PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by little soprano

We don't plan on cycling with fish btw. I'm totally against it. FW I use ammonia and time, SW I plan on doing the same thing minus the ammonia lol. I just like damsels, and their hardyness. Figured they would be the best first addition, but maybe I'll rethink having them at all. So what about this fish list:

-Red firefish
-pair of Ocellaris Clowns
-Goby w/ matching snapping shrimp
-Scissortail dartfish
-Green Mandarinfish
-Yellow Tang

(added roughly in that order).

If my reading was done properly none of these fish should be too terribly competitive with a Mandarin correct? I've been reading through the mandarin primer.

That fish list is fine, and none are direct competitors to a mandarin. Be sure your tank is mature when adding the mandarin (9 months) and be sure the yellow tang is the last fish (excluding the mandarin)

[TexanTrail]

I have a 55gal DT, 40 x 16 x 20high. Ocellaris Clownfish and about a 5" yellow tang. Tank is about 3 years old. Has live rock. Those 2 have been tankmates for the majority of that time.

I'm reading on your posts that the Tang may be aggressive to new fish. I know you don't make recommendations, but do you have any suggestions on some fish I can look up and study to see what I can do? Wrasse, gobies, blennies for example?

Thanks,
David

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by TexanTrail

I have a 55gal DT, 40 x 16 x 20high. Ocellaris Clownfish and about a 5" yellow tang. Tank is about 3 years old. Has live rock. Those 2 have been tankmates for the majority of that time.

I'm reading on your posts that the Tang may be aggressive to new fish. I know you don't make recommendations, but do you have any suggestions on some fish I can look up and study to see what I can do? Wrasse, gobies, blennies for example?

Thanks,
David

The yellow tang needs a much larger tank for long term success. The tang may allow a small non algae eating fish.

[TexanTrail]

Originally Posted by snorvich

The yellow tang needs a much larger tank for long term success. The tang may allow a small non algae eating fish.

I'm deciding whether I want to keep it or not. It was only about 2 1/2 inches when I got it.

Thanks for your advice.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by TexanTrail

I'm deciding whether I want to keep it or not. It was only about 2 1/2 inches when I got it.

Thanks for your advice.

Without the tang, you have a lot of options for small peaceful fish.

[Flame_Angels]

hey just a quick question: how much space does a pair of clarkii clowns need?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Flame_Angels

hey just a quick question: how much space does a pair of clarkii clowns need?

A sexually mature pair of A. clarkii will want to control about 50 gallons of tank space.

[wcharon]

Happy Holidays Steve..

In a 125 is it possible to put 2 types of Foxface (One Spot and Magnificent)?

[airtime23]

Steve, thank for providing such a great "service". Your advice and recommendations are much appreciated.

Please help with my choices. These will be going into a new 300 gallon mixed reef.
72 x 36 x 27. These are listed in the order in which they will be added.

Purple firefish
A pair of ocellaris clownfish (tank raised)
Longnose hawkfish
Spotted cardinalfish
A trio of anthias - not sure which kind yet (either Lyretail, Bartletts, or Resplendent - all female)
Bicolor blenny
Midas blenny
Tailspot blenny
Ember blenny
Tangaroa goby
Orange spotted goby
Mccorskers wrasse (male)
Carpenters flasher wrasse (male)
Hoevens wrasse (male)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (male)
Orange back fairy wrasse (male)
Pink streaked wrasse (male)
Vrolik's Wrasse (male)
Royal gramma
Rainford's goby - tank raised
Gold assessor basslet
Blue throat trigger
Pink tailed trigger
Blue Hippo tang
Kole tang
Purple tang
Yellow tang
Mandarin (after 9-12 months of tank maturity)

Please comment not only on the fish, but on the order in which I'll add them to the tank. In general, I'm trying to add the most aggressive fish at the end, but I'm not sure if my order is correct.

Many thanks and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[Haleyf1024]

I am in the process of upgrading from my little 29 gallon BioCube reef to a 110 DSA tank. I am beginning to think ahead for the fish stock and want a nice, larger tang that is reef safe (not with caution as most on live aquaria are) to be my "show" fish. I wanted one with a ton of color, preferably bright yellow and blue. The PBT fits my image perfectly but I see very conflicting views and opinions on their tank size requirements, from a minimum of 55 gallons (which I know is way inaccurate) to people saying 250 is the min, with everything between. I know most don't grow much larger than 9 inches and my tank is 5 feet long so I personally think he would be okay, but wanted other's opinions on this (mostly people who have owned a Powder Blue Tang). He would be the only fish longer than 4-5 inches in the tank. If anyone could suggest another breed that would fit my requirements, I am all ears! (Or eyes really...lol)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by wcharon

Happy Holidays Steve..

In a 125 is it possible to put 2 types of Foxface (One Spot and Magnificent)?

No. They are not compatible.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by airtime23

Steve, thank for providing such a great "service". Your advice and recommendations are much appreciated.

Please help with my choices. These will be going into a new 300 gallon mixed reef.
72 x 36 x 27. These are listed in the order in which they will be added.

Purple firefish
A pair of ocellaris clownfish (tank raised)
Longnose hawkfish not shrimp safe
Spotted cardinalfish
A trio of anthias - not sure which kind yet (either Lyretail, Bartletts, or Resplendent - all female) Resplendent is excellent but does best with multiple feedings per day
Bicolor blenny
Midas blenny
Tailspot blenny
Ember blenny
Tangaroa goby
Orange spotted goby
Mccorskers wrasse (male)
Carpenters flasher wrasse (male)
Hoevens wrasse (male)
Linespot Flasher Wrasse (male)
Orange back fairy wrasse (male)
Pink streaked wrasse (male)
Vrolik's Wrasse (male) Not invert safe
Royal gramma
Rainford's goby - tank raised
Gold assessor basslet
Blue throat trigger I advise against triggers with small fish
Pink tailed trigger I advise against triggers with small fish
Blue Hippo tang needs a larger (longer) tank
Kole tang
Purple tang the two zebrasoma tangs should be added concurrently
Yellow tang
Mandarin (after 9-12 months of tank maturity)

Please comment not only on the fish, but on the order in which I'll add them to the tank. In general, I'm trying to add the most aggressive fish at the end, but I'm not sure if my order is correct.

Many thanks and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

You are welcome. Happy Holidays to you as well.

[airtime23]

Steve, do you think that the order of introduction to the tank is okay?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by airtime23

Steve, do you think that the order of introduction to the tank is okay?

(I advise against the triggers) The only real issue is introduction of the yellow and purple tang concurrently so one does not get established. Otherwise order is fine.

[airtime23]

Many thanks, once again.

[JoelA7]

Hi Steve,

Evolving fish in tank and possible additions.

Current:

3 PJ Cardinals
Royal Gramma
Hoeven's Wrasse
Bicolor Blenny
Midas Blenny
Resplendent Anthias (male)

Intend to add a Hutchii Anthias (male or female) and if I can get both sexes or females then 2 f or 1 m + 1 f

Intend to add Kole Tang last.

Would I be able to add a Yellow Coris Wrasse and or a Rainfords Goby?

Thank you. (Tank info in signature.)

Joel

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by JoelA7

Hi Steve,

Evolving fish in tank and possible additions.

Current:

3 PJ Cardinals
Royal Gramma
Hoeven's Wrasse
Bicolor Blenny
Midas Blenny
Resplendent Anthias (male)

Intend to add a Hutchii Anthias (male or female) and if I can get both sexes or females then 2 f or 1 m + 1 f

Intend to add Kole Tang last.

Would I be able to add a Yellow Coris Wrasse and or a Rainfords Goby?

Thank you. (Tank info in signature.)

Joel

That plan should be fine. I am a bit ambivalent about the Midas blenny since it can/will nip fins of those feeding in the water column.

[JoelA7]

Originally Posted by JoelA7 View Post
Hi Steve,

Evolving fish in tank and possible additions.

Current:

3 PJ Cardinals
Royal Gramma
Hoeven's Wrasse
Bicolor Blenny
Midas Blenny
Resplendent Anthias (male)

Intend to add a Hutchii Anthias (male or female) and if I can get both sexes or females then 2 f or 1 m + 1 f

Intend to add Kole Tang last.

Would I be able to add a Yellow Coris Wrasse and or a Rainfords Goby?

Thank you. (Tank info in signature.)

Joel
That plan should be fine. I am a bit ambivalent about the Midas blenny since it can/will nip fins of those feeding in the water column.

Thank you Steve.

As an FYI only, the Midas is thus far a model citizen with only a very small amount of jostling with the Bicolor.

Happy New Year.

[sschnelk]

Hello,

Getting back into the hobby! I have a 29 gal. Biocube modified with a 8.5 gallon sump, about 30# of live rock, 1" of sand and a skimmer. Live rock is cycling currently in the tank and my ammonia and nitrite have hit zero.

My proposed stocking list:

Snails:
1 astrea,
5 cerith,
2 nassarius
5 nerite
5 trochus

other inverts:
1 cleaner shrimp
1 pistol shrimp

fish:
a pair of tank-bred ocellaris clowns
1 watchman goby
1 purple firefish
1 tail spot blenny (optional - feels like this would be too many fish)

Thanks in advance for your review and comments!

-Steve

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by sschnelk

Hello,

Getting back into the hobby! I have a 29 gal. Biocube modified with a 8.5 gallon sump, about 30# of live rock, 1" of sand and a skimmer. Live rock is cycling currently in the tank and my ammonia and nitrite have hit zero.

My proposed stocking list:

Snails:
1 astrea,
5 cerith,
2 nassarius
5 nerite
5 trochus

other inverts:
1 cleaner shrimp
1 pistol shrimp

fish:
a pair of tank-bred ocellaris clowns
1 watchman goby
1 purple firefish
1 tail spot blenny (optional - feels like this would be too many fish)

Thanks in advance for your review and comments!

-Steve

Stocking list for both inverts and fish is fine.

[BSAJim]

Greetings. I am hoping to get some informed guidance to resolve what seems to be conflicting information. I have bee told 1) under no circumstances should I ever add a fish to my system without going through a 2-4 week quarantine process and 2) to start the cycle on your main system, just add a fish directly from the LFS to start the cycling process.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BSAJim

Greetings. I am hoping to get some informed guidance to resolve what seems to be conflicting information. I have bee told 1) under no circumstances should I ever add a fish to my system without going through a 2-4 week quarantine process and 2) to start the cycle on your main system, just add a fish directly from the LFS to start the cycling process.

If you want to be successful in this hobby, you will develop a quarantine protocol as a minimum, for all fish, ideally for anything wet. You can read about my quarantine protocol in my blog. I you do not want to quarantine, you can come visit me in the marine fish disease forum where people are trying to save their fish, or in some cases, save their tank. Sometimes with success, sometimes, not.

Never use live fish to cycle a tank. It is not necessary and cruel for the fish causing burning in their gills from ammonia.

[mpderksen]

I, for one, didn't realize you had a blog! Could I request the link? Maybe I've been there and didn't know it was you.
Happy New Year.
Michael

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mpderksen

I, for one, didn't realize you had a blog! Could I request the link? Maybe I've been there and didn't know it was you.
Happy New Year.
Michael

It is here. Then click on the blog tab. Lots of fish disease treatment entries. Also a fair amount of stuff for Profilux.

[mpderksen]

Thanks! Never saw that tab. Even MORE help from our buddy Steve!