Stocking List Question - referred

[Nlangan]

This was originally posed to "Please check out your intended fish purchase here first!" in the General Interest form but the mod referred me here for people with more experience with aggressive tanks. Here's the question:

Fish focused system - goal is to keep the fish I can't have in my reef. I'd like this tank to be an easy and relatively inexpensive one to maintain. Something like this:

7x2x2 w 2" sandbed, minimal lighting, medium flow, sump will have skimmer w/ ozone & fuge. 10% weekly water changes using half/ new mix and half castoff water from my reef. Lots and lots of rock - I've come to believe that the more hiding places there are in your tank, the more you see your fish.

Proposed Stock List
Sohal Tang
Queen Angel
Niger Trigger
Male Square Spot Anthias & harem (4 fish total)
Coral Beauty
Flame Angel
Latticed Butterfly
Auriga Butterfly (Threadfin)
Leopard Wrasse
Marine Beta
Coris Gaimard (red coris wrasse)
Id rather have a CUC than a Spiny Box Puffer but if the trigger or coris wrasse eat the CUC then might as well add that too.
4-5 different kinds of damsels to keep things lively

I don't think the stocking order matters except:
Coral Beauty and Flame at the same time.
Last ones added in order of aggressiveness - Trigger, Queen Angel, and finally the Sohal.

As an alternative to the queen angel, I could put in a scribbled angel (also hardy but smaller, less aggressive, & more expensive). On one hand, the Queen is a better match for the Sohal in terms of aggressiveness. On the other hand, the Scribbled Angel probably wouldn't challenge the Sohal for dominance of the tank. Conventional wisdom seems to suggest the Queen is the better choice. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this or any other part of this plan.

Thanks all.

 

[Nlangan]

bump

 

[JCareyETexas]

bump

Good luck.... I didn't get any response on my list either

 

[Nlangan]

OK, well then I won't take it personally. People in RC love these critters so I'm guessing that if there was anything obviously misguided about my plan someone would have spoken up. I did research each of these animals.

But my research turned up two schools of thought. Put aggressive fish together and they balance each other out. Alternatively, stock so it is clear which fish is king of the tank to reduce conflict. These are somewhat incompatible guidelines but it may be the case that there just is no clear way to go.

 

[namxas]

Add the sohal last, for sure...and I think your tank is a tad small for a queen angel AND a sohal.

 

[jjk_reef00]

Add the sohal last, for sure...and I think your tank is a tad small for a queen angel AND a sohal.

I would skip the Sohal Tang, and I would get the scribbled angel instead of the queen.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Add the sohal last, for sure...and I think your tank is a tad small for a queen angel AND a sohal.

I think so too. I had both fish for years; never could keep them together. Both these fish seem to insist on being the "Alpha" fish and a tank like this can only have one. I'd expect to have a lot of minor squabbles as pecking order is established and I'm sure you'll find a fish or two that just doesn't work. Also, a Niger may dine on a CUC too. I have a tank that is fairly similarly stocked and a CUC isn't needed or possible in mine. A great observation on the Sohal from BZ (by way of Kirkaz):

"Wide berth should be given to this Red Sea inhabitant as it's aggression extends from the tangs to Parrotfishes, Triggerfishes and whatever else it may feel particularly displeased with."

 

[snorvich]

I would skip the Sohal Tang, and I would get the scribbled angel instead of the queen.

Same here. Sohal will kill fish, seemingly just for the pleasure of it. This behavior seems to increase with age. I referred you here because your odds of comments improve.

 

[Nlangan]

Man.

The Sohal and clown triggers are the two fish that got me into this hobby. I gave up on the CT and now I'm going to give up on the Sohal too. Well, I sincerely want to thank everyone for their comments. I guess I just needed to hear it a few more times before accepting it.

 

[snorvich]

Man.

The Sohal and clown triggers are the two fish that got me into this hobby. I gave up on the CT and now I'm going to give up on the Sohal too. Well, I sincerely want to thank everyone for their comments. I guess I just needed to hear it a few more times before accepting it.

Why not consider a species tank for the CT? They actually make great pets if they are by themselves?

 

[agreeive?fish]

imo these fish could be lunch for the Marine Beta
Male Square Spot Anthias & harem (4 fish total)
Coral Beauty
Flame Angel


imo these fish could have trouble adapting to a rough and tumble tan but might do better if added before any tangs,triggers or wrasses

Latticed Butterfly
Auriga Butterfly (Threadfin)