Stocking Order

[ceresma]

Hi,
Im in the middle of setting up a 170 gal reef / seahorse tank. My plans are to add seahorse friendly corals /Gorgonians. Should I add the nice reef/seahorse friendly fish next or the ponies?
Thanks
Mark

 

[ReefNutPA]

Personally I keep no fish with my seahorses. I have reef tanks for fish and seahorse tanks for seahorses. The biggest reason is because reef tank conditions are not proper seahorses conditions. For example, temps should be 74F or lower for seahorses with low/moderate flow. Corals generally prefer warmer temps and moderate/high flow.

However, if you choose to mix the two, the seahorses should go in first, otherwise the fish will already have established territories and may cause problems.

Best of luck to you.

Tom

 

[Fredfish]

I suppose it would depend on the fish you add. I have a Bangai cardinal in with my horses. Their behavior is so different that I don't think it would matter which order I added them in.

I think the same could be said of fish like shrimp gobies.

Nice size tank by the way. How long have you had it set up?

Fred

 

[ceresma]

Hi,
I just completed the setup so I still have a little while before I add fish. Next stop is corals. I will be looking next week. I figure that should take a month or so. Cardinals are on my list of fishes along with some of the reef safe wrasses etc.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Fredfish]

The Bangai cardinal is a beautiful fish, but they do not tollerate each other well. I had two males. Things were fine for about 8 months, but the dominant male gradually expanded its territory until the other carpet surfed. This was in a 40 gallon so you may get away with several males in your tank.

Fred

 

[whatnot45]

Another good fish: any kind of jaw fish