PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by scatterbrandy

I've been looking at the Kole's.

should be fine

Is there a link to a thread about what's up with the chromis lately?

Unfortunately not. It is at this point only a collection of anecdotal information. What we are seeing is uronema like symptoms.

And, thanks!

[BretCreager]

We have a 70gal display tank with a 20gal sump. 50lbs dry rock (5.5 months old), 20lbs live rock, 3.5" sandbed (60lbs dry, 20lbs live), all live rock/sand came from GulfLiveRock.com. Skimmer (rated 100gal), CUC has been established for 3.5 months: 1 cleaner shrimp, 3 emerald crabs, 3 scarlet hermits, 2 turbo snails, 15 cerith snails. We intend to have a mixed reef tank but have no corals yet and have 2 tank bred Cardinalfish and one 6 line wrasse (both fish spent almost 6 weeks in QT before being placed in the DT). We have a 15gal QT.

Our wishlist:
1 small flame angel (added last) -I realize this fish is reef safe with great caution
2 tank bred ocellaris clownfish
1 gold assessor basslet (i really want this one) OR royal gramma basslet
1 dispar anthias
1 purple tilefish
1 green or red mandarin goby (dragonet) - added after DT is a year old
1 two spot goby OR citrus clown goby OR green clown goby
1 tiger pistol shrimp
1 sexy anemone shrimp

Thank you in advance. Please also feel free to comment on which 2-3 fish should be purchased next.

[snorvich]

BretCreager, we have had discussions in the past. Based on those conversations, since you have an LFS that you trust implicitly, I think it would be best to leave advice to them. Best of luck.

[BretCreager]

Thanks, based on your advice we chose to but 3 different books and read through them finding fish that interested us and according to the information we could find in text would be good for what our goal of our tank should be, but no matter what you read out doesn't beat first hand experience. So I'm not sure where that puts me in your book if I affended you by buying what I did I'm sorry. Thank you for your help

[zombot]

New tank!

210 gallons of goodness. Marine Sources 2300 Skimmer /or/ Avast Cs3 SKimmer

2 Blue Damsel Fish

3 Yellow Tail Damsel Fish

5 Blue/Green Chromis from previous tank
(been going strong for a year might add more. I don't know if Australian caught chromis over here have the health problems it seems you guys are getting)

3 Carpenter Wrasse

2 Resplendent or Sunset Anthias

2 Ocellaris Clowns

2 Yellow Coral Goby (Previous tank)

2 Twin Spot Goby (Previous tank)

1 Yellow Long Nose butterfly (Australian)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by zombot

New tank!

210 gallons of goodness. Marine Sources 2300 Skimmer /or/ Avast Cs3 SKimmer

2 Blue Damsel Fish

3 Yellow Tail Damsel Fish damsels are aggressive and may limit future additions

5 Blue/Green Chromis from previous tank
(been going strong for a year might add more. I don't know if Australian caught chromis over here have the health problems it seems you guys are getting)

Australian fish in general seem to have fewer problems; I do not know if that is a chain of custody issue or a location issue

3 Carpenter Wrasse male plus 2 females

2 Resplendent or Sunset Anthias

2 Ocellaris Clowns

2 Yellow Coral Goby (Previous tank)

2 Twin Spot Goby (Previous tank) congrats; these are difficult fish

1 Yellow Long Nose butterfly (Australian)

except possibly the damsels, no behavioral issues

[elcucuu]

Hey Steve

I currently have a 265 DT (84"x24"x31") with 200 lbs of live 2.5" sand bed. It's been up and running 3 months. This is an upgrade from my old 90g. It's a mixed reef tank.

Equipment running

Dual sump and wet/dry
Reef Octopus Diablo DCS 250 rated for 300g heavy (separate 40 gal)
Wet/Dry rated for 400g
Carbon reactor
Phosphate reactor

Current stock list

1-Sailfin Blenny

2- Orange Firefish

1 - Purple Firefish

2-Ignitus Anthias

Wish List

1 - Blonde Naso

1-Lamarck's Angelfish

2-Resplendent or Bartlett's Anthias (which do you recommend)

1 Bonded Pair Snowflake Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

I've read on previous posts that for the Naso you recommend a minimum tank length of 10' I have 7'. Is it possible to keep if he is the only large fish. The tank has plenty of open swim room and large caves for hiding.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by elcucuu

Hey Steve

I currently have a 265 DT (84"x24"x31") with 200 lbs of live 2.5" sand bed. It's been up and running 3 months. This is an upgrade from my old 90g. It's a mixed reef tank.

Equipment running

Dual sump and wet/dry
Reef Octopus Diablo DCS 250 rated for 300g heavy (separate 40 gal)
Wet/Dry rated for 400g
Carbon reactor
Phosphate reactor

Current stock list

1-Sailfin Blenny

2- Orange Firefish

1 - Purple Firefish

2-Ignitus Anthias

Wish List

1 - Blonde Naso

1-Lamarck's Angelfish

2-Resplendent or Bartlett's Anthias (which do you recommend)

I recommend Resplendent or Carberryi

1 Bonded Pair Snowflake Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

I've read on previous posts that for the Naso you recommend a minimum tank length of 10' I have 7'. Is it possible to keep if he is the only large fish. The tank has plenty of open swim room and large caves for hiding.

I have seen it done in a seven foot tank but all other fish were small and a 15 inch fish (assuming Naso literatus) looks a bit cramped. Which Naso tang (there are a few species)?

[elcucuu]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I have seen it done in a seven foot tank but all other fish were small and a 15 inch fish (assuming Naso literatus) looks a bit cramped. Which Naso tang (there are a few species)?

Steve I was looking at a Blonde Naso Tang (Naso elegans). It's been my favorite for a while but if it will be unhappy in my tank when it matures then I guess I won't get one.

I know you don't recommend fish just advise on doable and not doable but I gotta ask. If not a Naso elegans which would you recommend for my size tank?

Here' a thought I could upgrade again. LOL!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by elcucuu

Steve I was looking at a Blonde Naso Tang (Naso elegans). It's been my favorite for a while but if it will be unhappy in my tank when it matures then I guess I won't get one.

I know you don't recommend fish just advise on doable and not doable but I gotta ask. If not a Naso elegans which would you recommend for my size tank?

Here' a thought I could upgrade again. LOL!

If that is your dream fish, would you consider upgrading? If not, I guess go for it. Large fish look strange in seven foot or less tanks, however, and tend to make the tank look small. That species is not a high energy fish so it may do ok as long as there are no other large grazers. Reef Central's recommendation for this fish is 8 feet so you are close. If it were Naso Vlamingi or a first cousin, I would more strongly advocate the 10 foot tank minimum.

[hk45]

Have 180g with 55g sump and ref with liverock. Tank been running 3 months. This is what I'm looking to order. Any suggestion on what to do and maybe size to order to add all at once. Currently have one clarkii clown 2.5 in size
Lemonpeel or flame dwarf angel
Emperor angel
Flamehawk
Sailfin tang
Pakistan or raccoon buttery
Scotts fairy wrasse
Lyre tail anthias 1 male 2 female

[elcucuu]

Originally Posted by snorvich

If that is your dream fish, would you consider upgrading? If not, I guess go for it. Large fish look strange in seven foot or less tanks, however, and tend to make the tank look small. That species is not a high energy fish so it may do ok as long as there are no other large grazers. Reef Central's recommendation for this fish is 8 feet so you are close. If it were Naso Vlamingi or a first cousin, I would more strongly advocate the 10 foot tank minimum.

Steve

Thanks for the honest feedback. I will certainly be giving this some more thought. My wife has know me to make spare of the moment decisions with my tanks so upgrading in the near future to a 10 footer is not that far fetched of a concept for me.

If I don't what would you say regarding

3 BANNERFISH, SCHOOLING ( Heniochus diphreutes)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by elcucuu

Steve

Thanks for the honest feedback. I will certainly be giving this some more thought. My wife has know me to make spare of the moment decisions with my tanks so upgrading in the near future to a 10 footer is not that far fetched of a concept for me.

If I don't what would you say regarding

3 BANNERFISH, SCHOOLING ( Heniochus diphreutes)

No problem.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by hk45

Have 180g with 55g sump and ref with liverock. Tank been running 3 months. This is what I'm looking to order. Any suggestion on what to do and maybe size to order to add all at once. Currently have one clarkii clown 2.5 in size
Lemonpeel or flame dwarf angel
Emperor angel
Flamehawk not shrimp safe
Sailfin tang marginal in a six foot tank, and must be last fish added
Pakistan or raccoon buttery raccoon is heartier
Scotts fairy wrasse
Lyre tail anthias 1 male 2 female

[RabbitKC99]

I'm getting back in after a decade. Over the past decade, I've been given some stuff, so I'm trying to figure out how best to keep the fish I like in the tanks that I have. Nothing is set in stone - except for three fish that I purchased on Friday. Those fish are currently going through a precautionary run of tank transfer; they will then go into a cycled 20 gallon tank for quarantine/observation for a number of weeks.

Fish I have:
2 small Amphiprion ocellaris (Ocellaris clowns)
1 Psedochromis fridmani (Orchid Dottyback)

Possible stocking plan for the three tanks I have:
68 gallon with 20 gallon sump:
The 2 Amphiprion ocellaris
A group of flasher wrasses - 1 male, 2 or 3 females (not sure which one species yet, possibly Carpenter's or McCosker's or Filamented) - not sure if my tank size is large enough to allow for me to keep this group
1 Liopropoma rubre (Swissguard basslet)
1 blenny - either Ecsenius bicolor or Ecsenius midas

55 gallon:
3 Gramma Loreto - 1 male, 2 female (Royal gramma)
A colony of Opignathus aurifrons (Yellowhead jawfish) - if this works, how many would be an appropriate colony? I know I need to provide them with appropriate substrate. I've asked at a number of different LFSs and gotten some extreme answers.

20 gallon (for my son):
1 pistol shrimp/goby pair - species to be determined
The pseudochromis fridmani - If this is a bad idea with the pistol shrimp/goby, or because of the tank size, I can move the fridmani to the 68 gallon tank and remove some fish from that list.

Again, these are mainly future plans. Thanks for the suggestions and advice!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by RabbitKC99

I'm getting back in after a decade. Over the past decade, I've been given some stuff, so I'm trying to figure out how best to keep the fish I like in the tanks that I have. Nothing is set in stone - except for three fish that I purchased on Friday. Those fish are currently going through a precautionary run of tank transfer; they will then go into a cycled 20 gallon tank for quarantine/observation for a number of weeks.

Fish I have:
2 small Amphiprion ocellaris (Ocellaris clowns)
1 Psedochromis fridmani (Orchid Dottyback)

Possible stocking plan for the three tanks I have:
68 gallon with 20 gallon sump:
The 2 Amphiprion ocellaris
A group of flasher wrasses - 1 male, 2 or 3 females (not sure which one species yet, possibly Carpenter's or McCosker's or Filamented) - not sure if my tank size is large enough to allow for me to keep this group
1 Liopropoma rubre (Swissguard basslet)
1 blenny - either Ecsenius bicolor or Ecsenius midas I would opt for the E. bicolor

I think this is doable. Again, flasher wrasses are prolific jumpers

55 gallon:
3 Gramma Loreto - 1 male, 2 female (Royal gramma)
A colony of Opignathus aurifrons (Yellowhead jawfish) - if this works, how many would be an appropriate colony?

I am guessing that in this sized tank (floor space is the binding constraint) that 2-5 would work

I know I need to provide them with appropriate substrate. I've asked at a number of different LFSs and gotten some extreme answers.

As a diver, I have spent a fair amount of time with jawfish under water. Best tank would be a longish tank, with a mixture of course and fine sand, rock rubble, about 4-5 inches deep. I do not know if you can have multiple gramma loreto in that sized tank. I guess you can, but cannot say for certain. Jawfish are prolific jumpers

20 gallon (for my son):
1 pistol shrimp/goby pair - species to be determined
The pseudochromis fridmani - If this is a bad idea with the pistol shrimp/goby, or because of the tank size, I can move the fridmani to the 68 gallon tank and remove some fish from that list.

No problem. I would consider 1 goby and two shrimp

Again, these are mainly future plans. Thanks for the suggestions and advice!

[Lorna g]

I hope someone can help me I have a mated pair of mandarins and purchased a pair of bangai tonight the mandarins were tryin to mate and the bangai kept getting in the way so they gave up will they get used to the bangai or will I have to seperated them?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Lorna g

I hope someone can help me I have a mated pair of mandarins and purchased a pair of bangai tonight the mandarins were tryin to mate and the bangai kept getting in the way so they gave up will they get used to the bangai or will I have to seperated them?

tank size and tank maturity? If this is in your 63 gallon tank, that tank is not enough to sustain a pair of mandarins and it is not large enough for them to mate with the cardinal fish.

[Lorna g]

I have a 63 gallon with sump which has been running for 2 years

[Lorna g]

Thankyou the mandarins are eating frozen and there is loads of copipods do u recomend moving the bangai then?? Their both really fat

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Lorna g

Thankyou the mandarins are eating frozen and there is loads of copipods do u recomend moving the bangai then?? Their both really fat

I do recommend moving the Bangaii cardinals. Mandarins eat constantly which is why copepod consumption is critical for their ongoing health. I assume you only feed once or twice per day. In any case this subject is beyond the scope of this thread which is only marine fish compatibility.

[Lorna g]

I am feeding 3 times a day I have had them both for 6 months and loads of copipods

[Lsufiregal]

Tank: 220 w/ 50 gal sump /refugium.

Current stock list:

The Tangs:
Sohal tang (6in)
Purple Tang x2 (one 5 inches one 3)
Hippo Tang x2 (one 4in one 3 in)
Chevron Tang (5in)
Yellow Tang (4in)

The Angels
Emperor angel (4 in)
Passer angel (3 in)
Blue face angel (1.5 in)
Flame angel x2 (1.5 in)

Bangaii cardinals x4. (2 lg 2 sm)
Purple Firefish
Purple dotty back
Royal gramma
Black Combtooth blenny
Tail spot blenny
Midas blenny
Engineer goby (8in)
Harlequin Tusk (6in)
Black cap Basslet
Long nose Hawkfish x2
Black ice snowflake clown pair
Reg oc clown/ B&W oc pair
Blue devil damsel x2
6 line wrasse
Lineatus wrasse (7in)
Green mandarin
Yellow blotch rabbit fish
Saddleback puffer
Sunrise dottyback
Marine Betta (6in)

I had a large sailfin tang, but unfortunately lost him. I want to add another one, but I wasn't sure what your thoughts were on that. The tank is very peaceful. The only chasing I have is the snowflakes chase the other pair of clowns if they venture too close to their anemone. I am watching closely and will remove the other pair if there is any real aggression. What are your thoughts on adding another sailfin? If you think it is ok should I add a smaller one or a larger one?

Thanks!

[Mandrew]

I have two damsels right now, soon I'm goin to get two clowns and I was wondering if the damsels would kill the clowns? I have a 60g tank with live rock.
What do you guys think?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Lorna g

I am feeding 3 times a day I have had them both for 6 months and loads of copipods

well good luck. 1 year would normally be considered success. Fat in fish is not normally a good thing nor is skinny.