Stocking the tank

[spscrackhead]

Hey guys, tank just finished cycle and I am in the process of setting up my qt (40 breeder). Once that is all buttoned up and cycled I am looking to add some fish to the tank. I have been looking and planning, would appreciate some advice on the fish/compatibility and order in which to add them as well as and suggestions you may have.

The tank is a red sea s650, 175 gallon, 60x24x25 which has a screen on the top and is tied into a 40gal sump and a 40gal frag tank. It will be a mixed reef, but mostly SPS dominate.

So without further delay, here is the list.
Wyoming white clown
Midnight clown
yellow clown goby (2, my wife loves these)
fat head anthias
potters angelfish
Lyretail Anthias (not sure on a number yet)
kole tang
orchid dottyback
Sailfin Tang, Desjardini
Mandarin (down the road of course)
I would also like to add some wrasse but am not sure, there are too many amazing options! Maybe a divided and/or a flasher?

 

[StephenRU]

I'm in the process of setting up a similar size tank (72"x24"x24" 180g) and I was cautioned about putting a Desjardini due to tank size. 6' is not long enough according to some, maybe someone else will respond.

 

[ThRoewer]

If you want to have Acropora I would check in the SPS forum about the clown gobies. They will pair up and start laying eggs on the Acropora. Several here have reported that they can severely harm the coral with their nests.
I would do some more research before adding them.

 

[spscrackhead]

If you want to have Acropora I would check in the SPS forum about the clown gobies. They will pair up and start laying eggs on the Acropora. Several here have reported that they can severely harm the coral with their nests.
I would do some more research before adding them.

Interesting, I will definately check into that. I do know that they like to perch and at times it can bother the corals somewhat, but nothing serious imo. I will check into these "nests". Thank you for your input.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I like your choices, except the Desjardini.
They are beautiful fish and a small one might be fine for a while, but 5' is just not enough swimming length.
Once you see one in an 8' or 10' tank, you'll see why. And by the time you realize it is too big for your tank, it will be hard to re-home.

 

[spscrackhead]

Thank you all for chiming in, I appreciate it.
Did a bit more research due to the valid points presented and have decided to do only one yellow clown goby (see how it turns out) and swap the sailfin for another, smaller option. Any suggestions?
Also on the anthias, what is a good number and is it best to get all females and let one change?

 

[BigBlueTang]

Thank you all for chiming in, I appreciate it.
Did a bit more research due to the valid points presented and have decided to do only one yellow clown goby (see how it turns out) and swap the sailfin for another, smaller option. Any suggestions?
Also on the anthias, what is a good number and is it best to get all females and let one change?

I would do a bristletooth, Kole, Two spot etc..
Ctenochaetus tangs.

 

[brett559]

You can do better than a kole tang! Purple? Chevron? White tail bristletooth? I'd add a yellow before a kole.

 

[brett559]

My favorite wrasses are mystery, melanarus, leopard and Vrolik's.

 

[spscrackhead]

You can do better than a kole tang! Purple? Chevron? White tail bristletooth? I'd add a yellow before a kole.

:lmao: I like the motivation! I really like them though. I do like white tail bristletooth more, I have read that they can be quite skittish and on edge all the time. What would go nicely with a white tail that wouldn't stress it too much?

 

[spscrackhead]

Which order would be best to add these guys and who should I run together in QT? It is a 40 breeder. I have the two clowns in the tank already.
This is an updated list.
Clown Goby, Yellow (Gobiodon okinawae)
Fathead Sunburst Anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus)
Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani)
5? Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)
Pair? Blue Star Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)
Potter's Angelfish (Centropyge potteri)

 

[ThRoewer]

I would get two of the orchid dottybacks. Single ones may be a little more up to make a stink than a pair. Further, they will form a pair and start spawning and produce night time snacks for the corrals. For the same reason I would also always add a few shrimp pairs.

 

[Fish Everywhere]

IMO you can add 5-6 more fish if your filtration is adequate, and since you are keeping peaceful fish aggression shouldn't be a problem.

FWIW, the Potter's will cause you to not have PE on acropora. If you are fine with that, its a beautiful fish