PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[Socalreef60]

Hi there, i recently upgraded my 5 year old 24 nano, into a 60 gallon rimless. The new tank has been running for 7 weeks now. Here is a description of my current setup, and livestock.

60 gallon marineland 24" cube.
20 gallon tall sump
CPR remora skimmer
Chaeto sump basket w 6500k light on alternating cycle
Hydor ATO system
Kessil lighting

3/4"-1.5" shallow sand bed
40 pounds live rock
Assorted softies

2 blue leg hermits
2 skunk cleaners
12 small red leg hermits
12 nerites, 5 ceriths, 5 nassarius

Currently have:
1 true percula, used to be paired a few years ago in old tank, now is a widowed female
1 sixline wrasse 1.5 inch
1 flame angel
1 blue/green chromis

Interested in adding a purple fire fish or maybe a jeferjai, other than that would there be any more capacity for fish? Any niches left i could add in the future?

Thanks !

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Socalreef60

Hi there, i recently upgraded my 5 year old 24 nano, into a 60 gallon rimless. The new tank has been running for 7 weeks now. Here is a description of my current setup, and livestock.

60 gallon marineland 24" cube.
20 gallon tall sump
CPR remora skimmer
Chaeto sump basket w 6500k light on alternating cycle
Hydor ATO system
Kessil lighting

3/4"-1.5" shallow sand bed
40 pounds live rock
Assorted softies

2 blue leg hermits
2 skunk cleaners
12 small red leg hermits
12 nerites, 5 ceriths, 5 nassarius hermits kill snails long term

Currently have:
1 true percula, used to be paired a few years ago in old tank, now is a widowed female
1 sixline wrasse 1.5 inch will be somewhat limiting
1 flame angel
1 blue/green chromis

Interested in adding a purple fire fish or maybe a jeferjai, other than that would there be any more capacity for fish? Any niches left i could add in the future?

one firefish may work (if the sixline will allow) but I never heard of a "jeferjai", do you have a real name?

Thanks !

[Tin Man]

Hi Steve,

Could you expand on "hermits kill snails long term"? I read in another thread that hermits kill for the shells. What if you keep small snail species and larger hermits with larger empty shells to accommodate growth? Would that work?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tin Man

Hi Steve,

Could you expand on "hermits kill snails long term"? I read in another thread that hermits kill for the shells. What if you keep small snail species and larger hermits with larger empty shells to accommodate growth? Would that work?

Unfortunately, empty shells do not keep them from killing snails. I always advise doing either hermits or snails (preferred) but not both

[Socalreef60]

Thanks for the input, one of my LfS mentioned just recently that the sixline would be limiting and it may be better to trade him out for a mystery or another wrasse. But I've had him for about a year, so I'm not a fan of giving up fish. May just need to gauge his behaviors, or hold off on more fish stock. As currently he doesn't act bullish and the flame angel is the dominant member of the tank currently. I've never seen a sixline in captivity more than about 2"

I suppose I may just need to buy new snails periodically, I've always thought snails and hermits were a necessity for a balanced CUC. Would you only recommend one or the other?

Oh and your going to laugh at my horrible butchering of helfrichi firefish. (Jeferjai, the locals called it heffer-jai) haha. My buddy and i used to dive in Rarotonga and collect those for the aquarium trade, and I've always considered getting one as a fancy fish for a tank, problem is they are anywhere from $75-$150 because their typically only collected wild below 125 ft, so although not rare in nature, they are in our trade.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Socalreef60

Thanks for the input, one of my LfS mentioned just recently that the sixline would be limiting and it may be better to trade him out for a mystery or another wrasse.

A mystery wrasse is equally limiting if not more so

But I've had him for about a year, so I'm not a fan of giving up fish. May just need to gauge his behaviors, or hold off on more fish stock. As currently he doesn't act bullish and the flame angel is the dominant member of the tank currently. I've never seen a sixline in captivity more than about 2"

They do not get large, however size is not all that relevant

I suppose I may just need to buy new snails periodically, I've always thought snails and hermits were a necessity for a balanced CUC. Would you only recommend one or the other?

I only do snails, although I have a large variety of them. Hermits are not essential if you have other scavengers

Oh and your going to laugh at my horrible butchering of helfrichi firefish. (Jeferjai, the locals called it heffer-jai) haha. My buddy and i used to dive in Rarotonga and collect those for the aquarium trade, and I've always considered getting one as a fancy fish for a tank, problem is they are anywhere from $75-$150 because their typically only collected wild below 125 ft, so although not rare in nature, they are in our trade.

They are sometimes available for less. Excellent fish, but like all firefish, easily intimidated.

[debincalif]

Ok, here we go!

I'm not new to saltwater aquariums, but until now I've pretty much stuck to "typical" nano-sized fish.

I just inherited a 24g JBJ and I'm running a tunze 9002, In Tank media basket, VorTech mp10wES, and retrofit Rapid LEDs. Tank has roughly 10 lb live sand and 30 lb live rock.

It's a mature tank and the previous owner had put in a ruby red dragonet (I've researched and it's not a red scooter). Hopefully there will be enough pods to maintain the little guy, because he's quite a fun character to watch.

A few snails & crabs came with the tank, and I have added a few more turbos, astreas, nassarius, and hermits.

I added a yellow clown goby this week. I've always wanted one, and picked one up for a steal at one of the nearby LFS.

Tank will be zoa-heavy with a couple other softies and some LPS.

Now as far as adding more fish...

In the past (this is my third tank) I've had ocellaris, royal gramma, midas blenny, green chromis, blue dartfish, banggai cardinal, coral beauty, yellow watchman, neon goby... I think that's it.

This time I want to add something not so run-of-the-mill. Some fish that I've looked at are other clown species, but I'm not terribly sold on any of them. I'm also looking at wrasses and basslets.

Any thoughts or suggestions??

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by debincalif

Ok, here we go!

I'm not new to saltwater aquariums, but until now I've pretty much stuck to "typical" nano-sized fish.

I just inherited a 24g JBJ and I'm running a tunze 9002, In Tank media basket, VorTech mp10wES, and retrofit Rapid LEDs. Tank has roughly 10 lb live sand and 30 lb live rock.

It's a mature tank and the previous owner had put in a ruby red dragonet (I've researched and it's not a red scooter). Hopefully there will be enough pods to maintain the little guy, because he's quite a fun character to watch.

A few snails & crabs came with the tank, and I have added a few more turbos, astreas, nassarius, and hermits.

I added a yellow clown goby this week. I've always wanted one, and picked one up for a steal at one of the nearby LFS.

Tank will be zoa-heavy with a couple other softies and some LPS.

Now as far as adding more fish...

In the past (this is my third tank) I've had ocellaris, royal gramma, midas blenny, green chromis, blue dartfish, banggai cardinal, coral beauty, yellow watchman, neon goby... I think that's it.

This time I want to add something not so run-of-the-mill. Some fish that I've looked at are other clown species, but I'm not terribly sold on any of them. I'm also looking at wrasses and basslets.

Any thoughts or suggestions??

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always happy to analyze stocking plans provided tank size is also provided. It is going to be very difficult to maintain a ruby red dragonet or any dragonet in a tank this size.

[moonyrat]

Hi there, i recently upgraded my 5 year old 29 gal, into a 65 gallon rectangular tank. The new tank has been running for 4 weeks now. Here is a description of my current setup, and livestock.


CPR remora skimmer
2x AquaSTAR 165W Dimmable LED
Hydor canister filter up to 90 gal


3/4"-1.5" shallow sand bed
75 pounds live rock
Assorted softies, zoas, palys, torch, frogspawn, some sps frags

1 crocea clam
1 gbt anemone
5 blue leg hermits
2 scarlet hermits
1 peppermint shrimp
1 emerald crab
4 nerites, 3 ceriths, 4 nassarius, 1 turbo

Currently have:
3 Darwin clown (introduced together from same batch of eggs)
1 algae blenny


Interested in adding a rose goby/pistol shrimp pair and 3 flasher wrasse (1 male 2 female), probably 1 female first

Thanks !

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by moonyrat

Hi there, i recently upgraded my 5 year old 29 gal, into a 65 gallon rectangular tank. The new tank has been running for 4 weeks now. Here is a description of my current setup, and livestock.


CPR remora skimmer
2x AquaSTAR 165W Dimmable LED
Hydor canister filter up to 90 gal


3/4"-1.5" shallow sand bed
75 pounds live rock
Assorted softies, zoas, palys, torch, frogspawn, some sps frags

1 crocea clam
1 gbt anemone
5 blue leg hermits hermits kill snails long term
2 scarlet hermits
1 peppermint shrimp
1 emerald crab can take fish once larger
4 nerites, 3 ceriths, 4 nassarius, 1 turbo

Currently have:
3 Darwin clown (introduced together from same batch of eggs) will become a pair and the third one killed eventualluy
1 algae blenny


Interested in adding a rose goby/pistol shrimp pair no problem and 3 flasher wrasse (1 male 2 female), probably 1 female first marginally ok

Thanks !

[reelredfish]

Looking for some input for my 180

Currently have the following

Pink Tail Trigger

Naso Tang

Both are about 6 to 7 inches in size currently. What would yall recommend based upon that as for I don't really want to make on the spot purchases if you know what I mean.

[debincalif]

Originally Posted by snorvich

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. However I am always happy to analyze stocking plans provided tank size is also provided. It is going to be very difficult to maintain a ruby red dragonet or any dragonet in a tank this size.

Ah, yes, I do remember now that you don't make suggestions. I'm aware that the dragonet will be a challenge, but he came with the tank. If I can catch him, I may sell him to a reef club member or back to the LFS.

Back to my stocking questions -
24g JBJ and I'm running a tunze 9002, In Tank media basket, VorTech mp10wES, and retrofit Rapid LEDs. Tank has roughly 10 lb live sand and 30 lb live rock

I have the dragonet and a yellow clown goby, plus clean up crew.

I was thinking about adding a black cap basslet or strawberry dottyback; however, I don't know what could be added along with them (I'd like to add two fish to the system). Would a black ocellaris hold its own, or would that be trouble from the start? What about a yellow assessor or midas blenny?

[fodder]

Thanks so much for doing this!!

New (to me) 70gal 36x18x25 tank with 20 gal sump, skimmer, uv, 80lbs live rock and just finished the cycle.

Stocking plan:
4 Banggai Cardinals
1 Bi-color angel (also keeping mushrooms, zoas and other softies, i think this will be ok)
1 blue-spot goby, or similar

That is it so far. I would also like something (if possible) that will move about the water column, but my heart is not set on anything at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reelredfish

Looking for some input for my 180

Currently have the following

Pink Tail Trigger

Naso Tang

Both are about 6 to 7 inches in size currently. What would yall recommend based upon that as for I don't really want to make on the spot purchases if you know what I mean.

As those who follow this thread know, I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons. This thread is only answered by Reef Central Staff so if you want general opinions, create a post for the Aggressive Fish Forum.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by fodder

Thanks so much for doing this!!

New (to me) 70gal 36x18x25 tank with 20 gal sump, skimmer, uv, 80lbs live rock and just finished the cycle.

Stocking plan:
4 Banggai Cardinals only a male/female pair will make it long term
1 Bi-color angel (also keeping mushrooms, zoas and other softies, i think this will be ok)
1 blue-spot goby, or similar

That is it so far. I would also like something (if possible) that will move about the water column, but my heart is not set on anything at the moment.

Thanks for the feedback.

feel free to check back for analysis with any plan changes

[reelredfish]

Ok sorry thought that what the entire post was about...my bad then why is there 535 pages on here?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reelredfish

Ok sorry thought that what the entire post was about...my bad then why is there 535 pages on here?

In this thread, I provide analysis of behavior and environment for the planned stocking of marine fish hence the tag "marine fish compatibility". I do not provide recommendations for a variety of reasons, not the least of which include taste, budget, availability, source, and because I want folks to develop research skills on what will work. There are so many pages (about 600,000 views) because this is a very popular subject. I have been answering this tread now for about five years.

[Whiterabbitrage]

Hi Steve,
Was wondering about Leopard wrasses. I read there needs to be three, as they do not do well alone. Do all three have to be the same species? Just wondering. A mix would be nice. Alternatively
I'm thinking three small Macropharyngodon bipartitus, hopefully one will turn male. Or is it better to get one known male and two juveniles?
Would these get along with a C. Lineatus? And would both get along with a C. Labouti? I've read mixing fairies is a bad idea, but I've seen so many people do it. I want a 100% peaceful tank. Are two fairies going to fight?

Thanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Whiterabbitrage

Hi Steve,
Was wondering about Leopard wrasses. I read there needs to be three, as they do not do well alone.

Leopard wrasses do fine by themselves. They do not do fine with mandarins however as the mandarins tend to lose out

Do all three have to be the same species? Just wondering. A mix would be nice. Alternatively
I'm thinking three small Macropharyngodon bipartitus, hopefully one will turn male. Or is it better to get one known male and two juveniles?

In normal sized aquaria two males do not mix well but females are fine. You can have females of the same species or different species but only one male.

Would these get along with a C. Lineatus? And would both get along with a C. Labouti? I've read mixing fairies is a bad idea, but I've seen so many people do it. I want a 100% peaceful tank. Are two fairies going to fight?

I have mixed fairy wrasses but I have largish tanks. Depending on species, they usually do fine. I always use an acclimation box in order to socially acclimate them. Normal quarantine processes apply, howoever.

Thanks.

[iced98lx]

Hi Steve, thanks again for all your help!

180 Gallon Mixed Reef

Current Inhabitants:

2 Red Saddled Anthias
4 Princess Anthias

1 More Princess EnRoute

Inhabitants to be added from existing tank:

2 Black Ocellaris Clowns
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp


Potential Additions:
5 Yellowstriped Cardinalfish
1 Yasha Goby
1 Shrimp to go with Above Goby
1 Blue Gudgeon Dartfish
1 Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse
1 Black Cap Basslet
1 Purple Tang


Thanks Steve!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by iced98lx

Hi Steve, thanks again for all your help!

180 Gallon Mixed Reef

Current Inhabitants:

2 Red Saddled Anthias
4 Princess Anthias

1 More Princess EnRoute

Inhabitants to be added from existing tank:

2 Black Ocellaris Clowns
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp


Potential Additions:
5 Yellowstriped Cardinalfish
1 Yasha Goby
1 Shrimp to go with Above Goby
1 Blue Gudgeon Dartfish
1 Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse
1 Black Cap Basslet
1 Purple Tang

No issues that I can see. If you are thinking a group of cardinal fish, you should at least consider apogon parvulus.


Thanks Steve!

[water is wet]

Was wondering if you know anything about the canary deep water damsel?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...31&pcatid=1131

i recently moved and sold off all my livestock from a 450g. I really like the way they look and am hoping they will work with my list most of which I had when it was previously up and running.

Flame angel trio
Multicolor Angel trio
Yellowhead pearly jawfish pair keep only one previously
Five royal grammas had a trio. I don't know why more people don't keep at least 2 of them.
Lyretail Anthias 9
Dispar Anthias 12
Maybe a few sunburst anthias or resplendents not sure
Starcki damsel trio
8-10 yellowtail damsel? Didn't have before
3-5 Azure damsel? Same as above
Pair of Kaudern Cardinalfish pair
Midas blenny
Maybe a Mandarin

Thanks

[iced98lx]

I would very much like to try those cardinals but they don't show up too often at wholesalers.

[reelredfish]

Sorry you just made a recomendation.

[moonyrat]

How about add a boxer shrimp
A anemone crab
2 sexy shrimp?