might compete for resources in the sand bed. Is that reasonable?

 

[snorvich]

This is such a useful thread; I really appreciate all the great info and help here!

The size of our tank increased since I last asked for advice, so I'm back with a new stocking plan. The tank is going to be 48" x 18" x 18" (~67 gallons).

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Assessor
1 Blue/Green Chromis
1 Pink Spotted Watchman Goby you won't keep two sand dwelling gobies in this sized tank long term, pick your favorite
1 Orchid Dottyback P. fridmani should definitely be last; most risk would be towards the fairy wrasse
1 Diamond Watchman Goby you won't keep two sand dwelling gobies in this sized tank long term, pick your favorite
1 Red Fin Fairy Wrasse (or 1 male and 1 female?)
1 Yellow Coris Wrasse (unless bioload is getting too heavy)

The plan is to add the orchid dottyback as the last fish -- I know they can be aggressive (though less so than the other dotty backs), but I would like to try and have one. I also really want a diamond watchman goby, but I'm planning to wait a while until the tank is established to add him in. I will also have a refugium going to try and produce extra food for him and plan to avoid other creatures that might compete for resources in the sand bed. Is that reasonable?

Except as noted.

 

[salajander]

Just set up a 55g a few days ago. So far it's just got some live-ish rock and a shallow sand bed. Looking to plan the first few fish, and we're thinking about getting 3 Spotted Cardinalfish to start with once everything's cycled and ready.

I have a 10g QT I'm also just getting going.

My question is how to get them in? Should I do all 3 at once? Will that work out in a 10g QT? Or should I do them 1 or 2 at a time instead?

 

[snorvich]

Just set up a 55g a few days ago. So far it's just got some live-ish rock and a shallow sand bed. Looking to plan the first few fish, and we're thinking about getting 3 Spotted Cardinalfish to start with once everything's cycled and ready.

I have a 10g QT I'm also just getting going.

My question is how to get them in? Should I do all 3 at once? Will that work out in a 10g QT? Or should I do them 1 or 2 at a time instead?

although beyond the scope of this thread, I would do all three at once. However, you should plan your entire stocking before doing anything.

 

[zimtwinwill]

Tank: 110 high [48 x 18 x 30], 50 gallon sump, 25 gallon fuge, 15 gallon frag
New build upgrading from my current 30 gallon, going to be mixed reef

Fish wish list:
Blue tang
Yellow tang
Yellow watchman
Diamond goby
Pair percula clowns
MF pair McCosker's flasher wrasse
Fathead sunburst anthia
Flame angel
Lawmower Blenny (once tank established)

Seems like a lot, what do you think? Should we downsize or is this realistic?

 

[LCDR Noble]

OK Steve here it goes. My tank is FOWLR and is 300 gallons 96x24x31. It has a built in sump that houses my skimmer and the wet dry bio balls. I have a sand substrate, 150 lbs of base rock with another 50 lbs of live rock seeding.

My current stock is:
CUC (about 50 snails and small hermits)
1 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Coral Banded Shrimp
1 diamond watchman goby
2 Domino Damsels
2 Neon Goby
1 Royal Gramma
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Clark Clowns (yes I have this many clowns together but no problems yet)

wanting to add these slowly:
2 Emerald Crabs
5 Lyretail Anthers (females)
1 Bicolor Benny
2 Clown Goby
1 Fox Face
2 Racoon butterflies
1 Kole Tang
3 Yellow Tangs (last of course and all at the sea time)

thank you Steve, you are so knowledgable and we really appreciate your time and assistance.

 

[snorvich]

Tank: 110 high [48 x 18 x 30], 50 gallon sump, 25 gallon fuge, 15 gallon frag
New build upgrading from my current 30 gallon, going to be mixed reef

Fish wish list:
Blue tang needs a much larger and longer tank
Yellow tang marginal in this sized tank
Yellow watchman only one sand dwelling goby
Diamond goby only one sand dwelling goby
Pair percula clowns
MF pair McCosker's flasher wrasse
Fathead sunburst anthia
Flame angel
Lawmower Blenny (once tank established)

Seems like a lot, what do you think? Should we downsize or is this realistic?

 

[snorvich]

OK Steve here it goes. My tank is FOWLR and is 300 gallons 96x24x31. It has a built in sump that houses my skimmer and the wet dry bio balls. I have a sand substrate, 150 lbs of base rock with another 50 lbs of live rock seeding.

My current stock is:
CUC (about 50 snails and small hermits)
1 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Coral Banded Shrimp I assume they are a bonded pair
1 diamond watchman goby
2 Domino Damsels they are terrors
2 Neon Goby
1 Royal Gramma
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Clark Clowns (yes I have this many clowns together but no problems yet) you will; they must not be mating yet. Problematic even in an 8 foot tank

wanting to add these slowly:
2 Emerald Crabs
5 Lyretail Anthers (females)
1 Bicolor Benny
2 Clown Goby
1 Fox Face
2 Racoon butterflies definitely not invertebrate safe so shrimp and crabs at risk
1 Kole Tang
3 Yellow Tangs (last of course and all at the sea time)

thank you Steve, you are so knowledgable and we really appreciate your time and assistance.

 

[Mrbh22]

I have a standard 4' 90 gallon. I would like some advice regarding two ****ible purchases.

I currently have

2 oc clowns.
1 royal gramma
1benngai cardinal

I would like some input involving a couple gobies.

I like the pink spotted watchman goby and im pretty sure it would be a good fit for my long term goals. However I also reallu like the high fin red banded goby. I know they stay small so would it be possible to have both in the same tank? Or do they occupy the same niche. Also my long term goal is to have a mandarin and I want to have th best shot at keeping one fat and healthy. Do any of the intended tank maktes actively eat pods I also want a tang of some sort. I like the smaller kole or tomini. But the wife likes the yellow and purple tangs. The only other tank inhabitant I would like to add is a lawnmower blenny as long as its not over stocked on the algae grazer side with the tang

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[snorvich]

I have a standard 4' 90 gallon. I would like some advice regarding two ****ible purchases.

I currently have

2 oc clowns.
1 royal gramma
1benngai cardinal

I would like some input involving a couple gobies.

I like the pink spotted watchman goby and im pretty sure it would be a good fit for my long term goals. However I also reallu like the high fin red banded goby. I know they stay small so would it be possible to have both in the same tank? Or do they occupy the same niche.

Unfortunately, long term, maintaining two of these is not doable as they occupy the same ecological niche and your tank is not long enough for them to escape each other's notice

Also my long term goal is to have a mandarin and I want to have th best shot at keeping one fat and healthy. Do any of the intended tank maktes actively eat pods

Clownfish will, but are not primarily copepod hunters

I also want a tang of some sort. I like the smaller kole or tomini. a Ctenochaetus tang would work, but for optimum, I would not add another algae grazer But the wife likes the yellow and purple tangs. zebrasoma tangs are much more aggressive and do better in a slightly larger tank The only other tank inhabitant I would like to add is a lawnmower blenny as long as its not over stocked on the algae grazer side with the tang

Thanks in advance always a pleasure

Mike

 

[SilverAvia]

55 Gallon Tank cycling now, with 22 gallon sump, curently 10 lbs of base rock and 45lbs of LR


1 SW - Court Jester Goby (Indonesia) - Medium
5 SW - Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Caribbean)
20 SW - Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab
6 SW - Banded Trochus Snail
1 SW - Lettuce Sea Slug, Green
1 SW - Emerald Crab
10 SW - Mexican Turbo Snail

2 b&w ocellaris clown fish
1 helfrichi firefish
1 regular (white/red) Firefish
1 purple firefish
2 yellow head jaw fish
1 Tanaka's pygmy wrasse
1 Royal Gamma Basslet
1 pink bar goby

 

[Cujo13]

What a fantastic thread. A whole lot can be learned in about an hour of reading past responses. Thank you for that. Here is my plan please let me know if I am on the right path.

135 gallon, 72" x 24" x 19", 140 pounds of live rock split between the tank and sump 100/40.

Placed in this order after the CUC.

1 Carberryi Anthias
1 Firefish
1 Tanaka Pygmy Wrasse
2 Neon Gobies
2 Ocellaris or Percula Clowns, bought small.
1 Orchard Dottyback
1 Kole Tang - Is this tank to shallow?

Thanks a ton!

 

[Firefish2014]

I have a 60 gallon cube and a 20 gallon sump. Wanted to run my stocking list by you to see what you think.

False percule clown
Midas Blenny
Purple firefish
Watchman goby shrimp pair
Flame hawkfish
Blue sided fairy wrasse or clown fairy wrasse

Your thoughts on which order to add them?

 

[KatB]

Yea! I got to upgrade from a JBJ 28. So back again for additions. (Most were ok'd before, just making sure on a couple since this is a bigger setup.)

50 Gallon cube with a 20 gallon sump/refugium; 2” sandbed; 60lb liverock/rubble; SCA-301 Skimmer. 8 mo. Fully cycled and stable for 6 mo.

Current:

1 A. Percula (still a juvenile - 1”)
1 Yasha + Tiger Snapping Shrimp (the 2nd of whom I have not seen for 36 hrs and this concerns me. They seem to like to stress me more than I stress them!)

1 Tiger Sand Conch
5 Astra Snails
4 Cerith Snails
5 Peppermint Shrimp (No more aptasia!)
1 Tuxedo Urchin

Tank has algae and I have the recommended (Liveaquaria fish stats studying/reading) supplements for algae grazers.


Additions over the next few mo.:

1 Purple Firefish (next - and soon while A. Perc is still young)
1 Possom Wrasse
1 Sailfin/Alage Blenny or Black Sailfin Blenny (Some pick on smaller gobys?)
2-3 Sexy Shrimp (LA says “small groups” - is this small enough or too small a group?)

 

[Ratpac4]

Just Beginning

Just Beginning

72G with LR (not sure how much?) and Wet/Dry sump, 150G skimmer, dual reactor GFO/GAC. Water parameters are good.

I have about 15 mixed small hermits (red/zebra) and six large turbo snails.
A single, large damsel (i think it's a bluefin)

Here's what I and will purchase one at a time in this order:

Convict Blenny
Blue Hippo tang
An anemone to host a couple percula clowns (not sure which anemone yet)
Emperor Angel
Some of the easier soft corals (not sure which yet)

Finally if it's not too much of a stretch I would like to add two banggai cardinals

 

[snorvich]

55 Gallon Tank cycling now, with 22 gallon sump, curently 10 lbs of base rock and 45lbs of LR


1 SW - Court Jester Goby (Indonesia) - Medium
5 SW - Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab (Caribbean)
20 SW - Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab
6 SW - Banded Trochus Snail
1 SW - Lettuce Sea Slug, Green
1 SW - Emerald Crab
10 SW - Mexican Turbo Snail

snails and crabs are mutually exclusive as the crabs will kill snails over the longer term

2 b&w ocellaris clown fish
1 helfrichi firefish three firefish are not compatible long term
1 regular (white/red) Firefish three firefish are not compatible long term
1 purple firefish three firefish are not compatible long term
2 yellow head jaw fish
1 Tanaka's pygmy wrasse
1 Royal Gamma Basslet
1 pink bar goby

fine except as noted

 

[snorvich]

72G with LR (not sure how much?) and Wet/Dry sump, 150G skimmer, dual reactor GFO/GAC. Water parameters are good.

I have about 15 mixed small hermits (red/zebra) and six large turbo snails. snails and crabs are mutually exclusive as the crabs will kill snails over the longer term
A single, large damsel (i think it's a bluefin)

Here's what I and will purchase one at a time in this order:

Convict Blenny
Blue Hippo tang needs a much larger tank
An anemone to host a couple percula clowns (not sure which anemone yet) there is a sticky in this forum on clownfish and anemones which can be found here.
Emperor Angel needs a much larger tank
Some of the easier soft corals (not sure which yet)

Finally if it's not too much of a stretch I would like to add two banggai cardinals

Banggai must be male plus female and tank bred

 

[Daddie05]

Hopefully I'm posting in the right place...I currently have a 3-month old150g with 50-60g sump with a reef octopus skimmer, a media reactor (I think), water pump (unsure of the size), 3 power heads, and about 90-100 lbs of LR. I believe my tank is cycled, but I still have some diatoms in the live sand. No ammonia, or nitrites. I currently have 2 OC Clowns, 1 royal gramma, a bg reef chromis, a lawnmower blenny, 1 yellow tang, and a CUC. Just sold my green carpet anemone. I have a tek light 48" t5 with 8 bulbs that I am currently trying to replace bc I want to start buying corals. Just bought 4 HO t5 Coralife bulbs (2 actinic blue 2 10k white). Next month I'm going to get the remaining ones, but wanted to get some input on which ones I should buy (brand, wattage, color). I was thinking of getting 1 more blue a purple, and 2 more white bulbs. With my current setup, my fish and carpet were thriving. But I bought my whole setup as a whole off craigslist, so I am unsure how old the bulbs are. Any input is appreciated

Links to the bulbs would be nice too!

 

[snorvich]

Hopefully I'm posting in the right place...I currently have a 3-month old150g with 50-60g sump with a reef octopus skimmer, a media reactor (I think), water pump (unsure of the size), 3 power heads, and about 90-100 lbs of LR. I believe my tank is cycled, but I still have some diatoms in the live sand. No ammonia, or nitrites. I currently have 2 OC Clowns, 1 royal gramma, a bg reef chromis, a lawnmower blenny, 1 yellow tang, and a CUC. Just sold my green carpet anemone. I have a tek light 48" t5 with 8 bulbs that I am currently trying to replace bc I want to start buying corals. Just bought 4 HO t5 Coralife bulbs (2 actinic blue 2 10k white). Next month I'm going to get the remaining ones, but wanted to get some input on which ones I should buy (brand, wattage, color). I was thinking of getting 1 more blue a purple, and 2 more white bulbs. With my current setup, my fish and carpet were thriving. But I bought my whole setup as a whole off craigslist, so I am unsure how old the bulbs are. Any input is appreciated

Links to the bulbs would be nice too!

This thread is only about marine fish compatibility. For lighting and other equipment questions, please go here to get advice.