PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Soccernut5824]

Currently in tank
1 yellow eye kole tang
1 yellow tail damsel
2 yellow clown gobys

what i want:
1 diamond watchman goby
3 female Maldives Lyretail Anthias
1 male Maldives Lyretail Anthias
2 Ocellaris clownfish
1 flame angle (added last)

is 12 fish too many for a 4x2x2 120g tank?

[Ryand63]

29 gallon. 25 lbs live rock. 20 lbs live sand. Aquaclear with floss and chemipure elite. I am yet to add anything still planning but my intended purchases include:
1 snowflake clownfish
1 Flame angel or 1 Lemonpeel angel
1 royal gramma
1 green mandarin ( very distant future )
Cuc: 4 hermits w/ extra shells and 15-20 various snails

Any advice would be great!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rite_eh

I hope this is an acceptable place to ask this question, if not I apologize. Is the likely reduction in chromis you noted in the previous post due to the tank size in this scenario or is it just the nature of these fish? I ask as I have some and have experienced this (down to one) in a 72G and am in the process of setting up a 180G (still working out a livestock list). Thanks!

In a huge tank with a LOT of current, they may coexist, but it is more the nature of the fish. When confined they perceive that they must be the "winner". While prediction is difficult, I doubt that a 180G will prevent that issue.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Soccernut5824

Currently in tank
1 yellow eye kole tang
1 yellow tail damsel
2 yellow clown gobys

what i want:
1 diamond watchman goby
3 female Maldives Lyretail Anthias
1 male Maldives Lyretail Anthias
2 Ocellaris clownfish
1 flame angle (added last)

is 12 fish too many for a 4x2x2 120g tank?

I don't really size by number of fish. It is much more behavior, perceived territory requirements, and metabolism. I think you will be ok with your plan.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Ryand63

29 gallon. 25 lbs live rock. 20 lbs live sand. Aquaclear with floss and chemipure elite. I am yet to add anything still planning but my intended purchases include:
1 snowflake clownfish
1 Flame angel or 1 Lemonpeel angel Flame is probably the better choice
1 royal gramma
1 green mandarin ( very distant future ) Unfortunately you are unlikely to make that work long term.
Cuc: 4 hermits w/ extra shells and 15-20 various snails

If you like snails, avoid hermit crabs as they will kill your snails

Any advice would be great!

[adikira]

Hi Steve, here's what I have left so far (after some fatalities):
marine betta
blue/hipo tang
sailfin tang
foxface
gold stripe maroon clown
false ocellaris clown
mellanarus wrasse

Additionally I just got 2 firefish (it was a rushed decision, I had some credit with the LFS that was expiring and firefish were on sale). Now I'm thinking with what I want to add to the tank they may be shy and hiding. I may give away one or both if needed.

As recommended previously (algae grazer discussion), I plan to give up either the naso tang or the sailfin tang. So, without that tang and with the 2 firefish I have 9 fish.

Here's my plan to further stock my tank (one of each, 12 more fish, totaling 21):

moorish idol (the source I'm getting it from claim that the moorish idols they are selling are already eating, they got a video that shows that and a friend got one and is eating indeed)
trigger: blue chin or pink tail or sargassum
Bicolor Goatfish (Parupeneus barberinoides)
saddleback valentini puffer/toby
green mandarin
flame hawkfish
Longnose butterfly
bangai cardinal
Blue & Gold Damselfish (Pomacentrus coelestis)
royal gramma
pajama cardinal
cleaner wrasse - will the cleaner wrasse be in danger of starving with these fish? I've found some posting that if they are not hawaiian cleaner wrasse they will take beef heart, mushed up in a blender so the particle size is like newborn brine shrimp or smaller
fighting conch
some corals later

I also thought of adding either a red coris wrasse or a harlequin tusk but I'm not sure if it would be overstocked. I also thought of a lionfish: Radiata, Antennata or a Fuzzy Dwarf but a concern I had from what I read they tend to hide during the day (unlike Volitans which may be larger that I'd like) - is that so? I also though that due to the long spines they may take quite a bit of water real estate in the tank and limit more than others the room for the swimmers.

If you can give me your thoughts on this, I'd appreciate!

Again, it's a 187 gal. tank with 52 gal. sump.

Thanks in advance

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by adikira

Hi Steve, here's what I have left so far (after some fatalities):
marine betta
blue/hipo tang
sailfin tang
foxface
gold stripe maroon clown
false ocellaris clown
mellanarus wrasse

Additionally I just got 2 firefish (it was a rushed decision, I had some credit with the LFS that was expiring and firefish were on sale). Now I'm thinking with what I want to add to the tank they may be shy and hiding. I may give away one or both if needed.

As recommended previously (algae grazer discussion), I plan to give up either the naso tang or the sailfin tang. So, without that tang and with the 2 firefish I have 9 fish.

Here's my plan to further stock my tank (one of each, 12 more fish, totaling 21):

moorish idol (the source I'm getting it from claim that the moorish idols they are selling are already eating, they got a video that shows that and a friend got one and is eating indeed)
trigger: blue chin or pink tail or sargassum
Bicolor Goatfish (Parupeneus barberinoides)
saddleback valentini puffer/toby
green mandarin
flame hawkfish
Longnose butterfly
bangai cardinal
Blue & Gold Damselfish (Pomacentrus coelestis)
royal gramma
pajama cardinal
cleaner wrasse - will the cleaner wrasse be in danger of starving with these fish? I've found some posting that if they are not hawaiian cleaner wrasse they will take beef heart, mushed up in a blender so the particle size is like newborn brine shrimp or smaller
fighting conch
some corals later

I also thought of adding either a red coris wrasse or a harlequin tusk but I'm not sure if it would be overstocked. I also thought of a lionfish: Radiata, Antennata or a Fuzzy Dwarf but a concern I had from what I read they tend to hide during the day (unlike Volitans which may be larger that I'd like) - is that so? I also though that due to the long spines they may take quite a bit of water real estate in the tank and limit more than others the room for the swimmers.

If you can give me your thoughts on this, I'd appreciate!

Again, it's a 187 gal. tank with 52 gal. sump.

Thanks in advance

My recommendation is to slow down and stabilize your tank. Your plan is way overstocked. Lionfish will eat your fish.

[boba1]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I have never seen nor heard anything about a Kelp Wrasse which may mean that there is some issue with it. If it is endemic to kelp forest areas, it likely requires cooler temperatures. In any case I cannot offer advice.

Novaculichthys macrolepidotus, AKA Sea Grass Wrasse, Kelp Wrasse, Green Kelp Wrasse. I found some info on them, they have been known to mess with snails and flip corals. I think I will hold off on this one.

But while I am here, how about a school (5-6) of firefish? Can firefish and purple firefish be mixed? The tank is completely covered, I know they are known for jumping. I would like something that schools in my 150 that is small and wont mess with my corals and other fish. I know you dont usually do sugestions but anything you can think of that could maybe work?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by boba1

Novaculichthys macrolepidotus, AKA Sea Grass Wrasse, Kelp Wrasse, Green Kelp Wrasse. I found some info on them, they have been known to mess with snails and flip corals. I think I will hold off on this one.

But while I am here, how about a school (5-6) of firefish? Can firefish and purple firefish be mixed? The tank is completely covered, I know they are known for jumping. I would like something that schools in my 150 that is small and wont mess with my corals and other fish. I know you dont usually do sugestions but anything you can think of that could maybe work?

Firefish can exist in pairs (M+F) or as singles. They do not school in the long run even though it would appear that they do in the short run.

[hobbby3]

I'm just finishing up my first tank its a 48inch 90 gallon. I just started to research the creatures I'm interested in to see how compatible they might be together. This is a list of what I'm most interested, I don't intend on getting everything on this list.

It's pretty generic what specific types would you suggest I get that may coexist and grow together? The list is in order of personal preference.

Invertibrates
an Eel
small schooling fish
Hawkfish
clownfish
Yellow and Regal tang
Blenny
Batfish

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by hobbby3

I'm just finishing up my first tank its a 48inch 90 gallon. I just started to research the creatures I'm interested in to see how compatible they might be together. This is a list of what I'm most interested, I don't intend on getting everything on this list.

It's pretty generic what specific types would you suggest I get that may coexist and grow together? The list is in order of personal preference.

Invertibrates
an Eel Perhaps a golden dwarf eel but other ones are going to be a bit much for your tank and experience level
small schooling fish Well, no fish will really school in moderate sized tanks
Hawkfish will eat shrimp. But that being said red flame hawkfish are fascinating if you do not mind the restriction of no shrimp
clownfish
Yellow and Regal tang yellows are aggressive and hepatus (regal) really require a tank that is much larger
Blenny
Batfish Batfish require a minimum tank size much larger than you have planned. Not a beginning level fish

Sorry that I had to present such negative news. Do some research, and give it another shot and I will be happy to comment.

[adikira]

Originally Posted by snorvich

My recommendation is to slow down and stabilize your tank. Your plan is way overstocked. Lionfish will eat your fish.

Thanks Steve. Overstoking is one of the reason I didn't ad the lionfish or the red coris wrasse to my list. My plan was to add the fish over some time. I thought it's better to have a long term plan - for one, I won't be so easily persuaded at the LFS and then I can read up in advance on the fish I'm interested in.

I've adjusted my stocking list, 15 fish in total, is this still overstocked for my tank?

moorish idol
a trigger, one of these: bluechin/pinktail/sargassum/niger
bicolor goatfish
saddleback valentini toby/puffer
green manadrine
flame hawkfish
bangai cardinal
cleaner wrasse (does if offer real health benefits to the other tank inhabitants?)
mellanarus wrasse (or maybe replace it with a red coris wrasse, I saw a beautiful one at the LFS)
blue/hipo tang
sailfin tang
marine betta
gold stripe maroon clown
ocellaris clown
foxface

invertebrates: 1 fighting conch (I imagine smaller snails and hermits may get eaten) and corals (not sure what yet)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by adikira

Thanks Steve. Overstoking is one of the reason I didn't ad the lionfish or the red coris wrasse to my list. My plan was to add the fish over some time. I thought it's better to have a long term plan - for one, I won't be so easily persuaded at the LFS and then I can read up in advance on the fish I'm interested in.

I've adjusted my stocking list, 15 fish in total, is this still overstocked for my tank?

moorish idol
a trigger, one of these: bluechin/pinktail/sargassum/niger very aggressive
bicolor goatfish too large for your tank
saddleback valentini toby/puffer
green manadrine
flame hawkfish precludes shrimp
bangai cardinal
cleaner wrasse (does if offer real health benefits to the other tank inhabitants?) It does not offer health benefits (they do not pick parasites) and is a pain
mellanarus wrasse (or maybe replace it with a red coris wrasse, I saw a beautiful one at the LFS)
blue/hipo tang really needs a larger tang
sailfin tang
marine betta eats small fish
gold stripe maroon clown very aggressive
ocellaris clown will be killed by the GSM clown
foxface

invertebrates: 1 fighting conch (I imagine smaller snails and hermits may get eaten) and corals (not sure what yet)

Again, I advocate going slow. You just dealt with fish dieing and have not really solved that problem. I would not buy any fish for 60 days! Also, your LFS is not doing you any favors. This is the last commentary I am going to provide until June 15

[wardda]

I have a 90G mixed reef, 90G fuge, 40g sump, reef octo 2000 cone skimmer, lots of live rock in Fuge and fair amount in tank, and macro algae.

Current fish:
1 x Yellow Tang
1 x Firefish
2 x Green Mandarin
2 x Clown fish (small nemo style, I think Ocellaris)
2 x Pajama fish (got them free, sort of rethinking keeping them)

So my question is of the following what is it safe to add. I don't plan on adding all of them just looking for which ones would be ok (space and temperament) and a general idea of how much more bio load my system can take. I'm also open to other suggestions of colorful peaceful reef safe fish others like that would be compatible with my mix. Ideally colorful and add character to the tank.

Royal Gramma Basslet
Sleeper Gold Head Goby
Yellow Prawn Goby
Anthias (not sure which one, open to suggestions)
Yellow Candy Hogfish/(aka) Twospot Slender Hogfish

[adikira]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Again, I advocate going slow. You just dealt with fish dieing and have not really solved that problem. I would not buy any fish for 60 days! Also, your LFS is not doing you any favors. This is the last commentary I am going to provide until June 15

Thanks, I appreciate. Yes, I plan to add fish gradually. Right I'm doing hyposalinity for the disease I had and I'll keep doing that for at least a month. I hope that over a month of hyposalinity (1.009) should be good enough and then I'll start adding more fish. I just wanted to have my plan nailed down.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by wardda

I have a 90G mixed reef, 90G fuge, 40g sump, reef octo 2000 cone skimmer, lots of live rock in Fuge and fair amount in tank, and macro algae.

Current fish:
1 x Yellow Tang
1 x Firefish
2 x Green Mandarin
2 x Clown fish (small nemo style, I think Ocellaris)
2 x Pajama fish (got them free, sort of rethinking keeping them)

Cardinals seem to be more active at night so they provide relatively little interest.

So my question is of the following what is it safe to add. I don't plan on adding all of them just looking for which ones would be ok (space and temperament) and a general idea of how much more bio load my system can take. I'm also open to other suggestions of colorful peaceful reef safe fish others like that would be compatible with my mix. Ideally colorful and add character to the tank.

Royal Gramma Basslet
Sleeper Gold Head Goby will starve to death in the long run
Yellow Prawn Goby
Anthias (not sure which one, open to suggestions) a single carberryi would be fine
Yellow Candy Hogfish/(aka) Twospot Slender Hogfish

Hogfish can take shrimp once mature

[ganjero]

Whats more suitable for a 34g solana, a pair of ocellaris clowns or a pair of bangaii cardinals? I'm assuming I can't have both or Can I?

Thanks

[Maaka]

I have a 40 gallon tank with about 50 pounds of rock and it has been established for about 7 months.

In tank

2 percula clownfish
pink shrimp goby
magenta dottyback

what i would like

green or red mandarin
2 bar gobies
or
2 scissortail dartfish
or could i have one of each?

and I'm pretty sure this would put me at my limit and maybe a little bit beyond

Thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ganjero

Whats more suitable for a 34g solana, a pair of ocellaris clowns or a pair of bangaii cardinals? I'm assuming I can't have both or Can I?

Thanks

You can do both. Be sure the bangaii are a male + female pair.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Maaka

I have a 40 gallon tank with about 50 pounds of rock and it has been established for about 7 months.

In tank

2 percula clownfish
pink shrimp goby
magenta dottyback will make additions really tough

what i would like

green or red mandarin Your tank is not large enough to support a mandarin long term
2 bar gobies
or
2 scissortail dartfish
or could i have one of each?

I don't know if the dottyback will allow either but the gobies are more likely

and I'm pretty sure this would put me at my limit and maybe a little bit beyond

Thanks

[LOU A VILLE]

125L

Sumpless with a HOB skimmer

Stock list

5 blue/green chromis
1 or 2 longfin fairy wrasse
1 yellow tang
1 White Tail Bristletooth Tang
1 Powder brown or powder blue

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have an open top tank right now so the wrasses are out of the question unless I do 1/4 mesh top correct?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by LOU A VILLE

125L

Sumpless with a HOB skimmer

Stock list

5 blue/green chromis
1 or 2 longfin fairy wrasse
1 yellow tang
1 White Tail Bristletooth Tang
1 Powder brown or powder blue

Three tangs are unlikely to peacefully coexist long term and your filtration is not the most efficacious. You are correct that fairy wrasses require a mesh top. The 5 chromis are likely to winnow down to one or at most two in the long run.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have an open top tank right now so the wrasses are out of the question unless I do 1/4 mesh top correct?

[Jayar]

Hello,
I have been getting my first saltwater tank set up and running for the past few months. It is a 40 breeder with a 20 gallon sump, and about 50 lbs of liverock, 20 pounds of sand.

My current stock list is:
pair- Ocellaris clowns

CUC:
Various snails
4 - hermit crabs (got these before I joined here. Probably a bad idea?)
1 - cleaner shrimp
1 - peppermint shrimp

Proposed stock list:
Flasher Wrasse - not sure which one carpenters or McCosker's maybe
Gold Assessor OR Royal Gramma - Which would be a better choice?
Purple Firefish
Bluespotted watchman goby OR Bicolor Blenny - any one better than the other?
Mandarin (after fuge is up and running for a few months) OR Red scooter if more suitable.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jayar

Hello,
I have been getting my first saltwater tank set up and running for the past few months. It is a 40 breeder with a 20 gallon sump, and about 50 lbs of liverock, 20 pounds of sand.

My current stock list is:
pair- Ocellaris clowns which will become aggressive once sexually mature and bonded

CUC:
Various snails
4 - hermit crabs (got these before I joined here. Probably a bad idea?) If you do not have nor plan to have snails, it will be ok; my preference would always be a variety of snails
1 - cleaner shrimp
1 - peppermint shrimp

Proposed stock list:
Flasher Wrasse - not sure which one carpenters or McCosker's maybe requires a bit larger tank and a mesh top with 1/4 inch holes
Gold Assessor OR Royal Gramma - Which would be a better choice? Either would be fine, gramma loretto has more brilliant coloration
Purple Firefish ideally should be introduced first, also requires a top with 1/4 inch holes
Bluespotted watchman goby OR Bicolor Blenny - any one better than the other? they are different as one is a carnivore and the other a herbivore
Mandarin (after fuge is up and running for a few months) OR Red scooter if more suitable. red scooter is more likely to survive

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Jayar]

Thanks for the reply.

I have the screen top kit from BRS that I will be installing before I get any other fish.

How does this look for the order of additions:
Purple firefish- will this be ok even though I have added the clowns already?
Bluespotted Watchman OR Bicolor Blenny - Is it easier to keep one over the other? Watchman is the carnivore and bicolor being the herbivore, correct?
Flasher Wrasse - Which would work for my size tank? Filamented maybe? Or should I just plan on a possum wrasse?
Gold Assessor OR Royal Gramma
Red Scooter - after fuge has been set up for several months.

Is this a compatible stock list? This wont be too much for my size tank?

Thanks again!