PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Pantera19871

Fish:

2 clowns 1 B/W 1 OC
1 Scopas Tang
2 Mandarine m/f
1 flame angel
1 lawnmower blenny
Would Love some sort of boxfish or puffer because I love their personality Need help finding one that will work.

To evaluate stocking list, I would need your tank size and details

Corals:
1 Torch
1 Metallic green flower pot
1 Chili an advanced coral requiring special needs; not advised
1 redtip tree

CUC:
2 cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint
12 astrea
6 ness ????

Does this sound like a doable setup? should I have a bigger CUC?
I would rather decrease corals than fish.

[Pantera19871]

Im sorry,

60gal w/ built in 20gal sump 48x18x21 rear 4.5" dedicated sump, AquaC Remora Pro, 65lbs live rock in display 25lb in sump , rio+1700 powerhead 642gph, coralife compact florescent 4x65w with 4 led moonlights, 3" live sand,

I guess I could just do some colony polyps instead of the chili.

Sorry I meant nassarius snails

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Pantera19871

Im sorry,

No problem, it is just impossible to evaluate without that information

60gal w/ built in 20gal sump 48x18x21 rear 4.5" dedicated sump, AquaC Remora Pro, 65lbs live rock in display 25lb in sump , rio+1700 powerhead 642gph, coralife compact florescent 4x65w with 4 led moonlights, 3" live sand,

Previously, you said:

Fish:

2 clowns 1 B/W 1 OC
1 Scopas Tang A sixty gallon tank is not really large enough for any tang
2 Mandarine m/f Even one mandarin would be marginal in a 60 gallon tank without extra effort, but two of them would starve long term. For one, wait until the tank is at least 9 months old
1 flame angel not coral safe
1 lawnmower blenny
Would Love some sort of boxfish or puffer because I love their personality Need help finding one that will work. a boxfish will compete with a mandarin for food, and this is somewhat of an advanced care fish that can poison a tank if injured or dies; a puffer will be difficult because of bioload and "meanness" especially in a smaller tank. Not compatible with shrimp

To evaluate stocking list, I would need your tank size and details

Corals:
1 Torch
1 Metallic green flower pot difficult to maintain, long term they often perish
1 Chili an advanced coral requiring special needs; not advised
1 redtip tree

CUC:
2 cleaner shrimp
1 peppermint
12 astrea
6 ness ????

All of the cleanup crew is excellent

Does this sound like a doable setup? should I have a bigger CUC?
I would rather decrease corals than fish.



I guess I could just do some colony polyps instead of the chili.

Sorry I meant nassarius snails

[Pantera19871]

Dang...ill crumble that one up and throw it away lol.

[rldcpa]

My questions deal with Wrasses that are reef safe and not aggressive.

1. Is it best to get a pair?
2. Can you mix various species of reef safe non aggressive wrasse species?


My tank is all reef safe and non aggressive with various corals.

[rldcpa]

Also, can you mix various tang species?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rldcpa

My questions deal with Wrasses that are reef safe and not aggressive.

1. Is it best to get a pair? Unfortunately, there is no generic answer to that. In some cases, it is best to have a pair (or harem) to maintain the coloration of the male but in the case of fairy wrasses, the female is generally more aggressive. If you have more than one female, it is far better if they are of different sizes.

2. Can you mix various species of reef safe non aggressive wrasse species? Again, I am not able to give you a general answer as it depends on species.


My tank is all reef safe and non aggressive with various corals.

And for your subsequent question about tangs, that is even more complex. If you go with the more aggressive families such as zebrasoma, it to some degree depends on tank size and fish size; the perceived territory, if large enough, will allow mixing some tangs. However, some of the large tangs (which are too large for your tank) are the least aggressive, while the somewhat smaller ones are more so. Case by case basis depending on environment and which species. Also, some tangs, such as Sohal tangs, are just a pain. They are fine up to a certain size in a certain tank, then their brain goes nuts and they try to kill almost anything.

[thebkramer]

Hi Steve!!!

I have a 55g (ignore my sig.. I have to edit it !! and all my little guys are going in a 40g b)

I have
McCoskers Flasher
Starry Blenny
2 O Clowns
YWG

I was wondering if I could add a DWG?
can I have both those gobies together? since they are both mainly sand dwellers.. I was unsure if they would be good neighbors? I do not have, nor plan to get a pistol

Thanks for input!!
Rhonda

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by thebkramer

Hi Steve!!!

I have a 55g (ignore my sig.. I have to edit it !! and all my little guys are going in a 40g b)

I have
McCoskers Flasher
Starry Blenny
2 O Clowns
YWG

I was wondering if I could add a DWG?
can I have both those gobies together? since they are both mainly sand dwellers.. I was unsure if they would be good neighbors? I do not have, nor plan to get a pistol

Thanks for input!!
Rhonda

Unfortunately not. Even in a fairly large long tank, it does not work.

[mrbigshot]

I'm looking for a pink fish, sounds stupid but my daughter would like one in my tank. I need.some.suggestions, price I would like to keep around $50 or less if possiable. compatibility is a must. must be tollerant of bright lights.

the tank is a rr 75g (48x18x21) lit by leds. firsts and formost its a sps system. no lps or softys. its also bare bottom. decent Skimmer, 25g sump with cheating , lit by leds. I feed twice daily and there is no algea in the tank so whatever the fish needs must be added by me unfortunitaly. foods are pellets and frozen mysis shrimp. tight fitting screens cover the tank as well as a open back canopy.

current stocking are a large 3-1/2 female darwin (black and white) ocellaris clownfish, a 1" black ice ocellaris (display broad stock so no fish they may damage there nest). 2 green chromis, and a single red manderian draggonette.

I like fairy and flasher wrasses so I will eventually get one or more. if I could find a pinkish one I would be exstatic. the only other future purchase would be more corals and a redtail bristletooth tang if I can ever be lucky enough to find one. everyone in the tank gets along and there is zero violence now.

I like antheas but the food demands seem a bit much so I doubt they would work.

any ideas?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mrbigshot

I'm looking for a pink fish, sounds stupid but my daughter would like one in my tank. I need.some.suggestions, price I would like to keep around $50 or less if possiable. compatibility is a must. must be tollerant of bright lights.

the tank is a rr 75g (48x18x21) lit by leds. firsts and formost its a sps system. no lps or softys. its also bare bottom. decent Skimmer, 25g sump with cheating , lit by leds. I feed twice daily and there is no algea in the tank so whatever the fish needs must be added by me unfortunitaly. foods are pellets and frozen mysis shrimp. tight fitting screens cover the tank as well as a open back canopy.

current stocking are a large 3-1/2 female darwin (black and white) ocellaris clownfish, a 1" black ice ocellaris (display broad stock so no fish they may damage there nest). 2 green chromis, and a single red manderian draggonette.

I like fairy and flasher wrasses so I will eventually get one or more. if I could find a pinkish one I would be exstatic. the only other future purchase would be more corals and a redtail bristletooth tang if I can ever be lucky enough to find one. everyone in the tank gets along and there is zero violence now.

I like antheas but the food demands seem a bit much so I doubt they would work.

any ideas?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. I would be happy, however, to evaluate any possible stocking list.

[Plainswalker]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Either but not both. Chromis have been coming in less than healthy so probably not your fault.

Hi snorvich,

Just to make sure, my tank has ornamental crustaceans as well - porcelain crab and skunk cleaner shrimp. Would an orchid dottyback bother them?

(Just to refer to original question - 35g 36x12.5x18 with 2 occ clowns, 1 yellow neon goby, and tailspot blenny, wanting to add orchid dotty or royal gramma)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Plainswalker

Hi snorvich,

Just to make sure, my tank has ornamental crustaceans as well - porcelain crab and skunk cleaner shrimp. Would an orchid dottyback bother them?

(Just to refer to original question - 35g 36x12.5x18 with 2 occ clowns, 1 yellow neon goby, and tailspot blenny, wanting to add orchid dotty or royal gramma)

Those should be fine. However very small shrimp such as sexy shrimp or anemone shrimp may not be left intact

[MrClam]

Snorvich,

Read through this thread and noticed you seem to favor the chevron tang in the past but havnt seen it mentioned as much recently. Do you still have a preference for this tang or has this changed? I was thinking of doing the chevron instead of a yellow tang, as you sail the yellow tang was moderately aggressive.

This would give a chevron tang and a one-spot foxface in my tank (150g) would that be too much competition for grazers if I supplemented Nori sheets?

Are any butterflyfish moderately reef safe? I believe in the past you said the pyramid was unlikely to nip and I was curious if there are any other butterflyfish that would work.

Also instead of the Scott's wrasse I was going to do a carpenter's wrasse. Thoughts? I am confused on compatibility of wrasses. Am I correct in thinking that Fairy wrasses tend to be more aggressive? Could I mix two species of flasher wrasses (if so what are some of the less aggressive species)? I understand the six-line is very aggressive and will not be added.

As of now I have added:

1 Purple Firefish
1 Benggai cardinal
Aurora goby/ pistol shrimp pair
1 royal gramma

3 Peppermint Shrimp
Assorted CUC snails

As always thanks for the help.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by MrClam

Snorvich,

Read through this thread and noticed you seem to favor the chevron tang in the past but havnt seen it mentioned as much recently. Do you still have a preference for this tang or has this changed? I was thinking of doing the chevron instead of a yellow tang, as you sail the yellow tang was moderately aggressive.

I still favor a Chevron instead of a yellow given a moderately sized tank such as yours

This would give a chevron tang and a one-spot foxface in my tank (150g) would that be too much competition for grazers if I supplemented Nori sheets?

should be fine, but I would supplement with Nori

Are any butterflyfish moderately reef safe? I believe in the past you said the pyramid was unlikely to nip and I was curious if there are any other butterflyfish that would work.

Yes, pyramids are good as are both species of long nosed

Also instead of the Scott's wrasse I was going to do a carpenter's wrasse.

That should be fine, ideally a male and female carpenter's would be good

Thoughts? I am confused on compatibility of wrasses. Am I correct in thinking that Fairy wrasses tend to be more aggressive?

Some fairy wrasses are, some are not. As a very general "rule" blue based ones tend to be more aggressive

Could I mix two species of flasher wrasses (if so what are some of the less aggressive species)? I understand the six-line is very aggressive and will not be added.

The only flasher wrasse that is aggressive is the eight line flasher wrasse from the Red Sea

As of now I have added:

1 Purple Firefish
1 Benggai cardinal
Aurora goby/ pistol shrimp pair
1 royal gramma

3 Peppermint Shrimp
Assorted CUC snails

As always thanks for the help.

Always a pleasure

[monotreme_man]

i have somehow inherited moral ownership of my kids' school aquarium.
i have tried to help but am thwarted by the longest lived inhabitant,
a medium sized snowflake eel. it appears to have eaten many of the
tank's inhabitants, although some cleaning crew remains and a solitary
clown fish (who does NOT look happy). the eel seems about 20in long.

is there some general guideline as to what fish can cohabitate with
the eel? ordinarily, i would toss it and start over but it is a crowd favourite.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by monotreme_man

i have somehow inherited moral ownership of my kids' school aquarium.
i have tried to help but am thwarted by the longest lived inhabitant,
a medium sized snowflake eel. it appears to have eaten many of the
tank's inhabitants, although some cleaning crew remains and a solitary
clown fish (who does NOT look happy). the eel seems about 20in long.

is there some general guideline as to what fish can cohabitate with
the eel? ordinarily, i would toss it and start over but it is a crowd favourite.

Unfortunately, that is what they do: eat whatever is available. I know of no solution other than selling it or giving it away.

[jonwright]

180 gallon, 6' tank FOWLR with some corals and a croc clam.

Main fish: Sohol tang, desjardini.

4 clown fish
flame angel

Sohol and Desjardini get along OK? Will a hippo be OK with these guys as well?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jonwright

180 gallon, 6' tank FOWLR with some corals and a croc clam.

Main fish: Sohol tang, desjardini.

4 clown fish
flame angel

Sohol and Desjardini get along OK? Will a hippo be OK with these guys as well?

Your existing tangs get along ok now. But that will change as they outgrow that tank and their perceived territory shrinks. Adding another large tang to that mix will only hasten the problem starting. Mature Sohal tangs are extremely mean.

[jonwright]

So Sohol by himself as far as larger fish go? I'm still in planning stages for my tank. If I delete the Sohol otherwise I could keep a couple of hippos, Desjardinii and others I'll bet - correct?

[antjtc]

I have a 90 gal reef tank w/ live rock/30 gal sump. I have a pair of firefish, a blue spotted jawfish, small yellow tang, royal gramma, 2 false percula clowns, mandarin goby, bangaii cardinalfish, female lyretail anthia. I'm thinking of adding either a helfrechi firefish, a chalkbass, or a dottyback. I'm not sure if the helfrechi will get attacked by the firefish pair, or if the dottyback will fight w/ the royal gramma other fish. Will the chalkbass get along w/ the royal gramma?

Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jonwright

So Sohol by himself as far as larger fish go? I'm still in planning stages for my tank. If I delete the Sohol otherwise I could keep a couple of hippos, Desjardinii and others I'll bet - correct?

Actually, no. Please see Reef Central's recommended tank sizes for tangs which can be found here.
In any case, if you put two sailfin tangs in your tank, one dies. Our recommended tank sizes are somewhat additive, but not linearly so. So if you put two fish whose minimum recommended tank size for one is, for example, 240 gallons, that does not mean you can put two in 240 gallons.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by antjtc

I have a 90 gal reef tank w/ live rock/30 gal sump. I have a pair of firefish, a blue spotted jawfish, small yellow tang, royal gramma, 2 false percula clowns, mandarin goby, bangaii cardinalfish, female lyretail anthia. I'm thinking of adding either a helfrechi firefish, a chalkbass, or a dottyback. I'm not sure if the helfrechi will get attacked by the firefish pair, or if the dottyback will fight w/ the royal gramma other fish. Will the chalkbass get along w/ the royal gramma?

Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

Dottybacks are aggressive. The least aggressive one is P. fridmani but it is not a peaceful fish. Three firefish is likely to become one. Helfrichi firefish are most easily intimidated and once intimidated are likely to starve to death. You will not know if your two existing firefish are a male plus female pair for months; if they are not, one is likely to be killed. The chalkbass may or may not get along with the royal gramma as they have similar ecological niches.

[jonwright]

So with a "small" tank like a 6' 180 or so, then, it's only recommended for one tang and that's it? I know that everything I've read says that they are tough on "conspecifics" which are fish that are the same shape/species (never mind the folks that have multiple Hippos in their tanks).

So what about a Zebrasomas and an Acanthurus species, each? Or 2 Hippos (as the only tang species) in a "small" tank, like a 250?

I'm looking for reef compatible and active swimmers which brings me to the tangs.

LFS, all nearby, all have conflicting advice - much like each book, Fenner, and here. And yes, I know my mileage may vary.......

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jonwright

So with a "small" tank like a 6' 180 or so, then, it's only recommended for one tang and that's it? I know that everything I've read says that they are tough on "conspecifics" which are fish that are the same shape/species (never mind the folks that have multiple Hippos in their tanks).

I assume "small" is supposed to be irony, but in the general scheme of things a six foot tank is not large. For tangs, length is very important, more so than gallonage, and for some species, an 8 foot tank is a minimum, especially when the fish matures at over a foot. For really large Naso tangs, 10 feet is a minimum, but larger even, would be better. But it is not only shape that a determinant of possible aggressive behavior, it is perceived territory and fish that occupy the same ecological niche within that perceived territory. The advice I give is designed to prevent problems and improve the odds of long term success. Of course, you are totally free to ignore that advice. Putting fish in tanks is easy, getting them out, especially herbivores, is not easy at all, unless of course, they are dead.

So what about a Zebrasomas and an Acanthurus species, each? Or 2 Hippos (as the only tang species) in a "small" tank, like a 250?

Easiest going behaviorally are the Naso group of tangs but they all get huge and really need a 10 foot tank as a minimum for the moderately sized ones, mellowest behavior are the Ctenochaetus group, zebrasoma get ornery, especially towards new/later additions, the highly active acanthurus group can be ornery but are very attractive and very active. Many of them live in surge conditions so long tanks with high flow are desirable.

I'm looking for reef compatible and active swimmers which brings me to the tangs.

Active swimmers that exceed a foot need a long tank. If you want to make your tank seem small, put an active 14 inch fish in a 72 inch tank. If they perceive they are "crowded", they will reduce the number of tankmates, and I can assure you those razor blades are very effective at doing so. Some tangs, such as clown tangs and sohals seem to do it "just because" as they mature. When young they may be docile and then a switch seems to flip . . .

LFS, all nearby, all have conflicting advice - much like each book, Fenner, and here. And yes, I know my mileage may vary.......

LFS are there to sell fish, and as such they have an inherent conflict of interest. I mostly agree with Bob Fenner, at least on behavioral issues. Scott W. Michael's book (I used to dive with him) has smaller minimum tank sizes but they really need to be revised and Live Aquaria has done so over the years. But as I said, you are more than welcome to ignore any advice I give, it is after all free.