Please double check my fish list for upgrade

[sugartooth]

Hello,
I can't quite figure out if my list is pushing it or not.

The tank is 6 foot long, 30" wide, 30" tall with 2 overflows. I think it will be 280 gallons or so and will be a mixed reef tank.

I have:

copperband
small watanabei angel (2")
red sea sailfin

I want to add:

powder blue tang
another small watanabei angel
2 pyramid butterfly

Is this acceptable? I feel it may be a tad overcrowded and I need to decide between Watanabei pair or Pyramid pair.

Thanks very much in advance for the advice.

 

[snorvich]

Watanabei addition may or may not work. I think you have to add both to the same tank together. Males are difficult shippers and are often not healthy. If you insist on this strategy, put both in a good QT with eggcrate separating them so they can see each other but not reach the other. Pyramids, especially if added together are no issue. I have one tank with four of them. Gorgeous. The powder blue addition may or may not set off the sailfin. But I see no bioload issues with your plan.

 

[sugartooth]

Hi Steve,
Thank you very much for the advice. It really helps me. The fish I have are all being held separately in holding systems. The Watanabei is small, the size of my thumb, in a 30 gallon by itself. I could hold another one in a separate tank. The sailfin is with a Clarkii in a 80 gallon, and the copperband is by itself in a 150 gallon.

My plan was to put the fish in the upgrade in order that gives me the best chance, if living space wasn't an issue.

I was thinking copperband first, then powder blue, watanabei(s) together, pyramids, sailfin last.

Actually, your experience with pyramids influenced my decision to add them.

I know you mentioned that you feel the bioload is acceptable, do you feel the space available is adequate for that many fish? I'm having trouble envisioning the full size of all of them in the tank without conflict/stress.

If no go on the Watanabei, I would like a radiant wrasse or some other wrasse pair.

 

[snorvich]

The space should be sufficient, but the most difficult one in that regard will be the powder blue. It would do best in a longish tank with flow. Are the watanabei male or female? The most difficult acclimation is likely to be the copperband. Best to get it eating vigorously (if it will eat at all) before adding any other fish. Black worms will entice it for sure.

 

[sugartooth]

Thanks Steve. Do you think I should leave the powder blue out, or do you feel it's more like it may or may not be adequate depending on aquascape/width? What suggestions do you have for substitute?