What will I get from the candy store for a 40 breeder?

[Ocellariator]

As the title suggests this tank will be a 40 breeder mixed reef tank (eventually). There is going to be a 20 gallon sump, not sure if I will be doing a fuge or not still designing the sump. 75lbs of rock and 80lbs or so of sand will be there along with some rock in the sump if I go that route. I was thinking of adding these:

2 B&W Ocellaris
1 Neon Damsel
1 Yellow Rose Goby
1 Purple firefish(would a pair fit with everything else?)
1 White Banded Possum Wrasse
1 Bicolor Blenny


I got advise from Steve in the New to the Hobby forum. He pointed out some things that would need tweeking with that list. I will take out the damsel as I don't want a terror. The firefish will be a BONDED pair probably from DD. I am looking for some suggestions, I feel like I am missing the fish that will pop. I want it to be something that would be an eye catcher, but not intimidate the firefish. I am trying to get a tank stocked around clowns, firefish, and a goby/pistol pair. Thanks in advance! Steve I would love to see what you would suggest!

 

[snorvich]

That is difficult because our tastes and budget differ. If it were my tank, I would not have clowns, would never have a damsel, but that is just me.

 

[curlykid]

Well i'm not steve, hoping he will chime in, but, you may like the pink-streaked wrasse. Pseudocheilinops ataenia. I believe Michael Scott has one with paired possum wrasses, according to his experience, they work well together. I honestly think it would be great with your stock list. It will zip around the rocks all day, and it's colorful. Exactly what you want right?

EDIT: me and steve posted at the same time...lol

 

[Ocellariator]

Would there be other fish that you would suggest Steve? I really want the clowns but suggestions for replacements would be great. the pink-streaked wrasse sounds like a good fish. I would like something that zips around. I will look into that. From what I have seen from firefish and clowns, they seem to stay to their area/hover. So open water and movement would be great! Any blue fish that would work?

 

[ALH]

To each his own, but I love my B&W ocellaris pair

 

[Ocellariator]

I like the look of them because when they are mature they have a nice rich black and white color. I think that would make the other fish stand out even more!

 

[Ocellariator]

Would a Blue Gudgeon Dartfish intimidate the firefish? This seems to be an obstacle with me. My brother told me that they will be intimidated by flasher wrasses and dottybacks. Otherwise, is there any antias that would work singly? I like the maldives lyretail, dispar, and resplendents. From my understanding they are out in the open and swimming. Otherwise, I like the Blue Reef Chromis. So many options, yet so few lol. I really like the firefish so I am trying to chose around them.

 

[snorvich]

Would a Blue Gudgeon Dartfish intimidate the firefish? This seems to be an obstacle with me. My brother told me that they will be intimidated by flasher wrasses and dottybacks.

That is correct


Otherwise, is there any antias that would work singly? I like the maldives lyretail, dispar, and resplendents.

One resplendant may work, but swimmers usually do best in larger tanks

From my understanding they are out in the open and swimming. Otherwise, I like the Blue Reef Chromis. So many options, yet so few lol. I really like the firefish so I am trying to chose around them.

It is always good to pick your primary fish and make sure that works. Excellent technique.

 

[Curious George]

At the very least, I give you credit for putting appropriately sized fish in a 40 g tank. All to often, I open one of these threads to see someone trying to decide between an Emperor Angel or a Hippo Tang in their 55.

Try to heed the advice of avoiding known aggressors in the tank. One bad apple can torture the rest in a 40g and unless you are a 1 fish kind of guy, you will want to flush the SOB mistake in the end.

 

[snorvich]

To each his own, but I love my B&W ocellaris pair

And I have nothing against them. What will work, and what I would keep in my personal tanks are two different issues. The OP should be asking if option A works as opposed to what I personally like. I am always happy to analyze feasibility. My personal tastes are more a function of my 3000 hours of diving experience.

 

[snorvich]

At the very least, I give you credit for putting appropriately sized fish in a 40 g tank. All to often, I open one of these threads to see someone trying to decide between an Emperor Angel or a Hippo Tang in their 55.

Try to heed the advice of avoiding known aggressors in the tank. One bad apple can torture the rest in a 40g and unless you are a 1 fish kind of guy, you will want to flush the SOB mistake in the end.

I also commend for this reason. Although I might feel like flushing . . . mistakes, I try not to do that. :fun2:

 

[snorvich]

Well i'm not steve, hoping he will chime in, but, you may like the pink-streaked wrasse. Pseudocheilinops ataenia. I believe Michael Scott has one with paired possum wrasses, according to his experience, they work well together. I honestly think it would be great with your stock list. It will zip around the rocks all day, and it's colorful. Exactly what you want right?

EDIT: me and steve posted at the same time...lol

Great minds are synchronized

Excellent suggestion. Check this.

 

[snorvich]

Ok, while I was drinking coffee, I realized that you and your brother (who can be frustrating at times) really want to learn. Let's talk more about clownfish. (By the way, one of the definitive books on clownfish is Clownfishes by Joyce Wilkerson) When you put two or more sexually undifferentiated juveniles together, you start a genetically predetermined process resulting in sexual differentiation. In the beginning, the signs of this are subtle, but as the process continues, one of the juveniles will turn female. At that point, you will see a domination process where the new male is forced to submit to the female. This will look like the male is doing a shimmering dance. Once that part of the process is complete, the fish will be bonded. Assuming proper conditions, bonding will continue until the female decides that mating is appropriate. She will initiate cleaning at the desired spot. Once clownfish start spawning, they will want to control (depending on species) at least 25 gallons of water space. They will aggressively defend that. So, in a smallish tank, this presents problems for the other fish. Certain species such as Maroon clownfish actually want to control about 50 gallons of tank space. They are aggressive towards all. Now one of the reasons I do not recommend clowns is that they will associate with (what many improperly call hosting) undesirables. For example, they can kill a goniopora or other LPS coral. The second reason is that it limits other fish you can put in the tank.

 

[Ocellariator]

Wow guys thanks for the advice and encouragement. Funny thing is until I started my account here, I kept telling my brother to do a blue hippo in his tank. I won't be doing that anymore

Here is another list:

Pair of clowns
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tail spot Blenny
Pair of Firefish
White Banded Possum Wrasse
Pink-Streaked Wrasse or Resplendent Anthias(just one anthias)

EDIT: Steve, if I may ask, where have you gone diving? I would love to eventually go diving, but that has to wait until after college fir me My dad won't go any where on a plane outside the lower 48 states.

 

[snorvich]

Wow guys thanks for the advice and encouragement. Funny thing is until I started my account here, I kept telling my brother to do a blue hippo in his tank. I won't be doing that anymore

Here is another list:

Pair of clowns
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tail spot Blenny
Pair of Firefish Must be a bonded pair
White Banded Possum Wrasse
Pink-Streaked Wrasse or Resplendent Anthias(just one anthias)

That is a bit heavy for the tank you have. If it were not for the clowns . . . In any case, prioritize that list and knock off the bottom two. Yes, a hepatus tang requires a 10 foot tank minimum and becomes progressively aggressive in smaller tanks. (They grow quickly to one foot)

 

[Ocellariator]

Not to be stubborn or have an attitude if it seems like that. You said knock off the bottom two fish. Here is another go at a stock list, trying to learn as you said you were picking up.

One B&W Ocellaris
Yellow Prawn Goby with Pistol Shrimp
Pair of Firefish(Will be bonded, is there a way to bond them yourself?)
White Banded Possum Wrasse
Blue Assesor(Not sure if it would intimidate the firefish or not)
Probably a Tail Spot Blenny still undecided on it though. I like my brother's Tribal Blenny pick so I may get one of those. Thanks for all of the help so far guys!

 

[snorvich]

Not to be stubborn or have an attitude if it seems like that. ( Your brother has trained me, I don't take attitude) You said knock off the bottom two fish. Here is another go at a stock list, trying to learn as you said you were picking up.

One B&W Ocellaris One is very different than a pair
Yellow Prawn Goby with Pistol Shrimp
Pair of Firefish(Will be bonded, is there a way to bond them yourself?) Not really. Usually a LFS will have a tank full of them, look for two hanging out by themselves. It is luck of the draw unless you find a pair being sold
White Banded Possum Wrasse
Blue Assesor(Not sure if it would intimidate the firefish or not) No issue
Probably a Tail Spot Blenny still undecided on it though. I like my brother's Tribal Blenny pick so I may get one of those. Thanks for all of the help so far guys!

 

[Ocellariator]

So just being clear, this list gets and okay from steve? With only one clown act very different from a pair? I know it will or should end up being female when mature. Steve, you have trained my brother well be doesn't have much of an attitude that I have seen lately.

 

[snorvich]

So just being clear, this list gets and okay from steve? With only one clown act very different from a pair? I know it will or should end up being female when mature. Steve, you have trained my brother well be doesn't have much of an attitude that I have seen lately.

Yes, it gets "approved". A single clownfish, even if it sexually matures, will not be breeding and hence will not kill your firefish. Oh, and your brother can be rather nice when he chooses, and I never questioned the fact that he is smart.

 

[Ocellariator]

I am meant for it to say that you have somewhat eliminated his attitude. He really wants to get back to you helping him out. As he us still tweaking his stock list. Seems that I have gotten mine finished in less time than him. You don't have to but it would be great of you could help him with his tang question(thread) or pointed it out in his build thread which is kinda dead. Thanks for helping me with my stocking list! I appreciate it tons!