PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by billyboy61

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. What kind of problems would the neon dottyback cause. Are there any small colourful fish that are community and reefsafe? Bill

Dottybacks, with very few exceptions, are incredibly aggressive fish and create coexistence problems.

[neptunestender]

I have made the list of wants for my 75 gal ATS filtered tank and display fuge with 20gal sump. I am including a number in front to signify the the desire for the fish. 1= cant live without 5=only if the species will not proclude lower number.

So here goes, dash all my hopes and dreams.

1 Mated pair of one of the following
Amphiprion Ocellaris, or Percula, or Perideraion. (Perideraion = Pink Skunk Anemonefish)

1 Cryptocentrus Cinctus, posibly mated pair. With Alpheus Bellulus (Yellow Watchman Gobie, with Tiger Pistol Shrimp)

2 Nemateleotris Magnifica (Flame Firefish)

3 Chromis Veridis, or Cyanea (Green Chromis, or Blue Reef Chromis)

3 Ecsenius Gravieri (Red Sea Mimic Blenny)

3 Labroides Dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse)

4 Centropyge Bospiniosa (Coral Beauty)

5 Cirrhilabrus Rubrisquamis (Maldive Velvet Fairy Wrasse)

5 Echidna Catenata (Chainlink Moray Eel)

Inverts to be included
Pachyclavularia Viridis (Green Star Polyp)
Zoathus
Euphyllia Ancora (Hammer Coral)
Euphyllia Divisa (Frogspawn Coral)
Euphyllia Glabrescens (Torch Coral)
Sabellastarte (Featherduster Worm)
Ophioderma Cf. Appressum (Marbled Serpent Star)

I hope I spelled it all correctly.

Thanks again in advance,
Ed

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by neptunestender

I have made the list of wants for my 75 gal ATS filtered tank and display fuge with 20gal sump. I am including a number in front to signify the the desire for the fish. 1= cant live without 5=only if the species will not proclude lower number.

So here goes, dash all my hopes and dreams.

1 Mated pair of one of the following
Amphiprion Ocellaris, or Percula, or Perideraion. (Perideraion = Pink Skunk Anemonefish) either of the first two is fine, the pink skunk anemonefish fish, less so because they are more aggressive once mating

1 Cryptocentrus Cinctus, posibly mated pair. With Alpheus Bellulus (Yellow Watchman Gobie, with Tiger Pistol Shrimp)

2 Nemateleotris Magnifica (Flame Firefish) add early on so it can be established

3 Chromis Veridis, or Cyanea (Green Chromis, or Blue Reef Chromis)

3 Ecsenius Gravieri (Red Sea Mimic Blenny)

3 Labroides Dimidiatus (Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse) I advise against as they will make your fish crazy since not all of them will allow cleaning; many do not establish. Also, they have no value for parasite protection (of the kinds we encounter)

4 Centropyge Bospiniosa (Coral Beauty)

5 Cirrhilabrus Rubrisquamis (Maldive Velvet Fairy Wrasse)

5 Echidna Catenata (Chainlink Moray Eel)

Inverts to be included
Pachyclavularia Viridis (Green Star Polyp) they will take over, be forewarned
Zoathus
Euphyllia Ancora (Hammer Coral)
Euphyllia Divisa (Frogspawn Coral)
Euphyllia Glabrescens (Torch Coral)
Sabellastarte (Featherduster Worm)
Ophioderma Cf. Appressum (Marbled Serpent Star)

I hope I spelled it all correctly.

Thanks again in advance,
Ed

[neptunestender]

Steve, I have another question. Are there any other small Schooling fish suitable for a tank my size I think I fall short on tank req. for anthias but anything else I could look into?

Thank you for the heads up on the cleaner wrasse. Could I add another blenny like bicolor or mandrin "scooter blenny".

The cleaner wrasse was not wanted for cleaning purposes just trying to find small coolheaded fish. I plan to do a full QT setup from the start and will even QT my liverock seed to try and prevent unwanted hitchhikers.

As for the Green Star Polyps I hope they will cover a large portion of my rockwall to give a more natural look and with two seperate dump bucketes maybe a nice movement too.

This does make me ask will the star polyps be controlable with regular "prunings"?

Thanks once more for the time you devote to us newbs, you could never be told that enough!
Ed

[npeters1989]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Adding a second tang would be a bad idea and very risky

I was thinking that would be the case, thanks for the confirmation! And I would like a copperband, but I'm still not sure if I'm willing to take that risk. I guess I'll just wait till I find one that I can watch eat in a dealer's tank...

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by neptunestender

Steve, I have another question. Are there any other small Schooling fish suitable for a tank my size I think I fall short on tank req. for anthias but anything else I could look into?

Forgive me, but I am tired and running a fever but this is the redspot cardinal fish. This is a very small cardinal fish which does school but it may have requirements you cannot meet from a feeding perspective.

Thank you for the heads up on the cleaner wrasse. Could I add another blenny like bicolor or mandrin "scooter blenny".

blennies do not really like each other.

The cleaner wrasse was not wanted for cleaning purposes just trying to find small coolheaded fish.

Ok, look at the possum wrasses. VERY cool fish.

I plan to do a full QT setup from the start and will even QT my liverock seed to try and prevent unwanted hitchhikers.

As for the Green Star Polyps I hope they will cover a large portion of my rockwall to give a more natural look and with two seperate dump bucketes maybe a nice movement too.

This does make me ask will the star polyps be controlable with regular "prunings"? Many people do NOT find them controllable.

Thanks once more for the time you devote to us newbs, you could never be told that enough! Thanks. I am always here for questions but sadly tonight, I am a bit dull.
Ed

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by npeters1989

I was thinking that would be the case, thanks for the confirmation! And I would like a copperband, but I'm still not sure if I'm willing to take that risk. I guess I'll just wait till I find one that I can watch eat in a dealer's tank...

Best chance is an Australian collected one.

[hobbby3]

90 galon tank already have the 3 blue green chromis and 2 clown. How does this look for a final total population?

3 blue green chromis
3 firefish
2 clown fish
1 foxface lo
1 sand sifting star
1 emeral crab

Feels like somethings missing any suggestions?

[ReefKeeper2009]

Just getting all my stuff together and going over my potential stock list.

57 gallon oceanic mixed reef tank

Pair of fireball angels ( understand the risk)
Pair of hooded fairy wrasses
Eight line flasher wrasse
Line spot blenny

Any feedback would be great. Thanks Tony

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by hobbby3

90 galon tank already have the 3 blue green chromis and 2 clown. How does this look for a final total population?

3 blue green chromis
3 firefish you can only keep a male + female, more will not survive long term
2 clown fish
1 foxface lo
1 sand sifting star will deplete your sand bed of beneficial organisms, then starve
1 emeral crab can take fish

Feels like somethings missing any suggestions?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper2009

Just getting all my stuff together and going over my potential stock list.

57 gallon oceanic mixed reef tank

Pair of fireball angels ( understand the risk)
Pair of hooded fairy wrasses
Eight line flasher wrasse this is an aggressive flasher wrasse, may have issues with the hooded fairy wrasses
Line spot blenny

Any feedback would be great. Thanks Tony

[MorganHeaslet]

Hey, this is my first saltwater tank: I have a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump/fuge, and wanted some experts to take a look and make sure I'm not overstocking or anything. Keep in mind I plan on trying my hand at some of the easier corals, but I haven't decided exactly what yet.

My tentative fish plan:

2 x Percula Clownfish (mated pair)
1 x Yellow Watchman Goby
1 x Bicolor Blenny
1 x Orchid Dottyback
1 x Tomini Tang (debating this, opinions seem to be mixed on whether 75 gallons is enough room for one)

I'm strongly considering dropping the tang and focusing on smaller fish - I don't want my tank to be cramped for anyone. I greatly appreciate any light you can shed on this subject. Thanks!

PS. If you don't think the tang is a good idea, how much more bioload "room" do I have for fish? I was considering a peaceful wrasse or something. The Gold Assessor Basslet caught my eye, but it is expensive which usually means it's not good for beginners.

[nlevi254]

I haven't done too much planning yet, but as it will be my first salt water tank I was thinking about doing a small 10-20 gallon tank with something easy to care for. Maybe a mantis shrimp (with burrows of course) and a couple pieces of coral?

[Louis81050]

65 Gallon redmax. Still doing research! Read to many books with different information.

Cleaner crew? Want! Based on 1 per ten gallons of aquarium volume

1 Fighting Conch
1 Super Tongan Nassarius Snail
4 Turbo Snails

Fish?
1 Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
1 Ocellaris Clownfish, Tank Bred (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
1 Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus) (1 year)
1 Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
1 Filamented Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus filamentosus)
1 Yellow Prawn Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons)

Inverts?
2 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
1 Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus)
1 Tiger Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)

Coral?
1 ORA® Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora)
1 Maxima Clam, Blue - Aquacultured (Tridacna maxima) (1 year)
1 Squamosa Clam - Aquacultured (Tridacna squamosa)
1 ORA® Bird of Paradise Birdsnest (Seriatopora caliendrum)
1 Ricordea Mushroom, Blue/Green (Caribbean) (Ricordea florida)
1 Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata)
1 Lordhowensis Coral (Acanthastrea lordhowensis)
1 Bubble Coral, Pearl (Physogyra sp.)
1 Colony Micro Polyp, Red (Zoanthus sp.)

[Doc_Polit]

OK. I've decided to forge ahead with my 120-gallon (48"x24"x24") reef tank.

I have not yet determined precisely what I will keep for corals but I want a mix of softies and LPS. I would also like to keep a couple of clams once the tank is established.

As well, I will determine my CUC when I get closer to my build.

How does this look for a fish list?

Must have:

1x Percula Clown (Tank Raised)
1x Kole Tang
1x Purple Firefish
2x Banggai Cardinals (Preferably Tank Raised)
1x Fairy Wrasse (Tri-Color or Exquisite)
1x Lamarck's Angel

Would like to add:

1x Pajama Cardinal
1x Blue Throat Trigger (Female)
1x Lawnmower Blenny
1x Convict Tang

Uncertain:

1x Green Wrasse
1x Lyretail Anthias
1x Diamond Goby
1x Coral Beauty

Please provide your feedback. Any that I should be concerned about?
Is my list too large? Any favorites that you would strongly recommend?

Thanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by MorganHeaslet

Hey, this is my first saltwater tank: I have a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump/fuge, and wanted some experts to take a look and make sure I'm not overstocking or anything. Keep in mind I plan on trying my hand at some of the easier corals, but I haven't decided exactly what yet.

My tentative fish plan:

2 x Percula Clownfish (mated pair)
1 x Yellow Watchman Goby
1 x Bicolor Blenny
1 x Orchid Dottyback Dotltybacks are aggressive although P. Fridmani is one of the less so.
1 x Tomini Tang (debating this, opinions seem to be mixed on whether 75 gallons is enough room for one)

I'm strongly considering dropping the tang and focusing on smaller fish - I don't want my tank to be cramped for anyone. I greatly appreciate any light you can shed on this subject.

One Ctenochaetus tang is ok, but my personal preference is to avoid larger fish in favor of more interesting smaller fish

Thanks!

PS. If you don't think the tang is a good idea, how much more bioload "room" do I have for fish? I was considering a peaceful wrasse or something. The Gold Assessor Basslet caught my eye, but it is expensive which usually means it's not good for beginners.

You have additional bioload but it is impossible to give you a quantitative number

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by nlevi254

I haven't done too much planning yet, but as it will be my first salt water tank I was thinking about doing a small 10-20 gallon tank with something easy to care for. Maybe a mantis shrimp (with burrows of course) and a couple pieces of coral?

Mantis shrimp are fascinating and in fact we have a Mantis Shrimp forum with suitable expertise. Check there.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Louis81050

65 Gallon redmax. Still doing research! Read to many books with different information.

Cleaner crew? Want! Based on 1 per ten gallons of aquarium volume

1 Fighting Conch
1 Super Tongan Nassarius Snail
4 Turbo Snails

Fish?
1 Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
1 Ocellaris Clownfish, Tank Bred (Amphiprion ocellaris)
1 Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica)
1 Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus) (1 year)
1 Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi)
1 Filamented Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus filamentosus)
1 Yellow Prawn Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons)


This thread is specifically about marine fish compatibility and your stocking list will be fine

Inverts?
2 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
1 Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus) I recommend against
1 Tiger Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)

Coral?
1 ORA® Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora)
1 Maxima Clam, Blue - Aquacultured (Tridacna maxima) (1 year)
1 Squamosa Clam - Aquacultured (Tridacna squamosa)
1 ORA® Bird of Paradise Birdsnest (Seriatopora caliendrum)
1 Ricordea Mushroom, Blue/Green (Caribbean) (Ricordea florida)
1 Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea curvata)
1 Lordhowensis Coral (Acanthastrea lordhowensis)
1 Bubble Coral, Pearl (Physogyra sp.)
1 Colony Micro Polyp, Red (Zoanthus sp.)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Doc_Polit

OK. I've decided to forge ahead with my 120-gallon (48"x24"x24") reef tank.

I have not yet determined precisely what I will keep for corals but I want a mix of softies and LPS. I would also like to keep a couple of clams once the tank is established.

As well, I will determine my CUC when I get closer to my build.

How does this look for a fish list?

Must have:

1x Percula Clown (Tank Raised)
1x Kole Tang should add last
1x Purple Firefish should be added first
2x Banggai Cardinals (Preferably Tank Raised) Should be tank raised for best results
1x Fairy Wrasse (Tri-Color or Exquisite)
1x Lamarck's Angel

All of this list is fine

Would like to add:

1x Pajama Cardinal
1x Blue Throat Trigger (Female)
1x Lawnmower Blenny
1x Convict Tang I would not add a second tang

Uncertain:

1x Green Wrasse probably not invert safe
1x Lyretail Anthias Carberryi might be better
1x Diamond Goby
1x Coral Beauty Not reef safe

Please provide your feedback. Any that I should be concerned about?
Is my list too large? Any favorites that you would strongly recommend?

Thanks.

[NoHooks]

Hello, Steve.

My 240g reef tank has been operational for 5 weeks now. It measures 96"x18"x30" (lxwxh). A 50 gallon refugium and a 30 gallon sump are attached. Circulation is from 4 Vortech MP40WES, an OM-4 way/Sequence Dart, and a Sequence Hammerhead main pump. Lighting is provided by a Vertex Illumina LED. 250 lbs base rock and ~100 lbs live rock. Aquascape provides LOTS of caves/overhangs (poor picture attached).

Current inhabitants include a Bangai Cardinal, Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum), Pencil Urchin, 3 emerald crabs, and assorted snails/hermits. All except the Cardinal were added to successfully counter an outbreak of hair algae one week after startup.

Blue Lagoon.jpg

My goal is a peaceful, brightly colored/diversified reef. Planned stocking list (all quantity 1 except shoalers and inverts), over time, with QT, and in order of introduction, is:

One Spot Foxface (Siganus unimaculatus)
Red-lipped Blenny (Ophioblennius atlanticus)
Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) - my grandkids insist!
Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus) - 5 (the shoalers, part 1)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) - 5 (the shoalers, part 2)
Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)
Clown Goby, Green (Gobiodon atrangulatus)
Yellow Prawn Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Tangaroa Goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Hi Fin Red Banded Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)
Scott's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum)
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus)


Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)

Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.) - can I keep both?

Squamosa Clam (Tridacna squamosa)
Maxima Clam, Turquoise/Blue (Tridacna maxima)

Fighting Conch (Strombus spp.) (3)
Sea Cucumber, Tiger Tail (Holothuria sp.)
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) (3)
Snapping Shrimp, Red Banded (Alpheus randalli) *
Tiger Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) *
Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus sp.) *
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

Linckia Sea Star, Blue (Linckia laevigata)
Red & Black Sea Star (Fromia sp.)
Blue & Pink Sea Star (Astropecten sp.)

Blue Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)
Red Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia cf globulus)

Do you recommend against all Clownfish, or will it be safe to pair the Ocellaris? Also, given tank size, could I also house a Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavens)?

Thanks for any/all suggestions/comments/recommendations on livestock selections and stocking order. I want to do it right; I don't want to do it over.

Tom

[ReefKeeper2009]

Steve thank you for your reply I might change the eight line flasher wrasse to a red tailed flasher wrasse. Thanks again Tony

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper2009

Steve thank you for your reply I might change the eight line flasher wrasse to a red tailed flasher wrasse. Thanks again Tony

Any flasher wrasse except the eight line would work well.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by NoHooks

Hello, Steve.

My 240g reef tank has been operational for 5 weeks now. It measures 96"x18"x30" (lxwxh). A 50 gallon refugium and a 30 gallon sump are attached. Circulation is from 4 Vortech MP40WES, an OM-4 way/Sequence Dart, and a Sequence Hammerhead main pump. Lighting is provided by a Vertex Illumina LED. 250 lbs base rock and ~100 lbs live rock. Aquascape provides LOTS of caves/overhangs (poor picture attached).

Sounds NICE!

Current inhabitants include a Bangai Cardinal, Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum), Pencil Urchin, 3 emerald crabs, and assorted snails/hermits. All except the Cardinal were added to successfully counter an outbreak of hair algae one week after startup.

My goal is a peaceful, brightly colored/diversified reef. Planned stocking list (all quantity 1 except shoalers and inverts), over time, with QT, and in order of introduction, is:

One Spot Foxface (Siganus unimaculatus)
Red-lipped Blenny (Ophioblennius atlanticus)
Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor)
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) - my grandkids insist!
Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus) - 5 (the shoalers, part 1)
Spotted Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) - 5 (the shoalers, part 2) Consider a larger group but remember that your Bangai might eat them.
Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) requires cool temperatures; not recommended
Clown Goby, Green (Gobiodon atrangulatus)
Yellow Prawn Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Tangaroa Goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Hi Fin Red Banded Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes) paired with Pistol Shrimp *
Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)
Scott's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum) Aggressive, I would look at a more mild mannered fairy wrasse
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus)


Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)

Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)
Red Mandarin (Pterosynchiropus splendidus var.) - can I keep both? IF and only if they are differennt sexes but not recommended. Why not pair your favorite? Mine mate nightly.

Squamosa Clam (Tridacna squamosa)
Maxima Clam, Turquoise/Blue (Tridacna maxima)

Fighting Conch (Strombus spp.) (3)
Sea Cucumber, Tiger Tail (Holothuria sp.)
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) (3)
Snapping Shrimp, Red Banded (Alpheus randalli) *
Tiger Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) *
Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus sp.) *
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

Linckia Sea Star, Blue (Linckia laevigata)
Red & Black Sea Star (Fromia sp.)
Blue & Pink Sea Star (Astropecten sp.)

Blue Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)
Red Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia cf globulus)

Do you recommend against all Clownfish, or will it be safe to pair the Ocellaris?

Pairing a nonagressive clown in a large tank would be fine, in a small tank not so fine

Also, given tank size, could I also house a Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavens)? Despite having a larger tank, you have a fairly large number of larger sized grazers. The sailfin is not going to like tang additions

Thanks for any/all suggestions/comments/recommendations on livestock selections and stocking order. I want to do it right; I don't want to do it over.

For sure. That is the purpose of this thread, to avoid do overs or having non-relaxing tanks. But I strongly recommend reading my blog for the best quarantine protocol to insure healthy fish in a healthy tank.

Tom

[NoHooks]

Thanks, Steve, I appreciate your insight. I have one question:

With regards to my query re: Zepbrasoma flavens, you responded "Despite having a larger tank, you have a fairly large number of larger sized grazers. The sailfin is not going to like tang additions." Are you suggesting I might have problems with the Acanthurus and Ctenochaetus I'm considering, or just with the addition of another Zebrasoma?

Tom

P.S. I've bookmarked your blog!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by NoHooks

Thanks, Steve, I appreciate your insight. I have one question:

With regards to my query re: Zepbrasoma flavens, you responded "Despite having a larger tank, you have a fairly large number of larger sized grazers. The sailfin is not going to like tang additions." Are you suggesting I might have problems with the Acanthurus and Ctenochaetus I'm considering, or just with the addition of another Zebrasoma?

You could. Tangs perceived territory requirements grow as they age but more importantly, since they occupy the same ecological niche, additions are not readily accepted. Some species are worse than others. Ironically the larger tangs such as naso vlamingi tend to be more tolerant but given that they get huge, tank requirements are also very large.

Tom

P.S. I've bookmarked your blog!