Were getting 3 fish, is it best to get them all at once?Or spread it out

vexeclipse2007 · 03/21/2010, 09:32 PM

Were thinking on getting a Leopard Wrasse again ( bought at a lfs and died next day and they didnt guarantee it, this time we would get it on a website that guarantees them 14 days), either a blue hippo tang or powder blue tang, and a spotted mandarin...should we get them all at once? Or one at a time?

lvpd186 · 03/21/2010, 09:35 PM

I always like to spread it out. That way your not adding a bunch to your bio-load all at once. Plus it gives you a chance to keep an eye on the new arrivals, make sure they are eating, look healthy, QT, etc.

cubsFAN · 03/21/2010, 09:38 PM

how big is your tank? What fish are in there currently? How old is the tank? Do you have the room and ability to feed both the mandarin and the leopard wrasse? I have added multiple fish at the same time and had success, but it is generally better to stock slowly. I wouldn't be afraid to introduce one of the smaller fish and the tang at the same time if they're going to an appropriate home. Mandarins are generally left alone by other fish so it should be easy to add and won't take a big toll on your bioload.

tmgrash · 03/21/2010, 09:40 PM

With that combo I would spread it out. If you plan on getting multiple fish that would be aggressive towards each other it would be a good idea to add them at the same time.

steelhead77 · 03/22/2010, 01:28 AM

Are you putting these into your 56 gal? How old is the tank? The Leopard Wrasse and Mandarin will compete for the same food source. One (or both) of them will probably starve if your tank is less than a year old.

Maybe you should take the advice others have given in your previous posts re: PBT/Hippo and quit asking the same question in different ways until you get the answer you want.

If you insist on putting all of these fish in that small of a tank, you will, in all likelihood, continue to see your fish meet an untimely demise.

If you really want advice (and not just affirmation), upgrade to a 6 foot tank, be patient; let your tank mature for at least a year (to build up pod population), and do A LOT of research before purchasing any of these fish.

fishysteve · 03/22/2010, 06:21 AM

steelhead77 -

ChadTheSpike · 03/22/2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishysteve

steelhead77 -

+1, please research, ask questions, and more importantly, listen to the answers and understand the why's before making decisions.

To answer your specific question, it depends on what you are getting, what tank they are going into, the tank's setup, and how you have prepared your tank for new fish. It seems that the combination you are getting would be best to go through the QT process one fish at a time and usually one at a time is a safer/more conservative bet. But, there are certainly scenarios where it is better to group new arrivals.

03/21/2010, 09:32 PM	#1
vexeclipse2007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 506	Were getting 3 fish, is it best to get them all at once?Or spread it out Were thinking on getting a Leopard Wrasse again ( bought at a lfs and died next day and they didnt guarantee it, this time we would get it on a website that guarantees them 14 days), either a blue hippo tang or powder blue tang, and a spotted mandarin...should we get them all at once? Or one at a time?

03/21/2010, 09:35 PM	#2
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I always like to spread it out. That way your not adding a bunch to your bio-load all at once. Plus it gives you a chance to keep an eye on the new arrivals, make sure they are eating, look healthy, QT, etc. __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

03/22/2010, 01:28 AM	#5
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	Are you putting these into your 56 gal? How old is the tank? The Leopard Wrasse and Mandarin will compete for the same food source. One (or both) of them will probably starve if your tank is less than a year old. Maybe you should take the advice others have given in your previous posts re: PBT/Hippo and quit asking the same question in different ways until you get the answer you want. If you insist on putting all of these fish in that small of a tank, you will, in all likelihood, continue to see your fish meet an untimely demise. If you really want advice (and not just affirmation), upgrade to a 6 foot tank, be patient; let your tank mature for at least a year (to build up pod population), and do A LOT of research before purchasing any of these fish. __________________ This really isn't rocket science - it's more like marine biology. Current tank info: 180 gallon AGA, 40 gallon custom sump, AquaC EV240 skimmer, PM calc reactor, 3x 250w DIY MH, PCI CL-650 Chiller, 2x Koralia 4's, 2x Koralia 2's

03/22/2010, 06:21 AM	#6
fishysteve Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,804	steelhead77 - __________________ On a break

03/21/2010, 09:38 PM	#3
cubsFAN Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 1,550	how big is your tank? What fish are in there currently? How old is the tank? Do you have the room and ability to feed both the mandarin and the leopard wrasse? I have added multiple fish at the same time and had success, but it is generally better to stock slowly. I wouldn't be afraid to introduce one of the smaller fish and the tang at the same time if they're going to an appropriate home. Mandarins are generally left alone by other fish so it should be easy to add and won't take a big toll on your bioload.

03/21/2010, 09:40 PM	#4
tmgrash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 580	With that combo I would spread it out. If you plan on getting multiple fish that would be aggressive towards each other it would be a good idea to add them at the same time.