Stocking Help

[Mitratus]

i) 2x Tinkeri Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri) -OR- 2x Declivis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis)
ii) 1x Caribbean Longsnout Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus)
iii) 2x Venustus Angelfish (Centropyge venustus)
iv) 2x Multibar Angelfish (Paracentropyge multifasciata)
v) 1x Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus)
vi) 1x Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus)

-MAYBE-
vii) 3-5x Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus) -OR- 1x Bank's Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aya) -OR- 1x Mitratus Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mitratus)


I am looking for some advice on whether the above stock list will work for a 105 gal system (75 gal display, 30 gal sump) that will house SPS.
If so, what would be an appropriate stocking order? My current thoughts are (ii), (iii), (iv), (vii), (i), (v), (vi).
Also, would any of the above fish bother a pair of Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) if they were added at some point?

Other fish that are of interest if the above list has problems are:
Vermiculated Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus)
Starcki Damselfish (Chrysiptera starcki)
Colin's Angelfish (Centropyge colini)

Feel free to make suggestions.

 

[RayL]

I don't know much about butterfly's, so I can't give any experience with them but that seems like too many semi-large fish for a tank that size.

The scooter and mandarin both compete for the same food and in a tank your size their wont be enough pods for both, so I would chose one. IME the scooter is more willing to accept prepared foods along with pods and with your list of 4 angels which also eat pods, I would say the scooter might be the better choice over the mandarin.

Your interest list, you already want 4 angels in a 70Gallon tank, this might not work as is, so I wouldn't suggest anymore unless it is to replace one of the above mentioned angels. Also the damsel is a very aggressive fish and I would not consider adding that to your tank at all.

 

[Mitratus]

I don't know much about butterfly's, so I can't give any experience with them but that seems like too many semi-large fish for a tank that size.

The butterflyfish were selected in part by the fact that they all inhabit deeper waters and that they are less likely to damage SPS based on the thread "butterflies in reefs."
Would the stocking list be better if there was one less Multibar Angelfish (Paracentropyge multifasciata)?

The scooter and mandarin both compete for the same food and in a tank your size their wont be enough pods for both, so I would chose one. IME the scooter is more willing to accept prepared foods along with pods and with your list of 4 angels which also eat pods, I would say the scooter might be the better choice over the mandarin.

If the Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus) is selected, would another be able to be added to form a pair at a later date assumed both eat prepared foods (Regardless, dragonet(s) will not be added until there is stable pod population in the display and refugium, which comprises about one third of the sump)?

Your interest list, you already want 4 angels in a 70Gallon tank, this might not work as is, so I wouldn't suggest anymore unless it is to replace one of the above mentioned angels. Also the damsel is a very aggressive fish and I would not consider adding that to your tank at all.

The interest list is there to replace fish on the stocking list.

 

[RayL]

I would remove these from your list 2x Tinkeri Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri) -OR- 2x Declivis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) they both need a larger tank.

1x Caribbean Longsnout Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus) this fish would be fine for the tank however he is best not to be stocked with other butterflies according to live aquaria.

I would consider leaving some butterflies off and keeping the angels you want.


I originally had one scooter and added a second one later and they were fine but in your tank you might have an issue with a lack of food for them, they eat about 1,000 pods a day each if not more. I would probably just stick to 1.

Have you considered a tomini tang instead of 3 butterfly's, maybe go with one butterfly, 1 tang and a couple dwarf angels

 

[Mitratus]

I would remove these from your list 2x Tinkeri Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri) -OR-
2x Declivis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) they both need a larger tank.

1x Caribbean Longsnout Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus) this fish would be fine for the tank however
he is best not to be stocked with other butterflies according to live aquaria.

I would consider leaving some butterflies off and keeping the angels you want.

Would it be possible to have 1x Tinkeri Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri) -OR- 1x Declivis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) while removing the Caribbean Longsnout Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus) from the list?
I am a big fan of butterflyfish, especially prognothodes and tinkeri-complex butterflyfish, and would prefer them over other fish on the list if possible.

Have you considered a tomini tang instead of 3 butterfly's, maybe go with one butterfly, 1 tang and a couple dwarf angels

I have avoided tangs since the ones I like require substantially longer aquariums (Achilles Tang, Purple Tang, Whitecheek Tang) and they are generally regarded as quite susceptible to ich. That being said, I do not find the Tomini tang to be very aesthetically pleasing.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Would it be possible to have 1x Tinkeri Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri) -OR- 1x Declivis Butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) while removing the Caribbean Longsnout Butterflyfish (Prognathodes aculeatus) from the list?
I am a big fan of butterflyfish, especially prognothodes and tinkeri-complex butterflyfish, and would prefer them over other fish on the list if possible.



I have avoided tangs since the ones I like require substantially longer aquariums (Achilles Tang, Purple Tang, Whitecheek Tang) and they are generally regarded as quite susceptible to ich. That being said, I do not find the Tomini tang to be very aesthetically pleasing.

Regardless of whether you get a tang or not you should be quarantining all your fish.

 

[Mitratus]

Regardless of whether you get a tang or not you should be quarantining all your fish.

I completely agree; all fish will be quarantined for a minimum of 4 weeks (excluding time for prophylactic treatments).

 

[RayL]

If you quarantine all your fish properly, ich will never be an issue, how ever I understand you don't like the tangs that would fit in your tank.
With the butterfly's you want, I honestly don't know if they would be able to go in your tank, I am not familiar with butterfly's as I have never really kept them. Look on this site for someone named SDguy and ask him what he thinks, he has one of this most beautiful butterfly fish collections that I have seen.

 

[Mitratus]

If you quarantine all your fish properly, ich will never be an issue, how ever I understand you don't like the tangs that would fit in your tank.

I do like the look of some zebrasoma species but it is debatable on whether they are suitable for an aquarium that is four feet in length. Regardless of their suitability, from what I've understood while researching, they may become quite the bullies which makes me less inclined to want to stock them.

Look on this site for someone named SDguy and ask him what he thinks, he has one of this most beautiful butterfly fish collections that I have seen.

I've contacted SDguy and he thinks I could have one [Tinkeri/Declivis] in a 75g tank. He also mentioned that a pair should be avoided unless it is a true pair collected together.

With the butterfly's you want, I honestly don't know if they would be able to go in your tank, I am not familiar with butterfly's as I have never really kept them.

That's alright, your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[RayL]

That's good news that you can keep one of the butterfly's you want.
When it comes to the angels, have you considered a flameback, I love mine, he is very cute and always follows me around the tank

 

[Mitratus]

That's good news that you can keep one of the butterfly's you want.
When it comes to the angels, have you considered a flameback, I love mine, he is very cute and always follows me around the tank

I have considered a Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus) since they appear to be pretty safe with various corals according to this thread. In fact it is on the shortlist to replace the Venustus Angelfish (Centropyge venustus) if I am unable to obtain them.

The replacement list (in order of preference, descending) is:
Colin's Angelfish (Centropyge colini)
Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus)
Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi)
Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

 

[RayL]

I have considered a Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus) since they appear to be pretty safe with various corals according to this thread. In fact it is on the shortlist to replace the Venustus Angelfish (Centropyge venustus) if I am unable to obtain them.

The replacement list (in order of preference, descending) is:
Colin's Angelfish (Centropyge colini)
Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus)
Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi)
Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

Personally I would take out the coral beauty and replace it with a potters

 

[Mitratus]

Personally I would take out the coral beauty and replace it with a potters

Why is that? Then again it is an equally, if not more, stunning dwarf angelfish; I'm surprised I missed it.

 

[RayL]

Why is that? Then again it is an equally, if not more, stunning dwarf angelfish; I'm surprised I missed it.

They are similar colours but I just find the potters a nicer pattern, just my opinion