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[jock]

Hi folks!

Have a 40-50gallon tank (I say 40-50 as it was sold as 180 liters & I have no idea if i should be converting to US or imperial gallons ) Have 44lbs of live rock with a very thin layer of sand at bottom. Will be fish only. This is what am thinking & any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

2 x Yellowtail Damsels
1x Ocellaris Clownfish
1x Flame Angel

Then am not really sure..... Is two dwarf angelfishes too much for my tank. Really like the Bicolor & Coral Beauty & if it meant I could add one of these but then nothing else I would do that but wouldn't want to be cruel on them. Also might change order i add them if I decide there is room.

Other things I am considering:
Firefish
Blenny

Going to have about 3 hermits, 3 snails & couple of shrimps (cleaner & coral banded prob) if that makes any difference.

All help welcome for the following reason......had a small marine tank (about 30g) around 15yrs ago when I was a wee boy & in it for 4yrs I had a Koran Angelfish! Was told it would be fine if i kept with 2 or 3 smaller fish (was 10yrs old & the guy who sold me it seemed like he really knew his stuff! He also sold me tank so knew exactly what I had!!). I loved that fish & was devastated when I started researching for new tank & realised how cruel it must have been on him

[Jandree22]

Originally Posted by topbottomfeeder View Post
I want to eventually have a school of chromis(I heard that I need at least 5 for a schooling effect) is there no way for me to get the chromis to behave? I have seen 110gal tanks that have more ten chromis in a school and a lot of other fish.

Originally Posted by snorvich

It is impossible for me to intelligently comment on tanks you have seen and I never do so. Chromis will not behave, unfortunately, and may initially shoal, but will not school.

I concur with this. I tried twice to stock about 6-7 chromis in a previous 75g and both times the weakest were picked off one-by-one over weeks until about 3 remained, then things seemed ‘happy’ and no more chromis losses occured. Even then any shoaling behavior was loose at best. Never lost any other fish during these periods.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jandree22

Looking for thoughts on stocking of a 25g cube. Tank is not setup yet. Specs will be 20-30# rock (depending on a desirable scape), barebottom, 40g sump, AquaC EV120 skimmer, remote DSB w/chaeto, gfo & gac reactors, weekly WC of 5g. Tank will include an even mix of sps/lps/rics & zoas, possibly a clam haven't decided there yet.

I realize this list is heavy, and one or two at least must be axed. They're listed in order of priority with the last two tied... I like the awkward swimming behaviors of both. Also wondering if the gramma and hawk would spar over rock territory.

2 Ocellaris
1 Green Chromis
1 Royal Gramma
1 Bangaii Cardinal
-or-
1 Falco Hawk


Be gentle

I am always gentle. Clownfish, once sexually mature will want to own that amount of tank space which makes other fish a bit difficult. If you are going to do the top list, I would eliminate the chromis. The other fish may do fine if the are introduced before the clownfish bond.

[shawn.short]

ok i have a 324 gallon RR with a 90g sump/refug, that is about to be upgraded to a 135g sump/refug in about 3 weeks. Any way I have

1 cleaner wrasse
1 back clown
1 perc clown
1 powder blue tang
12 green chromis
4 lyra tail anthias
1 fox face
2 yellow headed gobies(sand sifters)
2 cleaner shrimp
1 coral beauty
100+ hermits
approx 3-400 ibls of live rock

about 250lbs of rock are from my 120 that i had for about 7 years, i put that in my big tank. I have AI sol blue leds, sps,lps in the tank as well, i just put fish in there from oct-bout 2 weeks ago little at a time. My Naso was about 2 weeks old and just died today strangly, the tangs and fox were introduced at the same time. levels and salinity are on the dot asusual, i made fish food my self, and have a skimmer in the sump. all the other fish r happy and healthy. my question is what can i put in there now? i love the L.T tang,yellow tang. also i love to have more anthias, and a dragon. what would you put in there. fyi the tank is 8ft'

thanks,
shawn

[sneaton]

what are some fish i could put in a 48x24x12 frag tank? would a school of chromis work?

[Molli]

I suspect that I still have plenty of time, since I still need to finish the plumbing, set up the rockwork, order some liverock and then cycle, but for some reason finalizing my fish list seems urgent.
75g tank -beananimal overflow
45g sump setup for 12g refugium

Proposed stock list:
2 firefish - M and F pair hopefully
A clown pair - Haven't decided on type yet, and I know they will control 20-25g or so, will any of my other chosen fish suffer for it? I mean, is there enough room for that.
Pistol/Goby pair - Yellow watchman
1 Orange back fairy wrasse - If I can find one...
1 chalk basslet - not really sure about that one
1 Mandarin Goby - far in the future, probably longer then 6 months.

Is it possible for me to have more than one pistol/Goby pair? They're really what got me into this. Thank you so much Steve for lending your expertise to this thread, you've probably saved countless fishy lives.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by sneaton

what are some fish i could put in a 48x24x12 frag tank? would a school of chromis work?

Chromis tend to reduce themselves until there is only one or at most two. For a frag tank, I would look at some type of pest control fish that was reef safe such as a six line wrasse which I would never recommend for a community tank. .

[Jarred1]

I have a 40 breeder with 2 occ clowns, a coral beauty, and a starry blenny; I'm looking to get a flame angle but I think I read somewhere that they won't get along with each other. Is this true?

Thanks in advance.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Molli

I suspect that I still have plenty of time, since I still need to finish the plumbing, set up the rockwork, order some liverock and then cycle, but for some reason finalizing my fish list seems urgent.
75g tank -beananimal overflow
45g sump setup for 12g refugium

Proposed stock list:
2 firefish - M and F pair hopefully
A clown pair - Haven't decided on type yet, and I know they will control 20-25g or so, will any of my other chosen fish suffer for it? I mean, is there enough room for that.
Pistol/Goby pair - Yellow watchman
1 Orange back fairy wrasse - If I can find one...
1 chalk basslet - not really sure about that one
1 Mandarin Goby - far in the future, probably longer then 6 months.

Is it possible for me to have more than one pistol/Goby pair? They're really what got me into this. Thank you so much Steve for lending your expertise to this thread, you've probably saved countless fishy lives.

Thanks for the kind words. I feel very strongly about trying to make environments where fish can thrive and live out their natural life span. Clownfish, depending on species require about 25-30 gallons of tank space. If you can get an anemone which will act as their host, and they will bond with it, they will then center their territory around the anemone. Easier said than done, however. If clownfish is the primary focus of your tank, I suggest reading "clownfish" by Joyce Wilkerson which is available in paperback. In a larger tank, it is usually a bit easier, but your tank should be sufficient.

My suggestion, always, is to decide on the primary focus of your interest, then build around that. Your fish list seems fine, but I am mildly concerned about the chalk basslet.

As far as multiple shrimp goby pairs, I am not sure in your sized tank and it does depend on which ones you choose. Two of the same species will probably not work. I have had pairs of the same fish work with either one or two shrimp, and I have had one shrimp handle multiple gobies. In one of my larger tanks, I have a dartfish living with the shrimp goby pairing.

[WetShepherd]

I'm wondering if the following can all be housed peacefully together in a 55 DT (long).

Bluespotted Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus pavoninoides
Jester Goby - Amblygobius rainfordi
Starry Blenny - Salarias ramosus

Thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by WetShepherd

I'm wondering if the following can all be housed peacefully together in a 55 DT (long).

Bluespotted Watchman Goby - Cryptocentrus pavoninoides
Jester Goby - Amblygobius rainfordi
Starry Blenny - Salarias ramosus

Thanks!

That will probably work just fine.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jarred1

I have a 40 breeder with 2 occ clowns, a coral beauty, and a starry blenny; I'm looking to get a flame angle but I think I read somewhere that they won't get along with each other. Is this true?

Thanks in advance.

Two dwarf angels will not work in your sized tank. I recommend at least 75 gallons for two. The problem is that they occupy the same ecological niche and will perceive that they are threatened by another fish that will eat the same food in a smallish territory.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by shawn.short

ok i have a 324 gallon RR with a 90g sump/refug, that is about to be upgraded to a 135g sump/refug in about 3 weeks. Any way I have

1 cleaner wrasse
1 back clown
1 perc clown
1 powder blue tang
12 green chromis
4 lyra tail anthias
1 fox face
2 yellow headed gobies(sand sifters)
2 cleaner shrimp
1 coral beauty
100+ hermits
approx 3-400 ibls of live rock

about 250lbs of rock are from my 120 that i had for about 7 years, i put that in my big tank. I have AI sol blue leds, sps,lps in the tank as well, i just put fish in there from oct-bout 2 weeks ago little at a time. My Naso was about 2 weeks old and just died today strangly, the tangs and fox were introduced at the same time. levels and salinity are on the dot asusual, i made fish food my self, and have a skimmer in the sump. all the other fish r happy and healthy. my question is what can i put in there now? i love the L.T tang,yellow tang. also i love to have more anthias, and a dragon. what would you put in there. fyi the tank is 8ft'

thanks,
shawn

That is a lot to evaluate. It feels as if you are going a bit too fast and are not quarantining new fish. Is there a specific question you have? With the type of fish you are adding, all of whom are likely candidates for parasites, that you need to slow down and quarantine. I have stickies in the Fish Disease forum that would be worth reading.

[Jarred1]

Thank you for the help!

[shawn.short]

Originally Posted by snorvich

That is a lot to evaluate. It feels as if you are going a bit too fast and are not quarantining new fish. Is there a specific question you have? With the type of fish you are adding, all of whom are likely candidates for parasites, that you need to slow down and quarantine. I have stickies in the Fish Disease forum that would be worth reading.

the first question is what fish would u reccommend?

[shawn.short]

i was under the impression that if i didnt put all my tangs at one time they will fight? and which ones can i put in there?

[Jandree22]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I am always gentle. Clownfish, once sexually mature will want to own that amount of tank space which makes other fish a bit difficult. If you are going to do the top list, I would eliminate the chromis. The other fish may do fine if the are introduced before the clownfish bond.

Interesting consideration with the mated pair of clowns and their dynamic in that size tank. Will weigh that one out, perhaps I'll only keep one instead. I'm personally sort of 'meh' about the chromis but it's a family favorite from my last tank. Appreciate the feedback.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by shawn.short

the first question is what fish would u reccommend?

Well, at this point, I would not add any fish for at least 3 months. Let the tank stabilize and see where you are.

[geezers11]

Okay, how about a trio of scissortail dartfish and a linespot or filamented wrasse in an established 28g nano? I have about 2 inches of sand for the scissortails to burrow in.

Its either that or one of the wrasses and a helfrichi OR a pair of fancy occelaris clowns...

Thanks in advance.

[Molli]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Thanks for the kind words. I feel very strongly about trying to make environments where fish can thrive and live out their natural life span. Clownfish, depending on species require about 25-30 gallons of tank space. If you can get an anemone which will act as their host, and they will bond with it, they will then center their territory around the anemone. Easier said than done, however. If clownfish is the primary focus of your tank, I suggest reading "clownfish" by Joyce Wilkerson which is available in paperback. In a larger tank, it is usually a bit easier, but your tank should be sufficient.

My suggestion, always, is to decide on the primary focus of your interest, then build around that. Your fish list seems fine, but I am mildly concerned about the chalk basslet.

As far as multiple shrimp goby pairs, I am not sure in your sized tank and it does depend on which ones you choose. Two of the same species will probably not work. I have had pairs of the same fish work with either one or two shrimp, and I have had one shrimp handle multiple gobies. In one of my larger tanks, I have a dartfish living with the shrimp goby pairing.

Thank you for your thoroughness! Your answer of course gives me more questions.

First, clownfish are not the focus of my tank, I merely wanted a pair bonded behavior to observe. I know your policy on recommending fish, but I still have to give it a shot: Can you mention/recommend another fish that would bond and display interesting paired behavior? You could name a fish and I can go research it myself I will still check out the book you mentioned.

The focus of the tank is actually the pistol/goby pair(s). I even built the stand with an open bottom so I can see the bottom of the tank with a flashlight to watch the pistols activities. I'll stick with a single pair for now, maybe later when I have more experience I'll look into another set. Is 3" of sand overkill for them? Should I go shallower or deeper?

Second, what was your concern for the chalk basslet? I only added him to the list because I read that he was 'peaceful' but maybe I'm mixing him up with another fish I read about. Is he going to terrorize someone or compete with a food type or territory?

This will be my first marine tank, I want to make sure I minimize the noob mistakes as much as possible.

[shawn.short]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Well, at this point, I would not add any fish for at least 3 months. Let the tank stabilize and see where you are.

so is it not true about adding tangs, can i add that Lt tang later on? the only big fish i have are the fox and PB tang and they arent even 4 inches i ordered them small/med

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by shawn.short

so is it not true about adding tangs, can i add that Lt tang later on? the only big fish i have are the fox and PB tang and they arent even 4 inches i ordered them small/med

My concern is that you are adding fish that are highly susceptible to parasites with no quarantine protocol.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Molli

Thank you for your thoroughness! Your answer of course gives me more questions.

As it was intended.

First, clownfish are not the focus of my tank, I merely wanted a pair bonded behavior to observe. I know your policy on recommending fish, but I still have to give it a shot: Can you mention/recommend another fish that would bond and display interesting paired behavior? You could name a fish and I can go research it myself I will still check out the book you mentioned.

Well, you can get bonding behavior with firefish, but it is more complex as you must get a M/F and they must bond which does not always happen. You can also get it more easily with a pair of gobies that are bonded along with one or a pair (the pistol shrimp do not have to bond/pair) of pistol shrimp. And, of course a M/F pair of banggai cardinals will bond and mate. I see people wanting clowns but I personally find them to be boring relative to their aggressiveness "cost". It is very, very difficult to recommend. I can relate issues associated with choices, however.

The focus of the tank is actually the pistol/goby pair(s). I even built the stand with an open bottom so I can see the bottom of the tank with a flashlight to watch the pistols activities. I'll stick with a single pair for now, maybe later when I have more experience I'll look into another set. Is 3" of sand overkill for them? Should I go shallower or deeper?

What you need is sand ideally mixed with slightly courser gravel and live rock rubble that can be used for structure. Two to three inches would work well.

Second, what was your concern for the chalk basslet? I only added him to the list because I read that he was 'peaceful' but maybe I'm mixing him up with another fish I read about. Is he going to terrorize someone or compete with a food type or territory?

It is a recollection rather than an experience with them. As I personally keep a Candy Basslet I know that basslets don't really mix so I never kept a chalk basslet. If you are looking for an interesting fish look at the various possum wrasses available (yes I violated my own rule) as I feel they are much more interesting.

This will be my first marine tank, I want to make sure I minimize the noob mistakes as much as possible.

Actually I think you research your choices well and I commend you for that.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by geezers11

Okay, how about a trio of scissortail dartfish and a linespot or filamented wrasse in an established 28g nano? I have about 2 inches of sand for the scissortails to burrow in.

Its either that or one of the wrasses and a helfrichi OR a pair of fancy occelaris clowns...

Thanks in advance.

What fish are already there?

[geezers11]

Originally Posted by snorvich

What fish are already there?

Steve,

Only an Orange Stripe Goby/Pistol Shrimp.

Also saw a trio of Zebra Barred Dartfish that intrigue me as they look similar to the ScissorTail and don't get quite as big (4" vs 5.5"). I've read your recommendations for Possum Wrasses and they caught my eye as well. But I worry it will be too reclusive. I do like seeing fish rather than hunting for them :-)

Big question is can I also fit in a Line Spot or Filamented Wrasse with the group above? They all appear pretty peaceful and unique.

So I guess the choices I've whittled down to for a well-established 28g nano with LPS corals and some CUC are...

Filamented or Line Spot Wrasse
Trio of either Zebra Barred or ScissorTail Dartfish
Helfrichi Goby
Possum Wrasse

Thanks again for all your attentive responses on here. I'm sure its saved some anguish, money and fish lives.