PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[zach jay]

^ thanks again! I have tons of LR in both of my tanks, roughly 150lbs total. Also, I use cyclopseeze to supplement some of my corals so I think the midas blenny will be great! Thank you for the tips!

[rodster912000]

hey guys, new to the hobby. i just setup a 75 gal with 3-4 inch sand bed. waiting for it to cycle and slowly adding live rock. by the time its cycled i should have a 20 long sump w/ fuge and octopus 110 skimmer and marineland hob 400 biowheel filter. also have a sundial 4 bulb 54w. i was thinking of starting with a mated pair of clowns but there are so many dif species i was wondering if you had any advise. also curious about a clean up crew and if i should wait or start buying them soon. figured being a new tank there isnt gonna be much for them to clean up yet. also are clown a good fish to start with or should i start with another? also what should i look out for when buying fish, dont wanna start with sick fish being a newb and all. thanks guys

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rodster912000

hey guys, new to the hobby. i just setup a 75 gal with 3-4 inch sand bed. waiting for it to cycle and slowly adding live rock. by the time its cycled i should have a 20 long sump w/ fuge and octopus 110 skimmer and marineland hob 400 biowheel filter. also have a sundial 4 bulb 54w. i was thinking of starting with a mated pair of clowns but there are so many dif species i was wondering if you had any advise. also curious about a clean up crew and if i should wait or start buying them soon. figured being a new tank there isnt gonna be much for them to clean up yet. also are clown a good fish to start with or should i start with another? also what should i look out for when buying fish, dont wanna start with sick fish being a newb and all. thanks guys

Well, since I am not a big fan of clownfish except in a species specific tank with a mating pair of clowns and a fancy carpet anemone that will host them I will defer recommendations to Todd. I personally would prefer more interesting fish in a community tank. But if you will look at Todd's incredible tanks, you may wish to go that route.

[htownmark]

My son and I are patiently waiting for our first tank to stabilize, so we can start adding fish. Probably another month. We have a 14g biocube with LR. Here are my thoughts regarding fish choices - please tell me if this is feasible:

1) It's got to have a firefish. My son thinks this is the coolest fish, which is great, because the predictable clownfish might get a little big for a 14g, and I would feel sad about not being able to give it an anemone. So, the firefish is required. Solid, affordable little fish. Does it need a partner? Or are they better single? I feel like I have read different opinions.

2) I would like a sand-sifting goby, a very small one. My son also enjoys these, and my sand bed could look a little cleaner.

3) I think it would be neat to have the final fish be a blenny, to help take care of algae. Again, a very small variety.

So how does this sound? Is my carnivore/sandsifting/herbivore triple combo of nano fish too clever by half? Too difficult? Too many fish? Should I stick with just two fish in this size tank?

If the firefish/goby/blenny combo cold work, which goby and blenny would you recommend?

I have a ton of other questions about my tank, but I'll save those for another thread.

Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by htownmark

My son and I are patiently waiting for our first tank to stabilize, so we can start adding fish. Probably another month. We have a 14g biocube with LR. Here are my thoughts regarding fish choices - please tell me if this is feasible:

1) It's got to have a firefish. My son thinks this is the coolest fish, which is great, because the predictable clownfish might get a little big for a 14g, and I would feel sad about not being able to give it an anemone. So, the firefish is required. Solid, affordable little fish. Does it need a partner? Or are they better single? I feel like I have read different opinions.

2) I would like a sand-sifting goby, a very small one. My son also enjoys these, and my sand bed could look a little cleaner.

3) I think it would be neat to have the final fish be a blenny, to help take care of algae. Again, a very small variety.

So how does this sound? Is my carnivore/sandsifting/herbivore triple combo of nano fish too clever by half? Too difficult? Too many fish? Should I stick with just two fish in this size tank?

If the firefish/goby/blenny combo cold work, which goby and blenny would you recommend?

I have a ton of other questions about my tank, but I'll save those for another thread.

Thanks!

The firefish should be fine; there are several varieties, all of which have roughly the same requirement.

A sand sifting fish will deplete your sand bed's beneficial organisms and eventually starve. But a goby/shrimp pair is even more interesting, much more sustainable. There are a variety of these to choose from. In your sized tank, I would skip the third fish. Avoid algae by proper feeding techniques.

[snorvich]

Oh, I forgot. Firefish should be singles unless you have a bonded pair (which is not a normal "find" at an LFS)

[htownmark]

That sounds wise - and you're right - a shrimp instead of a third fish does sound more interesting!

Mark

[ReefKnot]

OK I'm starting to consider what my next addition will be, was hoping for ideas, suggestions or advice. I've got a 29g tall with 30lbs of LR, with corals in the future.

2 False perculas 2"
1 Banggai Cardinal 2"
1 scarlet cleaner
4 blue leg hermits
and Astrea snails

I would like a 6 line wrasse, but I've been told many times by many people to add that last. I'm thinking about either a royal gramma, neon blue goby, or a midas blenny.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of a new fish. I'm definitely a beginner, so I am looking for something fun and interesting, but somewhat non aggressive. Although my clowns are a big pushy, so it would be good if it can at least stand up to them if necessary. Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ReefKnot

OK I'm starting to consider what my next addition will be, was hoping for ideas, suggestions or advice. I've got a 29g tall with 30lbs of LR, with corals in the future.

2 False perculas 2"
1 Banggai Cardinal 2"
1 scarlet cleaner
4 blue leg hermits
and Astrea snails

I would like a 6 line wrasse, but I've been told many times by many people to add that last. I'm thinking about either a royal gramma, neon blue goby, or a midas blenny.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of a new fish. I'm definitely a beginner, so I am looking for something fun and interesting, but somewhat non aggressive. Although my clowns are a big pushy, so it would be good if it can at least stand up to them if necessary. Thanks!

Unfortunately, you are somewhat full up. Those clowns, once sexually mature, will take over that tank. You could add a neon goby without too much problem or possibly a royal gramma but only one of these. I would definitely not add a sixline wrasse.

[Coppertop412]

I am just starting to cycle my tank so I have a few weeks to figure out (and prioritize) my fish list. Tank- 100 gallon, 55 gallon sump (~30 gallons normal operating capacity, so I guess I should say 30 gallon sump!), about 50 lbs of DIY live rock (I'll get some real live rock soon to seed it with), still debating on light options and no skimmer yet.

Fish:
(2) false percula clowns
coral beauty
foxface lo (or one spot)
haven't decided what tang I want, might eventually get 2
a blennie and a goby (too many choices here! LOL)
either a green or spotted mandarin (after I get a good pod population going!)
eventually I would like to get a picasso trigger fish, but not until I'm ready for a possible fish only tank. (I read they are questionable in reef tanks)
cleaner shrimp, snails, crabs etc.
I'm sure I've forgotten something, but any feedback on the above will be appriciated!

[FSU3NOLES28]

55g tank. 48 inches long 24 high and 12-13 wide.

No sump, will be getting a skimmer soon and will be purchasing new lighting as well. Tank came with a "kit" mainly for freshwater with LED lighting by Marineland. Plan to make it a reef tank before all is said and done... I just want to get the basics down first though before I get involved with corals.

The few stores I shopped at said I could add live rock shortly after my cycle started so I did just that. I put in about 40lbs of crushed coral, and about 25 lbs of live rock. Temperature has been fluctuating right around 75-80 since this past Thursday when I started the cycle. Most of the "dust" from the coral has been removed by a penguin biowheel 350 filter system with the biowheels removed. Salinity is 1.021 I believe (will check again when I get home). Haven't used a test kit yet, plan on doing that today.

I've been told a million different things by a million different people it seems but really only trust what's going on in this forum since none of you are trying to sell me anything.

What should my first fish be and when should I purchase it/them?

Thanks in advance.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Coppertop412

I am just starting to cycle my tank so I have a few weeks to figure out (and prioritize) my fish list. Tank- 100 gallon, 55 gallon sump (~30 gallons normal operating capacity, so I guess I should say 30 gallon sump!), about 50 lbs of DIY live rock (I'll get some real live rock soon to seed it with), still debating on light options and no skimmer yet.

Fish:
(2) false percula clowns
coral beauty
foxface lo (or one spot)
haven't decided what tang I want, might eventually get 2
a blennie and a goby (too many choices here! LOL)
either a green or spotted mandarin (after I get a good pod population going!)
eventually I would like to get a picasso trigger fish, but not until I'm ready for a possible fish only tank. (I read they are questionable in reef tanks)
cleaner shrimp, snails, crabs etc.
I'm sure I've forgotten something, but any feedback on the above will be appriciated!

What are the dimensions of the tank -- don't want to make too many comments without knowing that. Though, as it stands right now, I would be pretty leery of adding that trigger.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by FSU3NOLES28

55g tank. 48 inches long 24 high and 12-13 wide.

No sump, will be getting a skimmer soon and will be purchasing new lighting as well. Tank came with a "kit" mainly for freshwater with LED lighting by Marineland. Plan to make it a reef tank before all is said and done... I just want to get the basics down first though before I get involved with corals.

The few stores I shopped at said I could add live rock shortly after my cycle started so I did just that. I put in about 40lbs of crushed coral, and about 25 lbs of live rock. Temperature has been fluctuating right around 75-80 since this past Thursday when I started the cycle. Most of the "dust" from the coral has been removed by a penguin biowheel 350 filter system with the biowheels removed. Salinity is 1.021 I believe (will check again when I get home). Haven't used a test kit yet, plan on doing that today.

I've been told a million different things by a million different people it seems but really only trust what's going on in this forum since none of you are trying to sell me anything.

What should my first fish be and when should I purchase it/them?

Thanks in advance.

Well, my advice may seem strange, but . . . get and learn to calibrate a refractomer . . . get and learn to use various test kits: Alk, Ca, Mg, ammonia, nitrite . . .you may need a bit more live rock but keep your aquascape open. I don't want to advise on fish even though this thread is really about fish. We can give you characteristics of whatever fish you select and whether we think they will do ok in your environment.

[lcs]

56gal DT + 15gal sump, 45lbs LR, 2-3" sand bed, mixed corals. I currently have a YWG, a coral beauty, and a skunk cleaner shrimp.

I've read until my eyes bled and I think these will be compatible, but I'd like some real world thoughts . . .

Would like to add:
2 chalk bass
ocellaris clown
blenny (species TBD, but leaning toward starry, tailspot, or other herbivore)
Halichoeres melanurus wrasse - problem with the shrimp?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lcs

56gal DT + 15gal sump, 45lbs LR, 2-3" sand bed, mixed corals. I currently have a YWG, a coral beauty, and a skunk cleaner shrimp.

I've read until my eyes bled and I think these will be compatible, but I'd like some real world thoughts . . .

Would like to add:
2 chalk bass
ocellaris clown
blenny (species TBD, but leaning toward starry, tailspot, or other herbivore)
Halichoeres melanurus wrasse - problem with the shrimp?

Generally, I think your fish list is fine but . . . H. melanurus will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Regular feedings should include a variety of prepared and live meaty foods, such as feeder shrimps, flaked foods, and marine fish. If you look at the suggested feeding protocol, you will see what might be at risk with this fish.

[UnusualSuspect]

My goal: the tank's in my home office, and I want an easy-to-maintain, colorful, peaceful community reef to keep my blood pressure down while I sit on endless/pointless conference calls.

What I have: 36 gallon bow-front, Eheim canister filter, AquaC Remora, two Koralia Nano 425 powerheads, ~34lbs live rock (cured Fiji), 40lbs Arag-Alive Indo-Pacific Black (appx 2" deep). Been running a month. Water is from the LFS. Never had an ammonia/nitrite spike, water parameters have been stable all along.

The light is a 24" Marineland "Reef-Capable LED" fixture. (Yeah, I know, there's a sucker born every minute. It lights the tank nicely, and if I stick with "easy" corals...)

I'm starting to think I need an HOB refugium?

What it's like in there:
Temp 76F
Salinity 1.026
pH 8.2
Ammonia undetectable
Nitrite undetectable
Nitrate 40ppm (up in the last few days since adding livestock)
Phosphate undetectable

Who lives here so far:
some hermit crabs, added about 2 weeks ago
some Astraea snails, added this weekend
three blue-green chromis, added this weekend
a green button polyp, added this weekend

Okay, so - after adding livestock this weekend, I'll wait 10 days or two weeks to make sure everything stays stable.

I'm sure I'll be joining the coral of the week club soon...

As far as fish: I'm thinking next might be a shrimp/gobie pair.

I saw a blue-sided fairy wrasse at the LFS - love the colors, but haven't researched it much yet. I understand wrasses like to burrow - is 2" of Indo-Pacific Black going to be suitable?

I'm not sure I want clown fish - too predictable - but my granddaughters may insist I get them a "Nemo".

What other livestock might be suitable, given my goals & the environment I've built?

TIA,
Mike

[Toddrtrex]

Those chromis might actually raise your BP -- they have a tendency to fight and kill each other off until there is one remaining.

Think the shrimp goby pair would be nice

Steve is better versed with wrasses then I am, so I will deffer to him on this -- though I do know that not all of them bed in the sand bed. But, I have a feeling your tank might not be big enough.

If you do get a clown -- I would suggest just getting one, if you plan on having other fish in this tank. They can/will get aggressive (( more so in a smaller tank )) when they start spawning, and could claim the whole tank as theirs.

[snorvich]

Fairy wrasses (such as the aforementioned blue-sided fairy wrasse) do not go into the sand. Rather, they create a mucous cocoon so they are "scent invisible" when they sleep. However, as Todd said, your tank is not really large enough for this fish or this fish type. You might get away with a flasher wrasse (same sleeping strategy) but your tank would be very marginal even for this. The remainder of Todd's advice, I would echo.

[bfoleyiii]

The family is in the process of starting up a standard 90g reef (48x18x25).
I was just looking for some imput on the fish we would like (or in case of the mandarin must have), order we should place them in the tank or not place them as the case maybe.

The list:

Mandarin, wife hasnt decided between a spotted or green
Pair of True Perc or Snowflake/Picasso if the want to expand the fish budget
Goby/Shrimp Pair
Wrasse--I love the look of the Mystery Wrasse, but may look at a Fairy or Flasher varient.
I would also like to add some school if there is enough room to support them. I was thinking something from the Anthias family but not sure we are going to be able to support that many fish.

I am debating using a ATS that should help with pods and may allow for a second Mandarin.

Tank is currently being drilled and should be here late this week, so plenty of time to talk with the family about the pros and cons of their choices while we cycle up and start quarantine.

Thanks,

Bob

[5ft24]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Generally, I think your fish list is fine but . . . H. melanurus will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Regular feedings should include a variety of prepared and live meaty foods, such as feeder shrimps, flaked foods, and marine fish. If you look at the suggested feeding protocol, you will see what might be at risk with this fish.

I have an H. Melanurus, and he is one of the brightest and animated fish!
constantly picking around my corals, eats pellets and even snacks on the Nori as well.

[5ft24]

Originally Posted by bfoleyiii

The family is in the process of starting up a standard 90g reef (48x18x25).
I was just looking for some imput on the fish we would like (or in case of the mandarin must have), order we should place them in the tank or not place them as the case maybe.

The list:

Mandarin, wife hasnt decided between a spotted or green
Pair of True Perc or Snowflake/Picasso if the want to expand the fish budget
Goby/Shrimp Pair
Wrasse--I love the look of the Mystery Wrasse, but may look at a Fairy or Flasher varient.
I would also like to add some school if there is enough room to support them. I was thinking something from the Anthias family but not sure we are going to be able to support that many fish.

I am debating using a ATS that should help with pods and may allow for a second Mandarin.

Tank is currently being drilled and should be here late this week, so plenty of time to talk with the family about the pros and cons of their choices while we cycle up and start quarantine.

Thanks,

Bob

For the mandarin, you will need to wait until the tank is Well seasoned so there is a breeding population of pods for it to eat. I have heard that the ORA mandarins are supposed to eat pellets, but people that paid the extra high prices are saying that their ORA mandarins still aren't eating any foods other than pods...

[bfoleyiii]

Originally Posted by 5ft24

For the mandarin, you will need to wait until the tank is Well seasoned so there is a breeding population of pods for it to eat. I have heard that the ORA mandarins are supposed to eat pellets, but people that paid the extra high prices are saying that their ORA mandarins still aren't eating any foods other than pods...

I had looked at the ORA Mandarin but since my wife wasnt sure which one she wanted had not researched how folks were doing with them, thank you for the heads up.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bfoleyiii

The family is in the process of starting up a standard 90g reef (48x18x25).
I was just looking for some imput on the fish we would like (or in case of the mandarin must have), order we should place them in the tank or not place them as the case maybe.

The list:

Mandarin, wife hasnt decided between a spotted or green Given an established tank, ideally with refugium, either is doable. But I would wait at least six months
Pair of True Perc or Snowflake/Picasso if the want to expand the fish budget Both are going to be aggressive once they are sexually mature; are you planning an anemone to host them?
Goby/Shrimp Pair Excellent choice, lots of options
Wrasse--I love the look of the Mystery Wrasse, but may look at a Fairy or Flasher varient. Mystery wrasses can be aggresive towards other wrasses as well as shrimp; a harem of flasher wrasses is gorgeous with their mating behavior
I would also like to add some school if there is enough room to support them. I was thinking something from the Anthias family but not sure we are going to be able to support that many fish. Resplendent Anthias might work, although they don't really school

I am debating using a ATS that should help with pods and may allow for a second Mandarin.

If you have a full blown refugium, you can probably have a pair of mandarins; but you must not have the same sex

Tank is currently being drilled and should be here late this week, so plenty of time to talk with the family about the pros and cons of their choices while we cycle up and start quarantine.

Thanks,

Bob

You are most welcome

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bfoleyiii

I had looked at the ORA Mandarin but since my wife wasnt sure which one she wanted had not researched how folks were doing with them, thank you for the heads up.

ORA mandarins do not really solve all of the problems associated with keeping this species since feeding mandarins is not going to be very successful unless you spot feed multiple times per day. Since they do not complete successfully with other fish, this will be difficult.

[bfoleyiii]

The wife had mentioned a bluespot jawfish while we were out and about so it looks like I'll be going for a DSB. Anyone happen to know who has the best price on sand going? I'm thinking I'll check out Phenomenal Aquatics for some dry rock and then grab some live out of a few different places for seeding.

Outside the 6 month plus wait on the Mandarin I was thinking something like this for an introduction order:
goby/shrimp
clowns
blue jaw if we get one
wrasse
mandarin
Anthias

Spacing would be about 4 weeks apart as we would drop one in and setup quarantine for the next and should follow that schedule unless something pops up during quarantine that takes longer.


Thank You again all