Stocking, in what order?

[MBuck]

Don't have the tank, nor the fish....just for future reference...like when I finally buy my 180g!


Would like to stock this tank for predators only, with LR....

1-Volitans Lionfish
1-Foxface Lo, or Magnificent Foxface
1-Panda or Dog-faced Puffer
1-Jewled, Zebra, or spotted snake eel

Possibly a tang, or large brred angel, but not necassary...may be over stocking as is...

I would like to start with fish that are small, less than 4", is there a particular order to put them in the aqaurium or will they be OK in any order?

TIA!

 

[NorthFace]

1. Foxface
2. Puffer
3. Volitan
4. Moray

If buying small...4", or smaller, as you said...I'd intoduce the Foxface, Puffer and Volitan together. Then, wait 1 - 2 weeks and introduce the Moray.

By adding smaller fish, you wont have to worry about the sudden shift in your tank bacteria. Make sure you have a well cycled tank first, then do a through job of acclimating.

 

[stevebydac]

I'd put the Foxface and Puffer 1st or 2nd, or even the zebra or snake eel. The last fish I would put in the tank would be the largest predator, either the lion or the jewel moray.

As long as the fish are of the right size not to eat each other, you have an excellent mix. Should be a pretty well-behaved moderately-aggressive tank.

 

[MBuck]

Thanks so much for the replies....waiting on Uncle Sam to repay my loan I gave them over the past year, and will be making my tank purchase. I have a 55g that I am going to use for a sump, so my actual volume will be over 230g...

These are basically my dream fish....

I have been ooohhhhing, aaahhhhing over the dog-faced puffers for quite some time, and the Volitans is just an outstanding fish.

It will probably be at least 4-5 months before this tank is ready for fish, gonna take ALOT of LR to fill this puppy.
I am also in the process of trying to sell my house, so I may just do the LR, a clean-up crew, something for my big guys to munch on later, and wait to get any fish until I actually move...then my tank will be cycled, and I will be ready for fish, and they will not have any of the stress of moving...

I am very excited about this, what an addicting hobby! Is it a hobby? I don't think my horse has even cost me this amount of money!! And i have had him for almost twelve years!

 

[slowECUdiver]

my 2 cents

my 2 cents

everyone i have talked to says do not do puffer and lion of any kinds together. the puffer will tear the lions fins apart, if not at first, then over time for sure. now, you will have a 180 so it might work, but i would add the lion first. get him eating frozen and then go for additional fish. also, are you going for a deep or shallow sand bed, or bare bottom? what kind of skimmer will you be running? bear in mind that puffers are messy eaters and an aggressive tank will need an aggressive skimmer or constant water changes on your part.

also, you said you were trying to move soon? if so, i'd say get started on curing some LR in the 55 gallon you have and do not buy any fish until you have the 180 up and running for a minimum of 3 weeks in your new house with the cured live rock and live sand, if you decide to go that route.

just my humble opinion...

 

[MBuck]

Hi Slow
I have heard the same about Puffers and lions, however I have read many posts about how they are being kept together? is it a hit and miss thing? I really want both fish, but do not have room, funds for 2- 100g plus tanks....
I would literally have to toss a coin to decide between the two...

I will go with a DSB, as the eel will utilize it, and it will help some with denitrification. Also going to setup a fuge with chaeto, LR rubble in the 55g..sump/refugium.

I am going to probably use an ASM skimmer, just purchased one for my 58g cube, and am very impressed. They are cost-effective, and seem to do the job, I know there is alot of contradicting opinions on skimmers, but if it works for my fish, then I am happy.

I agree with curing the LR now, and not getting any fish as of yet, still have some reading to do, and equipment to purchase before I buy anything else...

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.

 

[chasekwe]

Back, oh maybe 8 years ago now my buddy had an aggressive tank, Humu and Clown Trigger, Volitan, some kind of puffer (dont remember exactly which).

We went to our respective colleges and parted ways before his fish got very large but they were on average about 4-6" and he had had no problems with them for the year or so that I was around to participate.

Add order was Humu -> Lion -> Clown -> Puffer

So you'll note the lion came before the puffer. Anyways, just thought I'd point out one example where the puffer didn't bother the lion. That's not to say it didn't as the two got larger and I've read many threads on these forums where puffers were very unkind to lions but there you have it all the same.

 

[slowECUdiver]

Buck--

as for the puffer and lion mix, you are right...it is pretty much hit or miss. all depends on the number of hiding places, kind of puffer and relative size of the fish. as chasekwe wrote, it can be done, but the puffer would be the last fish to be added and the lion should be FIRST as they can be picky about being weaned from live to frozen.... as for the foxface and eel, they shouldn't pose any problems and will make for a well-rounded tank appearance.

with the DSB, make sure the grains are as small as possible, like sugar grain size, and have a PVC tube for the eel to hide out in, as his underside can be irritated by larger grain sand.

you're on the right track and it never hurts to read and read some more.

 

[jda]

I would stock them in the order that you can find quality specimins that are eating and disease free. Look for captives first - you can find most of those from locals that have had healthy fish outgrow their tanks. Join a local club or get in good with a good local fish store so that you get notified of when people get rid of these type of fish.

I would avoid about half the triggers with a lionfish. The planktivores and maybe huma huma are about all that I would even try. The planktivores would almost likely be fine.

Rabbitfish can take care of themselves with their posionous spines... just don't get stung by them. You will be OK, but it hurts.

 

[LauraCline]

At the place I work we have a 180 Gallon with a Large Volitans, Dog Faced Puffer, SFE, Bamboo Shark, Maroon Clown, Niger Trigger, Regal Tang, Purple Tang, Yellow Tang, and a Foxface. It did have a Naso Tang in it when I first started that was harassed by the maroon clown of all things. Everybody gets along great, very peaceful tank even at feeding time. No problems with the Puffer or the Trigger nipping the Lion's fins. The owner says all were was added at the same time except the SFE, all fish were small when added several years ago.

 

[stevebydac]

Actually, I was zoned out when I first replied, my apologies... I agree with the posters about it being 50/50 that the puffer will nip the lion's fins. Hopefully it will work out for you. Puffers are usually well-behaved, but there are exceptions. Most triggers are worse, for sure.