Stocking Advice Please

[kramleigh]

Hi all!

Got a 100g mixed reef/fish tank and a 30g sump. We've already got some stock and we've been advised that the tank and it's water parameters will tell us when it's fully stocked. We would really appreciate some advice before we get to that stage so that we can plan a little more for the future. Here's what we currently have:

2 x Ocellaris Clowns
Leopard Wrasse
Flame Angel
Diamond Watchman Goby
Algae Blenny
Orange Striped Bristletooth Tang
Red Scooter Blenny

Here's our wishlist for the future:

Bluethroat Trigger
Achilles Tang
Catalina Goby
Mandarin
Neon Goby
Royal Gramma
Coral Beauty
Fridmani Pseudochromis
Copperband Butterflyfish
... maybe some (2) chromis

Is this too much? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Avi]

Well, kram...you call it a reef tank so be careful with that Flame Angel...it may well take a liking to some selected coral...usually zoanthids or open brain coral...sometimes they're fine, though. The same is true of a Coral Beauty...if you get away with one without any damage to your coral, you'd be going against the odds by adding another dwarf angel.

Everything else seems reasonable with these caveats....If your Leopard Wrass is doing well, there's a bit of luck involved because they prefer a longer established tank generally. The same is true but perhaps even moreso with the Mandarin, so wait at least 8 months to a year before you add one to assure its needs will be met.

Oh...the Trigger...I'm not certain that the Bluethroat is one of the few triggers that are generally considered more or less "reef safe." Maybe someone with experience with them will post here.

I wouldn't put a second tang in your tank...they almost all get too big for that size tank eventually, though one in there may be all right...you'd be pushing it for sure with two, IMO.

The Catalina Goby is a good looking fish, but they do prefer cooler water than you may be providing what is essentially a tropical reef.

And finally...the chromis..many people have no problem with them. My own personal preference is to keep any kind of damsel out of my reef.

 

[Leopard Man]

What you currently have is enough IMHO.

Just trade the flame angel for a fairy wrasse or royal gramme. You also don't need the blenny as you have a bristletooth already.

I wouldn't add another tang in your 100g, or the mandarin as it will compete with your leopard for pods.

Be wary of CBBs as you have a mixed reef.

 

[merseyman]

... 19 or 20 fish would be at least 9 or 10 too many for that tank, especially if it's a "reef" tank.

leopard man, why the concern over a CBB? I thought they were "thee" reefsafe butterfly? Curious because I was considering one.

 

[fishyz]

IMHO, it would be way overstocked if you added all of those fish. Like others have stated, you could get a royal gramma or another wrasse.

 

[kramleigh]

Ok... this has really suprised me. The tank visually doesn't seem that overstocked. Are your opinions mainly based on the fact that I have a Tang in there? I've been told that it will grow to around 8", so obviously this will place a great bioload
on the tank. If I where to trade this tang and leave the achilles off the list then this will increase my options greatly right? Thanks for all your advice

 

[Shagsbeard]

The general consensus here is that you should err on the side of understocking rather than overstocking. If you would really love to have all those fish, I'd recommend getting a second tank going.

 

[merseyman]

... those would be a lot of fish for a fish-only tank. most reef tanks are lightly stocked, fish-wise, due to the need for an ogliotrophic, or nutrient poor, environment. I just setup a 120g. I don't plan on more than 10 fish, depending on species/size. That's just something you have to accept (not many fish) if you want a reef. Otherwise, do a fish only, or a tank w/ a few hardy softies.

 

[acrouse]

I still think it is too many fish if you decide to go fish only. You have to take in account the adult size of the fish-not just when they are small. Also, remember that saltwater fish come from the ocean where they have large-large areas in which to swim around and they will not be happy crammed into a small area. Some may disagree and say the fish will be okay-they may be okay but they will not grow to their full potential unless you give them as much room as possible.
One rule of thumb is 3gallons of water for every inch of adult fish.
So for your 100 gallon=33inches of adult fish. This does not equate out to many fish.
good luck
jolene

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9725401#post9725401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by merseyman
... 19 or 20 fish would be at least 9 or 10 too many for that tank, especially if it's a "reef" tank.

leopard man, why the concern over a CBB? I thought they were "thee" reefsafe butterfly? Curious because I was considering one.

Just be careful with CBB around softies. Usually they leave SPS alone. Kramleigh is having a mixed reef, so I presume he's going to put softies. But hey, he could always get lucky and have a model CBB.