Need stocking advice

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 01:54 AM

Hey, brand new to Reef Central. I have a fluval osaka 260l. I have 70 lbs of live rock with a 3" live sand bed. Need some stocking ideas I am new to saltwater. I plan on doing a reef tank, but my light needs to be upgraded.

I currently have:
2 True Perculas
4 Turbo Snails
4 Cerith Snails
10 Assorted Hermit Crabs

Wanting:
1 Kole Yellow Eye Tang
1 Shrimp/Prawn Goby
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Royal Gramma

Would pairing a shrimp/prawn goby with a pistol shrimp cause any aggression towards others?

Would this be fine? Would I be able to put anything else in? If so, what else would be good? What order should I get them in? I have been told that I should put most aggressive last.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

CAPSLOK · 09/18/2012, 04:45 PM

Depending on the dimensions, that is probably going to be on the small side for a tang (although the kole yellow eye is one of the smaller, nicer ones so if any would work, that would be the one). If you get the tang, add him last.

I would think the rest of your list would be okay. Maybe look into the fairy / flasher wrasses if you want a good, colorful swimmer (note these guys are jumpers).

Everything I've read says the pistol / goby should be fine with that stocking. My shrimp goby is a few days from going into the tank (he is finishing up his QT).

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPSLOK

Depending on the dimensions, that is probably going to be on the small side for a tang (although the kole yellow eye is one of the smaller, nicer ones so if any would work, that would be the one). If you get the tang, add him last.

I would think the rest of your list would be okay. Maybe look into the fairy / flasher wrasses if you want a good, colorful swimmer (note these guys are jumpers).

Everything I've read says the pistol / goby should be fine with that stocking. My shrimp goby is a few days from going into the tank (he is finishing up his QT).

What order would you get the fish?

CAPSLOK · 09/18/2012, 05:32 PM

I am not an expert on such things, but if I were stocking it I would do the shrimp / goby next, then the royal gramma or lawnmower, then the tang. Really the first 3 probably don't matter too much, but generally tangs should be added last to peaceful tanks.

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPSLOK

I am not an expert on such things, but if I were stocking it I would do the shrimp / goby next, then the royal gramma or lawnmower, then the tang. Really the first 3 probably don't matter too much, but generally tangs should be added last to peaceful tanks.

Thanks for your help. Where would the wrasse fit in?

Ambition · 09/18/2012, 07:14 PM

List looks good to me. Is the tank at least 48in. long by 18in. wide? If not then skip adding any tang at all, as that is the bare minimum for small tangs like kole and tomini tangs.

For the order I would suggest:

Fairy (depending on the species you get) or flasher wrasse
Royal Gramma
Watchman/prawn goby with pistol
Blenny
Kole tang (if you meet the minimum footprint)

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambition

List looks good to me. Is the tank at least 48in. long by 18in. wide? If not then skip adding any tang at all, as that is the bare minimum for small tangs like kole and tomini tangs.

For the order I would suggest:

Fairy (depending on the species you get) or flasher wrasse
Royal Gramma
Watchman/prawn goby with pistol
Blenny
Kole tang (if you meet the minimum footprint)

I think the tank is 46" long and at least 18" wide? What wrasse would you recommend? I think I am gong to skip on the pairing of the goby and shrimp and just get the goby. It sounds like the shrimp will eat my snails and hermit crabs.

Ambition · 09/18/2012, 08:42 PM

I would suggest a linespot (P. lineopunctatus), McCosker's (P. mccoskeri), or red fin (P. rubricaudalis) if you want a flasher wrasse. I'm not sure what your price limitations are on fish, but for fairy wrasses I suggest the following; rhomboid (C. rhomboidalis), Flame (C. jordani), or hooded (C. bathyphilus). All of the fairy wrasses I listed are fairly expensive. There are many choices, and tastes will vary from person to person.

CAPSLOK · 09/18/2012, 08:49 PM

Shrimp shouldn't eat your snails though the hermit crabs may. But the goby also does just fine alone.

I like the more brightly colored but not ridiculously expensive flasher wrasses - McCoskers, Yellowfin, Carpenter. There are a bunch more I'm sure as well. Exquisite is nice if you want some green in the tank.

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 09:04 PM

I have 4 decent sized electric blue hermit crabs. Starting to think I should get rid of them. Nothing has gone missing yet, but I don't want to have any problems down the line.

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 09:11 PM

What about dartfish?

CAPSLOK · 09/18/2012, 11:25 PM

Dartfish are great little guys. It wouldn't surprise me if they were jumpers though. Peaceful fish. Not sure if they do well with each other long term. If you like them, also check out firefish.

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPSLOK

Dartfish are great little guys. It wouldn't surprise me if they were jumpers though. Peaceful fish. Not sure if they do well with each other long term. If you like them, also check out firefish.

Will they mix with a goby?
I don't currently have a top for the tank. What could I use as one? Screen, glass, acrylic?

CAPSLOK · 09/18/2012, 11:53 PM

I haven't had dartfish but I doubt it would be a problem with a goby. Usually the gobies are fine with each other unless they are wanting the same territory or filling the same niche - dartfish are midwater swimmers whereas most gobies inhabit the sand bed or perch on the rocks / corals.

I have had firefish and they are fine with anything that won't be too rough with them - although you can only have 1 or a mated pair per tank.

I know you're bouncing a lot of ideas right now, but I always like to advocate for the neon blue (or gold) gobies too - it is so tiny it really doesn't have an effect on the bioload, plus tank raised, cute, personable, reef safe, and a nice neon color. And get along with anything that doesn't eat them. I love to throw that guy into consideration

Ryan1221 · 09/18/2012, 11:57 PM

What about 1 blue/green chromis and 1 pajama cardinal? I like the wrasses, but I need to figure out what to cover the tank with.

CAPSLOK · 09/19/2012, 12:01 AM

Screen or glass would work, I'm not sure about acrylic. Assuming you're not going to use some kind of metal screen that would potentially rust if it got wet. There are some good threads in the DIY forum about building screen netting tops that really look quite nice.

Chromis and cardinal should be fine, I've never had either of those. My understanding is most cardinals are more nocturnal so they can be kinda boring during the day.

Ryan1221 · 09/19/2012, 12:17 AM

I'll give the DIY forum a look.

What about this?
1 shrimp/prawn goby with pistol shrimp
1 lawnmower blenny
1 wrasse
1 blue/green chromis
1 royal gramma
1 kole tang

How does that look? Do you see any potential problems down the line? Decided no on forefish because I heard that they will get intimidated easily.

CAPSLOK · 09/19/2012, 07:47 AM

I think the list looks good but I'm not an expert - I would run it by snorvich in the "Please check your intended fish purchases here" thread. It would be a good idea to nail down a few potential species of wrasses too, as there are a couple who aren't as peaceful that you'd want to avoid (like scott's fairy wrasse).

Ryan1221 · 09/19/2012, 02:10 PM

What are the most common wrasses sold at fish stores?

CAPSLOK · 09/19/2012, 07:22 PM

Sixlines - the majority on RC say to stay away from those guys, they are hardy but like to terrorize tanks. Although I have not had one so I have no personal experience. For some reason these are the most common, and even the stores that only carry a few SW species seem to always have the sixline. (4 line fits in this category too, just less common).

I've seen quite a few other fairy / flasher wrasses - I have had a long finned (some say these can be aggressive too, mine died shortly after purchase so he didn't get the chance

), exquisite wrasse (had for a while, no issues), and an eightline fairy (flasher? can't remember) wrasse - jumped. I think probably carpenters, McCoskers, long finned are the most common fairy / flasher wrasses (based mostly on their prices), but not really sure.

I think sometimes the LFS also gets random ones labelled "assorted fairy wrasse" and the like, since they are not always named.

Ryan1221 · 09/19/2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPSLOK

Sixlines - the majority on RC say to stay away from those guys, they are hardy but like to terrorize tanks. Although I have not had one so I have no personal experience. For some reason these are the most common, and even the stores that only carry a few SW species seem to always have the sixline. (4 line fits in this category too, just less common).

I've seen quite a few other fairy / flasher wrasses - I have had a long finned (some say these can be aggressive too, mine died shortly after purchase so he didn't get the chance

), exquisite wrasse (had for a while, no issues), and an eightline fairy (flasher? can't remember) wrasse - jumped. I think probably carpenters, McCoskers, long finned are the most common fairy / flasher wrasses (based mostly on their prices), but not really sure.

I think sometimes the LFS also gets random ones labelled "assorted fairy wrasse" and the like, since they are not always named.

I am looking at one of these:

Carpenter's Flasher
Blue Flasher
Filamented Flasher
McCosker's Flasher

CAPSLOK · 09/19/2012, 08:30 PM

It will depend on your LFS - around me, I have found all of one within a 1 1/2 hr drive that has any selection, and the selection is actually quite impressive. The rest have your typical Petco selection (damsels, chromis, regal tang, yellow tang, royal gramma, clowns, grouper, flame angel, sixline wrasse, snails, cleaner shrimp, maybe LR).

Get some good photos so when you go to the store, you don't have to 100% rely on their IDs. Some stores are better than others. Keeping in mind that they may not be at their peak coloration in the stress of the store. Or obviously a reputable online place that isn't an issue.

Ryan1221 · 09/19/2012, 08:33 PM

Have you heard of any of these?
Salwaterfish.com
Aquacon.com
Liveaquaria.com

Are these all good?

CAPSLOK · 09/19/2012, 08:39 PM

Liveaquaria.com is awesome from everything I've heard - have not ordered livestock online yet. I have ordered from their dry goods from their main company, Drs. Foster and Smith and have never had a problem. Lots of people on here have ordered from liveaquaria and I've seen quite a few positive comments about their service. Also saw one where someone said a fish was smaller than expected, I believe from liveaquaria.

I don't know about the other two, if they are sponsors here you can always check out their little forum at the bottom. Or search for comments about the company.

I've also seen several people write about bluezoo.

Ryan1221 · 09/19/2012, 08:41 PM

I have ordered a lot of stuff from Drs. Foster and Smith as well. Haven't had any problems. The only thing I don't like is that you have to spend like $200 for free shipping.

09/18/2012, 01:54 AM	#1
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	Need stocking advice Hey, brand new to Reef Central. I have a fluval osaka 260l. I have 70 lbs of live rock with a 3" live sand bed. Need some stocking ideas I am new to saltwater. I plan on doing a reef tank, but my light needs to be upgraded. I currently have: 2 True Perculas 4 Turbo Snails 4 Cerith Snails 10 Assorted Hermit Crabs Wanting: 1 Kole Yellow Eye Tang 1 Shrimp/Prawn Goby 1 Lawnmower Blenny 1 Royal Gramma Would pairing a shrimp/prawn goby with a pistol shrimp cause any aggression towards others? Would this be fine? Would I be able to put anything else in? If so, what else would be good? What order should I get them in? I have been told that I should put most aggressive last. Help would be greatly appreciated.

09/18/2012, 07:14 PM	#6
Ambition Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,138	List looks good to me. Is the tank at least 48in. long by 18in. wide? If not then skip adding any tang at all, as that is the bare minimum for small tangs like kole and tomini tangs. For the order I would suggest: Fairy (depending on the species you get) or flasher wrasse Royal Gramma Watchman/prawn goby with pistol Blenny Kole tang (if you meet the minimum footprint) __________________ Kyle A day off? That's an illusion. Current Tank Info: 460+ Gallons in the making

09/18/2012, 08:42 PM	#8
Ambition Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,138	I would suggest a linespot (P. lineopunctatus), McCosker's (P. mccoskeri), or red fin (P. rubricaudalis) if you want a flasher wrasse. I'm not sure what your price limitations are on fish, but for fairy wrasses I suggest the following; rhomboid (C. rhomboidalis), Flame (C. jordani), or hooded (C. bathyphilus). All of the fairy wrasses I listed are fairly expensive. There are many choices, and tastes will vary from person to person. __________________ Kyle A day off? That's an illusion. Current Tank Info: 460+ Gallons in the making

09/18/2012, 11:53 PM	#14
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	I haven't had dartfish but I doubt it would be a problem with a goby. Usually the gobies are fine with each other unless they are wanting the same territory or filling the same niche - dartfish are midwater swimmers whereas most gobies inhabit the sand bed or perch on the rocks / corals. I have had firefish and they are fine with anything that won't be too rough with them - although you can only have 1 or a mated pair per tank. I know you're bouncing a lot of ideas right now, but I always like to advocate for the neon blue (or gold) gobies too - it is so tiny it really doesn't have an effect on the bioload, plus tank raised, cute, personable, reef safe, and a nice neon color. And get along with anything that doesn't eat them. I love to throw that guy into consideration Last edited by CAPSLOK; 09/19/2012 at 12:00 AM.

09/18/2012, 04:45 PM	#2
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Depending on the dimensions, that is probably going to be on the small side for a tang (although the kole yellow eye is one of the smaller, nicer ones so if any would work, that would be the one). If you get the tang, add him last. I would think the rest of your list would be okay. Maybe look into the fairy / flasher wrasses if you want a good, colorful swimmer (note these guys are jumpers). Everything I've read says the pistol / goby should be fine with that stocking. My shrimp goby is a few days from going into the tank (he is finishing up his QT).

09/18/2012, 05:32 PM	#4
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	I am not an expert on such things, but if I were stocking it I would do the shrimp / goby next, then the royal gramma or lawnmower, then the tang. Really the first 3 probably don't matter too much, but generally tangs should be added last to peaceful tanks.

09/18/2012, 08:49 PM	#9
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Shrimp shouldn't eat your snails though the hermit crabs may. But the goby also does just fine alone. I like the more brightly colored but not ridiculously expensive flasher wrasses - McCoskers, Yellowfin, Carpenter. There are a bunch more I'm sure as well. Exquisite is nice if you want some green in the tank.

09/18/2012, 09:04 PM	#10
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I have 4 decent sized electric blue hermit crabs. Starting to think I should get rid of them. Nothing has gone missing yet, but I don't want to have any problems down the line.

09/18/2012, 09:11 PM	#11
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	What about dartfish?

09/18/2012, 11:25 PM	#12
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Dartfish are great little guys. It wouldn't surprise me if they were jumpers though. Peaceful fish. Not sure if they do well with each other long term. If you like them, also check out firefish.

09/18/2012, 11:57 PM	#15
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	What about 1 blue/green chromis and 1 pajama cardinal? I like the wrasses, but I need to figure out what to cover the tank with.

09/19/2012, 12:01 AM	#16
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Screen or glass would work, I'm not sure about acrylic. Assuming you're not going to use some kind of metal screen that would potentially rust if it got wet. There are some good threads in the DIY forum about building screen netting tops that really look quite nice. Chromis and cardinal should be fine, I've never had either of those. My understanding is most cardinals are more nocturnal so they can be kinda boring during the day.

09/19/2012, 12:17 AM	#17
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I'll give the DIY forum a look. What about this? 1 shrimp/prawn goby with pistol shrimp 1 lawnmower blenny 1 wrasse 1 blue/green chromis 1 royal gramma 1 kole tang How does that look? Do you see any potential problems down the line? Decided no on forefish because I heard that they will get intimidated easily.

09/19/2012, 07:47 AM	#18
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	I think the list looks good but I'm not an expert - I would run it by snorvich in the "Please check your intended fish purchases here" thread. It would be a good idea to nail down a few potential species of wrasses too, as there are a couple who aren't as peaceful that you'd want to avoid (like scott's fairy wrasse).

09/19/2012, 02:10 PM	#19
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	What are the most common wrasses sold at fish stores?

09/19/2012, 07:22 PM	#20
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Sixlines - the majority on RC say to stay away from those guys, they are hardy but like to terrorize tanks. Although I have not had one so I have no personal experience. For some reason these are the most common, and even the stores that only carry a few SW species seem to always have the sixline. (4 line fits in this category too, just less common). I've seen quite a few other fairy / flasher wrasses - I have had a long finned (some say these can be aggressive too, mine died shortly after purchase so he didn't get the chance ), exquisite wrasse (had for a while, no issues), and an eightline fairy (flasher? can't remember) wrasse - jumped. I think probably carpenters, McCoskers, long finned are the most common fairy / flasher wrasses (based mostly on their prices), but not really sure. I think sometimes the LFS also gets random ones labelled "assorted fairy wrasse" and the like, since they are not always named.

09/19/2012, 08:30 PM	#22
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	It will depend on your LFS - around me, I have found all of one within a 1 1/2 hr drive that has any selection, and the selection is actually quite impressive. The rest have your typical Petco selection (damsels, chromis, regal tang, yellow tang, royal gramma, clowns, grouper, flame angel, sixline wrasse, snails, cleaner shrimp, maybe LR). Get some good photos so when you go to the store, you don't have to 100% rely on their IDs. Some stores are better than others. Keeping in mind that they may not be at their peak coloration in the stress of the store. Or obviously a reputable online place that isn't an issue.

09/19/2012, 08:33 PM	#23
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	Have you heard of any of these? Salwaterfish.com Aquacon.com Liveaquaria.com Are these all good?

09/19/2012, 08:39 PM	#24
CAPSLOK Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 308	Liveaquaria.com is awesome from everything I've heard - have not ordered livestock online yet. I have ordered from their dry goods from their main company, Drs. Foster and Smith and have never had a problem. Lots of people on here have ordered from liveaquaria and I've seen quite a few positive comments about their service. Also saw one where someone said a fish was smaller than expected, I believe from liveaquaria. I don't know about the other two, if they are sponsors here you can always check out their little forum at the bottom. Or search for comments about the company. I've also seen several people write about bluezoo.

09/19/2012, 08:41 PM	#25
Ryan1221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Dimas, CA Posts: 60	I have ordered a lot of stuff from Drs. Foster and Smith as well. Haven't had any problems. The only thing I don't like is that you have to spend like $200 for free shipping.