Where to go from here

[justinf67]

Okay, my tank is now around 7 months old. I have had my ups and downs learning this hobby... I started with a 28g bowfront, and upgraded to a 40g breeder. I upgraded my sump from a 10g to a 20g....I had issues buying a clown that died and possibly had ich, not setting up my sump for the just in case a fish got sucked down, just basic issues that I had to learn the hard way...

I have had the yellow watchman goby for the entire time, and hes been by himself for about 2-3 months... I just added a regular tiny occelaris clown today...

I am curious what the rest of my stocklist could be... I love midas blennies, but the 2 yellow fish may be too much yellow, idk... I dont know too much about wrasses, but im open to learning... I would like active fish if possible.... the tank is a 40g breeder with a 20g sump... thanks

 

[Frogmanx82]

I've never been happy with wrasses. Many of them get big and seem too aggressive and like the tank isn't big enough for them. They also decimate a pod population and most can't be trusted with shrimp or crabs.

Blennies, gobies, and clowns are my favorites. I would always suggest getting two clowns. They are so easy pair up. For something a bit wrasse like you have jester gobies.

 

[The Punisher]

Take a look at some cardinals, maybe some chromis.

 

[jrapp13]

I'm looking at firefish and chalk bass in a similar setup

 

[justinf67]

I will prob add another clown as thats easy for more activity... I like the midas blenny, flame hawkfish, and either a coral beauty or flame angel...tho im not sure which one of those choices would be appropriate for my tank

 

[gillies]

I second the idea of a couple chromis. My experience with them has proven successful. They seem pretty docile, have a nice blue color, swim actively in the water column, and seem pretty darn resistant to stress and disease. Maybe worth a look.

Coral Beauties are beautiful, but very susceptable to stress and disease, IME, and a Flame Hawk, while beautiful and full of personality, may just be the fish that dictates much of what else you put in the tank later - their personality demands attention.

 

[Frogmanx82]

The flame hawk will pretty much rule out shrimp. The dwarf angels could be coral nippers but they are worth a try.

 

[Sk8r]

Angels eat stony corals. If they don't start out eating them, they're too likely to start.

Do not get any fish with yellow on him with the YWG in the tank. If it's small he'll give it no peace, and if it's large, you won't see him much any more.

 

[Virtuoso]

Blennies, gobies, and clowns are my favorites. I would always suggest getting two clowns. They are so easy pair up.

I have a stupid question. If you have a mated pair of clowns and they are laying eggs, what happens if you cannot take them out and raise them? The other life in the tank eventually eats the eggs? Does that cause any problems?

Do not get any fish with yellow on him with the YWG in the tank. If it's small he'll give it no peace, and if it's large, you won't see him much any more.

So a Yellow Watchman Guppie and a Yellow Tang in the same tank are a no-no? I guess at that point you get a different type of Tang if you are interested in them?

Thanks to both of you. You guys are fountains of knowledge.

 

[Frogmanx82]

You won't see the babies long in your typical tank. Usually the eggs are pretty protected, but the fry require special handling and disappear pretty quick after hatching. If you actually wanted to raise the fry you should check out the breeding topic.

 

[justinf67]

I think I'm gonna go with another ocellaris, a midas blenny and the flame hawk. Skip the flame as I dont want it eating corals, plus I hear that they can be prone to diseases

 

[lilalove]

Try a tailspot blenny if you feel the Midas is too much yellow. They stay smaller than the Midas, but they are way cool looking. Mine is my fave in the 180, though at 2 inches sometimes he isn't so easy to spot. Good thing I know his favorite hidey hole.

 

[RcToners]

Take a look at some cardinals, maybe some chromis.

IMO spotted cardinals might possibly be one of the ugliest fish in a salt water tank.

I would suggest a couple of clowns Maybe a nice shrimp goby paired with a pistol shrimp. You could throw in a couple of fire fish, possibly a very colorful dotty back. Get your self a nice BTA for the clowns. Some hermits, snails and you should have a pretty full tank

 

[Frogmanx82]

Do not get any fish with yellow on him with the YWG in the tank. If it's small he'll give it no peace, and if it's large, you won't see him much any more.

Just a quick aside. Would you think a royal gramma would be a problem then. My YWG comes out quite a bit, I'd hate to lose that. I was really ready to add the gramma.