PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Armand9601]

Steve:

Thank you, appreciate your help & saving me from some mistakes.

Any order I should use to offset some of the aggressiveness?

[Spork3245]

90 gallon marineland tank w/approximately 80lb of sand (aragonite) - Tank is FOWLR. I have a 30 gallon sump with a refugium, I have not set the refugium up yet but will be doing so in the next 3-4 weeks (currently just live rock rubble in it and a light that I hope is powerful enough for algae growth )

Current fish/inverts:
3x Tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (guy at the store told me to get three-five, instinct said get two but I listened to the LFS guy for some stupid reason... Afterwards, people on here have said to "worry about the third" once two of them pair up, but two other LFS's I stopped at yesterday said that the 3rd will be fine since I got them all at the same time and basically that the female will become a "group leader" and have a "love triangle" going, they said if it was a more aggressive clown species the third would indeed be "screwed"... Considering the wide-variety of responses I've received and the fact that the LFS I purchased from has a "no returns on livestock policy", I've decided to just keep an eye on them and pull out the 3rd if he begins to get bullied once two of them pair - If you have any suggestions/advice I'd appreciate it)

1x Cleaner Shrimp
3x Turbo Snails
6x Nassairus Snails
3x Bumblebee Snails (are these guys evil? See next purchase...)
1x Trochus Snails (had three but two were eaten by the bumblebees...?)
5x Astrea Snails
6x Hermit Crabs (3 red legged, 3 blue legged)

Intended future purchases:
1x Fox Face Rabbit Fish (Some say 4 feet is enough room, others say 6 feet so if I see he's stressed out in the 90 gallon once he reaches maturity, I will swap him out for another small one - I *really* would like this fish but if you think it's a horrible idea I will listen)
1-2x Heniochus (for my girlfriend)
1x Diamond Goby OR Blue Cleaner Goby (I honestly don't know which would be better?)
1x Mimic Tang
1x Flame Angel
1x Green Mandarin Dragonet (6-12 months down the road, also he's a *maybe*)

BTW - Any order in which to purchase these next fish if you think I'd be okay with them?

Thank you!!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Armand9601

Steve:

Thank you, appreciate your help & saving me from some mistakes.

Any order I should use to offset some of the aggressiveness?

Order will not help as those fish are inherently aggressive, especially in small tanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Spork3245

90 gallon marineland tank w/approximately 80lb of sand (aragonite) - Tank is FOWLR. I have a 30 gallon sump with a refugium, I have not set the refugium up yet but will be doing so in the next 3-4 weeks (currently just live rock rubble in it and a light that I hope is powerful enough for algae growth )

Current fish/inverts:
3x Tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (guy at the store told me to get three-five, instinct said get two but I listened to the LFS guy for some stupid reason... Afterwards, people on here have said to "worry about the third" once two of them pair up, but two other LFS's I stopped at yesterday said that the 3rd will be fine since I got them all at the same time and basically that the female will become a "group leader" and have a "love triangle" going, they said if it was a more aggressive clown species the third would indeed be "screwed"... Considering the wide-variety of responses I've received and the fact that the LFS I purchased from has a "no returns on livestock policy", I've decided to just keep an eye on them and pull out the 3rd if he begins to get bullied once two of them pair - If you have any suggestions/advice I'd appreciate it) Three clownfish never work long term. Once sexually differentiated, the female will kill the third one or cause it to jump. My advice is not to listen to those LFS as they do not know what they are doing. I would especially NEVER purchase from the initial LFS that sold them to you.

1x Cleaner Shrimp
3x Turbo Snails
6x Nassairus Snails
3x Bumblebee Snails (are these guys evil? See next purchase...)
1x Trochus Snails (had three but two were eaten by the bumblebees...?)
5x Astrea Snails
6x Hermit Crabs (3 red legged, 3 blue legged) hermit crabs will kill snails for their shells

Intended future purchases:
1x Fox Face Rabbit Fish (Some say 4 feet is enough room, others say 6 feet so if I see he's stressed out in the 90 gallon once he reaches maturity, I will swap him out for another small one - I *really* would like this fish but if you think it's a horrible idea I will listen) The minimum tank size recommended is 125 gallons; Reef Central does not recommend swapping fish out but rather purchasing for the tank size you have now
1-2x Heniochus (for my girlfriend) The minimum tank size recommended is 125 gallons; Reef Central does not recommend swapping fish out but rather purchasing for the tank size you have now
1x Diamond Goby OR Blue Cleaner Goby (I honestly don't know which would be better?) Both are fine, the cleaner goby would have interesting behaviors but so with the diamond goby if paired with an alpheus randall shrimp
1x Mimic Tang two large grazers in this sized tank is not recommended but the mimic tang is preferred to the Foxface.
1x Flame Angel
1x Green Mandarin Dragonet (6-12 months down the road, also he's a *maybe*)

BTW - Any order in which to purchase these next fish if you think I'd be okay with them?

Thank you!!!

[Spork3245]

Thank you!!! I didn't know that "swapping" was a bad thing or I would've never considered it, also didn't realize that Heniochus need a 6ft tank. It's really hard to tell these things as blue zoo was the site I was initially always going by but then I found out that their listed "minimums" might be way off. Glad I asked!

With the fish store that told me to go with 3 clowns it seems to be who I talk to, as the gentleman who I believe is the owner told me that the Lime Green Wrasse who my gf fell in love with would eat and/or kill smaller non-aggressive fish, while the gentleman who told me to get the 3 clowns also told me to get a yellow coris wrasse and that they would be peaceful even when I mentioned the clowns . My friend who lives a couple hours away from me has a 46 gallon tank with a single 2-3 year old Tomato Clown (and a few other fishes), since the Ocellaris is a juvenile would I be able to give the "extra" clown to him without worry?

I knew about the hermit crabs and the snails, I did get a handful of various sized hermit shells, cleaned them and put them in my tank but I'm not sure if this will deter them or not.

My gf and I originally wanted a Diamond Goby and Pistol combo (as you suggested with the randall shrimp) but I've become worried of the Pistol going psychotic and killing off its goby and other fishes. Is this something to worry about or am I just being paranoid?

Thank you again! I greatly appreciate the straight answers!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Spork3245

Thank you!!! I didn't know that "swapping" was a bad thing or I would've never considered it, also didn't realize that Heniochus need a 6ft tank. It's really hard to tell these things as blue zoo was the site I was initially always going by but then I found out that their listed "minimums" might be way off. Glad I asked!

There are some online vendors with reasonable tank size minimums. However, vendors have an agenda of selling. We at Reef Central have no profit agenda.

With the fish store that told me to go with 3 clowns it seems to be who I talk to, as the gentleman who I believe is the owner told me that the Lime Green Wrasse who my gf fell in love with would eat and/or kill smaller non-aggressive fish, while the gentleman who told me to get the 3 clowns also told me to get a yellow coris wrasse and that they would be peaceful even when I mentioned the clowns . My friend who lives a couple hours away from me has a 46 gallon tank with a single 2-3 year old Tomato Clown (and a few other fishes), since the Ocellaris is a juvenile would I be able to give the "extra" clown to him without worry?

No. Tomato clownfish are on the aggressive side and mixing species except in very large tanks does not work.

I knew about the hermit crabs and the snails, I did get a handful of various sized hermit shells, cleaned them and put them in my tank but I'm not sure if this will deter them or not.

No, it will not deter them.

My gf and I originally wanted a Diamond Goby and Pistol combo (as you suggested with the randall shrimp) but I've become worried of the Pistol going psychotic and killing off its goby and other fishes. Is this something to worry about or am I just being paranoid?

Pistol shrimp do not go psychotic. The only time equivalent behavior evidences itself in aquaria is when a fish matures, notices its territorial imperative is not being met, and reduces the co-inhabitants of that ecological niche. However, there are some fish that go psychotic, but the only one I have personally seen is a Sohal tang.

Thank you again! I greatly appreciate the straight answers!

[kered38]

38 gal, live rock, softies.
Current stock
Pair of false clowns
2-turbo snails
8- blue legged crabs


Future stocking list
2- Banggai cardinals
1or3- black axil chromis
1- watchman goby
1- lawnmower blenny
1- flame angel

Would like to add a couple peppermint shrimp and one coral banded shrimp

Steve, thanks for this thread there is a lot of great info.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by kered38

38 gal, live rock, softies.
Current stock
Pair of false clowns
2-turbo snails
8- blue legged crabs crabs kill snails for their shells


Future stocking list
2- Banggai cardinals must be tank raised and a male plus female
1or3- black axil chromis
1- watchman goby
1- lawnmower blenny
1- flame angel

this is too many fish for this sized tank

Would like to add a couple peppermint shrimp and one coral banded shrimp coral banded shrimp can take fish

Steve, thanks for this thread there is a lot of great info.

[kered38]

Thanks for the info. I'll cut the coral banded shrimp out.
What would be the appropriate number for fish for a tank this size?
If I cut back to one cardinal and cut out the chromis would that be alright or would more cutting back be needed?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by kered38

Thanks for the info. I'll cut the coral banded shrimp out.
What would be the appropriate number for fish for a tank this size?
If I cut back to one cardinal and cut out the chromis would that be alright or would more cutting back be needed?

The clownfish, once sexually mature, will want to control about 20-25 gallons of tank space. Non-water column fish should be fine, but even though small, I would try to limit the number of water column fish including the clownfish to six.

[KeatonN]

Looking to have a 120 g or more with a 40 g sump and the following

2x - Two Banded Clownfish
2x - Yellow Spotted Anthias
2x - Neon Dottyback
1x - Hawiian Yellow Tang
2x - Falco Dwarf Hawkfish
2x - Six Line Wresse
3x - Tasmanian Devil Damselfish
1x - Mandarin Fish to be added way down the line

I am coming from a large freshwater tank background and looking to switch over. These are my end targets for stocking the tank. What kind of problems will I run into? What support animals re cleaning and waste management should I look at? What sort of coral will go with these fish ?

Thanks I appreciate any info

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by KeatonN

Looking to have a 120 g or more with a 40 g sump and the following

2x - Two Banded Clownfish
2x - Yellow Spotted Anthias
2x - Neon Dottyback very aggressive, especially in this sized tank; cannot pair
1x - Hawiian Yellow Tang must be last fish added
2x - Falco Dwarf Hawkfish not shrimp safe, one only
2x - Six Line Wresse very aggressive, especially in this sized tank; cannot pair
3x - Tasmanian Devil Damselfish very aggressive, especially in this sized tank
1x - Mandarin Fish to be added way down the line not with any six line wrasses

why all the aggressive fish in moderately sized tank?

I am coming from a large freshwater tank background and looking to switch over. pairing in salt water can be done, but not easily in most cases


These are my end targets for stocking the tank. What kind of problems will I run into? What support animals re cleaning and waste management should I look at? What sort of coral will go with these fish ? this thread is only about marine fish compatibility, other questions should be in their own thread

Thanks I appreciate any info

[rollermonkey]

Building a new tank, here's the plan:

65~70G display, with 30G sump, biopellet reactor, skimmer, carbon and GFO, plus fuge.

These are moving over from my BioCube:

Ocellaris Clownfish pair
1X Blue Assessor
1X Helfrichi Firefish
1X Fire Shrimp (~4")
upon breakdown of the BC, 1X Randall's Pistol Shrimp and maybe 1X Dracula Goby, but I think the goby is dead and gone as I couldn't find it during a recent cross-county tank move.

Here's what I'm thinking about:

1X Fireball Angel OR 1X Coral Beauty Angel
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse pair
1X Flame Hawkfish
1X Comet
1X herbivorous blenny such as a Black Combtooth or Lawnmower

Too much? Substitutions?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rollermonkey

Building a new tank, here's the plan:

65~70G display, with 30G sump, biopellet reactor, skimmer, carbon and GFO, plus fuge.

These are moving over from my BioCube:

Ocellaris Clownfish pair
1X Blue Assessor
1X Helfrichi Firefish
1X Fire Shrimp (~4")
upon breakdown of the BC, 1X Randall's Pistol Shrimp and maybe 1X Dracula Goby, but I think the goby is dead and gone as I couldn't find it during a recent cross-county tank move.

Here's what I'm thinking about:

1X Fireball Angel OR 1X Coral Beauty Angel
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse pair
1X Flame Hawkfish not shrimp safe
1X Comet not small fish safe, also gets large relative to tank size
1X herbivorous blenny such as a Black Combtooth or Lawnmower

Too much? Substitutions?

[rollermonkey]

A substitution for the Hawkfish?

And which fish do you think that the Comet would be able to eat, if I get a juvenile, and all of the other fish are established, or are you saying that nothing is safe if it's smaller than the Comet's full grown size?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rollermonkey

A substitution for the Hawkfish?

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always happy to reanalyze any stocking plan.

And which fish do you think that the Comet would be able to eat, if I get a juvenile, and all of the other fish are established, or are you saying that nothing is safe if it's smaller than the Comet's full grown size?

Well, they are nocturnal and hence not very interesting, but they are not like lionfish which will eat or attempt to eat anything half its size or smaller. I am simply reluctant to advise predatory fish stocking without a warning.

[rollermonkey]

So, what if I dropped the Comet, and added 3X Black Axil Chromis
and dropped the Flame Hawkfish and added a pair of Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse?

Hmmm... That'd be 13 fish. Probably too much.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rollermonkey

Better?

65~70G display, with 30G sump, biopellet reactor, skimmer, carbon and GFO, plus fuge.

These are moving over from my BioCube:

Ocellaris Clownfish pair
1X Blue Assessor
1X Helfrichi Firefish
1X Fire Shrimp (~4")
upon breakdown of the BC, 1X Randall's Pistol Shrimp and maybe 1X Dracula Goby, but I think the goby is dead and gone as I couldn't find it during a recent cross-county tank move.

Here's what I'm thinking about:

1X Fireball Angel OR 1X Coral Beauty Angel
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse pair
3X Blue Chromis OR 3X Black Axil Chromis chromis will reduce their number over time; blue ones have not been coming in healthy recently
1X Bluespotted Jawfish requires lower temperatures (72-75F) for long term
1X herbivorous blenny such as a Black Combtooth or Lawnmower

Too much?

yes, too much if you did all of of them, but better

[lmfrancis]

my tank specs are--- 75G reef tank, 85# LR, 75-80# LS, 30G sump with Berlin filter with a ViaAquam2300 pump, Reef Octopus NWB-110 skimmer, 1x Tunze 6045, 2x Tunze 6015, overflow box of unknown capacity, Current Nova Extreme 2xT5HO light system.

Livestock includes- 1x Pacific Blue devil used to cycle the tank (will be returned to LFS as soon as I can trap/catch her), a Tiger Goby that hitchhiked on the LR, CUC, St. Thomas mushroom, red tree sponge, orange elephant ear sponge, orange fan sponge, green blade gorgonian, purple frilly gorgonian, 2x knobby sea rods, a rock flower anemone, and the various hard corals that came on my LR. The tank will be Caribbean themed.

Fish Wish List:

1x Long nosed Atlantic Butterfly Fish
1x Candy Basselet
1x Yellow Belly Hamlet
1x Blackbar Soldier
3-5 Blue Reef Chromis

Also what do you know about Scrawled Cowfish?

[rollermonkey]

Last thought for today:

Ocellaris Clownfish pair
1X Blue Assessor
1X Helfrichi Firefish

1X Flameback Angel
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse pair
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse pair
1X herbivorous blenny such as a Black Combtooth, Starry or Lawnmower

I almost went with a 48" x 24" x 20" tank and 100 gallons, but I figured the wife would get mad. I should have done it anyways.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lmfrancis

my tank specs are--- 75G reef tank, 85# LR, 75-80# LS, 30G sump with Berlin filter with a ViaAquam2300 pump, Reef Octopus NWB-110 skimmer, 1x Tunze 6045, 2x Tunze 6015, overflow box of unknown capacity, Current Nova Extreme 2xT5HO light system.

Livestock includes- 1x Pacific Blue devil used to cycle the tank (will be returned to LFS as soon as I can trap/catch her), a Tiger Goby that hitchhiked on the LR, CUC, St. Thomas mushroom, red tree sponge, orange elephant ear sponge, orange fan sponge, green blade gorgonian, purple frilly gorgonian, 2x knobby sea rods, a rock flower anemone, and the various hard corals that came on my LR. The tank will be Caribbean themed.

Fish Wish List:

1x Long nosed Atlantic Butterfly Fish
1x Candy Basselet
1x Yellow Belly Hamlet
1x Blackbar Soldier nocturnal, boring during the day
3-5 Blue Reef Chromis will winnow down their number to one or at most two over time; also have not been coming in healthy with symptoms similar to uronema

Also what do you know about Scrawled Cowfish?

I know a lot about them but they are not suitable for this sized tank

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rollermonkey

Last thought for today:

Ocellaris Clownfish pair
1X Blue Assessor
1X Helfrichi Firefish

1X Flameback Angel
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse pair
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse pair
1X herbivorous blenny such as a Black Combtooth, Starry or Lawnmower

I almost went with a 48" x 24" x 20" tank and 100 gallons, but I figured the wife would get mad. I should have done it anyways.

should be fine but you have two prolific jumpers so you will need a 1/4 inch mesh covered tank

[lmfrancis]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I know a lot about them but they are not suitable for this sized tank

Thank you for the advice. I'll likely get one chromis and look for 1 or 2 other like sized fish.

[rollermonkey]

Originally Posted by snorvich

should be fine but you have two prolific jumpers so you will need a 1/4 inch mesh covered tank

I made a DIY mesh cover for the bowfront BC29HQI, so a square one will be easy!
I'm making a canopy for this tank, and I will be incorporating a removable mesh screen for this so nobody ends up on the canopy ledge and out of sight.

Thanks!

[Spork3245]

One more question for my 90 gallon marineland tank: would it be possible to have two gobies of different species in the same tank? A diamond goby and a blue stripe neon goby? Or does it have to be one or the other?