PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mcdoogle

Just bought my first tank and doing a pile of research. Mine as well post in here to see what people think.

I plan on doing a reef and my tank is a 125gal 72" x 18" x 18", I'll be running a skimmer with liverock and still figuring out if I'll be adding a sump or not. Note: The tank isn't together yet, I'm building a stand and have to get my lights and such so it'll be awhile before I buy any fish. BUT the fish I would like to add eventually are (2) Black Ice clowns, (1) Cleaner wrasse (1) Foxface, (1) Blue Hippo Tang, and my all time favorite that I always wanted (1) Purple Tang. That'll be about is as far as fish. Is this tank size sufficient? I plan that the two tangs will be bought as juveniles, and at around the same time if not the same day.

This thread is only answered by Reef Central Staff. If you wish general opinions, post your own thread in Reef Fish. Your tank is not large enough for P. hepatus and would be marginal for both a foxface and a purple tang but would be fine for either.


To Reef Central

[Tylerdg]

Hey Steve, with the halichoeres wrasses, would it be ok to add them into a tank before All the other fish or will they get aggressive to new members after established ? Or does it just matter on which species?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tylerdg

Hey Steve, with the halichoeres wrasses, would it be ok to add them into a tank before All the other fish or will they get aggressive to new members after established ? Or does it just matter on which species?

Halichoeres wrasses are peaceful. There are other species of wrasses, however, that are not.

[Tylerdg]

180 gallon mixed reef
72x24x24
75 gallon sump
I plan to have 2-3" carribsea hawaain black sand

Here's a list of the list I've come up with and when to introduce them..

Vroliks wrasse
Christmas wrasse (h. Claudia)
Adorned wrasse

These three fish will be first after the tank has cycled. Is there too many after the tank is cycled and cuc has worked its stuff for awhile? If so I can do one a month.

3 gold assessor basslets added at same time a month after the last wrasse is added
Pair of black ice clowns a month after assessors
Midas blenny a month after clowns

Next at this point depending on the wrasse additions the tank would be 5 months or 7 months for next additions.

Pair of diamond gobies

Fox face lo
White tail kole tang these two tangs together a month after gobies
Then eventually add a Rbta

Is this too many fish?

[Aqualoon]

Can I add a Kole Yellow Eye Tang?

Current Stock:

2 x Clown (regular clowns)
1 x Green Chromis
1 x Bi Color Angel
1 x Clown Gobby
1 x Royal Gramma Basslets
1 x Cleaner Shrimp
10 x Cerith Snails
2 x Pincushion Urchin

Basically I want to get something else that has some size to it (like the Bi-Color Angel).

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tylerdg

180 gallon mixed reef
72x24x24
75 gallon sump
I plan to have 2-3" carribsea hawaain black sand

Here's a list of the list I've come up with and when to introduce them..

Vroliks wrasse
Christmas wrasse (h. Claudia)
Adorned wrasse

These three fish will be first after the tank has cycled. Is there too many after the tank is cycled and cuc has worked its stuff for awhile? If so I can do one a month.

3 gold assessor basslets added at same time a month after the last wrasse is added
Pair of black ice clowns a month after assessors
Midas blenny a month after clowns

Next at this point depending on the wrasse additions the tank would be 5 months or 7 months for next additions.

Pair of diamond gobies

Fox face lo
White tail kole tang these two tangs together a month after gobies
Then eventually add a Rbta

Is this too many fish?

I think that plan is fine. Given the "new" nature of your tank, feed the wrasses a bit heavy in the beginning.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Aqualoon

Can I add a Kole Yellow Eye Tang?

Current Stock:

2 x Clown (regular clowns)
1 x Green Chromis
1 x Bi Color Angel
1 x Clown Gobby
1 x Royal Gramma Basslets
1 x Cleaner Shrimp
10 x Cerith Snails
2 x Pincushion Urchin

Basically I want to get something else that has some size to it (like the Bi-Color Angel).

Assuming the 72 gallon tank is mature, it should be ok; the angel may make a bit of a fuss since the tang occupies the same ecological niche

[Tylerdg]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I think that plan is fine. Given the "new" nature of your tank, feed the wrasses a bit heavy in the beginning.

Great thanks! I'm so happy with this stock list, I think this ones final! Now to just buy the tank in a few weeks to get this process going

[Nina51]

didn't think i'd be needing your advice but with one screen top off, i turn my back for just a few minutes (i know, i know) and my flasher wrasse ended up on top of the screen on the other side. didn't notice it till he was all dried up and crispy.

so, if possible, i would like to add whichever of the cleaner wrasses you can suggest (i can never remember which one).

75g mixed reef, current occupants
2 longnose hawkfish
2 snowflake clowns
1 royal gramma
1 orange spotted goby
1 kole tang
1 red velvet fairy wrasse
1 vrolik's wrasse
1 yellow coris wrasse

inverts including one ginormous brittlestar, a couple of serpent stars, various snails, a few small hermits.

thank you, kind sir!! oh and don't know if you frequent the mantis forum but scampi died last night. i'm guessing it was probably due to lack of nutrition since during the 4 months he was in the pet store, all they fed him were guppies. don't know if he was trying to molt and that was too stressful or what. he looked fine in the morning, ate, played with rocks, dead by evening. water all tested fine. i am bummed.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Nina51

didn't think i'd be needing your advice but with one screen top off, i turn my back for just a few minutes (i know, i know) and my flasher wrasse ended up on top of the screen on the other side. didn't notice it till he was all dried up and crispy.

so, if possible, i would like to add whichever of the cleaner wrasses you can suggest (i can never remember which one).

75g mixed reef, current occupants
2 longnose hawkfish
2 snowflake clowns
1 royal gramma
1 orange spotted goby
1 kole tang
1 red velvet fairy wrasse
1 vrolik's wrasse
1 yellow coris wrasse

inverts including one ginormous brittlestar, a couple of serpent stars, various snails, a few small hermits.

thank you, kind sir!! oh and don't know if you frequent the mantis forum but scampi died last night. i'm guessing it was probably due to lack of nutrition since during the 4 months he was in the pet store, all they fed him were guppies. don't know if he was trying to molt and that was too stressful or what. he looked fine in the morning, ate, played with rocks, dead by evening. water all tested fine. i am bummed.

So sorry about Scampi, mantis are a great pet. Cleaner wrasses are either easy or difficult depending on what you get. The African endemic works (mine is approaching 11 years) long term but the Indonesian ones rarely if ever work. However, in retrospect I would not have gotten one. Wrasses will jump. Not if but when.

[Nina51]

when you say african endemic, do you mean Labroides dimidiatus? it's a fish i kept for a couple of years when i had my 125g centuries ago. always loved it and have wanted another but i'm still in the thinking stages.

so yeah, i have this mantis tank all set up and running soooo......

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Nina51

when you say african endemic, do you mean Labroides dimidiatus? it's a fish i kept for a couple of years when i had my 125g centuries ago. always loved it and have wanted another but i'm still in the thinking stages.

so yeah, i have this mantis tank all set up and running soooo......

Yes, Labroides dimidiatus. The ones originating in African waters seem to be much more hardy. Note that not all fish will allow cleaning behavior.

[Nina51]

thanks, steve! and yes, i understand that some fish don't like their space invaded. i have always thought these fish were pretty and i love how gracefully they move.

[Mau]

Hello all,
freshly registered.

3 years experience with low-end brackish, that's all.

Considering to go FOWLR.

This is what I'm planning:

240 L with live rock and as many macroalgae I can find (in Europe... ) + 50 L sump (skimmer + DSB or rubble + chaetomorpha).

And here's what I figured so far:

Must have:
2 Amphiprion ocellaris
6 Cardinals (probably Apogon leptacanthus)

Open to discussion:
1 Gramma loreto
1 Ecsenius sp.
1 Gobiodon citrinus
1 Nemateleotris sp.
1 Stonogobiops sp. (with symbiont shrimp?)

Just a dream:
Monacanthus tuckeri.

I still didn't even consider stocking, so this list might be already too much for that system. Let me know. But for the time being, it's more about compatibility.

Many thanks!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Mau

Hello all,
freshly registered.

3 years experience with low-end brackish, that's all.

Considering to go FOWLR.

This is what I'm planning:

240 L with live rock and as many macroalgae I can find (in Europe... ) + 50 L sump (skimmer + DSB or rubble + chaetomorpha).

And here's what I figured so far:

Must have:
2 Amphiprion ocellaris
6 Cardinals (probably Apogon leptacanthus)

Open to discussion:
1 Gramma loreto
1 Ecsenius sp.
1 Gobiodon citrinus
1 Nemateleotris sp.
1 Stonogobiops sp. (with symbiont shrimp?)

Just a dream:
Monacanthus tuckeri.

I still didn't even consider stocking, so this list might be already too much for that system. Let me know. But for the time being, it's more about compatibility.

Many thanks!

It is a bit on the heavy side with no obvious compatibility issues. Most cardinals will pair off longer term and not stay as a group.

[mmittlesteadt]

40 breeder (with a 65 gallon sump/27 gallon refugium).

With my wish list below, which is more preferable (with a pod population)...

Diamond Watchman Goby or a Twin Spot Goby?

I've read that Twin Spots are as (or more) difficult to maintain than Mandarins. I have my eye on one that looks pretty fat and happy at my LFS and is very active. But I don't know if I'm reading old information about their care and I want to be sure they can be cared for properly, whereas the Diamond Watchman seems easier to care for, even though they seem to have similar feeding habits.

Future wish list...
Lawnmower Blenny
Royal Gramma
Bangaii Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Firefish
Ocellaris Clownfish (pair)

[Plainswalker]

90g 48x18x24
Mixed reef

2x Ocellaris clowns
Yellow watchman goby / tiger pistol pair
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Lubbock Fairy Wrasse
Yellow-Eyed Kole Tang
2x Bartlett Anthias (paired for months now)
2x Cleaner shrimp

Would these additions work:
Midas Blenny
Melanurus Wrasse
A third Bartlett's anthias

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by mmittlesteadt

40 breeder (with a 65 gallon sump/27 gallon refugium).

With my wish list below, which is more preferable (with a pod population)...

Diamond Watchman Goby or a Twin Spot Goby?

Unquestionably the watchman goby is easier by far!

I've read that Twin Spots are as (or more) difficult to maintain than Mandarins. I have my eye on one that looks pretty fat and happy at my LFS and is very active. But I don't know if I'm reading old information about their care and I want to be sure they can be cared for properly, whereas the Diamond Watchman seems easier to care for, even though they seem to have similar feeding habits.

Future wish list...
Lawnmower Blenny sometimes difficult, be sure you see him eat
Royal Gramma
Bangaii Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Firefish
Ocellaris Clownfish (pair)

fine except as noted

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Plainswalker

90g 48x18x24
Mixed reef

2x Ocellaris clowns
Yellow watchman goby / tiger pistol pair
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Lubbock Fairy Wrasse
Yellow-Eyed Kole Tang
2x Bartlett Anthias (paired for months now)
2x Cleaner shrimp

Would these additions work:
Midas Blenny
Melanurus Wrasse
A third Bartlett's anthias

should be fine

[m0nkie]

hello steve. I have 3 wrasse in my 150gal. I'm planning to add my last favorite wrasse. Just want to check if it's possible.

150gal

fish list:
-Purple Tang
-Borb Anthias
-Pair Flame Wrasse (male, female)
-Femininus wrasse (female, waiting to turn male)

trying to add a supermale lineatus wrasse.

I'd rather not have these wrasse kill each other in the future.. If you think there's any chance of lineatus killing my femininus, I won't add it.

thank you!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by m0nkie

hello steve. I have 3 wrasse in my 150gal. I'm planning to add my last favorite wrasse. Just want to check if it's possible.

150gal

fish list:
-Purple Tang
-Borb Anthias
-Pair Flame Wrasse (male, female)
-Femininus wrasse (female, waiting to turn male)

trying to add a supermale lineatus wrasse.

I'd rather not have these wrasse kill each other in the future.. If you think there's any chance of lineatus killing my femininus, I won't add it.

thank you!

In general female flames will turn to males and most often the new male kills the original male; the lineatus should be fine with the flame but I would be a bit nervous although not majorly so with Anampses femininus. If I had a thriving Anampses femininus I would not take the risk as I love that fish.

[OCReeferr]

I have a 40g tank with a 20g sump (probably about 10g in it while running) with no refugium. I have Live Rock and a 3in sand bed. I would like to get a leopard wrasse but am afraid it will starve if I have no pods and can't feed it for a week or so when I first introduce it. (I've read they go straight to the sand and stay there for about a week or so untill you see them during the day, which is when I would feed my fish.)

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by OCReeferr

I have a 40g tank with a 20g sump (probably about 10g in it while running) with no refugium. I have Live Rock and a 3in sand bed. I would like to get a leopard wrasse but am afraid it will starve if I have no pods and can't feed it for a week or so when I first introduce it. (I've read they go straight to the sand and stay there for about a week or so untill you see them during the day, which is when I would feed my fish.)

A mature larger tank is preferred for a leopard wrasse as they graze on copepods continuously. However, with multiple feedings of frozen PE mysis multiple times per day, you can probably make it work. All leopards wrasses are not the same; some species are very difficult, but none are easy because of their feeding requirements. The initial time in the sand is not necessarily a show stopper.

[dupy73]

Originally Posted by snorvich

You should get rid of the damsel and hippo tang (which requires a much larger tank) and not add any tangs. The scooter blenny would starve to death.

I took your advise traded in the hippo. Gf insisted on keeping the damsil though lol. Ended up with a lawnmower blenny and store credit that I used on a bucket of salt mix

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by dupy73

I took your advise traded in the hippo. Gf insisted on keeping the damsil though lol. Ended up with a lawnmower blenny and store credit that I used on a bucket of salt mix

Good decision.