PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by xdfireguy

Ok, going to throw my daughter's list into the ring.

We have a 65g with 2" sand bed, guessing about 60+ lb of rock (need to thin it down a bit), 20L sump with skimmer and 12" fuge section. Tank has been up since 2008 (think it has cycled yet? ). Only inhabitants except for snail only CUC is a pair of Coral Banded Shrimp who have been loving having the tank all to themselves for years now. Looking to stock it as a mixed reef with mostly - if not entirely captive bred species.

Note that Coral Banded Shrimp can take fish. Also, since current biocapacity is diminished, fish should be added slowly to re-establish greater capacity.

My daughter has asked for the following in her order of preference:

1) 2 Banggai Cardinals must be male plus female, tank bred is essential
2) 1-2 Percs or False Percs all of the A. ocellaris or A. percula pairs can be acquired tank bred; be sure to get two very small ones if getting a pair
3) 1 Blackcap Basslet
4) 1 Yellow Assessor
5) 3 Yellowtail Blue Damsel aggressive; may limit tank mates
6) 1 Fairy wrasse or 2 flashers (I saw the comments above on the Scott Fairy and Carpenter's flashers but not sure if there are better species - she's not locked onto any one) 2 flasher wrasses may be marginal in this sized tank because of activity level, but probably will work; if you provide species of fairy wrasse, I can comment on level of aggressiveness
7) 1 Shrimp Gobie + pistol shrimp

I thought that the bioload might end up being a bit much, but having an empty tank for so long, I might just be overcautious. Thoughts would be welcome.

You are right to be cautious about the rate of adding fish to a tank that has been relatively dormant. I suggest 2 weeks in between additions, with no more than two at a time

[240addiction]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Originally Posted by 240addiction
Need help with the order of our intended fish purchases for our reef tank.

65 gallon tank w/ 20 gallon sump (sump will have live rock rubble and chateo)
Vertex omega 150 skimmer
60 lbs of live rock
2 inch sand bed (60 lbs)

List of fish in no particular order.
1)Fathead Sunburst Anthias or Bartlett's Anthias
2)Royal Gamma Basslet towards the end of the list
3)Kaudern's Cardinal tank raised only
4)Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse – (male and female pair) a pair really needs a larger tank due to activity level
5)Flame Hawkfish
6)2-Purple Firefish only one will survive long term; introduce first
7)Snowflake Clownfish

I annotated fish which would do best early, and one that should go towards the end.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Paul

Why would only one of the firefish survive? On the carpenters flasher would a male still have the colors without a female around? Any other fish you might recommend? Is that a decent bio load or can we add more fish?

Thanks

Paul

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by 240addiction

Why would only one of the firefish survive? On the carpenters flasher would a male still have the colors without a female around? Any other fish you might recommend?

Thanks

Paul

Firefish, unless a bonded pair, after a few months will have the dominant one intimidate the passive one into hiding and eventually starving to death. A flasher wrasse male will not have "nuptial displays" absent a female but will not lose coloration. Some of the fairy wrasses, absent a female (primarily the "blue dominated coloration") will lose coloration over time.

[240addiction]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Firefish, unless a bonded pair, after a few months will have the dominant one intimidate the passive one into hiding and eventually starving to death. A flasher wrasse male will not have "nuptial displays" absent a female but will not lose coloration. Some of the fairy wrasses, absent a female (primarily the "blue dominated coloration") will lose coloration over time.

I added one question after. Is that a realistic fish count? Can we add more?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by 240addiction

I added one question after. Is that a realistic fish count? Can we add more?

Behavior always trumps bioload. However, this is a reasonable bioload for that tank; establish slowly and quarantine.

[Gagonzalez]

I have a 28g JBJ Nano that had the following:

1 - Purple Firefish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Longnose Hawk

My Purple Firefish died all of a sudden and I was wondering if I would be able to replace him with the same or if that would cause problems?

Previously, I also had a Flame Angel that became aggressive after 3 months and I ended up giving him up to a fellow reefer with a bigger tank. However, it seems my hawk learned how to be aggressive from the flame because he took over immediately after that.

I ended up moving my Hawk over to my QT for 10 days and then when I moved him back to the 28g DT, he was fine and all 3 were happy once again but alas 6 months later, my Firefish dies suddenly.

If I can't replace him with the same, what would I be able to add at this point? A Semi-aggressive fish maybe since a peaceful fish would probably get hounded to death?

Thank You

[Nina51]

Originally Posted by snorvich

A difficult question. Gramma loretto, while territorial, guards a rather small territory which has a modest footprint. The dottyback is most likely to interact primarily with this fish; there may be sufficient "non-gramma" territory in the new tank so this would work. However, I cannot say definitively. Best strategy is to add the dottyback last, just before lights out. If possible, aquascape such that the gramma has an opportunity to establish a "discrete territory" (i.e. such as two "reef sections" with a channel between) . Additional fish, however, may run into problems, especially if conspecifics.

thanks so much, steve. since i don't know what additional fish i will be adding over the next few months, i will likely take the dottyback out. i would hate to have things going along fine and then suddenly go south. i can't even begin to imagine how i would catch the little bugger in a 75g tank!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Gagonzalez

I have a 28g JBJ Nano that had the following:

1 - Purple Firefish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Longnose Hawk

My Purple Firefish died all of a sudden and I was wondering if I would be able to replace him with the same or if that would cause problems?

Previously, I also had a Flame Angel that became aggressive after 3 months and I ended up giving him up to a fellow reefer with a bigger tank. However, it seems my hawk learned how to be aggressive from the flame because he took over immediately after that.

I ended up moving my Hawk over to my QT for 10 days and then when I moved him back to the 28g DT, he was fine and all 3 were happy once again but alas 6 months later, my Firefish dies suddenly.

If I can't replace him with the same, what would I be able to add at this point? A Semi-aggressive fish maybe since a peaceful fish would probably get hounded to death?

Thank You

Hawkfish are ambush predators which can and will eat shrimp and small fish.

[ThaBeast]

160 reef moving towards all sps, I currently have:

Regal Angel
One spot Foxface
Yellow halichores wrasse
Pair of ocellaris clowns
Starcki damsel
Yellow assessor
Royal gramma
Randall's goby
Yellow watchman goby (been in same tank with Randall's for several years)

Would like to add a female watanabei...if doable, should I obtain a small, medium, or large specimen?

Thank you for the advice!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ThaBeast

160 reef moving towards all sps, I currently have:

Regal Angel
One spot Foxface
Yellow halichores wrasse
Pair of ocellaris clowns
Starcki damsel
Yellow assessor
Royal gramma
Randall's goby
Yellow watchman goby (been in same tank with Randall's for several years)

Would like to add a female watanabei...if doable, should I obtain a small, medium, or large specimen?

Thank you for the advice!

I am always reluctant to suggest small as they are often more difficult to acclimate. Medium would be best.

[Portsie]

90g with 33g sump. Current stock: ywg/tiger pistol, orange tail damsel, 2 bangaii cardinal, cleaner shrimp, asst. snails and hermits.
Looking to add: yellow coris wrasse, bristletooth tang, black photon clown, snowflake clown, flasher wrasse of some kind...
Thanks in advance for the input
Jeff

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Portsie

90g with 33g sump. Current stock: ywg/tiger pistol, orange tail damsel, 2 bangaii cardinal, cleaner shrimp, asst. snails and hermits.
Looking to add: yellow coris wrasse, bristletooth tang, black photon clown, snowflake clown, flasher wrasse of some kind...
Thanks in advance for the input
Jeff

No problems that I can forsee.

[Portsie]

Originally Posted by snorvich

No problems that I can forsee.

Thanks, and that might be a record for quickest reply ever.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Portsie

Thanks, and that might be a record for quickest reply ever.

Sometimes I am fast. Sometimes not so very.

[Nevil]

Hello
I have a 28 gal nano cube with about 30# of live rock and aquamaxx hob1 for a skimmer. I have a small pair of snowflake clowns. I will be getting an orchid dottyback p. Firmidi and will be the last fish I add. Was wondering if I could get either a yasha goby or Midas blenny prior to adding the dottyback. Thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Nevil

Hello
I have a 28 gal nano cube with about 30# of live rock and aquamaxx hob1 for a skimmer. I have a small pair of snowflake clowns. I will be getting an orchid dottyback p. Firmidi and will be the last fish I add. Was wondering if I could get either a yasha goby or Midas blenny prior to adding the dottyback. Thanks

the goby would be fine; a midas blenny can nip fins of tankmates

[Odysi]

Hi all! Have a 40B that will eventually be mixed reef tank. Starting with FOWLR

x2 Misbar Clowns
x2 Purple Firefish
x1 Pinkbar/Shrimp Goby
X1 Royal Gramma Basslet
x1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp or Blood Red Fire Shrimp

[wicz101]

Standard 90 gallon mixed reef, current livestock: 1 orange & 1 black Ocellaris clownfish( in tank about 3+ months), banded coral shrimp and clean up crew

Looking to add: lemon peel mimic tang, gold head sleeper goby, and flame angel
Maybe a 6 line wrasse( or other reef safe wrasse,open to suggestion) or a one one spot foxface.

Suggestion on what order to add them to the tank please.

Thanks much

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Odysi

Hi all! Have a 40B that will eventually be mixed reef tank. Starting with FOWLR

x2 Misbar Clowns
x2 Purple Firefish only one is viable long term unless a bonded mated pair
x1 Pinkbar/Shrimp Goby
X1 Royal Gramma Basslet
x1 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp or Blood Red Fire Shrimp

Fine, except as noted

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by wicz101

Standard 90 gallon mixed reef, current livestock: 1 orange & 1 black Ocellaris clownfish( in tank about 3+ months), banded coral shrimp and clean up crew

Looking to add: lemon peel mimic tang
gold head sleeper goby, creates sand storms and will eventually starve
and flame angel
Maybe a 6 line wrasse aggressive, will limit other tank mates
( or other reef safe wrasse,open to suggestion) or a one one spot foxface.

Suggestion on what order to add them to the tank please.

always most aggressive last (tang) and wrasse first

Thanks much

[Odysi]

Thx for the reply Snorvich! Would a Strawberry Dottyback work in the place of the second firefish if i introduce it last into the tank?

[mkoop]

Hi Steve, I have a question...

I notice the Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Tang is a more aggressive tang as noted in the tang sticky. I see several times you note to add this fish 'last'. I am curious what 'last' actually means here...

If I am looking to add a chevron tang and a powder blue, should I not QT them together in the 40gB and introduce simultaneously (going into 180DT with 75sump) ? Should I do it in sequence? How long do I need to wait after the introduction of the chevron before introducing the powder blue?

Does last mean this is the last fish I can safely add to my system? Or just the last tang? Does having this fish mean I will not be able to replace lost fish or have to move him to a different system if I need to restock lost fish?

Just looking for a bit of clarification into this as I'm in the dark completely.

[Bwall19d]

Stocking a 300 gallon 8 ft tank was wondering I this would be a doable list about 250lbs of live rock and 3 inch sand bed

Queen angel
Potters angel
Purple tang
Pacific sailfin tang
Kliens butterfly
Gold headed sleeper goby
3 firefish
8 blue/green chromis
2 lyrtail anthias
Niger Triger
Arc eye hawkfish
Yellow candy hogfish
Lawnmower blenny
Pair of maroon/gold stripe clowns
Yellow tail tamarin wrasse

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Odysi

Thx for the reply Snorvich! Would a Strawberry Dottyback work in the place of the second firefish if i introduce it last into the tank?

In a small tank, any pseudochromis would have issues with the gramma loretto

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mkoop

Hi Steve, I have a question...

I notice the Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Tang is a more aggressive tang as noted in the tang sticky. I see several times you note to add this fish 'last'. I am curious what 'last' actually means here...

If I am looking to add a chevron tang and a powder blue, should I not QT them together in the 40gB and introduce simultaneously (going into 180DT with 75sump) ? Should I do it in sequence? How long do I need to wait after the introduction of the chevron before introducing the powder blue?

Does last mean this is the last fish I can safely add to my system? Or just the last tang? Does having this fish mean I will not be able to replace lost fish or have to move him to a different system if I need to restock lost fish?

Just looking for a bit of clarification into this as I'm in the dark completely.

Unfortunately, it is complex because certain fish, angels and tangs, (but not only those), once established have territorial imperatives that they will try to maintain. The larger (longer) a tank, the more that territorial imperative can be "managed". So adding a Chevron and Powder Blue together means that neither is established but if you are adding a conspecific in the case of fish replacement, it can definitely be a problem. Zebrasoma are the worst tangs for territory. Some people rearrange the aquascape, but that is infeasible in reef tanks. Other strategies involve removing the territory loving fish and reintroducing after the newcome. Difficult strategy at best.