PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[ttam]

I have a 25 gallon tank with 20 lbs live rock with a flame and a blue tang(impulse buy returning soon). I'm looking to add a skeletor eel. I will be upgrading soon to a 75 or possibly larger tank. What do you think? Thanks in advance.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ttam

I have a 25 gallon tank with 20 lbs live rock with a flame and a blue tang(impulse buy returning soon). I'm looking to add a skeletor eel. I will be upgrading soon to a 75 or possibly larger tank. What do you think? Thanks in advance.

Reef Central believes that you should buy fish/animals for the tank you have rather than the tank you hope to have. 95% of planned upgrades never happen. Both current fish should not be in your current tank. I do not provide commentary on aggressive fish tanks. We have an aggressive fish forum where advice will be readily available.

[ttam]

thank you

[mkoop]

Hi there, going to take a shot at this, here is my current plan.

180g mix reef with 75g sump:

Desjardini Sailfin Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Chevron Tang
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
Bluespotted Watchman Goby
Foxface Lo
9 Anthias (Likely Carberryi or Lyretails maybe Bartlett's)
5 blue green chromis
Golden Dwarf Moray

Once the tank is more established I plan to introduce:
2(m/f) Leopard Wrasse
2(m/f) Green Mandarin
Starry Blenny

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mkoop

Hi there, going to take a shot at this, here is my current plan.

reef central's recommended tank sizes for tangs can be found here. Note that tank length is much more important than gallonage.

180g mix reef with 75g sump:

Desjardini Sailfin Tang needs a larger longer tank
Powder Blue Tang
Chevron Tang
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
Bluespotted Watchman Goby
Foxface Lo
9 Anthias (Likely Carberryi or Lyretails maybe Bartlett's) for best results, they should be fed multiple times per day
5 blue green chromis will become one over time as they diminish themselves
Golden Dwarf Moray

Once the tank is more established I plan to introduce:
2(m/f) Leopard Wrasse
2(m/f) Green Mandarin
Starry Blenny

with four copepod eaters, I suggest a producing refugium and that the mandarins be introduced before the leopard wrasses

[Tank14]

Hi, I currently have a standard 120gal mixed reef tank. Current inhabitants:
Flame Angel
2 Oscellaris clowns
Lawnmower Blenny
Skunk Cleaner shrimp

These are the fish on my list:
Kole Tang
Tomini Tang
Green Mandarin - once pod population is well established.
One Spot Foxface
2 Pajama Cardinal fish

I wasnt sure if I could have both tangs. Also was looking for another dwarf angel but was worried about issues with the flame.

Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tank14

Hi, I currently have a standard 120gal mixed reef tank. Current inhabitants:
Flame Angel
2 Oscellaris clowns
Lawnmower Blenny
Skunk Cleaner shrimp

These are the fish on my list:
Kole Tang
Tomini Tang
Green Mandarin - once pod population is well established.
One Spot Foxface
2 Pajama Cardinal fish

I wasnt sure if I could have both tangs. If they are introduced concurrently, it should work. It is only when a tang is established that it is very unhappy when conspecifics are introduced.


Also was looking for another dwarf angel but was worried about issues with the flame. If you introduce just before lights out, it should work. There will be minor chasing, but it should be fine in a couple of days maximum.

Thanks!

[msderganc]

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1

Last
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1

Thanks again for your help!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by msderganc

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2 should be tank raised and male plus female for two
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1

Last
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1

Thanks again for your help!

Your order is pretty good with no obvious issues behaviorally

[msderganc]

Originally Posted by msderganc

Hi Steve,

I was originally planning on introduing these fish in three phases, but I've since decided to introduce a few at a time due to logistics constraints. Can you please look at the list of proposed additions and suggest an order? I know the tang should be last, and the Dragonet should wait until I've got a significant pod population. Again, the tank is 190g, 60x27x27.

Current fish / inverts
Common Name - Scientific Name - Quantity
False Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris - 2
Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis - 1
Yellow Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus - 1
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata amboinensis - 1
Sexy Anemone Shrimp - Thor amboinensis - 2
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp - Lysmata debelius - 1
Bubble Tip Anemone - Entacmaea quadricolor - 2
Red Linckia Star - Linckia laevigata - 1
Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni complex - 1

Proposed Additions
Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora - 1
Macneill's Assessor - Assessor macneilli - 1
Yellow Assessor - Assessor flavissimus - 1
One Spot Foxface - Siganus unimaculatus - 1
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus carpenteri - 1
Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni - 2
Royal Gramma - Gramma loreto - 1
Heniochus B&W Butterflyfish - Heniochus acuminata - 1
Bartlett's Anthias - Pseudanthias bartlettorum - 5
Yasha Goby - Stonogobiops yasha -1
Red Scooter Dragonet - Synchiropus stellatus - 1

Last
Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens - 1

Thanks again for your help!

Originally Posted by snorvich

Your order is pretty good with no obvious issues behaviorally

Thanks Steve. I was also considering adding a second tang at the same time as the Yellow, if possible. I'd been thinking a Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole's Tang) or Ctenochaetus flavicauda (White Tail Bristletooth Tang). What do you think?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by msderganc

Thanks Steve. I was also considering adding a second tang at the same time as the Yellow, if possible. I'd been thinking a Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole's Tang) or Ctenochaetus flavicauda (White Tail Bristletooth Tang). What do you think?

If it were me, I would introduce both Ctenochaetus tangs concurrently and skip the yellow since zebrasoma tangs are much more territorial.

[Mark9]

10G tank, has 1 fish in it, a chinese demoiselle.
Thinking of picking him up a buddy, a neon dottyback.

[msderganc]

Originally Posted by snorvich

If it were me, I would introduce both Ctenochaetus tangs concurrently and skip the yellow since zebrasoma tangs are much more territorial.

Ok, so it's likely that the Yellow tang will become aggressive even when added simultaneously? I'm a bit significant-other limited here, since she really likes Yellow tangs (and that was part of the sales pitch for the new tank).

[rale2001]

Hello I was thinking about jumping back into the hobby but I want to plan my fish list right before I invest. Im doing the 75g 90 pounds of rock and 80 lbs of sand. 29 gallon sump. My fish list Im thinking about is as follows:

Leopard Wrasse and/or Bartlett's Anthias
Flame Angel
Orange Butterflyfish
Foxface Lo
Watchman Goby - pistol shrimp pair
black and white or pink skunk pair clownfish
BTA
yellowhead jawfish

50 hermits assorted
30 snails assorted

Any Suggestions?

[Sporty21]

I am in the early stages of my 50 gallon reef tank. I currently have a 20 gallon sump and about 45lbs of LR. I have an occelaris clown and a royal gramma, I am wondering if it would be possible/safe for me to add an orchid dotty back? Or would he clash with the gramma?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Mark9

10G tank, has 1 fish in it, a chinese demoiselle.
Thinking of picking him up a buddy, a neon dottyback.

A ten gallon tank can only have one fish. And in any case, a neon dottyback will be noone's buddy even in a much larger tank.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rale2001

Hello I was thinking about jumping back into the hobby but I want to plan my fish list right before I invest. Im doing the 75g 90 pounds of rock and 80 lbs of sand. 29 gallon sump. My fish list Im thinking about is as follows:

Leopard Wrasse and/or Bartlett's Anthias leopards are difficult, bartlett's are easy
Flame Angel
Orange Butterflyfish Not reef safe
Foxface Lo
Watchman Goby - pistol shrimp pair
black and white or pink skunk pair clownfish makes a big difference as pink skunk are much more aggressive
BTA
yellowhead jawfish

50 hermits assorted Pick snails or hermits; hermits will kill snails for their shells
30 snails assorted

Any Suggestions?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Sporty21

I am in the early stages of my 50 gallon reef tank. I currently have a 20 gallon sump and about 45lbs of LR. I have an occelaris clown and a royal gramma, I am wondering if it would be possible/safe for me to add an orchid dotty back? Or would he clash with the gramma?

P. fridmani are the least aggressive of the pseudochromis; however, there is some risk with any dottyback and the gramma loretto

[Spork3245]

Hi again!
So, my female c.solorensis wrasse didn't work out, it turned out that "she" began to transition to "sub-male" and my male would simply not let the new wrasse in and would not stop attacking the acclimation box.

Anyway, I was able to return "her" for full store credit to my LFS after a week of trying and am now considering a royal gramma as I do wish to add one more fish besides my future purchase of a green mandarin to add some more color to my tank.

Tank is a 90gallon FOWLR (except for some mushrooms for early indication of water issues) with a 30 gallon sump w/refugium.

Current livestock:
Mixed snail CUC (cerith, dwarf cerith, astrea, turbo, nassarius, red banded trochus)
2x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Pair of Tank Bred Ocellaris Clowns
1x Diamond Goby
1x Cleaner Goby (short lifespan, I know, but he's honestly my favorite fish)
1x Flame Angel
1x Male C. Solorensis (Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse)
1x One Spot Foxface

Also, in the refugium; 2x Peppermint shrimp and 4-5 hermits

Intended purchases:
1x Royal Gramma (would purchase in the next week if there are no compatibility issues)
1x Green Mandarin (tank is currently about 6-7 months old, won't purchase the Mandarin until the tank is at least 1 year old and there is a very visible pod-population)

Thank you!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Spork3245

Hi again!
So, my female c.solorensis wrasse didn't work out, it turned out that "she" began to transition to "sub-male" and my male would simply not let the new wrasse in and would not stop attacking the acclimation box.

Yes, there is that risk if you are getting a male in training (sub-male) rather than a true female because two males will not get along. Ever. Best option is to get a sexually undifferentiated juvenile because the existing male will train her as a female. A bit overwhelming, I know.

Anyway, I was able to return "her" for full store credit to my LFS after a week of trying and am now considering a royal gramma as I do wish to add one more fish besides my future purchase of a green mandarin to add some more color to my tank.

Tank is a 90gallon FOWLR (except for some mushrooms for early indication of water issues) with a 30 gallon sump w/refugium.

Current livestock:
Mixed snail CUC (cerith, dwarf cerith, astrea, turbo, nassarius, red banded trochus)
2x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Pair of Tank Bred Ocellaris Clowns
1x Diamond Goby
1x Cleaner Goby (short lifespan, I know, but he's honestly my favorite fish)
1x Flame Angel
1x Male C. Solorensis (Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse)
1x One Spot Foxface

Also, in the refugium; 2x Peppermint shrimp and 4-5 hermits

Intended purchases:
1x Royal Gramma (would purchase in the next week if there are no compatibility issues) should be fine
1x Green Mandarin (tank is currently about 6-7 months old, won't purchase the Mandarin until the tank is at least 1 year old and there is a very visible pod-population) should be fine

Thank you!

[Mark9]

Originally Posted by snorvich

A ten gallon tank can only have one fish. And in any case, a neon dottyback will be noone's buddy even in a much larger tank.

OK then, 29g, 25 or so lbs live rock, with 10g sump, has skimmer in sump, with a small fuge, just chaeto in there.
tank currently has 2 clowns, 1 green chronis, and a royal gramma.
can I put the Chinese demoiselle in the 29?
or is it full?
the demoiselle spends his time in the rocks, he even moved some sand to give himself more room.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Mark9

OK then, 29g, 25 or so lbs live rock, with 10g sump, has skimmer in sump, with a small fuge, just chaeto in there.
tank currently has 2 clowns, 1 green chronis, and a royal gramma.
can I put the Chinese demoiselle in the 29?
or is it full?
the demoiselle spends his time in the rocks, he even moved some sand to give himself more room.

I have never kept this fish and do not know its behavior. Your 29 is likely full, especially after the clownfish become sexually mature.

[Bshanks4321]

I was wondering if an Anthias is hardy enough to deal with a hawkfish messing with it for about a day or two. My hawkfish loves to harrass new additions, only for about 24 hours. What do you think? If not i have a 50 Gallon with 1 Maroon Clown, 1 Blood Red Hawkfish, 1 Coral Beauty and 1 Bicolor Blenny. Would there be another recommendation for another fish. I want to have 5 fish in my tank, 4 just seems a little under stocked. I run a great skimmer on my tank and a carbon/phosphate reactor and 55 lbs of live rock, so i think my tank can handle a solid bioload.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Bshanks4321

I was wondering if an Anthias is hardy enough to deal with a hawkfish messing with it for about a day or two. My hawkfish loves to harrass new additions, only for about 24 hours. What do you think? If not i have a 50 Gallon with 1 Maroon Clown, 1 Blood Red Hawkfish, 1 Coral Beauty and 1 Bicolor Blenny. Would there be another recommendation for another fish. I want to have 5 fish in my tank, 4 just seems a little under stocked. I run a great skimmer on my tank and a carbon/phosphate reactor and 55 lbs of live rock, so i think my tank can handle a solid bioload.

In this tank, the constraint on additions is the maroon clown which will eventually become female even absent a second one. Anthias need a larger tank. As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always willing to reanalyze your stocking list.

[Bshanks4321]

No worries, thanks for replying Snorvich. Do you think my current stocking list is okay as is or will i have issues?