Would this be overstocked?

[united417]

70 gal-18 gal sump-70 lbs of rock, 60 lbs of sand- reef Octopus 150int
Mixed reef, wondering about the compatibility of the fish listed and my quantity

Midas blenny
Bicolor blenny
Flame hawk
Royal gramma
Two Pearly jaw fish
Pair of black ocellaris clowns
Male McCoskers (or similar) wrasse
*** this is in particular where I am curious- H. Claudia AND/or H. Chrysotaenia

Thanks in advance folks!

 

[Jade5051]

That's fully stocked. Royal gramma might be a little devilish outside of that the list looks ok.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have found royal grammas to be quite peaceful.

The claudia and chrysotaenia should be fine, though I recommend getting them simultaneously so that one doesn't view the whole tank as it's own. Also add the mckosker before these two.

Each tank is different as far as it's stocking capacity. Add slowly and test frequently.

 

[juniorrocketdad]

That looks good to me and with those fish the gramma should be peaceful

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I wouldn't call that overstocked or even full by any means. I've always known Royal Grammas as peaceful fish, sure they will threaten other fish that get too close to their home with mouth wide open, but never really that aggressive.

I would also add the McCosker's wrasse early in the stocking order.

The Pearly jawfish might get into it with your Bi color blenny as they both live in the same part of the water column.

Like I said I don't think you're overstocked, here is what I have in my 40b

Cherub Angel
Pair Mocha Ocellaris Clowns
Midas Blenny
McCosker's wrasse
Royal Gramma
Yellow Candy Hog Fish

I plan on adding another fish and still thinking on which it will be. I really want a Starcki Damsel and still might get one, but still thinking on it. I might also get one of the smaller sand dweller gobbies if I can find one that I like, or one that jumps out at me

I had a Hector's goby and it was a great fish, I've had it for a year and then one day it never showed up for morning feeding. It was always very healthy and even ate NLS pellets like a pig. I can only think that since it was full size when I got it that it probably died of old age. Don't know for sure but that is what I think anyway. The one thing that I didn't like about him was that he would get a mouthful of sand and as he sifted it through his gills sand would land all over my corals and rocks. Too bad I can't get a fish like him but without the sand showers on my corals.

So those are the fish I have in my 40b with a 20gal sump.

 

[eatbreakfast]

^ I would be more concerned with the bicolor and midas blennies not getting along, than the bicolor and peary jawfish. Both of the blennies will like a space on the rocks, pearly jawfish hover by their burrow in the sand.

 

[bonjorno2]

How long are you planning on waiting between fish?

 

[united417]

That's fully stocked. Royal gramma might be a little devilish outside of that the list looks ok.

Honestly had one a few years back and my lady just loves em (the mouth open defensive pose primarily) thanks for the input tho!

I have found royal grammas to be quite peaceful.

The claudia and chrysotaenia should be fine, though I recommend getting them simultaneously so that one doesn't view the whole tank as it's own. Also add the mckosker before these two.

Each tank is different as far as it's stocking capacity. Add slowly and test frequently.

Great to hear! I would love to have both of em, and would do my best to add simultaneously but as I will mostly be relying on DD it will be a journey! Definitely the plan to take it slow, and definitely keep up on my testing and changes. Thanks for your response!

That looks good to me and with those fish the gramma should be peaceful

Much appreciated! I think so too

I wouldn't call that overstocked or even full by any means. I've always known Royal Grammas as peaceful fish, sure they will threaten other fish that get too close to their home with mouth wide open, but never really that aggressive.

I would also add the McCosker's wrasse early in the stocking order.

The Pearly jawfish might get into it with your Bi color blenny as they both live in the same part of the water column.

Like I said I don't think you're overstocked, here is what I have in my 40b

Cherub Angel
Pair Mocha Ocellaris Clowns
Midas Blenny
McCosker's wrasse
Royal Gramma
Yellow Candy Hog Fish

I plan on adding another fish and still thinking on which it will be. I really want a Starcki Damsel and still might get one, but still thinking on it. I might also get one of the smaller sand dweller gobbies if I can find one that I like, or one that jumps out at me

I had a Hector's goby and it was a great fish, I've had it for a year and then one day it never showed up for morning feeding. It was always very healthy and even ate NLS pellets like a pig. I can only think that since it was full size when I got it that it probably died of old age. Don't know for sure but that is what I think anyway. The one thing that I didn't like about him was that he would get a mouthful of sand and as he sifted it through his gills sand would land all over my corals and rocks. Too bad I can't get a fish like him but without the sand showers on my corals.

So those are the fish I have in my 40b with a 20gal sump.

Thanks for the thorough response! Very helpful; I have wondered about the Blennies being able to coexist with each other as well as the jaw fish, definitely want some active rock hopping fish (the hawk, Blennies will hopefully occupy this niche) and this is where I was debating on the gobies-but honestly I may pass on them.

I am most familiar with the sand sifting issues! Drove me nuts with a gold headed sleeper goby I used to have.

Wonderful to hear I still have some room, how has that cherub worked out for you if you don't mind me asking? Love dwarf Angels, and am trying to think of other contenders to add to the tank but have my concerns about the dwarves in a mixed reef!

^ I would be more concerned with the bicolor and midas blennies not getting along, than the bicolor and peary jawfish. Both of the blennies will like a space on the rocks, pearly jawfish hover by their burrow in the sand.

Thanks for the reply! That is also something I am curious of, just hoped 70 gal with 70#s would be enough room for em! Along with the flame hawk...

How long are you planning on waiting between fish?

Good question! Depending on the stage of stocking, at first I will probably get a couple and then wait a bit and grab another couple etc etc

 

[Dkuhlmann]

For the most part the Cherub has been a great fish. He is my "terrorist" though He comes darting out at the unsuspecting and charges them and they flee. :hammer: He is aggressive with new arrivals and pretty much is the boss of the tank.

He has on occasion "nipped" at some corals while he got on this kick of devouring Pocillipora's He would clean every bit of polyps off of them eventually. I kept buying them from my coral guy because they were cheap. He has "nipped" on a few others but nothing dramatic.

He is constantly picking on the rocks and sandbed I mean as long as he's up he's picking at the rocks. Cherub Angels are grazers and because of this they will poop more than any other fish in your tank

But all in all I like him and he's a beautiful fish. I would recommend that IF you get one you add it last to your tank because they are so aggressive, not to the point of hurting any fish but still it causes stress with some fish. Mine all seem to take it I stride and the only two he picks on with any regularity are the McCosker's wrasse and my female Mocha Clown. She plays dead and the MW just swims away doesn't seemed bothered by it. He really doesn't pick on any of the other fish. I did not add him last and think if I had he would leave most all of them alone.

So yeah, if you like the looks of them by all means get one. They will add a lot of color to your tank and lots of movement.

 

[united417]

For the most part the Cherub has been a great fish. He is my "terrorist" though He comes darting out at the unsuspecting and charges them and they flee. :hammer: He is aggressive with new arrivals and pretty much is the boss of the tank.

He has on occasion "nipped" at some corals while he got on this kick of devouring Pocillipora's He would clean every bit of polyps off of them eventually. I kept buying them from my coral guy because they were cheap. He has "nipped" on a few others but nothing dramatic.

He is constantly picking on the rocks and sandbed I mean as long as he's up he's picking at the rocks. Cherub Angels are grazers and because of this they will poop more than any other fish in your tank

But all in all I like him and he's a beautiful fish. I would recommend that IF you get one you add it last to your tank because they are so aggressive, not to the point of hurting any fish but still it causes stress with some fish. Mine all seem to take it I stride and the only two he picks on with any regularity are the McCosker's wrasse and my female Mocha Clown. She plays dead and the MW just swims away doesn't seemed bothered by it. He really doesn't pick on any of the other fish. I did not add him last and think if I had he would leave most all of them alone.

So yeah, if you like the looks of them by all means get one. They will add a lot of color to your tank and lots of movement.

Great to know! Thanks again. I like the cherub but have always been partial to Coral Beauties and Flame Angele but now am definitely considering adding one. Tough decisions but thankfully I have some time! Think I'll end up passing on the jaw fish cause or the long term question-ability(??) of DSB's

 

[juniorrocketdad]

Jawfish requires deep sand for a burrow, definantly will not fight with your blennies, idk why someone thought they share the same territory blennies like to perch on rocks where hawkfish chill in the sand, just FYI the two blennies is certainly a gamble and if I were you I'd go with one as they have very similar personalities anyway

 

[united417]

Jawfish requires deep sand for a burrow, definantly will not fight with your blennies, idk why someone thought they share the same territory blennies like to perch on rocks where hawkfish chill in the sand, just FYI the two blennies is certainly a gamble and if I were you I'd go with one as they have very similar personalities anyway

Thanks for the response! I will probably end up nixing the jaw fish to avoid complications with a DSB over time-also probably will only go with:

the Midas blenny along with the flame hawk, Royal gramma, pair of clowns, the two Halichoeres, the McCoskers and another fairy or flasher (or a flame angel) always been a massive fan! And would be willing to risk the corals I dare say, but that's a tough call for me

 

[united417]

Maybe even the above list with a trio of McCoskers along with a flame angel

Which would bring me to Midas, gramma, clowns, Halichoeres, flame angel, flame hawk, and a trio of flashers (preferably McCoskers)

Feels like it may be a bit heavy but shoot...does a single male super McCoskers keep its color without females around??

 

[eatbreakfast]

Instead of a trio of mckoskers, do a single specimen from three different species. Females usually transition into males, even with another male present, and aggression toward conspecifics is worse than toward congenerics. The males will still flash and display at each other, even if different species and without females.

 

[juniorrocketdad]

Hawkfish are cool just realize if you get one they may eat any shrimp you have in your tank, I have a long nose and love him but I can't have any shrimp cause of him

 

[DopeCantWin]

Hawkfish are cool just realize if you get one they may eat any shrimp you have in your tank, I have a long nose and love him but I can't have any shrimp cause of him

I've also watched a Yellow Candy Hog devour a Blood Red. I'd skip the Yellow Candy Hog based on the other fish in your list. I had one for 4-5 years. At first they're nice and peaceful, but as they get older, they grow meaner. Mine bullied a Lawnmower, Mandarin and a 6 line in a 210.

 

[juniorrocketdad]

I've also watched a Yellow Candy Hog devour a Blood Red. I'd skip the Yellow Candy Hog based on the other fish in your list. I had one for 4-5 years. At first they're nice and peaceful, but as they get older, they grow meaner. Mine bullied a Lawnmower, Mandarin and a 6 line in a 210.

Yellow candy hog wasn't part of his list?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Yellow candy hog wasn't part of his list?

Dkuhlmann mentioned that he had one.

 

[united417]

Instead of a trio of mckoskers, do a single specimen from three different species. Females usually transition into males, even with another male present, and aggression toward conspecifics is worse than toward congenerics. The males will still flash and display at each other, even if different species and without females.

Excellent! That is exactly what I was hoping to hear, thanks a bunch! Have any suggestions for other flashers?? I've never kept a single one..

Hawkfish are cool just realize if you get one they may eat any shrimp you have in your tank, I have a long nose and love him but I can't have any shrimp cause of him

I will also have two wrasse who will fancy themselves a shrimp or two! Thanks for the advice..I've always loved long noses as well as flames, just was always hesitant about a long nose munching down the Royal gramma (or another longer slender fish, but I may be crazy wrong!!)

I've also watched a Yellow Candy Hog devour a Blood Red. I'd skip the Yellow Candy Hog based on the other fish in your list. I had one for 4-5 years. At first they're nice and peaceful, but as they get older, they grow meaner. Mine bullied a Lawnmower, Mandarin and a 6 line in a 210.

I actually hadn't included a yellow candy hog (as stated Dkuhlman has one) but thanks for the info! I always was partial to the peppermint hog but think I'll pass on er for this tank

Yellow candy hog wasn't part of his list?

Dkuhlmann mentioned that he had one.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Excellent! That is exactly what I was hoping to hear, thanks a bunch! Have any suggestions for other flashers?? I've never kept a single one..

Any Paracheilinus species will work. Flavianalis, carpenter, filamentosus, and cyaneus are readily available, and attenuatus is nice if it's in your budget. The smaller fairy wrasse species will also work, such as those in the lunatus and rubriventralis complexes of species.