PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[toothybugs]

I'm putting in a custom desktop tank at work with a base measuring 36x12 interior, about 10 high, and am planning my stock list. (Lots of time between now and installation; I'm building it this weekend.) I'm planning to do a short wall of rock right down the middle reaching about halfway up the water column to form kind of a racetrack for the flow, and also to give a little more swimming 'distance' for the crew. My main questions are on stocking order unless there is a grave issue with the planned stock list. Of course, a CUC will go in first.

Planned: purple or Helfrichi firefish, a fairy wrasse, and either a clown goby or a little blenny (tailspot, etc). I don't expect any issues with stocking order but in case there are I'm asking here first.

I know I'll want a cover for the jumpers. Already planned.

If it matters to anyone at all, in addition I'll be DIY'ing a long LED strip for a few really hardy softies and a condy nem once the tank matures a bit.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by toothybugs

I'm putting in a custom desktop tank at work with a base measuring 36x12 interior, about 10 high, and am planning my stock list. (Lots of time between now and installation; I'm building it this weekend.) I'm planning to do a short wall of rock right down the middle reaching about halfway up the water column to form kind of a racetrack for the flow, and also to give a little more swimming 'distance' for the crew. My main questions are on stocking order unless there is a grave issue with the planned stock list. Of course, a CUC will go in first.

Planned: purple or Helfrichi firefish, a fairy wrasse, and either a clown goby or a little blenny (tailspot, etc). I don't expect any issues with stocking order but in case there are I'm asking here first.

I know I'll want a cover for the jumpers. Already planned.

If it matters to anyone at all, in addition I'll be DIY'ing a long LED strip for a few really hardy softies and a condy nem once the tank matures a bit.

A fairy wrasse will not work in this sized tank, you might look at one of the three species of possum wrasse. Otherwise, fine.

[Cymonous]

I have a 65g with 20 sump. I currently have 2 false percs, firefish, foxface rabbit fish, diamond goby, yellow tail damsel, kole tang and a green mandarin. Can I add a royal gramma or am I maxed out?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Cymonous

I have a 65g with 20 sump. I currently have 2 false percs, firefish, foxface rabbit fish, diamond goby, yellow tail damsel, kole tang and a green mandarin. Can I add a royal gramma or am I maxed out?

You have two algae grazers in a tank that is barely (at best) large enough for one. A royal gramma would not be a problem, but the kole tang and a foxface will be. The mandarin will likely starve over time as there is insufficient copepods in this sized tank to sustain one.

[Cymonous]

Thank you for the input snorvich. I have been adding pods, plus I have a populated refugium in my sump. The mandarin is a bit plump. I have had em for about 8 months.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Cymonous

Thank you for the input snorvich. I have been adding pods, plus I have a populated refugium in my sump. The mandarin is a bit plump. I have had em for about 8 months.

With a refugium, you should be ok as long as you do not add any copepod eaters (such as a six-line wrasse)

[Sams Reef]

Hey Steve, I have updated my stocking list.
In tank
2 false percula clownfish
In Quarantine
6 line Wrasse

Maybe buying 1 green/blue chromis, banggai cardinal, and possibly a yellow watchman goby today.

What if I divide the quarantine in half(using eggcrate) and keep the wrasse in one side and my new purchases in the other? Then I could put the new fish in the main tank first and leave the wrasse in longer.

End Result
2 clowns,1 chromis,1 banggai cardinal,1 YWG, and 6 line wrasse

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Sams Reef

Hey Steve, I have updated my stocking list.
In tank
2 false percula clownfish
In Quarantine
6 line Wrasse

Maybe buying 1 green/blue chromis, banggai cardinal, and possibly a yellow watchman goby today.

What if I divide the quarantine in half(using eggcrate) and keep the wrasse in one side and my new purchases in the other? Then I could put the new fish in the main tank first and leave the wrasse in longer.

End Result
2 clowns,1 chromis,1 banggai cardinal,1 YWG, and 6 line wrasse

tank size? I do far too many of these to remember. The sixline wrasse may eventually be a problem. Be sure the Banggai cardinal is tank raised as the wild caught often do not eat in captivity.

[Sams Reef]

46 gallons

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Sams Reef

46 gallons

Thanks. Should be fine except for the six line wrasse.

[Sams Reef]

Thanks Steve

[Shawn O]

Got the go ahead for a tank, probably either a 75 tall (48"x18"x21") or a 90 long (48"x18"x25").

I intend to keep a few Emerald crabs, a couple Porcelain crabs, roughly 10x Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs, 10x Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs, 10x Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crabs, a Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, a Peppermint Shrimp, and maybe some odd ornamentals like a Pom Pom Crab and/or an arrow crab, a couple dozen small snails like Nassarius and Astraeas and maybe a small Fighting Conch.

Realizing I seem to prefer crustaceans and gobies I came up with a different list in descending order of preference. Please let me know what you think will work.

Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x2
Blue Dot Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti)
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

Other fish of interest, but not seriously considering are:
a spotted or a red mandarin,
a mated pair of Bangghaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni)
Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia)
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) (too big, I know)


Thanks in advance Steve.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Shawn O

Got the go ahead for a tank, probably either a 75 tall (48"x18"x21") or a 90 long (48"x18"x25").

I intend to keep a few Emerald crabs, a couple Porcelain crabs, roughly 10x Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs, 10x Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs, 10x Blue Leg Reef Hermit Crabs, a Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, a Peppermint Shrimp, and maybe some odd ornamentals like a Pom Pom Crab and/or an arrow crab, a couple dozen small snails like Nassarius and Astraeas and maybe a small Fighting Conch.

Hermit crabs will kill snails, I suggest one or the other not both. Arrow crabs and larger emerald crabs can take fish.

Realizing I seem to prefer crustaceans and gobies I came up with a different list in descending order of preference. Please let me know what you think will work.

Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x2 only one is long term stable
Blue Dot Jawfish (Opistognathus rosenblatti) needs cooler temperatures and special substrate requirements
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

Other fish of interest, but not seriously considering are:
a spotted or a red mandarin, too many copepod eaters planned so tank will not sustain
a mated pair of Bangghaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni) tank raised is preferred
Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia)
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) (too big, I know)
tank is not large enough and this is a potentially difficult fish which is also a copepod eater

Thanks in advance Steve.

[fearyaks]

Hi there, I apprecaite this thread and your effort into matching fish and their tanks. I apologize for this being my first post (been lurking for a few months) but I figure it would be prudent to get someone to double check my potential stock.

Please feel free to let me know if I'm terribly off base or have any incompatibilities listed.

Additional, I'm not 100% certain as to what order I should introduce the fish... I know the Tang(s) are usually last for aggression and algae reasons. Not sure about the others.

Tank specs:
125 gallon, 60X18X24
Sump, UV Sterilizer
200 lbs live sand
200 lbs live rock

Fish:
Amphiprion ocellaris (Clowns, tank bred) X2
Elacatinus oceanops (Neon Blue Goby tank bred) X2
Serranus tortugarum (Chalk Bass) X3
Oxycirrhites typus (Long Nosed Hawkfish) X1
Ptereleotris zebra (Zebra Barred Dartfish, see that they can be tank bred, but can't find any) X3 or X5
Salarias ramosus (Starry Blenny) X1
Kole Eyed Tang or Yellow Tang (tank raised). I don't think I could support two in this tank.

And a couple of Cleaner Shrimp

Thanks very much in advance!

[silverado304]

Originally Posted by silverado304

My tank is a 48" 50g with a reef octopus bh2000 hob skimmer. No sump. Current U.S.A. Orbit lighting.

I think for now I'll stick with a fowler tank, but I might want to venture into reef territory in the future. I'm still gathering all the equipment I need to get the tank up and running, but I'd like to get an idea of livestock I can have in a tank my size.

Must have:
Occelarus clownfish
Peppermint shrimp

Aside from those, if I could, maybe something a little different or odd that would be compatible.

I updated a list of possibilities:
Blue chromis
Sailfin Blenny
Saddle puffer or valentini puffer (will it eat the peppermint shrimp?)
Bicolor dottyback
Catalina goby

Thanks again

[710Reefer]

Hello everyone, I just added a Blue dot jawfish on tuesday to my new reef tank. He's doing great, already has a few burrows and a nice tunnel. I gave him about 2 lbs of rubble to work with. He is almost don't using it all so I'm getting more tomorrow.

Now, I have an old credit from Liveaquaria that I never used. They told me I need to use it within the next 2 weeks. I wanted to get a pair of Black clownfish, maybe some Tank bred Gladiator Ocellaris but don't know how long I should wait to add the fish. I don't want to add another fish too early, and I kind of want to leave him alone in the tank. Then again I NEED clownfish lol. Any info??

77.7 deg
1.024
8.1
0
0
.2

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by fearyaks

Hi there, I apprecaite this thread and your effort into matching fish and their tanks. I apologize for this being my first post (been lurking for a few months) but I figure it would be prudent to get someone to double check my potential stock.

Please feel free to let me know if I'm terribly off base or have any incompatibilities listed.

Additional, I'm not 100% certain as to what order I should introduce the fish... I know the Tang(s) are usually last for aggression and algae reasons. Not sure about the others.

Tank specs:
125 gallon, 60X18X24
Sump, UV Sterilizer
200 lbs live sand
200 lbs live rock

Fish:
Amphiprion ocellaris (Clowns, tank bred) X2
Elacatinus oceanops (Neon Blue Goby tank bred) X2 only one, short lived fish
Serranus tortugarum (Chalk Bass) X3 add concurrently
Oxycirrhites typus (Long Nosed Hawkfish) X1
Ptereleotris zebra (Zebra Barred Dartfish, see that they can be tank bred, but can't find any) X3 or X5
Salarias ramosus (Starry Blenny) X1
Kole Eyed Tang or Yellow Tang (tank raised). I don't think I could support two in this tank. yes, only one, should be last, ideally after tank is at least 6 months mature

And a couple of Cleaner Shrimp you have several fish on your list that are not shrimp safe

Thanks very much in advance!

fine with annotations

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by silverado304

I updated a list of possibilities:

My tank is a 48" 50g with a reef octopus bh2000 hob skimmer. No sump. Current U.S.A. Orbit lighting.

I think for now I'll stick with a fowler tank, but I might want to venture into reef territory in the future. I'm still gathering all the equipment I need to get the tank up and running, but I'd like to get an idea of livestock I can have in a tank my size.

Must have:
Occelarus clownfish
Peppermint shrimp

Aside from those, if I could, maybe something a little different or odd that would be compatible.
Blue chromis
Sailfin Blenny
Saddle puffer or valentini puffer (will it eat the peppermint shrimp?) not invert safe
Bicolor dottyback pretty, but very aggressive and would not be advised
Catalina goby No. This is a cold water fish that would not last in your type tank.

Thanks again

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by 710Reefer

Hello everyone, I just added a Blue dot jawfish on tuesday to my new reef tank. He's doing great, already has a few burrows and a nice tunnel. I gave him about 2 lbs of rubble to work with. He is almost don't using it all so I'm getting more tomorrow.

Now, I have an old credit from Liveaquaria that I never used. They told me I need to use it within the next 2 weeks. I wanted to get a pair of Black clownfish, maybe some Tank bred Gladiator Ocellaris but don't know how long I should wait to add the fish. I don't want to add another fish too early, and I kind of want to leave him alone in the tank. Then again I NEED clownfish lol. Any info??

A pair of Clownfish are require about 25 gallons of tank space once sexually mature so your tank would be marginal with no other fish. I do not think your combination will work long term NEED?????

77.7 deg this fish needs cooler temperatures; ideally around 72F since this fish is collected in the sea of cortez
1.024
8.1
0
0
.2 If this ammonia, your tank is not fully cycled!!!

[Shawn O]

Originally Posted by Shawn O

Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x1
Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons) x2 (warmer water)
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) (maybe)
a mated pair of Bangghaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni) tank raised is preferred

Does this look more appropriate, Steve? And what would be the best order to introduce them?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Shawn O

Does this look more appropriate, Steve? And what would be the best order to introduce them?

Originally Posted by Shawn O View Post
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x1
Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons) x2 (warmer water)
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes)
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) (maybe)
a mated pair of Bangghaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni) tank raised is preferred

Looks fine. Please provide tank size on future follow up questions so I don't have to go back. Thanks!

[Shawn O]

Sorry, forgot to add it. Thanks again.

[Silly clownfish]

I have set up my new 75g tank with 20g sump, Reef Octopus NWB 110 skimmer, dosing kalwasser. Its been running for about 6 weeks with about half of it's ultimate LR and a sacrafical mushroom and frogspawn frag to see how they do under the RB LEDs (very happy). *The sump has some macro algae and pods growing. *I will transfer the rest of the rock and livestock from my 16yr old 30g this weekend. *Then the 30 g becomes a QT tank for my new aquisitions.

from my existing tank, the baseline inhabitants, along with aquisition dates, personalities, and sizes as applicable:
Ocelaris clown (5/1998) tank raised, kinda silly and laid back
Flame hawk (5/1999) eats hermit crabs giving the opportunity, no agression toward other fish, but assertive
Coral banded shrimp (11/2006) much too big for hawk to eat, he likes to wave his arm and he and my former cherub angle used to make a show at each other. *I don't think he caused the cherub's demise as I found the cherub dead in the tank, not eaten (suspected victim of rockfall)
Serpent star (2/2000) ( has been know to eat snails and a week or so later disgorge the polished remnant of the shell looking like a button)
Brittle star (11/2006) (seldom seen)
Frogspawn coral (3/2002) (will probably take about 2/3rds to LFS in trade to make transition easier - I typically take about 1/3 to them several times a year as it outgrows the tank) this guy has definitely waged chemical warfare on other corals and is the reason I no longer have several other species that got stung in the 30g
Umbrella leather (4/1999) ~8" span
3-4 different colors of corlimorphs (various ages) probably about 30 individuals scattered *around tank
My planned aquisitions and stocking order are listed below. *I would only be QTing one fish at a time, so looking at probably 2 months or more between acquistions. *The total stocking process will likely be stretched over a year or more.
Royal gramma (could be convinced to change to firefish, I have been waffling on this)
Long fin fairy wrasse or carpenter flasher wrasse*
Mixed corals, I'm not set on anything in particular, it will depend what frags catch my eye and pass my research on their suitability. *Will be added gradually 1-2 at a time
One spot foxface (growing several macros in sump and DT)
Mandarin (not for quite a while until I have a good copepod population in my sump to support it during training to eat non-live foods, plus will probably set up a pod culturing station in the basement)
Clam (also not for at least 6-12 months)
Mixed corals, I'm not set on anything in particular, it will depend what frags catch my eye and pass my research on their suitability.
That would make me fully stocked in my mind. *Do you think this is too much?

Do you see a problem with my list, or order?

Obviously, if I was starting from scratch, the hawk and clown would be later in the order, but I need to work around who I already have. *At least I have had my current sotck long enough to know their personalities.

[710Reefer]

No thats not my ammonia! Its my Nitrate, ammonia and nitrite are at 0. My tank is fully cycled!

From what I read online, talking to people, watching videos, LFS, they all say 20 gallons are just fine. Even Liveaquaria recommends 20 gallons. Who has a 25 gallon tank anyways lmao..

So you're saying a clownfish and blue dot won't work in the same tank right? or??.....

"Snorvich,

Thank you for your post. The Blue spotted Jawfish, known as opistognathus rosenblatti, is one of the most beautiful Jawfish species. This fish can be kept successfully long term given the right tank conditions.

This species is a jumper, and can find the smallest hole through which it can escape, so a covered tank is required. They burrow in mixed shell fragments and sand, covering their entrance at night. Two to three inches of substrate is necessary for them to create burrows.

They tend to be more aggressive towards their own species. The minimum aquarium size is 20 gallons with a preferred temperature of 70- 82. They can be enticed with small pieces of mussel, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, or other meaty foods. Eventually, prepared foods can be offered. Feeding must be done near the burrow.

Barb T
LiveAquaria
Drs Foster and Smith "

This was posted on your old post. I know you remember the temp and minimum tank requirements from here, maybe not.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Silly clownfish

I have set up my new 75g tank with 20g sump, Reef Octopus NWB 110 skimmer, dosing kalwasser. Its been running for about 6 weeks with about half of it's ultimate LR and a sacrafical mushroom and frogspawn frag to see how they do under the RB LEDs (very happy). *The sump has some macro algae and pods growing. *I will transfer the rest of the rock and livestock from my 16yr old 30g this weekend. *Then the 30 g becomes a QT tank for my new aquisitions.

from my existing tank, the baseline inhabitants, along with aquisition dates, personalities, and sizes as applicable:
Ocelaris clown (5/1998) tank raised, kinda silly and laid back
Flame hawk (5/1999) eats hermit crabs giving the opportunity, no agression toward other fish, but assertive
Coral banded shrimp (11/2006) much too big for hawk to eat, he likes to wave his arm and he and my former cherub angle used to make a show at each other. *I don't think he caused the cherub's demise as I found the cherub dead in the tank, not eaten (suspected victim of rockfall) Coral banded shrimp can take fish
Serpent star (2/2000) ( has been know to eat snails and a week or so later disgorge the polished remnant of the shell looking like a button)
Brittle star (11/2006) (seldom seen) may be fish eaters with these two as well
Frogspawn coral (3/2002) (will probably take about 2/3rds to LFS in trade to make transition easier - I typically take about 1/3 to them several times a year as it outgrows the tank) this guy has definitely waged chemical warfare on other corals and is the reason I no longer have several other species that got stung in the 30g
Umbrella leather (4/1999) ~8" span
3-4 different colors of corlimorphs (various ages) probably about 30 individuals scattered *around tank
My planned aquisitions and stocking order are listed below. *I would only be QTing one fish at a time, so looking at probably 2 months or more between acquistions. *The total stocking process will likely be stretched over a year or more.
Royal gramma (could be convinced to change to firefish, I have been waffling on this) either is fine
Long fin fairy wrasse or carpenter flasher wrasse* long fin is aggressive, carpenter flasher is not
Mixed corals, I'm not set on anything in particular, it will depend what frags catch my eye and pass my research on their suitability. *Will be added gradually 1-2 at a time
One spot foxface (growing several macros in sump and DT) not coral safe if hungry
Mandarin (not for quite a while until I have a good copepod population in my sump to support it during training to eat non-live foods, plus will probably set up a pod culturing station in the basement) all mandarins eat frozen (training is not required) but they cannot successfully compete
Clam (also not for at least 6-12 months)
Mixed corals, I'm not set on anything in particular, it will depend what frags catch my eye and pass my research on their suitability.
That would make me fully stocked in my mind. *Do you think this is too much?

Do you see a problem with my list, or order?

Obviously, if I was starting from scratch, the hawk and clown would be later in the order, but I need to work around who I already have. *At least I have had my current sotck long enough to know their personalities.