PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[reef er]

I have a 6 month old 29 gallon biocube.
I have
2 ocellaris clowns
1 lawnmower blenny
1 blue hippo tang
1 mandarrin
one blue top, yellow bottom damsel
Asst corals such as
Dendrophyllia, sun coral, mushrooms, duncans, chile, pulsing xenia, 4 different Acans and a orange linkia starfish, along with about 10 snails and 1 mean hermit crab.
My dendros, duncans, and chile are doing well. My 4 Acans are thriving and so are the fish. My clowns don't touch my bubble tip. My only real problem so far is red slime on the sand a lot of algae on the glass.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reef er

I have a 6 month old 29 gallon biocube.
I have
2 ocellaris clowns
1 lawnmower blenny
1 blue hippo tang
1 mandarrin
one blue top, yellow bottom damsel
Asst corals such as
Dendrophyllia, sun coral, mushrooms, duncans, chile, pulsing xenia, 4 different Acans and a orange linkia starfish, along with about 10 snails and 1 mean hermit crab.
My dendros, duncans, and chile are doing well. My 4 Acans are thriving and so are the fish. My clowns don't touch my bubble tip. My only real problem so far is red slime on the sand a lot of algae on the glass.

The RC recommendation for a Hepatus Tang is 240 gallons in an 8 foot tank. Mandarins are unlikely to be sustainable long term in that sized tank. The star fish will starve in a 29 gallon tank. And your bioload is probably in excess of what your tank filtration can sustain. Sorry for all the bad news, but it is what it is.

[GunkGunk]

Hi maybe you could help me out. I'm relatively new to saltwater/reef aquaria. I currently have a 46g bowfront reef tank. I started with BRS reef saver and pukani rock (about 50/50 split, all base rock) maybe around 50 lbs. It's growing corraline in spots now. Tank has been up for about 7-8 months now including cycling time. I also have a 20-23g or so sump with a refugium with DSB and chaeto and also SWC 120 protein skimmer. There's a ton of amphipods in the sump that you can see darting around although I've only seen one in the display tank. Also in the display, when a get the slightest algae growth on the glass I can see tiny white little specs on it and they move all over the place. Are these copepods? I've never added them in but figure they must have come off a piece of live rock that my mushroom corals came on (6-7 small-medium discosomas on a small live rock). Only other coral is a kryptonite trumpet frag with 5 heads and a frogspawn frag that is about small size compared to the ones that I've seen.

I currently have had in this tank since it was done cycling 2 occ. clowns and a small yellow eyed kole tang. I thought to stay away from tangs in this size tank but the LFS reef store I go to told me he will help control algae which he does and the fish has been doing great since I got him as are the clowns. The clowns don't seem to venture out much, just kind of hang around in there area although they do swim the tank daily and the kole tang is all over the tank in and out of the rocks. I will move him when he gets too big. I tried a banggai after a few months and it never ate the frozen baby brine and died after 4 days. Unfortunately because of work I couldn't get to the LFS to get some garlic xtreme and vita chem which I didn't know I needed until it was too late. So I got the garlic xtreme and the vita chem and about six weeks later tried another banggai and was sure to pick one that was eating. He ate great for 3 days and then one day he wouldn't take anything at all I lost him too. I'm not going to try them again as I've read so many stories about they survivability I'm afraid too.

I also have a clean up crew of about 10 small hermits, 5 astrea, 4 ceriths, and an emerald crab.

I'm completely open as to what else I could/should add to my tank as I don't trust myself at this point to pick compatible species and not too sure about lfs advice now also. I was thinking maybe a sixline wrasse and some type of goby and maybe a fire shrimp or 2 but like I said I just want the tank to get along well ultimately. Any ideas? Sorry for the long winded post too

[crouch36]

Hi Steve,
I have a healthy 8 month old 4ft 75 (see sig.) stocked with:
from earliest to most recent-

large snail CUC, assorted.
pair of ocellaris (who don't venture far from their cave)
yasha goby/randall shrimp
male mccoskers flasher wrasse
4 blue-green chromis (surprisingly never seem to fight, but waiting for the inevitable)
blue mandarin (fattening up, as fuge is pod factory)

Ideally, I'd like to add another fish: possibly a juvi/small yellow tang, or bristletooth tomini, but didn't know if that would overdo the bioload... Originally I had my heart set on a Regal Angel, but after reviewing 60 some pages on the Regal thread, it seems they require a bit more space. Thoughts?

[bfoleyiii]

Tank is a 4' 90g. We currently have a ywg/tiger pistol, purple firefish, yellow "coris" wrasse, True Perc Clown, and a mandarin. The tank has been running just shy of a year now, and outside my slackness over the holidays allowing hair algae to take hold the fish and corals seem to be fine.
We are looking at the possiblility of adding a Kole Tang or maybe a White tail Bristle Tooth Tang and either two or three Anthias or Flasher Wrasse. We would rather the fish we add be the White tail Bristle tooth if we can find one when we return from vactaion in early March and the Anthias but we wanted to check what you all thought about compatability.

We would most likely rehome the single clown to a tank my wife would like to set up and the later look to add two clowns to the 90g, so I am thinking that may help some with most agression. I have seen some minimal posturing between the YWG and the Wrasse, but I think this is more the Goby looking to defend the shrimp during feeding when the wrasse swims by. We prefer the coloring of the Anthias over the flasher wrasse and would like to go with the Carberryi Anthias. The Carberryi are listed as semi-agressive and I am worried about the Firefish. We recently took a chance on a Yellow Tang and ended up taking in to the LFS because he just wouldn't leave the firefish alone (everyone else was fine, but if the firefish poked her head out for even a moment the tang was darting over). We could also look at the Dispar Anthias I just prefer the coloring on the Caberryi. From what I have read both the Anthias and the Flashers should both be fine with any of our current fish and have similar feeding needs. Since I'm a stay at home dad for at least the next nine months, until our youngest starts school, a little extra time during the day for feeding is certainly doable. It really just comes down to if the tank can support the additional bio load and if the fish should all get along.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by GunkGunk

Hi maybe you could help me out. I'm relatively new to saltwater/reef aquaria. I currently have a 46g bowfront reef tank. I started with BRS reef saver and pukani rock (about 50/50 split, all base rock) maybe around 50 lbs. It's growing corraline in spots now. Tank has been up for about 7-8 months now including cycling time. I also have a 20-23g or so sump with a refugium with DSB and chaeto and also SWC 120 protein skimmer. There's a ton of amphipods in the sump that you can see darting around although I've only seen one in the display tank. Also in the display, when a get the slightest algae growth on the glass I can see tiny white little specs on it and they move all over the place. Are these copepods? I've never added them in but figure they must have come off a piece of live rock that my mushroom corals came on (6-7 small-medium discosomas on a small live rock). Only other coral is a kryptonite trumpet frag with 5 heads and a frogspawn frag that is about small size compared to the ones that I've seen.

I currently have had in this tank since it was done cycling 2 occ. clowns and a small yellow eyed kole tang. I thought to stay away from tangs in this size tank but the LFS reef store I go to told me he will help control algae which he does and the fish has been doing great since I got him as are the clowns.

Well, LFS sell fish, I would be skeptical if they recommend tangs of any sort for your sized tank.

The clowns don't seem to venture out much, just kind of hang around in there area although they do swim the tank daily and the kole tang is all over the tank in and out of the rocks. I will move him when he gets too big. I tried a banggai after a few months and it never ate the frozen baby brine and died after 4 days.

First, brine shrimp will be insufficient nutrition and secondly with Banggai, it is important to get tank bred rather than wild caught. Tank bred should do fine

Unfortunately because of work I couldn't get to the LFS to get some garlic xtreme and vita chem which I didn't know I needed until it was too late. So I got the garlic xtreme and the vita chem and about six weeks later tried another banggai and was sure to pick one that was eating. He ate great for 3 days and then one day he wouldn't take anything at all I lost him too. I'm not going to try them again as I've read so many stories about they survivability I'm afraid too.

I also have a clean up crew of about 10 small hermits, 5 astrea, 4 ceriths, and an emerald crab.

I'm completely open as to what else I could/should add to my tank as I don't trust myself at this point to pick compatible species and not too sure about lfs advice now also. I was thinking maybe a sixline wrasse

Sixline wrasses can be a pain as they are very aggressive. Shrimp goby pair would be fine. I don't really do recommendations but would be happy to comment on any perspective additions before you buy them.

and some type of goby and maybe a fire shrimp or 2 but like I said I just want the tank to get along well ultimately. Any ideas? Sorry for the long winded post too

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by crouch36

Hi Steve,
I have a healthy 8 month old 4ft 75 (see sig.) stocked with:
from earliest to most recent-

large snail CUC, assorted.
pair of ocellaris (who don't venture far from their cave)
yasha goby/randall shrimp
male mccoskers flasher wrasse
4 blue-green chromis (surprisingly never seem to fight, but waiting for the inevitable)

You could get lucky but that very rarely happens, more often you end with one

blue mandarin (fattening up, as fuge is pod factory)

Ideally, I'd like to add another fish: possibly a juvi/small yellow tang, or bristletooth tomini, but didn't know if that would overdo the bioload...

The bristletooth should do fine

Originally I had my heart set on a Regal Angel, but after reviewing 60 some pages on the Regal thread, it seems they require a bit more space. Thoughts?

Regal angels should really have a larger tank that is mature. These fish are difficult, with greatest success coming from Red Sea Regals. I would say success rate is about 50% (my guess)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bfoleyiii

Tank is a 4' 90g. We currently have a ywg/tiger pistol, purple firefish, yellow "coris" wrasse, True Perc Clown, and a mandarin. The tank has been running just shy of a year now, and outside my slackness over the holidays allowing hair algae to take hold the fish and corals seem to be fine.
We are looking at the possiblility of adding a Kole Tang or maybe a White tail Bristle Tooth Tang and either two or three Anthias or Flasher Wrasse. We would rather the fish we add be the White tail Bristle tooth if we can find one when we return from vactaion in early March and the Anthias but we wanted to check what you all thought about compatability.

Either tang should be fine. For anthias, be sure to pick from among the peaceful anthias that do not require many feedings per day. Resplendant and Carberryi come to mind as examples


We would most likely rehome the single clown to a tank my wife would like to set up and the later look to add two clowns to the 90g, so I am thinking that may help some with most agression.

Be careful about having a highly aggressive pair of clowns such as GSM clowns unless you put them in a tank by themselves. Actually a species tank with these is very interesting.

I have seen some minimal posturing between the YWG and the Wrasse, but I think this is more the Goby looking to defend the shrimp during feeding when the wrasse swims by.

Normal, but not a concern

We prefer the coloring of the Anthias over the flasher wrasse and would like to go with the Carberryi Anthias. The Carberryi are listed as semi-agressive and I am worried about the Firefish.

I have a group of 12 in one of my tanks. Highly recommended with no issues of aggression. Carberryi are actually peaceful with mild aggression only among themselves if you have two males

We recently took a chance on a Yellow Tang and ended up taking in to the LFS because he just wouldn't leave the firefish alone (everyone else was fine, but if the firefish poked her head out for even a moment the tang was darting over).

Personally I avoid recommending zebrasome family tangs as they can be really aggressive

We could also look at the Dispar Anthias I just prefer the coloring on the Caberryi. From what I have read both the Anthias and the Flashers should both be fine with any of our current fish and have similar feeding needs. Since I'm a stay at home dad for at least the next nine months, until our youngest starts school, a little extra time during the day for feeding is certainly doable.

I feed my anthias twice a day. PE mysis, frozen cyclopeeze, nutramar ova, capelin fish roe (masago) But even if you were working, it is not too difficult to handle two feedings.

It really just comes down to if the tank can support the additional bio load and if the fish should all get along.

Be sure to quarantine, especially any tangs added. If you get anthias, have prazipro available in case of flukes. It is easy, reef safe, and effective

[xxmurrxx]

Wondering if adding a yellow clown goby would be ok with my setup.

Biocube 29, plenty of LR, Running for over a year, no sign of nitrate,ite,ammonia since the cycle.

-X2 Clownfish black perc (Since the cycle was over)
-Flame Hawkfish (Newly introduced, small as of now)

The goby would be the last fish I put in, Also wondering about emerald crabs with the flame hawkfish? Any experience with that combo?

Thanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by xxmurrxx

Wondering if adding a yellow clown goby would be ok with my setup.

Biocube 29, plenty of LR, Running for over a year, no sign of nitrate,ite,ammonia since the cycle.

-X2 Clownfish black perc (Since the cycle was over)
-Flame Hawkfish (Newly introduced, small as of now)

The goby would be the last fish I put in, Also wondering about emerald crabs with the flame hawkfish? Any experience with that combo?

Red flame hawks are ambush predators, and once large enough may try to eat your clown goby.

Emerald crabs would be safe from a red flame hawkfish, but crabs are opportunistic feeders and I do not recommend them.


Thanks.

[snowguy2012]

I have a nano cube 12 gallons no sump there is an overflow and for my filtration I have live rock a skimmer and a power filter I plan on buying two Ocellaris Clownfish

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by snowguy2012

I have a nano cube 12 gallons no sump there is an overflow and for my filtration I have live rock a skimmer and a power filter I plan on buying two Ocellaris Clownfish

Marginal at best. A pair of clowns really need a larger tank. You might look at firefish or shrimp goby pairs.

[indyjaco]

Here is my initial list:

2 clowns
1 firefish
1 Yellow Prawn Goby

Would this work in a BC29 with 20 lbs of live sand and live rock? There will be places for the fish to hide if necessary.

Originally Posted by snorvich

I think that would be fine. If possible, add the firefish first

Here is my revised list:

1 Firefish has been added on Saturday
2 Clowns possibly this weekend.

After watching the firefish hide the whole times its been in the tank for last 4 days I would rather have a fish that won't be on the bottom all the time. Would a Chromis or Blue Damsel work in my tank with the combination? If you have another recommendation, I am all ears.

Thanks.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by indyjaco

Here is my initial list:

2 clowns
1 firefish
1 Yellow Prawn Goby

Would this work in a BC29 with 20 lbs of live sand and live rock? There will be places for the fish to hide if necessary.



Here is my revised list:

1 Firefish has been added on Saturday
2 Clowns possibly this weekend.

After watching the firefish hide the whole times its been in the tank for last 4 days I would rather have a fish that won't be on the bottom all the time. Would a Chromis or Blue Damsel work in my tank with the combination? If you have another recommendation, I am all ears.

Thanks.

The firefish should become less shy over time unless another fish harasses it. Clownfish are damsels and will be aggressive once sexually mature. I would not add others damsels (chromis and damsels are both aggressive)

[indyjaco]

Originally Posted by snorvich

The firefish should become less shy over time unless another fish harasses it. Clownfish are damsels and will be aggressive once sexually mature. I would not add others damsels (chromis and damsels are both aggressive)

Thanks again.

Do you have any fish suggestions besides a Chromis or Damselfish? If a YWG is more active then a firefish then I would be fine with one of those.

Thanks again for all your insight to my questions. I feel like any LFS will just tell me whatever to get me out of there and to buy a fish.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by indyjaco

Thanks again.

Do you have any fish suggestions besides a Chromis or Damselfish? If a YWG is more active then a firefish then I would be fine with one of those.

Thanks again for all your insight to my questions. I feel like any LFS will just tell me whatever to get me out of there and to buy a fish.

Any goby pistol shrimp combination will be active, but will not present in the water column. You might look at dwarf angels (although they are not reef safe) for a fish in the water column. Yes, LFS just sell fish whether or not it meets the needs/environment of the purchaser. There are exceptions to that, but unfortunately, they are very rare. Always best to research before purchase IMO.

[BrklynArch]

Can this combo work?
4x2x2 tank with 2 small ocellaris clowns currently was gunna place an order for these guys but wanted to check here first.....clowns have been in the tank for @ 3 weeks

4-bartlets anthias
1-Scissortail dart fish
1-Royal gramma basslet
5- black axil cromis
1-Bicolor dotty back
3- kaunderns cardinals
2- fire fish

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BrklynArch

Can this combo work?
4x2x2 tank with 2 small ocellaris clowns currently was gunna place an order for these guys but wanted to check here first.....clowns have been in the tank for @ 3 weeks

4-bartlets anthias I would suggest a different species
1-Scissortail dart fish
1-Royal gramma basslet
5- black axil cromis Will winnow down to one or two
1-Bicolor dotty back Will preclude firefish and royal gramma as they are very aggressive
3- kaunderns cardinals Only two and must be a male plus female
2- fire fish If you have two must be a male plus female

[ccreviston74]

39 Gallon Cadlights signature. I have two smallish ORA Misbar Occ. clowns in a hospital/quarantine tank now. The were in the DT, and had signs of disease so I pulled them out for treatment. Larger one had what looked like a wound on the gill plate, and was rubbing up against things, and the smaller came up with whitish dust/cloudy eyes a couple days later. Treating with Rid-Ich, then will do hypo for a month. Both seem to be much better, now on day 5 of treatment.

The larger one is about 2", smaller 1.5". They seem to be well into the pairing-off process - bullying, shivering, etc - but still close to each other most times. I want to get in 2-3 more smallish fish, and I'm concerned about their potential aggression as they mature. The candidates I have in mind are: Royal Gramma; Canary Blenny; Tailspot Blenny; Clown Goby; Shrimp Goby (probably Yellow Watchman). Would like 1-2 more in the water column, and one bottom dweller. Any thoughts on those candidates with the clown pair? If I get them in before the clowns mature, will they be okay? Should I consider just one clown, if I want other fish? Didn't realize Occ. Clowns would be as much of an aggression problem when I bought them.

Thanks in advance for the guidance.

[CountryBoy72]

ORA Red Mandarin(once the tank is well established, eats frozen shrimp/bloodworms. Hoping)
2-4 Cardinal fish
Starry Blenny
B/W Percula Clownfish
True Percula Clownfish
Long Nose Hawkfish
Kole Tang

Researching an looking for a nice variety. An this looks like a start.
How many fish can be put into a 110G tank(w/ 35G Sump ) 48Lx18Dx30H ?

[rogermccray]

I have a Bowfront tank (i'm not sure of the actually gallons, it's is 72" in length, 30" deep, and 18"-24" in width) and was thinking of putting four lyretail anthias in there because I love the colors of them. I would start with four females and watch the transition of one into a male. I always read that you dislike lyretails but you can you give a little explanation as to why this is...

Current stock list
Occ clown
lawnmower blenny
yellow tang
hippo tang (i know i know....)
sixline wrasse (he will eventually get another home but working on flatworms at the moment)

I know that I did not introduce this in the best order...

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ccreviston74

39 Gallon Cadlights signature. I have two smallish ORA Misbar Occ. clowns in a hospital/quarantine tank now. The were in the DT, and had signs of disease so I pulled them out for treatment. Larger one had what looked like a wound on the gill plate, and was rubbing up against things, and the smaller came up with whitish dust/cloudy eyes a couple days later. Treating with Rid-Ich, then will do hypo for a month. Both seem to be much better, now on day 5 of treatment.

Rid Ich is snake oil and has no real value. However this thread is not about treating disease/parasites. Also know that hypo is the most difficult to do properly for the average aquarist.

The larger one is about 2", smaller 1.5". They seem to be well into the pairing-off process - bullying, shivering, etc - but still close to each other most times. I want to get in 2-3 more smallish fish, and I'm concerned about their potential aggression as they mature. The candidates I have in mind are: Royal Gramma; Canary Blenny; Tailspot Blenny; Clown Goby; Shrimp Goby (probably Yellow Watchman).

Wait until you display tank and its fish are healthy for 3 months and be sure to quarantine all fish going forward. Two blennies is not likely to work. Otherwise, fine.

Would like 1-2 more in the water column, and one bottom dweller. Any thoughts on those candidates with the clown pair? If I get them in before the clowns mature, will they be okay? Should I consider just one clown, if I want other fish? Didn't realize Occ. Clowns would be as much of an aggression problem when I bought them.

Your species of clown will want to control 25 gallons of tank space once they are breeding. In a small tank, clowns tend to make other choices much more difficult.

Thanks in advance for the guidance.

I hope this helps.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by CountryBoy72

ORA Red Mandarin(once the tank is well established, eats frozen shrimp/bloodworms. Hoping)

In your sized tank, once it is about 7 months mature, there will be sufficient copepods for a mandarin. ORA mandarins have mixed reports. Consider healthy wild caught as well.

2-4 Cardinal fish If Banggai, can be at most a pair, and then if male plus female only
Starry Blenny
B/W Percula Clownfish
True Percula Clownfish
Long Nose Hawkfish Precludes shrimp and very small fish
Kole Tang

Researching an looking for a nice variety. An this looks like a start.
How many fish can be put into a 110G tank(w/ 35G Sump ) 48Lx18Dx30H ?

I don't really give suggestions but any selections will receive compatibility comments. Except as noted, your list is fine

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by rogermccray

I have a Bowfront tank (i'm not sure of the actually gallons, it's is 72" in length, 30" deep, and 18"-24" in width) and was thinking of putting four lyretail anthias in there because I love the colors of them. I would start with four females and watch the transition of one into a male. I always read that you dislike lyretails but you can you give a little explanation as to why this is...

I tend to recommend anthias that are peaceful as opposed to semiaggressive, easy to care for, and do not all become males. As such, I tend to recommend resplendent or carberryi for those new to keeping anthias

Current stock list
Occ clown
lawnmower blenny
yellow tang
hippo tang (i know i know....) Will outgrow your tank and become aggressive. Can you really picture a fish that is one foot long in your tank?
sixline wrasse (he will eventually get another home but working on flatworms at the moment)

Good luck getting him out. Most thread I see on this fish are asking for advice how to catch him

I know that I did not introduce this in the best order...

[rogermccray]

Thank you for the expanded explanation and your other advice, I have been mulling both of the other situations over as well.

I believe that you recommend Carberryi or Resplendent, do either of these have significant color transformations from female to male? I am very interested in observing this.