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[Xavibear]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Sorry, I mistyped. What I meant to say, was that any centropyge species normally does better in a larger tank (50-60 gallon mature tank) and that adding a second grazer may strain the supply of algae, especially in a smaller tank.

Thanks, I've been on the bubble about taking the angel out of the tank so that I could have a tank with corals that don't get nipped. Could be time to see my lfs will do a fish trade.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Xavibear

Thanks, I've been on the bubble about taking the angel out of the tank so that I could have a tank with corals that don't get nipped. Could be time to see my lfs will do a fish trade.

"Corals that will be at risk are primarily meaty LPS corals.

[bcjack2]

Hi. Starting my first saltwater tank. 40g tall with hang on back refegium, small hob skimmer, canister filter as well. live sand and about 35 pounds live rock. Not fully cycled yet so trying to plan what types of fish would work well.
Once the cycle is complete- 3 blue/green chromis to get the tank started.
Later- Unsure how many fish we could accomodate but we are interested in
1-Royal Gamma Basset
1-Flame Hawkfish
1-diamond goby
1-2? clownfish- ocellaris clown (although the wife likes marroon clown)
1-blenny (not sure which type yet maybe the lawnmower?)

Much Later 9-12 months

Possibly 1 starry dragonet depending on if we get the blenny and goby since I think they tend to eat the same thing?

I think our tank might be to small for a coral beauty angel but I thought I would ask.

Thank you for taking a look and giving advice!

Blake

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bcjack2

Hi. Starting my first saltwater tank. 40g tall with hang on back refegium, small hob skimmer, canister filter as well. live sand and about 35 pounds live rock. Not fully cycled yet so trying to plan what types of fish would work well.
Once the cycle is complete- 3 blue/green chromis to get the tank started. since chromis will reduce their number to one, do you really want to spend "tank space" on three?
Later- Unsure how many fish we could accomodate but we are interested in
1-Royal Gamma Basset
1-Flame Hawkfish not shrimp safe
1-diamond goby
1-2? clownfish- ocellaris clown (although the wife likes marroon clown) A. ocellaris are great, Maroon clownfish will own that sized tank and will not let all that much if anything go in with them once they are sexually mature
1-blenny (not sure which type yet maybe the lawnmower?)

Much Later 9-12 months

Possibly 1 starry dragonet depending on if we get the blenny and goby since I think they tend to eat the same thing?

that tank is unlikely, even with a refugium, to sustain a dragonet

I think our tank might be to small for a coral beauty angel but I thought I would ask. yes, dwarf angels need about a 50 gallon tank with no other algae grazers

Thank you for taking a look and giving advice!

Blake

[Deep Reef]

I currently have in my 120 DT
1 kole tang
1 midas blenny
1 kaudrens cardinal
2 perc clowns
1 ywg

I was looking at some yellow tail chromis (I would buy 3) I believe they are (Neopomacentrus azysron). From what I read they should be fine...your thoughts?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Deep Reef

I currently have in my 120 DT
1 kole tang
1 midas blenny
1 kaudrens cardinal
2 perc clowns
1 ywg

I was looking at some yellow tail chromis (I would buy 3) I believe they are (Neopomacentrus azysron). From what I read they should be fine...your thoughts?

I have not kept this specific fish; however it is likely that like all chromis, they will winnow down to only one over time

[guserto4]

Hi!

I'm in the spitballing part of planning & like the idea of pairs/trios/groups so...

100g DT 48x30x16
100-150g sump
200 lbs LR to distribute

-3 flame angels (females to start)
-1 saddle valentini puffer
- 5-7 group of something small and clustering but I can't do chromis or damsels cause they'll gnaw each other to death

Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by guserto4

Hi!

I'm in the spitballing part of planning & like the idea of pairs/trios/groups so...

100g DT 48x30x16
100-150g sump
200 lbs LR to distribute

-3 flame angels (females to start) for groups of centropyge angels, I suggest a larger tank
-1 saddle valentini puffer
- 5-7 group of something small and clustering but I can't do chromis or damsels cause they'll gnaw each other to death

the only fish I know that would satisfy that would be Apogon parvulus. However these are not easy fish and are difficult shippers.

Thanks!

[guserto4]

Thanks snorvich! How much larger a tank at a minimum would I need to do the trio of flames? I have a 300 in the garage but it won't get setup at this house (9.5x4x1.25'), so probably 3 years out. Perhaps I need to wait for the big boy tank before i get my harem...

The red spot cardinal looks great but looks hard to keep and hard to source. Think I'll have to rethink my list.

Thanks again!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by guserto4

Thanks snorvich! How much larger a tank at a minimum would I need to do the trio of flames? I have a 300 in the garage but it won't get setup at this house (9.5x4x1.25'), so probably 3 years out. Perhaps I need to wait for the big boy tank before i get my harem...

I keep a trio (harem) of flamebacks in a 350 gallon tank. That may be a bit of overkill, but I would rather over spec than under spec.

[molassito]

Hi. Thanks for the help.

In a 8+ year old 55 gallon tank with live rock and sand I have:

8 yr old blue tang
5 yr old Klein butterfly
4 yr old blue damsels (2)
3 yr old clown
New Hector's goby

Plenty of new clean cleanup crew.

Can I add a lawnmower blennie?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by molassito

Hi. Thanks for the help.

In a 8+ year old 55 gallon tank with live rock and sand I have:

8 yr old blue tang
5 yr old Klein butterfly
4 yr old blue damsels (2)
3 yr old clown
New Hector's goby

Plenty of new clean cleanup crew.

Can I add a lawnmower blennie?

I doubt that you can add any fish to that tank with those established fish.

[midwestsalt]

i run a 60 cube with about 50 pounds of live fiji rock, a 17 gal sump( new aqueon #3) with chato and skimmer. i have 2 clowns, a yellow tang, 2 fire fish, 2 chromes, goby, spotted dragnet, and a fairy wrasse. i know yellow tangs can get to big for this tank, but id like to add some color, maby a cleaner/blue streak wrasse? and suggestions? or do you think the tank is at capacity

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by midwestsalt

i run a 60 cube with about 50 pounds of live fiji rock, a 17 gal sump( new aqueon #3) with chato and skimmer. i have 2 clowns, a yellow tang, 2 fire fish, 2 chromes, goby, spotted dragnet, and a fairy wrasse. i know yellow tangs can get to big for this tank, but id like to add some color, maby a cleaner/blue streak wrasse? and suggestions? or do you think the tank is at capacity

well, there are several issues with the existing stock: 2 firefish over time will become one; a dragonet will not subsist long term in this sized tank, and a fairy wrasse eats copepods which the dragonet needs. As you know, a yellow tang needs a larger tank. A cleaner wrasse is not likely to survive unless you get an African sourced one. So, the long and short of it is, you are maxed out if you want fish to survive long term.

[midwestsalt]

Originally Posted by snorvich

well, there are several issues with the existing stock: 2 firefish over time will become one; a dragonet will not subsist long term in this sized tank, and a fairy wrasse eats copepods which the dragonet needs. As you know, a yellow tang needs a larger tank. A cleaner wrasse is not likely to survive unless you get an African sourced one. So, the long and short of it is, you are maxed out if you want fish to survive long term.

that sort of what i am thinking, just thought i would maby ask, yes i know the wrasse eats copepods, so i add them usually monthly, the dragnet eats mysys and i have herd there success is not great for long term so i stuck with just one instead of a pair, and the nice thing about the yellow tang is i do work at a lfs so i intend to take him out and find him a new home as he grows! (or just build a bigger one myself in this hobby there is never to big) and i have been reading about firefish more and more, the reason i did two is because i guess it could just be me but sexing them it just kind of a wait and see thing? maby you could shed more light? i have had the two for about 4 months now and there is no picking on each other yet.

[midwestsalt]

and thanks for the fast response! i assumed that would be the answer! there is always coral for color!

[crissie]

Just a quick question. My son wants to set up his own reef aquarium, the only fish he is (currently) interested in is a Hippo Tang.

What tank size would you recommend for a pair (or would a pair not be a good idea at all?)? I am not willing to agree to the fish unless I can house them properly for their entire live, and frankly I am not willing to have a tank more than 10' in length.

If a 10' would be long enough, then could you give a general idea of suitable tank mates please?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by midwestsalt

and thanks for the fast response! i assumed that would be the answer! there is always coral for color!

two firefish will coexist for months before the demise or pairing

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by crissie

Just a quick question. My son wants to set up his own reef aquarium, the only fish he is (currently) interested in is a Hippo Tang.

What tank size would you recommend for a pair (or would a pair not be a good idea at all?)? I am not willing to agree to the fish unless I can house them properly for their entire live, and frankly I am not willing to have a tank more than 10' in length.

If a 10' would be long enough, then could you give a general idea of suitable tank mates please?

The minimum tank size we recommend for P. hepatus is an 8 foot tank; they do, after all, reach one foot in length rather quickly. Obviously, a ten foot tank would be even better. P. hepatus, can be on the mean side once they are full grown, especially towards fish that occupy the same ecological niche. (I have never tried to pair them so I cannot speak to that particular option). So, that means I would avoid the tang groups which tend to be mean (such as zebrasoma tangs) but if you go with the ten foot tank, that does open the door to various species of naso tangs which are my favorite in the tang group.

While those who follow this thread know, I do not recommend occupants for a variety of reasons, I am always happy to analyze any potential stocking list for compatibility with themselves and the environment that you provide. My personal preference is to have many small fish with interesting behaviors as opposed to large fish which make whatever tank you have appear small.

[crissie]

Originally Posted by snorvich

The minimum tank size we recommend for P. hepatus is an 8 foot tank; they do, after all, reach one foot in length rather quickly. Obviously, a ten foot tank would be even better. P. hepatus, can be on the mean side once they are full grown, especially towards fish that occupy the same ecological niche. (I have never tried to pair them so I cannot speak to that particular option). So, that means I would avoid the tang groups which tend to be mean (such as zebrasoma tangs) but if you go with the ten foot tank, that does open the door to various species of naso tangs which are my favorite in the tang group.

While those who follow this thread know, I do not recommend occupants for a variety of reasons, I am always happy to analyze any potential stocking list for compatibility with themselves and the environment that you provide. My personal preference is to have many small fish with interesting behaviors as opposed to large fish which make whatever tank you have appear small.

Thank you very much. I'm not familiar with Naso's (expect for knowing someone who foolishly put one in a nano tank and had to rehome very quickly), but I will look into them.

I too prefer smaller fish, but this is my sons tank and his main concern is actually the coral selection as opposed to the fish. I may seek your advice again when he decides on other occupants.

Thank you.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by crissie

Thank you very much. I'm not familiar with Naso's (expect for knowing someone who foolishly put one in a nano tank and had to rehome very quickly), but I will look into them.

I too prefer smaller fish, but this is my sons tank and his main concern is actually the coral selection as opposed to the fish. I may seek your advice again when he decides on other occupants.

Thank you.

Always a pleasure. This thread is only about marine fish compatibility. Although I keep reef tanks, I do not answer coral questions in this thread. Good luck planning your tank, and I am always available for additional questions.

[SuperNiketas]

I have currently a 10 gallon nano

2 Nasarrius Snails
1 Emerald Crab
1 Pistol Shrimp
1 Yellow Watchman Goby


I was wondering if I had some leeway for a couple more inverts, but dont want to overstock.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by SuperNiketas

I have currently a 10 gallon nano

2 Nasarrius Snails
1 Emerald Crab
1 Pistol Shrimp
1 Yellow Watchman Goby


I was wondering if I had some leeway for a couple more inverts, but dont want to overstock.

emerald crabs are opportunistic feeders and probably would not be good for your tank; if you take that out, a cleaner shrimp or similar would work fine.

[lukie13]

Appreciate all of your responses - and my apologies if you've seen this list before and answered it; I've read a number of your responses, but I didn't review them all. I have a 30 Nuvo IM tank, Tunze 9004 Protein Skimmer, MP10, running for 6 months.

Currently have the following:
2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Tailspot Goby;
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Yasha Hase w/ Pistol Shrimp
Various snails/hermits

Looking at adding 1 or 2 the following:
1 Pygmy Wrasse (Tanaka or yellow possum);
1 Firefish - Hellfrich;
1 Blackcap Basslet;
1 Mccosker's Wrasse (seems to be divergent opinions on size requirements, but think it may not have enough room)

A couple of questions - knowing you don't provide recommendations on stock.
1) Would my bioload too large to add two of the following fish?
2) Is it too late to add the Firefish - I notice you always suggest putting them in as soon as possible?

Thank you for your help!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lukie13

Appreciate all of your responses - and my apologies if you've seen this list before and answered it; I've read a number of your responses, but I didn't review them all. I have a 30 Nuvo IM tank, Tunze 9004 Protein Skimmer, MP10, running for 6 months. I have done thousands of these so I would definitely not remember if I had seen it; however no two lists are similar enough to extrapolate from prior answers

Currently have the following:
2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Tailspot Goby;
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Yasha Hase w/ Pistol Shrimp
Various snails/hermits

Looking at adding 1 or 2 the following: either of the first two would work, but once the clownfish are sexually mature, only one rather than both
1 Pygmy Wrasse (Tanaka or yellow possum);
1 Firefish - Hellfrich;
1 Blackcap Basslet;
1 Mccosker's Wrasse (seems to be divergent opinions on size requirements, but think it may not have enough room)

A couple of questions - knowing you don't provide recommendations on stock.
1) Would my bioload too large to add two of the following fish?

It is not a bioload issue, it is a tank space/behavior issue

2) Is it too late to add the Firefish - I notice you always suggest putting them in as soon as possible? no, it should be ok. I always suggest firefish first because there are usually other fish that are more aggressive.

Thank you for your help!