Yet another stocking list review

[IvanTheTerrible]

I'm currently filling my tank, which means it will be time for fish soon :bounce3:. So, I wanted to get some input on my planned stocking list. I posted an earlier version of this list in my build thread but thought I'd put it here now that I think I'm finished with the list.

My plan is to move the fish in my current tank to the new tank immediately. Then, I'll use the current tank as a QT. For TTM, I have a 20L divided in half with a piece of acrylic. This makes two ~10 gallon tanks, but I don't fill them all the way up so it's actually more like 6 gallons per side. Filling one side up all the way would put more pressure on the silicone and could lead to contamination due to splashing (which could make the TTM pointless). My plan is to get small fish first and use this set up. Later, I'll take the divider out and use two 20L's for TTM when I get larger fish or fish that need more swimming space (tangs, etc.).

So here are my groupings thus far.

Current fish
orange skunk clownfish (amphiprion sandaracinos) x2
black molly (poecilia latipinna)

Group 1
Heniochus black & white butterflyfish (heniochus acuminata) x3
Neon blue goby (elacatinus oceanops)

Group 2
bangaii cardinals (pterapogon kauderni) x2
sexy shrimp (thor amboinensis)
longfin fairy wrasse (cirrhilabrus rubeus)
purple firefish (nemateleotris decora)

Group 3
scarlet cleaner shrimp
blue throat trigger (xanthichthys auromarginatus) x2 (M&F)

Group 4
starkii damsel (chrysiptera starcki)
one spot foxface (siganus unimaculatus)
blue tuxedo urchin (mespilia globulus)

Group 5
yellow tang (zebrasoma flavescens) x2
lieutenant tang (acanthurus tennenti)
red tuxedo urchin (mespilia cf globulus)

Group 6
green mandarin dragonet (synchiropus spendidus)
red serpent star (ophiomyxa australis)

If I quarantine each group for 2 months, it will take me at least a year to work through the list. It'll likely be longer than that since some fish won't be in stock when I'm ready for them. That should be long enough to establish a good pod population for the mandarin.

Anyone see any issues with this list?

Thanks,
Ivan

 

[scooter31707]

I would not do 2 yellow tangs. Maybe do a Kole or Tomini. I don't recommend 2 urchins neither. When coralline algae disappears, so will they. Is this going to be a reef or fowlr tank. If it's going to be a reef, then I would recommend not getting the Butterfly.

 

[IvanTheTerrible]

I would not do 2 yellow tangs. Maybe do a Kole or Tomini. I don't recommend 2 urchins neither. When coralline algae disappears, so will they. Is this going to be a reef or fowlr tank. If it's going to be a reef, then I would recommend not getting the Butterfly.

Thank you for the comments. Good point on the urchins. I'll cut that down to one. Don't want the little guys starving to death.

I'm curious as to why you recommend only one yellow tang. I've seen a lot of tanks with multiple. That doesn't make it a good idea but it seems to be a popular choice. I'll probably go with one and one Kole tang instead.

Since this will be a reef tank, I should go with the schooling bannerfish (heniochus diphreutes) instead of the butterfly. They look nearly identical, but according to LA the bannerfish is reef safe. I originally had them on the list, but changed it since the bannerfish are rarely available.

Thanks again for the comments,
Ivan

 

[scooter31707]

Thank you for the comments. Good point on the urchins. I'll cut that down to one. Don't want the little guys starving to death.

I'm curious as to why you recommend only one yellow tang. I've seen a lot of tanks with multiple. That doesn't make it a good idea but it seems to be a popular choice. I'll probably go with one and one Kole tang instead.

Since this will be a reef tank, I should go with the schooling bannerfish (heniochus diphreutes) instead of the butterfly. They look nearly identical, but according to LA the bannerfish is reef safe. I originally had them on the list, but changed it since the bannerfish are rarely available.

Thanks again for the comments,
Ivan

IME, the Lemon and Pyramids are the only 2 Butterflies I would trust in a reef tank. 2 Tangs could work, as in this hobby every tank/situation is different. Most experts and hobbyists recommend a single Yellow Tang or a group of 3 or more. You could give 2 a try, but be prepared to rehome just in case. You can also look at some of the Mimic Tangs. Very nice and matures at a good size 7-9 inches.

 

[IvanTheTerrible]

IME, the Lemon and Pyramids are the only 2 Butterflies I would trust in a reef tank. 2 Tangs could work, as in this hobby every tank/situation is different. Most experts and hobbyists recommend a single Yellow Tang or a group of 3 or more. You could give 2 a try, but be prepared to rehome just in case. You can also look at some of the Mimic Tangs. Very nice and matures at a good size 7-9 inches.

I don't want that many yellow tangs, so I'll just go with one.

Thanks again for your help,
Ivan