PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by cherubfish pair

Okay, 50 gallon tall tank. Setup for over a year, loaded with all the proper equipment (lotsa light, skimmer, reactors, circulation, you name it). A few corals and a lot of caves.

Currently have all 5 between one and two inches:

fireball angel
royal grama
sixline wrasse
ocellaris clown
blue/green chromis

want to add:

dwarf moray

dwarf golden morays are superb. Be sure to see the exact color of the one you are getting as it varies. Bioload and compatibility should be fine.

[Red_Ant]

Thanks. Both angels are out. Can I do both the Midas and bi-color blenny and 2 Anthias instead?

[E.intheC]

Steve, this is an excellent thread and a great service to RC members.

I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind... Right now I have a 60 cube. It's a mixed-reef with an open aquascape, 20 gallon sump, a great skimmer, two MP10's for flow, and a MH/T5 combo for lighting. I'm looking for an overall peaceful tank, and I'm trying to get my stock list planned and well thought-out first. All fish will be QT'd for 8 weeks (separate 20 gallon QT tank), and I feed a mix of spectrum pellets and frozen (cyclopeeze, mysis, formula 1, 2), and the occasional live black worm.

Here's the list so far (in no particular stocking order):

-Black Saddleback clown (currently in QT, and is a baby at less than 1 inch). I don't plan to pair him up because of aggression issues later on.
-Yellow Watchman goby (also in QT)
-Purple Firefish (I'm a bit concerned with the Yellow Watchman, but they inhabit different areas of the tank usually)
-Single Blue/Green Chromis
-Sunburst Anthias
-Trio of chalk basslets (I read one report where they grew to 6 inches in captivity, but the norm is 3inches, from what I've seen)

What do you think? Thanks in advance for the help.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Red_Ant

Thanks. Both angels are out. Can I do both the Midas and bi-color blenny and 2 Anthias instead?

I have done thousands of these, so please refresh the stocking list and tank information.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by E.intheC

Steve, this is an excellent thread and a great service to RC members.

I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind... Right now I have a 60 cube. It's a mixed-reef with an open aquascape, 20 gallon sump, a great skimmer, two MP10's for flow, and a MH/T5 combo for lighting. I'm looking for an overall peaceful tank, and I'm trying to get my stock list planned and well thought-out first. All fish will be QT'd for 8 weeks (separate 20 gallon QT tank), and I feed a mix of spectrum pellets and frozen (cyclopeeze, mysis, formula 1, 2), and the occasional live black worm.

Here's the list so far (in no particular stocking order):

-Black Saddleback clown (currently in QT, and is a baby at less than 1 inch). I don't plan to pair him up because of aggression issues later on. will eventually become female and will be aggressive
-Yellow Watchman goby (also in QT)
-Purple Firefish (I'm a bit concerned with the Yellow Watchman, but they inhabit different areas of the tank usually) normally it would be fine except with certain flasher wrasses
-Single Blue/Green Chromis
-Sunburst Anthias really should have a slightly larger tank and I am a bit concerned with aggression from the chromis
-Trio of chalk basslets (I read one report where they grew to 6 inches in captivity, but the norm is 3inches, from what I've seen)

What do you think? Thanks in advance for the help.

Other than comments above, should be fine

[Red_Ant]

Oops. Forgot. Here it is.

Please see the updated planned list for my new 135 gallon 36x36x24 rimless tank. It will be LPS dominate reef tank. I have it listed in stocking order. Thanks in advance.

1. Yellow watchman goby (with pistol shrimp) (#1 & #2 introduced at the same time)
2. Royal gramma basslet
3. Bi-color blenny (#3 & #4 introduced at the same time)
4. Midas blenny
5. 2 snowflake clowns
6. Mandarin dragonet (I have 100 gallon basement sump/refugium for pods, would add at the earliest 6 months from now)
7. 2 different fairy wrasses
8. 2 anthias

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Red_Ant

Oops. Forgot. Here it is.

Please see the updated planned list for my new 135 gallon 36x36x24 rimless tank. It will be LPS dominate reef tank. I have it listed in stocking order. Thanks in advance.

1. Yellow watchman goby (with pistol shrimp) (#1 & #2 introduced at the same time)
2. Royal gramma basslet
3. Bi-color blenny (#3 & #4 introduced at the same time)
4. Midas blenny only ONE blenny
5. 2 snowflake clowns
6. Mandarin dragonet (I have 100 gallon basement sump/refugium for pods, would add at the earliest 6 months from now)
7. 2 different fairy wrasses
8. 2 anthias

otherwise, should be fine. However, which fairy wrasses makes a difference.

[Red_Ant]

Originally Posted by snorvich

otherwise, should be fine. However, which fairy wrasses makes a difference.

Does that mean just ONE blenny period or just one of the bi-color blenny OR Midas Blenny? For example, could I do a Midas Blenny and Tail Spot Blenny in the 135 gallon tank?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Red_Ant

Does that mean just ONE blenny period or just one of the bi-color blenny OR Midas Blenny? For example, could I do a Midas Blenny and Tail Spot Blenny in the 135 gallon tank?

one blenny period.

[Red_Ant]

Originally Posted by snorvich

one blenny period.

Can you do more than one Goby in a 135 gallon tank?

[Jay1513]

My stocking list for my new FOWLR 180 gallon tank - 72X24X24 - Thanks in advanced

A pair of Sustainable Aquatics Black Clown
A pair of Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
1 - Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus var.)
1 - Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
1 - Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
1 - Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)
1 False Personifer Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi) (if possible)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Red_Ant

Can you do more than one Goby in a 135 gallon tank?

It depends. Two symbiotic gobies (goby plus pistol shrimp) long term will not be stable. A mated pair of gobies of the same species is stable. Two gobies which occupy the same ecological niche may or may not work.

[HUNTER1]

Im almost done cycling and will get my clean CUC which comprise of snails. I've chosen few shrimps and crabs, can you tell me which shrimp and or crabs I can have along with snails? the tank is 40 36x14x19 and will have few mushrooms and lps, thanks
Peppermint shrimp, pistol shrimp, fire shrimp and coral branded shrimp.
Blue legged hermit, scarlet hermit.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jay1513

My stocking list for my new FOWLR 180 gallon tank - 72X24X24 - Thanks in advanced

A pair of Sustainable Aquatics Black Clown
A pair of Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
1 - Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus var.) really needs a longer tank
1 - Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis) introduce before any other grazer especially any zebrasoma tang
1 - Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) needs to be boss of the tank in order to thrive so the pair of triggers gives me concern
1 - Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)
1 False Personifer Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi) (if possible) while I have some doubts about this fish combined with P. imperator, if it were introduced first, and the P. imperator was introduced as a juvenile, it might work

In general, you have too many largish fish in a moderately sized tank.

[Arnel0387]

Setting up a 125 gallon (72x18x21) with 60 gallon sump/refugium. 150lbs live rock and 2 inch sandbed. SRO XP2000 protein skimmer. 1/4th HP arctica chiller. 3-17500 metal halides and 2-72" VHO.

1 month after cycling:
Add Pair of black and white occelaris clownfish
3 neon gobies

Wait 2 months and add:
Flame wrasse trio

Wait 2 months and add:
Juvenile purple tang

Total fish and order:
Pair of B&W clownfish
3 neon gobies
Flame wrasse trio
Purple tang

Your thoughts?
Thank you.

[LittleBeard]

Current tank:
150 tall reef with refugium

1 x Tomini Tang
1 x Percula Clownfish
1 x Mandarin dragonnet


Note, I don't want any burrowing fish, that will dig under my rock work.

Would like to add:
1 x percula
1 x midas blenny (do they burrow? )
1 x Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (do they burrow? )
1 x Barletts or dispar anthia
1 x Genicanthus angel

Also, is there any fish that you can have more than 2?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Arnel0387

Setting up a 125 gallon (72x18x21) with 60 gallon sump/refugium. 150lbs live rock and 2 inch sandbed. SRO XP2000 protein skimmer. 1/4th HP arctica chiller. 3-17500 metal halides and 2-72" VHO.

1 month after cycling:
Add Pair of black and white occelaris clownfish
3 neon gobies unless neon gobies are a mated pair, they will not coexist

Wait 2 months and add:
Flame wrasse trio be sure females are a different size

Wait 2 months and add:
Juvenile purple tang

Total fish and order:
Pair of B&W clownfish
3 neon gobies
Flame wrasse trio
Purple tang

Your thoughts?
Thank you.

You are welcome

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by LittleBeard

Current tank:
150 tall reef with refugium

1 x Tomini Tang
1 x Percula Clownfish
1 x Mandarin dragonnet


Note, I don't want any burrowing fish, that will dig under my rock work.

Would like to add:
1 x percula be sure the addition is much smaller than the existing one
1 x midas blenny (do they burrow? ) no
1 x Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (do they burrow? ) no, they cocoon at night
1 x Barletts or dispar anthia
1 x Genicanthus angel

Also, is there any fish that you can have more than 2?

you can add a different sexed exquisite fairy wrasse or a different sexed mandarin otherwise no

[Jay1513]

Originally Posted by Jay1513

My stocking list for my new FOWLR 180 gallon tank - 72X24X24 - Thanks in advanced

A pair of Sustainable Aquatics Black Clown
A pair of Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
1 - Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus var.)
1 - Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
1 - Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
1 - Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)
1 False Personifer Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi) (if possible)

Originally Posted by snorvich

In general, you have too many largish fish in a moderately sized tank.

Thanks Steve,

What would u recommend on removing and replacing it with small schooling fish?

Emperor is a must - my fav fish.

[FTDelta]

It's been well over 2 years or more since I've been here when I started to have an interest in starting up a salt water aquaria. The goal of one day of starting a SW tank took a backburner in my life and now I'm getting that itch once more. This time my 9 yaear old son came out of the blue and told me he wanted a SW fish tank. I told him they're a lot more involved and more expensive to keep. With that being said, I told him I'll agree to get him a FW tank instead until he gains an understanding and care of fishkeeping. Our goal is hopefully to have one up and running within the next few years when my son is older to understand the responsibilty and involvement in salt water aquarium keeping. I have told my son I will help him in any way in achieving his goal.

Right now I have resumed reading and researching everything I need to know about setting up a successful SW tank. Back then, the choice of tank size and fish I wish to house remains roughly just the same and they are:

Tank size: 46 gallon bowfront or 50 gallon tank
Live rock and live sand
Beginner corals - I have yet decided on what they will be - zoos is a definite though.
Sump - Yes
I'm looking to get this set-up I found on Drs Foster and Smith site:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=23752
(not sure if I want to go the traditional set-up or refugium set-up as noted for this product.

This is the in sump skimmer I'm looking to get for the above sump set-up item:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=20033

Fish stock:

1 pair of Ocelleris Clownfish - tank-bred (1 will be tank-bred B&W Ocelleris Clownfish)
1 Royal Gramma
5 Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish
1 Six Line wrasse

The following fish species I found from this site - http://www.aquacon.com/Damsel_saltwaterfish.html

5 Bluefin Chromis (Neoglyphidodon melas)

1 Fiji Devil Damsel (Chrysiptera taupou) - If this is not recommended due to agression issues with planned Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish, please let me know.

Inverts:

2 Scarlet Skunk Shrimp
3 Peppermint Shrimp
Reef Cleaner pack

I do welcome any suggestions/advice on my choices of fish. Again, I have a long ways to go before I'm ready to jump in to Salt Water Aquaria keeping.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jay1513

Thanks Steve,

What would u recommend on removing and replacing it with small schooling fish?

no fish will truly school, but anthias are nice, especially carberryi or resplendent

Emperor is a must - my fav fish.

A pair of Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) I would remove these

1 - Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus var.) I would remove this

1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) I would do only one of these, leaning towards the foxface
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)
1 False Personifer Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi) (if possible) I would remove this I would replace the removed fish with smaller, interesting fish with non aggressive personalities

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by FTDelta

It's been well over 2 years or more since I've been here when I started to have an interest in starting up a salt water aquaria. The goal of one day of starting a SW tank took a backburner in my life and now I'm getting that itch once more. This time my 9 yaear old son came out of the blue and told me he wanted a SW fish tank. I told him they're a lot more involved and more expensive to keep. With that being said, I told him I'll agree to get him a FW tank instead until he gains an understanding and care of fishkeeping. Our goal is hopefully to have one up and running within the next few years when my son is older to understand the responsibilty and involvement in salt water aquarium keeping. I have told my son I will help him in any way in achieving his goal.

excellent, great bonding experience

Right now I have resumed reading and researching everything I need to know about setting up a successful SW tank. Back then, the choice of tank size and fish I wish to house remains roughly just the same and they are:

Tank size: 46 gallon bowfront or 50 gallon tank
Live rock and live sand
Beginner corals - I have yet decided on what they will be - zoos is a definite though.
Sump - Yes
I'm looking to get this set-up I found on Drs Foster and Smith site:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=23752
(not sure if I want to go the traditional set-up or refugium set-up as noted for this product.

a refugium gives you a options that are good ones

This is the in sump skimmer I'm looking to get for the above sump set-up item:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=20033

Fish stock:

1 pair of Ocelleris Clownfish - tank-bred (1 will be tank-bred B&W Ocelleris Clownfish)
1 Royal Gramma
5 Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish both can only exist long term as mated pairs, so five is not a good idea
1 Six Line wrasse very aggressive fish which I do not recommend, consider a possum wrasse instead

The following fish species I found from this site - http://www.aquacon.com/Damsel_saltwaterfish.html

5 Bluefin Chromis (Neoglyphidodon melas) chromis will winnow down until there is only one, but in any case, in a smallish tank, numbers like "5" of anything are not good ideas

1 Fiji Devil Damsel (Chrysiptera taupou) - If this is not recommended due to agression issues with planned Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish, please let me know.

I do not recomme3nd damsels because of aggressive behavior

Inverts:

2 Scarlet Skunk Shrimp
3 Peppermint Shrimp
Reef Cleaner pack avoid hermit crabs, focus on snails and shrimp

I do welcome any suggestions/advice on my choices of fish. Again, I have a long ways to go before I'm ready to jump in to Salt Water Aquaria keeping.

[Jay1513]

Originally Posted by snorvich

A pair of Blue Throat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) I would remove these

1 - Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus var.) I would remove this

1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum) I would do only one of these, leaning towards the foxface
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)
1 False Personifer Angelfish (Chaetodontoplus meredithi) (if possible) I would remove this I would replace the removed fish with smaller, interesting fish with non aggressive personalities

Can u please give me a few examples of fish that are small, interesting and has non-aggressive personalities.

So far here's my list:

A pair of Sustainable Aquatics Black Clown
1 - Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
1 - Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
1 - Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jay1513

Can u please give me a few examples of fish that are small, interesting and has non-aggressive personalities.

So far here's my list:

A pair of Sustainable Aquatics Black Clown
1 - Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis)
1 - Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)
1 - Auriga Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
1 - Red Sea Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
1 - Magnificent Foxface (Siganus magnificus)

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations. First of all that would turn this thread too much in the direction of a discussion thread and in any case, our tastes and budgets almost certainly differ. Check out the Live Aquaria website for potential fish and discussion of their requirements and behaviors. I will be happy to review an updated list at your convenience.

[Jay1513]

Originally Posted by snorvich

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations. First of all that would turn this thread too much in the direction of a discussion thread and in any case, our tastes and budgets almost certainly differ. Check out the Live Aquaria website for potential fish and discussion of their requirements and behaviors. I will be happy to review an updated list at your convenience.

What about adding
3 - Resplendent Anthias (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus)
1 - Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus)