PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[usingthejohn]

thinking of adding a Harlequin tusk, but want to know if they eat smaller fish that are already established within a tank? I have 14 wrasses that have been in my tank for about 5 months; the Tusk would be the final fish added. Are the wrasses safe?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by usingthejohn

thinking of adding a Harlequin tusk, but want to know if they eat smaller fish that are already established within a tank? I have 14 wrasses that have been in my tank for about 5 months; the Tusk would be the final fish added. Are the wrasses safe?

No, they are not safe.

[thegrun]

Looking to upgrade my mixed reef from a 50 to a 120 (48" x 24" x 24"). Current sock:
Purple Firefish
Mated Pair B/W Clowns
Carpenter Wrasse
Possum Wrasse
Longfin Fairy Wrasse
Starry Blennie
Yellow Assessor Basslet
I would like to add:
Kole Tang
One Spot Foxface
Flame Angel (assuming I can find one that is reef safe)
Ant issues with the three new additions?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Looking to upgrade my mixed reef from a 50 to a 120 (48" x 24" x 24"). Current sock:
Purple Firefish
Mated Pair B/W Clowns
Carpenter Wrasse
Possum Wrasse
Longfin Fairy Wrasse will be aggressive as it matures
Starry Blennie
Yellow Assessor Basslet
I would like to add:
Kole Tang
One Spot Foxface if hungry, this is not reef safe so feed well as they will eat corals for their zooxanthellae
Flame Angel (assuming I can find one that is reef safe) there is no such thing as a reef safe dwarf angel long term
Ant issues with the three new additions?

[thegrun]

Thanks Steve!
-Mike

[Shawn O]

Originally Posted by Shawn O

Sorry to keep bothering you with this list but wanted to know if this would be an acceptable order to add these fish to a 75gal tall or 90gal long?

Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x1
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Striped Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes) x2
mated pair of Bangghaii Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni)
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

A 120 gal. tank (60"Lx18"Wx26"H) is now the new plan .
Given the larger size could I add some or all of the following:

Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon atrangulatus) x2
Zebra Barred Dartfish (Ptereleotris zebra) x4
Blue Gudgeon Goby (Ptereleotris heteroptera) x2
Snake Blenny (Xiphasia setifer) x1 (if one can be found for sale)
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) x1
Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) x1 (listed as semi-aggressive)
and possibly
Black Axil Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis) x5
OR
Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) x5 if large enough tank and not too many fish already.

This seems like a large number of fish for a 5 foot tank (to me) but many of the fish appear to remain very slender fish (not having much volume) and wondering if combined with an over-sized skimmer may be possible.

Thanks for all your help Steve.

Originally Posted by snorvich

Generally fine, but I suspect the group of chromis will over time become only one.

Thanks Steve, will do this list, most likely without the Black Axil Chromis. Will have to see it stocked with the full list. It'll probably look over-stocked with the list anyway.

[hkgar]

what are your thoughts about adding about 5 Yellowstriped Cardinalfish to my 180 gallon tank. Currently the tank has Yellow Tang, Kole Tang, PBT, Bellus Angel, Midas Blenny, Lubbock Wrasse, two clowns, Matted File Fish, Lyretail Anthias, Purple Dottyback and the fish I am most concerned about is my Bi Color Dottyback who enjoys chasing my Wrasse and the Purple Dotty.

[reefgills]

Hello Steve i have recently purchased a 125g display and a 55g tank converted into a sump/fuge with a WPR 2000 smart pond return pump a pair or 1400 gph koralia powerheads and a super reef octopus 2000 protien skimmer. I intend to start it off as a FOWLR but to eventually have corals (I like SPS for sure but past that I'm not positive what else as far as coral).

Potential fish:
~I would love to have a sailfin tang or chevron tang but liveaquaria suggests 180g+ (sailfin tang being my favorite of the two) so instead i would like to get a kole tang, 2 spot brisletooth, or squaretail bristletooth but, since i don't know much about them would like to hear your thoughts, recomendations and experiences.
~One spot foxface
~Red mandarin (after 6+ months)
~Kaudern's cardinal (mated pair of course)
~Six line wrasse (for flatworm and bristleworm control)
~Leopard wrasse
~Sailfin/lawnmower blenny (algea control)
~Zebra dart gobie(s?)
~Flasher wrasses (MFF) -or- a few resplendant anthias
~Orange striped prawn gobie (mated pair?)

this is my preliminary list by no means decisive. I also think this would probably overload the tank as far as bioloading and crowding. If this is not too high of a bioload would it be too much to have several zebra dart gobies and a mated pair of orange striped prawn gobies?

Inverts/CUC:
~peppermint shrimp (aiptasia)
~Scarlet skunk cleaner (fish "servicing")
~Nerite snails
~Nassarius or super nassaurius?
~Zebra turbo
~Chesnut turbo

I don't know much about CUCs in general and as a result m not sure if these would make a good combination or how many i would need suggestions as to numbers, compatablility, or anything I'm missing are very welcome.
Thanks in advance and have a nice day!

[JammyBirch]

25 gallon cube 18x18x18' 35 gallon total with a split sump and refugium.

2 clowns
1 six line wrasse
1 royal gramma
1 starry blenny

Not big fan of the blenny but it eats hair algae like a champ, so I've heard. Any suggestions on something more colorful would be great.

Intending to have corals also so I'm interested in the opinion around the wrasse.

Thanks

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Shawn O

Thanks Steve, will do this list, most likely without the Black Axil Chromis. Will have to see it stocked with the full list. It'll probably look over-stocked with the list anyway.

For my personal taste there are too many fish for this sized tank; bioload would leave little room for problems.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by hkgar

what are your thoughts about adding about 5 Yellowstriped Cardinalfish to my 180 gallon tank. Currently the tank has Yellow Tang, Kole Tang, PBT, Bellus Angel, Midas Blenny, Lubbock Wrasse, two clowns, Matted File Fish, Lyretail Anthias, Purple Dottyback and the fish I am most concerned about is my Bi Color Dottyback who enjoys chasing my Wrasse and the Purple Dotty.

Dottybacks, while pretty are aggressive and that may get worse rather than better. However they are not likely to actively pursue cardinals

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reefgills

Hello Steve i have recently purchased a 125g display and a 55g tank converted into a sump/fuge with a WPR 2000 smart pond return pump a pair or 1400 gph koralia powerheads and a super reef octopus 2000 protien skimmer. I intend to start it off as a FOWLR but to eventually have corals (I like SPS for sure but past that I'm not positive what else as far as coral).

Potential fish:
~I would love to have a sailfin tang or chevron tang but liveaquaria suggests 180g+ (sailfin tang being my favorite of the two) so instead i would like to get a kole tang, 2 spot brisletooth, or squaretail bristletooth but, since i don't know much about them would like to hear your thoughts, recomendations and experiences. A sailfin definitely needs a larger tank. One of the tangs combined with your foxface would be ok
~One spot foxface
~Red mandarin (after 6+ months) Not with a sixline wrasse and leopard wrasse
~Kaudern's cardinal (mated pair of course)
~Six line wrasse (for flatworm and bristleworm control) not with a mandarin or leopard wrasse
~Leopard wrasse
~Sailfin/lawnmower blenny (algea control)
~Zebra dart gobie(s?)
~Flasher wrasses (MFF) -or- a few resplendant anthias
~Orange striped prawn gobie (mated pair?)

Fine except as noted. I would avoid the sixline and pick either a leopard or mandarin after 9 months but not both

this is my preliminary list by no means decisive. I also think this would probably overload the tank as far as bioloading and crowding. If this is not too high of a bioload would it be too much to have several zebra dart gobies and a mated pair of orange striped prawn gobies? If they are not a mated pair, only one will survive long term

Inverts/CUC:
~peppermint shrimp (aiptasia) be sure they are peppermint not camel shrimp
~Scarlet skunk cleaner (fish "servicing") don't really effect parasite control
~Nerite snails
~Nassarius or super nassaurius?
~Zebra turbo
~Chesnut turbo

I don't know much about CUCs in general and as a result m not sure if these would make a good combination or how many i would need suggestions as to numbers, compatablility, or anything I'm missing are very welcome.
Thanks in advance and have a nice day!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

25 gallon cube 18x18x18' 35 gallon total with a split sump and refugium.

2 clowns
1 six line wrasse too aggressive for this sized tank
1 royal gramma
1 starry blenny

Not big fan of the blenny but it eats hair algae like a champ, so I've heard. Any suggestions on something more colorful would be great. hair algae is an effect of over feeding; solve the problem rather than trying to obviate it

Intending to have corals also so I'm interested in the opinion around the wrasse. the sixline is coral safe but not "fish safe"

Thanks

[JammyBirch]

No over feeding problem here...no fish yet. Got hair algae from some live rock.

Thanks for the info.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

No over feeding problem here...no fish yet. Got hair algae from some live rock.

Thanks for the info.

My point is that fish will not really allow control of hair algae by eating it. If your live rock is leaching phosphate, that would be causative. Well beyond the subject of this thread, however.

[m0nkie]

hello. checking in again.

saw a nice Blue Dot Jawfish and a Yellowhead Jawfish. Wondering if either one of those will work with my setup. only 1, not both

100gal DT + 40gal sump
2 clowns
1 Yellow Watchman Goby + shrimp
1 Flasher wrasse
1 Royal Gramma
1 Firefish
1 Foxface lo

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by m0nkie

hello. checking in again.

saw a nice Blue Dot Jawfish and a Yellowhead Jawfish. Wondering if either one of those will work with my setup. only 1, not both

100gal DT + 40gal sump
2 clowns
1 Yellow Watchman Goby + shrimp
1 Flasher wrasse
1 Royal Gramma
1 Firefish
1 Foxface lo

One or more yellowhead will work (Blue dot requires cool temperatures) provided you have sufficient substrate (sand plus rock rubble)

[shesacharmer]

Steve, I have a good sized Black Axil Chromis in my 75. Am I asking for trouble by adding a Blue Reef Chromis, if I get a large one, or will they just fight?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by shesacharmer

Steve, I have a good sized Black Axil Chromis in my 75. Am I asking for trouble by adding a Blue Reef Chromis, if I get a large one, or will they just fight?

Over time, but not immediately, the dominant one will survive, the other one won't.

[Shawn O]

Originally Posted by snorvich

For my personal taste there are too many fish for this sized tank; bioload would leave little room for problems.

Thanks for your thoughts on the quantity of fish, will need to reconsider the list and try to remove some from it.
Probably going with:
Jawfish, Yellowhead (Opistognathus aurifrons) x2
Firefish, Purple (Nemateleotris decora) x1
Lined Dartfish (Ptereleotris grammica) x2
Court Jester Goby (Amblygobius rainfordi) x2
Yasha White Ray Goby (Stonogobiops yasha) & Randall's Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) pair
Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) x1
Green Clown Goby (Gobiodon atrangulatus) x2
Zebra Barred Dartfish (Ptereleotris zebra) x4
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) x1
Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) x1 (listed as semi-aggressive)
Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) x5 (listed as semi-aggressive)

Will definitely need to go with a large skimmer, probably one rated for 150~250 gallons.

[Zer0.]

Here is my stocking plan for my 180 gallon softie and LPS tank with 40 sump with refugium full of rock rubble. with 165-170 lbs rock with 1.5 inch sandbed. inverts - bubble tip anemone, various hermits and snails, serpent starfish, 3 emerald crabs and two skunk cleaner shrimp.

List is in approximate order of addition

1) pair of occ. clowns - in QT tank and doing great so far
2) Royal Gramma
3) Firefish
4) Canary blenny
5) Flame Angel (I know arent always 100% reef safe)
6) bangaii cardinal
6) Yellow Kole eye tang
7) Sail fin tang
8) mandarin dragonet

Really wanted to get an engineer goby, but am thinking this may be a bad idea after reading up on them Love the cool eel look tho.

Thanks for any advise!!!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Zer0.

Here is my stocking plan for my 180 gallon softie and LPS tank with 40 sump with refugium full of rock rubble. with 165-170 lbs rock with 1.5 inch sandbed. inverts - bubble tip anemone, various hermits and snails, serpent starfish, 3 emerald crabs and two skunk cleaner shrimp.

List is in approximate order of addition

1) pair of occ. clowns - in QT tank and doing great so far
2) Royal Gramma
3) Firefish
4) Canary blenny
5) Flame Angel (I know arent always 100% reef safe) correct
6) bangaii cardinal
6) Yellow Kole eye tang
7) Sail fin tang needs a larger longer tank
8) mandarin dragonet

Really wanted to get an engineer goby, but am thinking this may be a bad idea after reading up on them Love the cool eel look tho.

Thanks for any advise!!!

Fine except as noted

[reefgills]

Revised list:
~Squaretail bristletooth tang
~One spot foxface
~Red mandarin (after 9+ months) or leopard wrasse
~Kaudern's cardinal (mated pair of course)
~Sailfin/lawnmower blenny (algea control)
~Zebra dart gobie (I was thinking 2 or 3 if its not too much)
~Flasher wrasses (MFF)
~Orange striped prawn gobie
I suspect this would be too much of a bio load, is that correct?

Inverts/CUC:
~peppermint shrimp (aiptasia)
~scarlet skunk cleaner
~Nerite snails
~Nassarius
~Zebra turbo
~Chesnut turbo
If its not outside the scope of this thread could you make recomendations on how many of each i should get for the CUC and if there are any i should add/subtract from the list?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reefgills

Revised list:
~Squaretail bristletooth tang
~One spot foxface
~Red mandarin (after 9+ months) or leopard wrasse
~Kaudern's cardinal (mated pair of course)
~Sailfin/lawnmower blenny (algea control)
~Zebra dart gobie (I was thinking 2 or 3 if its not too much)
~Flasher wrasses (MFF)
~Orange striped prawn gobie
I suspect this would be too much of a bio load, is that correct?

Inverts/CUC:
~peppermint shrimp (aiptasia)
~scarlet skunk cleaner
~Nerite snails
~Nassarius
~Zebra turbo
~Chesnut turbo
If its not outside the scope of this thread could you make recomendations on how many of each i should get for the CUC and if there are any i should add/subtract from the list?

Tank size?

[reefgills]

125g