Want to add 3 blue/green chromis- Can I?

DLANDINO · 05/01/2009, 08:03 PM

Hi, I am looking to enhance my fish population with the addition of 3 blue/green reef chromis. I currently only have 3 fish.

Let me tell you about my tank and nutrient export measures before you answer.

46 Gal. sps/lps mixed reef
Deltec MCE 600
2080 gph flow
2 false perc
1 fire goby
1 serpent star
1 black urchin
62 lbs live rock
80 lbs live sand
I perform weekly 15 % water changes using RO/DI
All parameters are perfect.

So, can I add three more fish to add interest to the display? The reason that I want to add three is because most folks say that you have to add chromis in odd numbers and I would like to see some schooling activity.

Thanks for reading

thegrun · 05/01/2009, 08:37 PM

I don't see a problem with your tank being able to support them. I have had trouble keeping more than one alive (after 3 attempts I only keep one).They always pick on the weakest fish until he dies and then turn on the next weakest. I have read where others added 5 and the strongest 3 co-exist, killing the weakest two. I hope you get lucky and all three make it.

kaylo · 05/01/2009, 09:46 PM

With only 3 fish, I think you should be fine.

I'm not an SPS expert, but I am guessing you might want to just watch your nitrates for a while after getting them. I believe they are a little tempermental with swings and 3 more avid eaters will definatly add to the bioload. If you're doing water changes every week though you should be more than fine.

Interesting thegrun. I never heard of them doing that before.

I actually bought 5 and within 2 weeks I had 3. I've had those 3 for a while now.

I read a few times that they are hit or miss the first month or so. If they live through the acclimation they are pretty hardy but pretty succeptable to losses when they are new. I've found this to be pretty true in the past. This may have to do with what you were saying.

DLANDINO · 05/01/2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks both, Kaylo, are you in CTARS?

kaylo · 05/02/2009, 07:17 AM

I'm not an official member yet. I went to the conference a few weeks back and i'll be at the meeting tomorrow because I live down the street from Aquatic Wildlife. I plan on officially joining then.

I'm on CT fish stores site more though.

You in CTARS?

05/01/2009, 08:03 PM	#1
DLANDINO D.L. Heritage Rings Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, CT USA Posts: 5,610	Want to add 3 blue/green chromis- Can I? Hi, I am looking to enhance my fish population with the addition of 3 blue/green reef chromis. I currently only have 3 fish. Let me tell you about my tank and nutrient export measures before you answer. 46 Gal. sps/lps mixed reef Deltec MCE 600 2080 gph flow 2 false perc 1 fire goby 1 serpent star 1 black urchin 62 lbs live rock 80 lbs live sand I perform weekly 15 % water changes using RO/DI All parameters are perfect. So, can I add three more fish to add interest to the display? The reason that I want to add three is because most folks say that you have to add chromis in odd numbers and I would like to see some schooling activity. Thanks for reading __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: JBJ 8 Nano mixed

05/01/2009, 09:46 PM	#3
kaylo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 449	With only 3 fish, I think you should be fine. I'm not an SPS expert, but I am guessing you might want to just watch your nitrates for a while after getting them. I believe they are a little tempermental with swings and 3 more avid eaters will definatly add to the bioload. If you're doing water changes every week though you should be more than fine. Interesting thegrun. I never heard of them doing that before. I actually bought 5 and within 2 weeks I had 3. I've had those 3 for a while now. I read a few times that they are hit or miss the first month or so. If they live through the acclimation they are pretty hardy but pretty succeptable to losses when they are new. I've found this to be pretty true in the past. This may have to do with what you were saying. __________________ Hi. My name is Brian and i'm a reef addict. Current Tank Info: 135g tank: 75g sump, Reef Octopus Extreme SX 200 skimmer and marineland 4500 return, 2x Koralia EVOLUTION 1400

05/01/2009, 10:09 PM	#4
DLANDINO D.L. Heritage Rings Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, CT USA Posts: 5,610	Thanks both, Kaylo, are you in CTARS? __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: JBJ 8 Nano mixed

05/02/2009, 07:17 AM	#5
kaylo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 449	I'm not an official member yet. I went to the conference a few weeks back and i'll be at the meeting tomorrow because I live down the street from Aquatic Wildlife. I plan on officially joining then. I'm on CT fish stores site more though. You in CTARS? __________________ Hi. My name is Brian and i'm a reef addict. Current Tank Info: 135g tank: 75g sump, Reef Octopus Extreme SX 200 skimmer and marineland 4500 return, 2x Koralia EVOLUTION 1400

05/01/2009, 08:37 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I don't see a problem with your tank being able to support them. I have had trouble keeping more than one alive (after 3 attempts I only keep one).They always pick on the weakest fish until he dies and then turn on the next weakest. I have read where others added 5 and the strongest 3 co-exist, killing the weakest two. I hope you get lucky and all three make it.