PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by Deep Reef

I have a 120g DT reef tank with 40g sump

Currently I have:
(1) Kole tang
(1) YWG
(1) Kaudern's cardinal
(1) Midas Blenny
(2) True Perc clowns

Currently in my QT (1 week old) I have:
(1) Black cap basslet
(1) One spot Foxface
(1) Leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris) female

I was thinking of adding a male leopard wrasse of the same type and maybe 3 chromas.

Your thoughts?

Sorry for my ignorance, just trying to learn, but what is a YWG.

[Deep Reef]

Yellow watchmen goby

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Deep Reef

My original display was 1 year old but I just transfered all into the new 120 with the exception of the sand. That is all new except for a couple of cups to seed.

didn't have sand in the QT but after reading I am adding today.

As always thanks for your advice

since leopard wrasses are constant copepod consumers (although they will eat other supplied food), I always suggest that they be added to a mature tank that is at least 9 months old. If you are treating your quarantine tank with something (and not just observing), sand added will potentially absorb it. So while the leopard wrasse needs sand, be careful about adding it.

[Tickyty]

I have a 90 mixed reef. I have an engineer goby and would like to add a yellow watchman, yellow clown, green clown and diamond gobies. My current fish are a pair of black and white clowns, flame angel, coral beauty, small hippo and small sailfin. yellow tail damsel and blue fin damsel. All of these fish are considered small to medium. The blue fin will most likely be removed from the tank if he is not a good player.

Want to know if there are any concerns with adding these gobies together. They would spend about 3 weeks in a 29 gallon QT prior to being added to the DT.

[RubenG88]

I just set up a 29 gallon tank i bought from walmart so far i have the tetra internal filter that came with the tank, 10 lbs of live rock and the led strips that came with it for lighting, once i upgrade the lighting, add more live rock and let the tank cycle i want to add 2 banghai cardinals, 2 snowflake clownfish, and a regal tang, you think those fish are good for a tank that size?

[joshyross70]

34 gallon. Hob skimmer. 30lbs LR

1 purple firefish
1 blue reef chromis
1 flame angel
2 black snowflake clowns

Would it be better to do one black snowflake clown then two? Due to my size tank? Would it be ok to add in that order?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tickyty

I have a 90 mixed reef. I have an engineer goby and would like to add a yellow watchman, yellow clown, green clown and diamond gobies. My current fish are a pair of black and white clowns, flame angel, coral beauty, small hippo and small sailfin. yellow tail damsel and blue fin damsel. All of these fish are considered small to medium. The blue fin will most likely be removed from the tank if he is not a good player.

Want to know if there are any concerns with adding these gobies together. They would spend about 3 weeks in a 29 gallon QT prior to being added to the DT.

My concern is that you have two tangs that require a much larger tank. Clown gobies do not play well together except in very large tanks. Two commensal gobies will not work long term.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by RubenG88

I just set up a 29 gallon tank i bought from walmart so far i have the tetra internal filter that came with the tank, 10 lbs of live rock and the led strips that came with it for lighting, once i upgrade the lighting, add more live rock and let the tank cycle i want to add 2 banghai cardinals, 2 snowflake clownfish, and a regal tang, you think those fish are good for a tank that size?

The regal tang requires an 8 foot 240 gallon tank. Otherwise, you should be fine as long as the Bangaii cardinals are tank raised and a male and female.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by joshyross70

34 gallon. Hob skimmer. 30lbs LR

1 purple firefish introduce first
1 blue reef chromis
1 flame angel needs a much larger tank
2 black snowflake clowns

fine except as noted.

Would it be better to do one black snowflake clown then two? one will still become female (over time) and it is the female which is the more aggressive Due to my size tank? Would it be ok to add in that order?

[RubenG88]

Originally Posted by snorvich

The regal tang requires an 8 foot 240 gallon tank. Otherwise, you should be fine as long as the Bangaii cardinals are tank raised and a male and female.

Good deal

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by RubenG88

Good deal

enjoy

[Tickyty]

Originally Posted by snorvich

My concern is that you have two tangs that require a much larger tank. Clown gobies do not play well together except in very large tanks. Two commensal gobies will not work long term.

Thanks. My plan was to trade off the tangs once they began to grow and mature. Were you referring to the diamond and yellow watchman as commensal gobies? Or were you speaking of gobies in general?

[miah2bzy]

The wife has decided it's time to add a fish to our aquarium. The OC clownfish currently only stay on one side of the tank, it looks like they've claimed a section of rock and my candy canes. I may need to move those as they are always hovering over them, hoping they won't damage them.
I am considering adding a fish from one of the following categories - only one category, not all -
Firefish - I do not have a tight fitting top yet but am considering adding a plate of thin plexiglass to the top and cut out small sections to go around my plumbing.
Green Mandarin - I have a 5 gallon setup that is housing multiple mysis and amphipods at the moment. I also see multiple mysis swimming at night and the glass covered in tiny copepods. Not sure if these will be enough.
Bangaii Cardinalfish - I am unsure how the clownfish will react to it invading it's territory as they occupy similar niches in the aquarium. 2 or 3?
Flame Angelfish - I am unsure how the clowns would react or how it will respond to them.
Or I will simply leave the clowns to themselves and invest more in corals due to limited tank size.
Thanks!

[mkoop]

Basically just would like someone to take a look over the next step in my stocking plan.

6' 180, 75g sump with 40g designated fuge pod colony.

DT is mixed reef.

Current inhabitants:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
1 Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni
1 Tail spot Blenny - Ecsenius stigmatura
1 Diamond Watchman Goby - Valenciennea puellaris
1 Spotted Mandarin - Synchiropus picturatus [Female]
1 Ruby Red Dragonet - Synchiropus tudorjonesi [Male]

I will be operating two 40gB quarantine tanks for introducing fish on different cycles for this introduction. I'm doing this basically in an attempt to limit congestion in the QT but still introduce the anthias in a closer time frame. These would not be introduced simultaneously but in succession QT1, followed by QT2 roughly 3 weeks after dependent on any QT issues.

Additions:

Note in regards to QTs size (40gB): All wrasse being introduced are a juvenile to young adult age, they are not full grown and are all between 2-3" in size currently. All QT's as well as the display tank have egg crate lids.

QT1:
[M + F] McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri
4 Carberryi Anthias - Nemanthias carberryi

QT2:
[M + F] Exquisite Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
3 Carberryi Anthias - Nemanthias carberryi

Future Plans:

The last planned addition after this will be:
1 Chevron Tang - Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
1 Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens
1 Powder Blue Tang - Acanthurus leucosternon (How many months should I wait to introduce this after the other tangs?)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tickyty

Thanks. My plan was to trade off the tangs once they began to grow and mature. Were you referring to the diamond and yellow watchman as commensal gobies? Or were you speaking of gobies in general?

Both the diamond and yellow watchman reside in the same ecological niche and will not get along together. Keeping fish assuming you are going to "trade them off" is not a good plan; we at Reef Central feel you should only purchase fish if you have an appropriate environment to keep them in.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by miah2bzy

The wife has decided it's time to add a fish to our aquarium. The OC clownfish currently only stay on one side of the tank, it looks like they've claimed a section of rock and my candy canes. I may need to move those as they are always hovering over them, hoping they won't damage them.
I am considering adding a fish from one of the following categories - only one category, not all -
Firefish - I do not have a tight fitting top yet but am considering adding a plate of thin plexiglass to the top and cut out small sections to go around my plumbing.
Green Mandarin - I have a 5 gallon setup that is housing multiple mysis and amphipods at the moment. I also see multiple mysis swimming at night and the glass covered in tiny copepods. Not sure if these will be enough.
Bangaii Cardinalfish - I am unsure how the clownfish will react to it invading it's territory as they occupy similar niches in the aquarium. 2 or 3?
Flame Angelfish - I am unsure how the clowns would react or how it will respond to them.
Or I will simply leave the clowns to themselves and invest more in corals due to limited tank size.
Thanks!

I would need to know tank size before I can give you an intelligent answer.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mkoop

Basically just would like someone to take a look over the next step in my stocking plan.

6' 180, 75g sump with 40g designated fuge pod colony.

DT is mixed reef.

Current inhabitants:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
1 Kaudern's Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni
1 Tail spot Blenny - Ecsenius stigmatura
1 Diamond Watchman Goby - Valenciennea puellaris
1 Spotted Mandarin - Synchiropus picturatus [Female]
1 Ruby Red Dragonet - Synchiropus tudorjonesi [Male]

I will be operating two 40gB quarantine tanks for introducing fish on different cycles for this introduction. I'm doing this basically in an attempt to limit congestion in the QT but still introduce the anthias in a closer time frame. These would not be introduced simultaneously but in succession QT1, followed by QT2 roughly 3 weeks after dependent on any QT issues.

Additions:

Note in regards to QTs size (40gB): All wrasse being introduced are a juvenile to young adult age, they are not full grown and are all between 2-3" in size currently. All QT's as well as the display tank have egg crate lids.

QT1:
[M + F] McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri
4 Carberryi Anthias - Nemanthias carberryi

QT2:
[M + F] Exquisite Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
3 Carberryi Anthias - Nemanthias carberryi

Anthias do best if fed multiple times per day; fairy and flasher wrasses are prolific jumpers and need a tightly covered tank (not with eggcrate)

Future Plans:

The last planned addition after this will be:
1 Chevron Tang - Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis
1 Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens should be last and ideally concurrently introduced with the powder blue
1 Powder Blue Tang - Acanthurus leucosternon (How many months should I wait to introduce this after the other tangs?)

[miah2bzy]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I would need to know tank size before I can give you an intelligent answer.

haha...sorry, I thought I had updated my profile to display that under my post.

29 gallon, 192 watt PC lighting, 35 lbs live rock/20lbs live sand, reef octo HOB skimmer, DIY hob refugium with chaeto. 2 OC Clowns, 1 emerald crab, multiple narssisus snails, trocus snails. 5 Gallon tank with chaeto/macro algae and lots of amphipods/mysis (this is not attached to the main tank yet I am mainly using it to get mysis and amphipod populations up).

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by miah2bzy

haha...sorry, I thought I had updated my profile to display that under my post.

29 gallon, 192 watt PC lighting, 35 lbs live rock/20lbs live sand, reef octo HOB skimmer, DIY hob refugium with chaeto. 2 OC Clowns, 1 emerald crab, multiple narssisus snails, trocus snails. 5 Gallon tank with chaeto/macro algae and lots of amphipods/mysis (this is not attached to the main tank yet I am mainly using it to get mysis and amphipod populations up).

from a previous post you asked:

possible fishes.
The wife has decided it's time to add a fish to our aquarium. The OC clownfish currently only stay on one side of the tank, it looks like they've claimed a section of rock and my candy canes. I may need to move those as they are always hovering over them, hoping they won't damage them.
I am considering adding a fish from one of the following categories - only one category, not all -
Firefish - I do not have a tight fitting top yet but am considering adding a plate of thin plexiglass to the top and cut out small sections to go around my plumbing. a firefish will work but they do jump
Green Mandarin - I have a 5 gallon setup that is housing multiple mysis and amphipods at the moment. I also see multiple mysis swimming at night and the glass covered in tiny copepods. Not sure if these will be enough. the odds of maintaining a mandarin in this size tank are very low
Bangaii Cardinalfish - I am unsure how the clownfish will react to it invading it's territory as they occupy similar niches in the aquarium. 2 or 3? a male plus female bangaii will work, but be sure they are male and female as well as tank raised
Flame Angelfish - I am unsure how the clowns would react or how it will respond to them. needs a larger tank
Or I will simply leave the clowns to themselves and invest more in corals due to limited tank size. this strategy will also work
Thanks!

[BartenderSteve]

I currently don't have a tank and am working on changing that sooner than later. I plan on getting a 180 gallon tank with a sump and a refugium. The two main fish I would most definitely love to have are a Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus) and a Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus). From what I've read the Regal can be difficult to keep but I plan to do more research on this and all my prospective fish so I can keep them happy and healthy for many years.

So here is the current list of fish I would like to put in my tank in order of my fondness for each within its group:

Angels

Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus)
Potter's Angel (Centropyge potteri)
Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula)

I would like to have one of each. The Regal is my favorite and would be the only angel if that would be best. I prefer the Potter's to the Flame but I have read that they are more difficult to keep. I don't know if regular angels and dwarf angels can coexist.

Butterflyfish

Redback butterflyfish (Chaetodon paucifasciatus)
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
Heniochus (Heniochus acuminata)
Longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)
Pakistan Butterflyfish (Chaetodon collare)

I would like to have a group of Heniochus and one of each of the other butterflys. Not sure if they can coexist or if I can have multiples of the butterflys.

Tangs

Purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus)
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)
Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
Blonde Naso Tang (Naso lituratus)

If I could only have one it would be the purple, but I would also like to have the Powder Blue and Achilles. I've read the Powder Brown is easier to keep then the Powder Blue and would switch if it would be better. I've always liked Nasos but since they get large I'm leaning toward not getting one.

Wrasse

Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus)
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia )
Radiant Wrasse (Halichoeres iridis)

I haven't done much research on wrasses in general. I don't know if I can have multiple or if they can coexist. The Harlequin is my favorite of the bunch , but because I would like to put many shrimp in the tank not sure if it would work. I'd also like snails and crabs, but still on the fence about any invertebrates. Corals and anemones intimidate me so maybe one day when I've had a saltwater tank and more experience I would attempt a reef tank.

Other
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) - Not sure if should be in a pair or single
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) - Have read they will eat shrimp, still on fence about invertebrates
Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata)
Blue/Green Reef Chromis (Chromis viridis) - A group of them
Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)

Any general advice would be greatly appreciated. I still know very little and am excited to learn as much as possible. Some other things I was thinking about are sand beds and whether I should get a deep sand bed or not is very confusing to me.
Thank you for reading and sharing with a newbie.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BartenderSteve

I currently don't have a tank and am working on changing that sooner than later. I plan on getting a 180 gallon tank with a sump and a refugium. The two main fish I would most definitely love to have are a Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus) and a Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus). From what I've read the Regal can be difficult to keep but I plan to do more research on this and all my prospective fish so I can keep them happy and healthy for many years.

So here is the current list of fish I would like to put in my tank in order of my fondness for each within its group:

Angels

Regal Angel (Pygoplites diacanthus) Red sea endemic is easier
Potter's Angel (Centropyge potteri) more difficult than a flame as you know
Flame Angel (Centropyge loricula)

Yes, you can mix dwarf and large angels, introduce the dwarf first

I would like to have one of each. The Regal is my favorite and would be the only angel if that would be best. I prefer the Potter's to the Flame but I have read that they are more difficult to keep. I don't know if regular angels and dwarf angels can coexist.

Butterflyfish If you are considering butterfly fish, you MUST develop a superb quarantine protocol, but that is not the subject for this thread which is only about marine fish compatibility. Also, since the vast majority of butterfly fish are not reef safe, that determines that you will keep a FOWLR type tank. However, a 180 gallon tank is only a six foot tank, so you need to be careful of how many largish fish you consider, the more difficult group being tangs

Redback butterflyfish (Chaetodon paucifasciatus)
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium)
Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
Heniochus (Heniochus acuminata)
Longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)
Pakistan Butterflyfish (Chaetodon collare)

I would like to have a group of Heniochus and one of each of the other butterflys. Not sure if they can coexist or if I can have multiples of the butterflys. Some yes, most no.

Tangs since tangs are inherently territorial, longer tanks provide better chances for multiples. Again, quarantine is essential. Three is possible in this sized tank but tangs once established, become very territorial

Purple tang (Zebrasoma xanthurus)
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon)
Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles) the most difficult of the ones you are selecting
Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
Blonde Naso Tang (Naso lituratus) needs a larger (longer) tank/

If I could only have one it would be the purple, but I would also like to have the Powder Blue and Achilles. I've read the Powder Brown is easier to keep then the Powder Blue and would switch if it would be better. I've always liked Nasos but since they get large I'm leaning toward not getting one.

Wrasse

Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus) will eat small fish and inverts
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia )
Radiant Wrasse (Halichoeres iridis)

I haven't done much research on wrasses in general. I don't know if I can have multiple or if they can coexist. The Harlequin is my favorite of the bunch , but because I would like to put many shrimp in the tank not sure if it would work. no, it would not

I'd also like snails and crabs, but still on the fence about any invertebrates. pick snails or crabs since crabs kill snails for their shells.


Corals and anemones intimidate me so maybe one day when I've had a saltwater tank and more experience I would attempt a reef tank.

Other
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) - Not sure if should be in a pair or single
Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) - Have read they will eat shrimp, still on fence about invertebrates they will eat shrimp but they are a fascinating fish
Orange Spotted Goby (Amblyeleotris guttata)
Blue/Green Reef Chromis (Chromis viridis) - A group of them a group will become one over time
Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)

Any general advice would be greatly appreciated. I still know very little and am excited to learn as much as possible. Some other things I was thinking about are sand beds and whether I should get a deep sand bed or not is very confusing to me.
Thank you for reading and sharing with a newbie.

Always a pleasure. However since this thread is only about marine fish compatibility, I did not answer some of your questions above.

[BartenderSteve]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Always a pleasure. However since this thread is only about marine fish compatibility, I did not answer some of your questions above.

Any thoughts on the compatibility between the dwarf angels?

The compatibility of the purple, powder blue, and achilles tangs? You wrote that once established tangs can become territorial, is it better to introduce them last to the tank to help with this?

The compatibility of the Harlequin tusk with other wrasse?

Do you think that there is a suitable amount of space in a 180g to house all these fish? (3 angels, 7 butterflyfish, 3 tangs {not the naso}, 4 wrasse, and 6 other fish?)

Do you think there will be any compatibility issues among the different groups of fish? (like aggression from a tang to an angel?)

Also, just curious as to why you say a group of blue/green chromis will become one over time?

Again, thank you very much for dropping some knowledge on me

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BartenderSteve

I appreciate the words of wisdom very much, thank you. I'm gonna send you a PM to see if you can answer some of the other questions I have.

Unfortunately, it is infeasible for me to consult via PM. I read and respond to this thread about marine fish compatibility with regularity and quickly, however.

[BartenderSteve]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Unfortunately, it is infeasible for me to consult via PM. I read and respond to this thread about marine fish compatibility with regularity and quickly, however.

Sounds good, I edited my last post to ask some more compatibility questions that came to mind.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BartenderSteve

Any thoughts on the compatibility between the dwarf angels?

In a 180 gallon tank two dwarf angels should be no problem as they will escape the notice of those larger fish that inhabit the same ecological niche (tangs, large angels)

The compatibility of the purple, powder blue, and achilles tangs? You wrote that once established tangs can become territorial, is it better to introduce them last to the tank to help with this? Tang do best in long tanks and a six foot tank creates crowding issues for some, especially high energy tangs like the achilles which are collected in surge areas on the reef. If you try it (and it is not an easy fish) I would recommend only two tangs introduced last and concurrently.

The compatibility of the Harlequin tusk with other wrasse?

They eat small fish

Do you think that there is a suitable amount of space in a 180g to house all these fish? (3 angels, 7 butterflyfish, 3 tangs {not the naso}, 4 wrasse, and 6 other fish?) No. I do not like to crowd fish as they will reduce the number if they feel crowded; also the tank does not look "natural" which for me is important. I hate tanks with inherent stress due to overcrowding.

Do you think there will be any compatibility issues among the different groups of fish? (like aggression from a tang to an angel?) If the tangs are established early, they could be a problem to any later introductions if the size is sufficiently large

Also, just curious as to why you say a group of blue/green chromis will become one over time? Because one will become dominant and kill the rest.

Again, thank you very much for dropping some knowledge on me