PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[will0316]

if not blue chromis, what would be a good small schooling fish to start with? I don't want them to widdle down. I've heard that anthias are hard to keep and that damsels can have bad attitudes.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by will0316

if not blue chromis, what would be a good small schooling fish to start with? I don't want them to widdle down. I've heard that anthias are hard to keep and that damsels can have bad attitudes.

there is no schooling fish for our sized aquaria. There are some that are close but they either require a larger tank or special feeding care and require more expertise than a new person to the hobby has.

[mbd521]

Snorvich thanks for the advice!! Much appreciated!!

[jombolo]

My current setup is a 34 gal rimless frag tank converted to reef tank, looks pretty sweet. 36x18x12.5. Running approx 3 months. Levels are perfect, nitrites, nitrates & ammonia at 0, ph good, dosing calcium for coral frags.

Current setup:
45ish lbs live rock
40ish lbs live sand
15 gal sump (refuge under construction)
18 hermit crabs (red leg & blue leg mixed)
5-6 snails
2 percula clowns (pair)
1 orchid dottyback (awesome fish)
1 emerald crab
1 bubble tip
1 zoa frag
1 torch coral frag
1 acane frag
1 hammer frag (half eaten by my 2 peppermint shrimp which i removed and gave to a friend with aiptasia)
1 pulsating xenia frag

Would like to add 2-3 more fish if possible:
1 tail spot blenny
goby recommendation?
1 wrasse (6 line or yellow) i know they are jumpers and could be issue with my open top
1 SMALL Tang (Powder Blue)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jombolo

My current setup is a 34 gal rimless frag tank converted to reef tank, looks pretty sweet. 36x18x12.5. Running approx 3 months. Levels are perfect, nitrites, nitrates & ammonia at 0, ph good, dosing calcium for coral frags.

Current setup:
45ish lbs live rock
40ish lbs live sand
15 gal sump (refuge under construction)
18 hermit crabs (red leg & blue leg mixed)
5-6 snails
2 percula clowns (pair)
1 orchid dottyback (awesome fish)
1 emerald crab
1 bubble tip
1 zoa frag
1 torch coral frag
1 acane frag
1 hammer frag (half eaten by my 2 peppermint shrimp which i removed and gave to a friend with aiptasia)
1 pulsating xenia frag

Would like to add 2-3 more fish if possible:
1 tail spot blenny should be fine
goby recommendation?
1 wrasse (6 line or yellow) i know they are jumpers and could be issue with my open top they will jump and are very aggressive
1 SMALL Tang (Powder Blue) absolutely not

[jombolo]

Would you have any recommendations for other fish i should add? i realize tangs need a larger tank, however the lfs near me sells yellow and blue tangs that are very small, about 1" long.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jombolo

Would you have any recommendations for other fish i should add? i realize tangs need a larger tank, however the lfs near me sells yellow and blue tangs that are very small, about 1" long.

We feel you should buy fish for the tank that you have not the tank you hope to have. (and it is not just fish size that determines tank size)

[jombolo]

Originally Posted by snorvich

We feel you should buy fish for the tank that you have not the tank you hope to have. (and it is not just fish size that determines tank size)

...which is why i've bothered to post on this string. I have the thank i hoped to have which is why i set it up the way i did, and i plan to purchase fish for the tank i have, also why i've not purchased a tang. I was really hoping for some alternative recommendations if the fishes I'm eying are not a good fit. i.e. "a tang is probably not a good fit due to your size tank, have you thought about x, y & z?"

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jombolo

...which is why i've bothered to post on this string. I have the thank i hoped to have which is why i set it up the way i did, and i plan to purchase fish for the tank i have, also why i've not purchased a tang. I was really hoping for some alternative recommendations if the fishes I'm eying are not a good fit. i.e. "a tang is probably not a good fit due to your size tank, have you thought about x, y & z?"

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always happy to reevaluate stocking plans as long as complete plan and tank size are provided. And of course you are always welcome to post your own thread in Reef Fish where you will get a wealth of opinions.

[melvinakshay]

I'm really obsessed with moorish idols. But i'm also looking to purchase a couple of clams so i'm look at compatibility issues here. Would a moorish be compatible with a clam ? if not - would a heniochus diphreutes be compatible with a clam ?

[shesacharmer]

Can you please suggest an appropriate introduction order for the following species in a 75 gal. with live rock, sump/refugium and corals?

Kaudern's Cardinal
PJ Cardinal
Pair of False Perc's
Lawnmower Blennie
Royal Purple Gramma
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
One Spot Foxface
Dwarf Flame Angel

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by melvinakshay

I'm really obsessed with moorish idols. But i'm also looking to purchase a couple of clams so i'm look at compatibility issues here. Would a moorish be compatible with a clam ? if not - would a heniochus diphreutes be compatible with a clam ?

Moorish idols are one of the most difficult fish to keep and are expert only. Given the fact that clam mantels have symbiotic zooanthellae, I would not consider them safe. For lots of information on this fish, see this thread.

I do not consider any of the heniochus species to be reef safe.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by shesacharmer

Can you please suggest an appropriate introduction order for the following species in a 75 gal. with live rock, sump/refugium and corals?

Kaudern's Cardinal
PJ Cardinal
Pair of False Perc's
Lawnmower Blennie after tank is 9 months mature
Royal Purple Gramma
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
One Spot Foxface next to last
Dwarf Flame Angel last. probably not coral safe

order, except as noted, will not matter

[Jetersyanks]

For a 125 gallon long what's the max amount of fish you think I could have and keep happy .?? I have a refugium with miracle mud chaeto and kalerpa .. A reef octopus for a 250 gallon in sump

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jetersyanks

For a 125 gallon long what's the max amount of fish you think I could have and keep happy .?? I have a refugium with miracle mud chaeto and kalerpa .. A reef octopus for a 250 gallon in sump

that is a totally unanswerable question. The answer depends on which fish and their needs and behavior.

[Jetersyanks]

I apologies I'm thinking maybe a purple and yellow tang adding at the same time .. 4 square back anthias 1 male 3 females .. 2 picaso clowns and a sweet lip clown(grouper) I just wanna make sure I don't overstock my tank

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jetersyanks

I apologies I'm thinking maybe a purple and yellow tang adding at the same time .. 4 square back anthias 1 male 3 females .. 2 picaso clowns and a sweet lip clown(grouper) I just wanna make sure I don't overstock my tank

well, you were going pretty good until you added the sweet lip grouper. That is an expert level fish that needs a minimum of a 600 gallon tank. Otherwise, you should be fine. Quarantine all fish.

[Jetersyanks]

I agree the grouper was a gift which i do plan on taking out ...

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jetersyanks

I agree the grouper was a gift which i do plan on taking out ...

Whichever LFS sold you that fish should never be used again as that is a terrible malfeasance. They took advantage of the cuteness of the juvenile and the ignorance of whoever purchased it.

[Jetersyanks]

Yeah the person who purchased it for me has no idea they just seen a smaller cool looking fish .. I knew what it was as soon as I seen it and knew it was trouble

[Zbreefer]

Ok this is my first fish list posting, so take it easy on me. Any constructive feedback is appreciated. DT is 180g with 150lbs dry rock, 5 lbs live rock, and 2" live sand bed. Sump is a 75g tank, with a 32g refugium chamber that has 5" DSB. I do plan to have corals in the future once things mature. Finally, I have 20g long QT. My fish wish list is below:

Clowns introduced at same time, separated in QT by egg crate
2 black ocellaris clowns
2 orange ocellars clowns

1 yellow tang
1 powder blue tang
1 blonde naso tang

1 dwarf flame angel

1 Goby/shrimp pair (species undetermined at this point)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Zbreefer

Ok this is my first fish list posting, so take it easy on me.

I am always gentle, but not subtle. If there is an issue I will point it out.

Any constructive feedback is appreciated. DT is 180g with 150lbs dry rock, 5 lbs live rock, and 2" live sand bed. Sump is a 75g tank, with a 32g refugium chamber that has 5" DSB. I do plan to have corals in the future once things mature. Finally, I have 20g long QT. My fish wish list is below:

Clowns introduced at same time, separated in QT by egg crate
2 black ocellaris clowns
2 orange ocellars clowns

It is highly unlikely that four clownfish will survive long term in this sized tank.

1 yellow tang ideally the yellow and poder blue should be introduced concurrently; yellows are highly territorial when established
1 powder blue tang
1 blonde naso tang needs a larger (longer tank)

1 dwarf flame angel

1 Goby/shrimp pair (species undetermined at this point)

fine except as annotated; feel free to check back for additional analysis. Be sure to remind me of tank size and complete planned stocking list.

[Zbreefer]

Originally Posted by snorvich

fine except as annotated; feel free to check back for additional analysis. Be sure to remind me of tank size and complete planned stocking list.

Is the clownfish due to territory and them fighting? I know there are harem tanks out there, and recognize that is a different situation, but if I keep 4 well fed, is there a better prognosis?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Zbreefer

Is the clownfish due to territory and them fighting? I know there are harem tanks out there, and recognize that is a different situation, but if I keep 4 well fed, is there a better prognosis?

While in very large tanks, it is possible to keep more than one pair of clownfish (excluding some species), it is highly unlikely except in the best possible circumstances. Their natural instinct is to eliminate other clownfish. Feeding is not the issue at all.

[shesacharmer]

Originally Posted by snorvich

order, except as noted, will not matter

I so appreciate the knowledge that you share with those of us that are trying so hard to be responsible to our new charges.