PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by joshbrookkate

I am looking for some colour in my 75g tank.
It's been running for 9+ months. Things are going well. I have some macro algae that I am working to take care of by manual removal. No GFO yet as I am starting to manually dose Cal and Alk for my corals. (Testing and manually dosing to bring up #'s then will auto dose if needed.) I want to do one thing at a time. Once I get the Alk and Cal where they need to be I'll add the GFO to deal with the nitrates. (I used RO water for the first 5 months. Now using RODI but phosphates are probably going to take time to release from the rock. I'm being patient and learning and implementing each process slowly and one at a time.)

In the meantime, I would like to add to the 2 ocellaris clowns (that are breeding). I have a chromis, too, but I'm hoping to re-home him. I love the colours of the foxface and liveaquaria notes them as peaceful.

I have a 10g QT tank set up. So the fish would not be added to the DT for at least 4 weeks. Is that a big enough tank size for him? I have a 15g I could get up and running.

Is this a good choice of fish for me? Is my timing ok, with the issues I am working on in this newer tank?

Thanks for your advice. Sorry for the long winded post. This is my first planned fish purchase! (The clowns came with the tank.)

Assuming your tank has some algae growth, the foxface would be a good fish behaviorally. As for QT, the 15 gallon for sure would work.

[mmittlesteadt]

Nowhere near ready to select fish...don't even have the tank filled with water so I'm a long way off. But I'm thinking ahead here. I am in no rush and any fish I select when I am ready, will be added slowly, over time.

My family wants at least one larger "feature" fish for the tank. I realize the tank is not that large so I'm not looking to put Tangs in it. LOL. I have a 40 gallon breeder with a 65 gallon sump for a total water volume (combined) of roughly 70 gallons, with a 20 gallon section in the sump for a refugium. The display will be easy to keep soft corals with just a few fish (not sure how much I can go with stocking fish yet). I will have a 20 gallon QT tank.

I'm wondering if any of the smaller angels will be a good choice for a main feature fish. I will only have one of these if they would make a good choice or not.

Flame angel
Lemonpeel
Coral Beauty

Other fish I want to have, but have not decided on yet (and I'm not meaning I want all of them...still trying to decide)...

Percula or Ocellaris Clownfish (one or a pair)?
Firefish
Chromis (how many?)
Cardinalfish (Pajama, Banggai...how many,each, together?)

I also want some kind of mostly bottom dwelling fish. I'd love to have a Mandarin (who wouldn't?) but I realize with my tank size (and even with a refugium where I could get a fairly good pod colony established, it's probably not a wise choice). So what would be a good selection instead of a Mandarin?

Variety of Blenny(s). One only...more?

This is not a comprehensive list by any means and I do not want to overstock my tank so I'm just throwing these ideas out there to see what is compatible with a soft coral reef and with each other, given my tank size.

Any suggestions or recommendations by those of you with far more knowledge and experience would be greatly appreciated. I don't have my heart set on any (except for the clownfish) and I want what's best for the fish and coral.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Nowhere near ready to select fish...don't even have the tank filled with water so I'm a long way off. But I'm thinking ahead here.

My family wants at least one larger "feature" fish for the tank. I realize the tank is not that large so I'm not looking to put Tangs in it. LOL. I have a 40 gallon breeder with a 65 gallon sump for a total water volume (combined) of roughly 70 gallons, with a 20 gallon section in the sump for a refugium. The display will be easy to keep soft corals with just a few fish (not sure how much I can go with stocking fish yet). I will have a 20 gallon QT tank.

I'm wondering if any of the smaller angels will be a good choice for a main feature fish. I will only have one of these if they would make a good choice or not. The problem with any of the dwarf angels is that they are algae grazers and the tank you have would not be sufficient.

Flame angel
Lemonpeel
Coral Beauty

Other fish I want to have, but have not decided on yet (and I'm not meaning I want all of them...still trying to decide)...

Percula or Ocellaris Clownfish (one or a pair)? One or a pair are behaviorally equivalent long term
Firefish excellent
Chromis (how many?) zero in my opinion
Cardinalfish (Pajama, Banggai...how many,each, together?) A pair would work

I also want some kind of mostly bottom dwelling fish. I'd love to have a Mandarin (who wouldn't?) but I realize with my tank size (and even with a refugium where I could get a fairly good pod colony established, it's probably not a wise choice). So what would be a good selection instead of a Mandarin?

Variety of Blenny(s). One only...more? one would be fine

This is not a comprehensive list by any means and I do not want to overstock my tank so I'm just throwing these ideas out there to see what is compatible with a soft coral reef and with each other, given my tank size.

Any suggestions or recommendations by those of you with far more knowledge and experience would be greatly appreciated. I don't have my heart set on any (except for the clownfish) and I want what's best for the fish and coral.

If you develop a more comprehensive list, feel free to check back. This thread, however will be temporarily closed for about 5 days due to my planned absence.

[mmittlesteadt]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I wasn't sure on the dwarf angels. Is there another larger feature fish that could work?

Are the Chromis too...hmm aggressive, like the way Damsels can be? Are they a Damsel?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I wasn't sure on the dwarf angels. Is there another larger feature fish that could work?

Highly subjective question. Tank size and fish behavior are the limiting factors.

Are the Chromis too...hmm aggressive, like the way Damsels can be? Are they a Damsel?

Chromis are damsels. I am reluctant to recommend chromis at this time due to their high propensity for the parasite uronema marinum.

[BrianD]

Steve will be unable to respond to posts for the next several days. Out of respect to Steve and his efforts on this thread, we will close this thread until he returns. Feel free to start a thread for whatever fish choice questions you may have and I am sure our helpful community will give good counsel. Thank you, and thank you to Steve for the incredible efforts put forth on this thread.

[BrianD]

He's baaaaaackkkkk......

[lilyep125]

I am in the process of upgrading my 55g reef to a 220g reef. Currently have a pair of clowns, coral beauty, juvi yellow tang ( less than 2'') and juvi hippo (less than 1.5''). In my 220g i would like:

everything I have already listed
fox face rabbitfish
emperor angel- I am aware that they may not be reef safe
couple wrasses maybe 6 line and flasher?
powder blue tang
small school of chromis, anthias, or cardinals-3-5 maybe?
flame angel

I am unsure of how to move the ones I have and get new ones in the correct order of aggression. Unless this isnt as big of an issue in a larger tank? any input is welcome

[Deep Reef]

Steve, I currently have a ywg/ shrimp pair in my 120g DT. I was thinking of getting a diamond goby or a similar sand sifter to assist in cleaning my sand. Would this be an issue?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by lilyep125

I am in the process of upgrading my 55g reef to a 220g reef. Currently have a pair of clowns, coral beauty, juvi yellow tang ( less than 2'') and juvi hippo (less than 1.5''). In my 220g i would like:

everything I have already listed
fox face rabbitfish
emperor angel- I am aware that they may not be reef safe The coral beauty is not really reef safe; If there is insufficient algae, a P. hepatus can be less that reef safe
couple wrasses maybe 6 line and flasher? If you are considering fairy and flasher wrasses, avoid the six line
powder blue tang An established yellow tank may prove hostile
small school of chromis, anthias, or cardinals-3-5 maybe? anthias are excellent but require multiple feedings; I do not advocate chromis because they will reduce their number to one over time and they are highly susceptible to uronema; cardinals may initially shoal but then will pair off
flame angel not reef safe

I am unsure of how to move the ones I have and get new ones in the correct order of aggression. Unless this isnt as big of an issue in a larger tank? any input is welcome

larger tanks are always better for diffusing aggression especially for those that occupy the same ecological niche (algae grazers in your case); however the general rule is most aggressive last. Ideally an acclimation box will reduce introduction issues.

[enzo0000]

Originally Posted by enzo0000

Lyretail Anthias would like about 6, 1 male. may end up with multiple males

would that be a bad thing?

Other species e.g. resplendant or carberryi have less tendency to do so. Males will squabble, especially without a harem of females to herd


2 Yellowheaded jawfish (or 4) assumes a sand bed that will work

No corals in the sand, all on shelf rock. Only rocks in the middle of the tank with shelf bridges. it will be complete 180 degree swim around tank. 2-3 " sand bed

My original post was last week. Would like to ask another question about the anthias, Would dispar anthias be ok? Looking for a group of fish that are not aggressive and will shoal/school? Do i add them all at the same time? I do QT my fish and don't know if a 10g tank will be big enough for all 6 for 6 weeks. Can I do 3, then 3 at another time?

Cheers

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by enzo0000

My original post was last week. Would like to ask another question about the anthias, Would dispar anthias be ok? Looking for a group of fish that are not aggressive and will shoal/school? Do i add them all at the same time? I do QT my fish and don't know if a 10g tank will be big enough for all 6 for 6 weeks. Can I do 3, then 3 at another time?

Cheers

Dispar would be fine and if possible you want one male and the rest females. I would QT together but 10g would be pushing it. So I would do 3 then 3 as you suggest. Asking additional questions is encouraged as that is what this thread is designed for.

[DrBoxedWine]

Hi Steve, I have a 75g mixed reef with 30g sump with the following stock list:

2 Occ Clowns
Flame Hawk
Bicolor Blenny
Firefish

I plan to add a Kole tang in the near future, and i'm wondering if you think a Coral Beauty would work here too. I used to have a one spot foxface in the tank, and you said the 3 grazers would be too much for the tank. I had to rehome the foxface last week as he developed a taste for Zoas (He also was getting big FAST and I knew rehoming was coming sooner than later anyway).

Without the foxface, would those two work together?

How much Noori would I have to add with just the Kole tang?

How much Noori would I have to add with the Kole and a Coral Beauty?

Thanks in advance!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

Hi Steve, I have a 75g mixed reef with 30g sump with the following stock list:

2 Occ Clowns
Flame Hawk
Bicolor Blenny
Firefish

I plan to add a Kole tang in the near future, and i'm wondering if you think a Coral Beauty would work here too. I used to have a one spot foxface in the tank, and you said the 3 grazers would be too much for the tank. I had to rehome the foxface last week as he developed a taste for Zoas (He also was getting big FAST and I knew rehoming was coming sooner than later anyway). He was not getting sufficient nutrition and when hungry they will go after the zooxanthellae in corals especially zoanthids. Any algae grazer if hungry will start going after zooxanthellae which is why I am so anal about recommending proper tank sizes for algae grazers.

Without the foxface, would those two work together? Highly marginal, but perhaps. Same issue is possible with any dwarf angel.

How much Noori would I have to add with just the Kole tang? how mature is the tank?

How much Noori would I have to add with the Kole and a Coral Beauty?

Thanks in advance!

[DrBoxedWine]

Well I started the tank in August, but ran hypo on it from mid-dec to mid-feb. It seems to have set the tank back a bit as I'm dealing with some of the early stage algae issues again (long stringy brown stuff in particular)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

Well I started the tank in August, but ran hypo on it from mid-dec to mid-feb. It seems to have set the tank back a bit as I'm dealing with some of the early stage algae issues again (long stringy brown stuff in particular)

I would not try two algae grazers at this time. The kole tang should be fine although I would supplement with nori some of the time. The problem is that algae grazers are very inefficient eaters so must eat constantly.

[DrBoxedWine]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I would not try two algae grazers at this time. The kole tang should be fine although I would supplement with nori some of the time. The problem is that algae grazers are very inefficient eaters so must eat constantly.

Thanks Steve, how often is some of the time? Maybe 2x a week?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

Thanks Steve, how often is some of the time? Maybe 2x a week?

I would suggest every other day. But that is my guess as I cannot see your tank. Fish size is not relevant, by the way.

[DrBoxedWine]

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

Thanks Steve, how often is some of the time? Maybe 2x a week?

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by snorvich

I would suggest every other day. But that is my guess as I cannot see your tank. Fish size is not relevant, by the way.

[enzo0000]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Dispar would be fine and if possible you want one male and the rest females. I would QT together but 10g would be pushing it. So I would do 3 then 3 as you suggest. Asking additional questions is encouraged as that is what this thread is designed for.

Should the male go in the first or second batch?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by enzo0000

Should the male go in the first or second batch?

First batch.

[bat21]

Hi Steve,

66g fowlr, currently:
2 Occelaris Clowns
Royal Gramma
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Dozen or so hermits
3 Nessarius Snails

You already approved these for the future:
1 Firefish
1 Neon Goby
2 Barnacle Blennies
1 Exquisite Wrasse

There is just one other fish I have found that I really like and think would be perfect, the new ORA captive bred White Spotted Pygmy Filefish which grows to a max of 3".

A. Would one of those work in this tank?
B. Could I add him to that list, or should I instead replace the barnacle blennies with a filefish for bioload concerns?

[Deep Reef]

Thanks for your help

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by bat21

Hi Steve,

66g fowlr, currently:
2 Occelaris Clowns
Royal Gramma
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Dozen or so hermits
3 Nessarius Snails

You already approved these for the future:
1 Firefish
1 Neon Goby
2 Barnacle Blennies
1 Exquisite Wrasse

There is just one other fish I have found that I really like and think would be perfect, the new ORA captive bred White Spotted Pygmy Filefish which grows to a max of 3".

A. Would one of those work in this tank?
B. Could I add him to that list, or should I instead replace the barnacle blennies with a filefish for bioload concerns?

No, you should be able to add him to the existing plan; after that, however, you are done.

[Jive_Turkey]

Hi Steve -

Running a 29g mixed reef biocube established 1/2015. 35lbs LR, 20lbs LS. Current livestock includes; 1 B/W Ocellaris, 1 snowflake Ocellaris, and 1 Midas Blenny, Cleaner shrimp, Fire shrimp, half a dozen different types of snails, few scarlet hermits, few blue hermits, emerald crab, pencil urchin, and a serpent star.

I'm looking to add a White banded possum wrasse and a male Mccosker's wrasse. Can these 5 fish cohabitate in a peaceful tank?

Thanks.