PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

[cap11885]

Originally Posted by snorvich

I normally do not make recommendations for a variety of reasons, and in any case I would not recommend largish fish for your sized tank. So sorry.

well i would like to find a sutable replacement if i wanted to sub out the kole tang for one of equal size that is not a grazer

[WillM]

Originally Posted by WillM

I have a 75G tank with a 40G sump/refugium and skimmer, 2 Koralia 1050s, and an AC110 packed with a little more LR and the foam pulled. At least 120lbs of live rock in tank and sump.

Some soft coral (zoas, mushrooms, gsp, xenia), 2 damsels, and a tomato clown.

Bought some coral from a guy that is getting out of the hobby and he also has a flame angel. Will this fish work in my set up?

Thanks!

Hello,

Any thoughts on whether I could add a Flame Angel?

Thanks!

Will

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by WillM

Hello,

Any thoughts on whether I could add a Flame Angel?

Thanks!

Will

While flame angels are not considered reef safe, the corals that would normally be at risk are meaty LPS corals such as "open brain", acanthastrea, etc. So if you do not have any corals of this nature, you should be fine.

[Tetra84]

Any comments on my latest revised stock list for 57 gallon reef tank?


Lyretail Anthias (female)
Ocellaris Clownfish x2
Royal Gramma Basslet
Blue Reef Chromisa X2
Kaudern's Cardinal

Thanks,
Paul

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tetra84

Any comments on my latest revised stock list for 57 gallon reef tank?


Lyretail Anthias (female)
Ocellaris Clownfish x2
Royal Gramma Basslet
Blue Reef Chromisa X2 May not be a stable number, perhaps only one will survive long term
Kaudern's Cardinal

Thanks,
Paul

[nolen1503]

I'm planning on getting two yellow nose prawn gobies (barber pole gobies) and a candy stripe Randall's pistol shrimp and want them to form a relationship. Is there a way of acclimating them to maximize the chances of that happening? I was planning on getting the gobies first and putting them in a QT, and the shrimp in the next shipment about 3 weeks later. I would then put the gobies and the shrimp in the DT at the same time. But should I get the shrimp with the gobies and put it in the QT with them?

125 gal DT with live rock/sand, sump/protein skimmer/refugium, RO/DI water, lights: blue compact fluorescent, actinic, metal halides; salinity 1.0235, Ca 460, Mg 1300, KH 8-9, pH 8.3, PO4/NH3/NO2/NO3 0.

Thank you!

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by nolen1503

I'm planning on getting two yellow nose prawn gobies (barber pole gobies) and a candy stripe Randall's pistol shrimp and want them to form a relationship. Is there a way of acclimating them to maximize the chances of that happening? I was planning on getting the gobies first and putting them in a QT, and the shrimp in the next shipment about 3 weeks later. I would then put the gobies and the shrimp in the DT at the same time. But should I get the shrimp with the gobies and put it in the QT with them?

125 gal DT with live rock/sand, sump/protein skimmer/refugium, RO/DI water, lights: blue compact fluorescent, actinic, metal halides; salinity 1.0235, Ca 460, Mg 1300, KH 8-9, pH 8.3, PO4/NH3/NO2/NO3 0.

Thank you!

Prawn gobies always find the shrimp (or is it the other way around? ) but getting the two gobies to form a relationship would depend on your getting a pair as two of the same sex may or may not coexist in the same home. Also, you can introduce more than one shrimp and they will almost always pair up. However if the gobies are not paired, it is likely that one will steal both/all shrimp.

[jedimaster1138]

Hey Steve -

50g mixed reef (not a lot of coral just yet...adding slowly) + 12g sump / refugium stocked with red mangroves, chaeto and some gracillia...oh and pods, lots of them, many of which are in the DT too and I'm almost certain I've seen my current fish chomp on em.

Tank has been up for ~7 months.

Current fish stock:
4 blue/green chromis*
1 Fire Fish - who is a bit shy, but lovely when he's out of his hidey hole

Possible planned future additions, most aren't etched in stone, and in no particular order
1x or 2x tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (won't be the next fish or fishes added) - slight chance of Darwins
1x Royal Gramma
1x Starry Blenny
1x TBSpecified Watchman Goby
1x TBSpecified Anthias...leaning towards Resplendent as it appears they are one of the best anthias kept singly which is the only way I'd keep an anthias in my small tank.

Alternatively to the Anthias I've tossed around the idea of a Dwarf Flame Angel...I realize there's a > 0% chance it would eat my corals, so I'm leaning away from the angel...

The Goby is new to my list... I've concluded recently that my sand bed is filthy (1.25mm-1.9mm caribsea special reef grade) so I've been thinking about a Diamond Watchman Goby to sift things up. A little research says that a 50g might be too small for a DWG though. Wondering what your opinion is now and other options...a yellow wg?, or just a couple fighting conchs? I have a bunch of dwarf ceriths, nass, turbos and even a few hermits but they don't seem to be keeping things clean. Oh and several peppermints to deal with an aiptasia problem.

I do keep several bottom dwelling coral and plan on adding a couple more, so I'm a bit wary of the DWG...


* I realize Chromis frequently whittle down to 1 or 2...I guess we'll see. They were added in 2 groups of 2 with ~ 3 months in between for various reasons. The first 2 were VERY shy and hid in separate holes 90% of the time, so I decided to try 2 more. Since the other 2 were added, all 4 swim in a group and seem to be friends. They even exhibit some synchronized swimming motion etc. So I guess things are peaceful...for now. *shrug*


Thanks in advance, you really are THE MAN for keeping this advice thread up.

[jeffisme]

I just bought an established tank from someone here in town, and I have added a couple of fish and subtracted one.

It's a 55-gallon tank with nearly 100 pounds of live rock (I know, that's a lot, and I can always remove some). I have a sump with a bubblemax skimmer (rated for 90 gallons), overflow box hanging on the back and a koralia 2800 powerhead (too strong?)

The fish in there now:

two black and white ocellaris ( l love those guys)
two orange percula clowns (not so in love with them)
one yellow tang
a royal gramma
a yellow assessor
a coral beauty.
a red starfish
cleaner crew
As I said, I'm not in love with the orange clowns and would be happy to swap them out. I had in mind a passive trigger that my lfs recommends, a niger, I think, and would also love another tang.

I had a tank twenty years ago but wow, has technology changed, and while I did have some experience, I consider myself a newbie, but an eager one. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

jeff

I am trying to maintain a peaceful tank

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by jedimaster1138

Hey Steve -

50g mixed reef (not a lot of coral just yet...adding slowly) + 12g sump / refugium stocked with red mangroves, chaeto and some gracillia...oh and pods, lots of them, many of which are in the DT too and I'm almost certain I've seen my current fish chomp on em.

Tank has been up for ~7 months.

Current fish stock:
4 blue/green chromis*
1 Fire Fish - who is a bit shy, but lovely when he's out of his hidey hole

Possible planned future additions, most aren't etched in stone, and in no particular order
1x or 2x tank bred Ocellaris Clownfish (won't be the next fish or fishes added) - slight chance of Darwins
1x Royal Gramma
1x Starry Blenny
1x TBSpecified Watchman Goby
1x TBSpecified Anthias...leaning towards Resplendent as it appears they are one of the best anthias kept singly which is the only way I'd keep an anthias in my small tank.

If you have corals residing on the bottom I am concerned about any sand sifting or goby/pistol shrimp combination. Other than that you are a bit towards being maxed out. Remember that any dwarf angel will be a risk for meaty LPS corals.

Alternatively to the Anthias I've tossed around the idea of a Dwarf Flame Angel...I realize there's a > 0% chance it would eat my corals, so I'm leaning away from the angel...

The Goby is new to my list... I've concluded recently that my sand bed is filthy (1.25mm-1.9mm caribsea special reef grade) so I've been thinking about a Diamond Watchman Goby to sift things up. A little research says that a 50g might be too small for a DWG though. Wondering what your opinion is now and other options...a yellow wg?, or just a couple fighting conchs? I have a bunch of dwarf ceriths, nass, turbos and even a few hermits but they don't seem to be keeping things clean. Oh and several peppermints to deal with an aiptasia problem.

I think you will be much happier with a couple of fighting conchs. They do an excellent job, better than the goby would do. Alternatively you can use a sand cleaning siphon.

I do keep several bottom dwelling coral and plan on adding a couple more, so I'm a bit wary of the DWG...


* I realize Chromis frequently whittle down to 1 or 2...I guess we'll see. They were added in 2 groups of 2 with ~ 3 months in between for various reasons. The first 2 were VERY shy and hid in separate holes 90% of the time, so I decided to try 2 more. Since the other 2 were added, all 4 swim in a group and seem to be friends. They even exhibit some synchronized swimming motion etc. So I guess things are peaceful...for now. *shrug*


Thanks in advance, you really are THE MAN for keeping this advice thread up.

[sarahlovesfish]

I have a 80 gallon tank 5ft long 1 ft wide. I have a fire goby, blue green chromis, and a midas blenny.The next fish I am getting are royal gramma and clownfish pair. I thought about getting an anthias, but then I changed my mind, since it would cause a bioload. So, is there any good small sized fish that would make a good addition to the tank?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by sarahlovesfish

I have a 80 gallon tank 5ft long 1 ft wide. I have a fire goby, blue green chromis, and a midas blenny.The next fish I am getting are royal gramma and clownfish pair. I thought about getting an anthias, but then I changed my mind, since it would cause a bioload. So, is there any good small sized fish that would make a good addition to the tank?

Actually, in this thread we do not recommend fish for a variety of reasons. Your current mix is fine. You might look at some of the smaller flasher and possum wrasses, however.

[SKurj]

Hi Steve! me again...

40g Long sumpless Hob Skimmer shallow sand bed, hob fugium still in transit, mixed reef one day... getting close to adding the first fish into QT!

Plan...
2 TB occelaris clowns 1 B&W 1 O&W (smaller the better)
1 zebra dartfish or
1 firefish
1 ywg (waffling abit on this one)
1-2 leopard wrasse - any chance of these surviving?
1 neon goby
1 coral beauty (cross my fingers for the corals...)

Think this abit much for bioload.. so i will have tough decisions to make...

snails for CUC tho perhaps some ornamental shrimps

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by SKurj

Hi Steve! me again...

40g Long sumpless Hob Skimmer shallow sand bed, hob fugium still in transit, mixed reef one day... getting close to adding the first fish into QT!

Plan...
2 TB occelaris clowns 1 B&W 1 O&W (smaller the better)
1 zebra dartfish or
1 firefish
1 ywg (waffling abit on this one)
1-2 leopard wrasse - any chance of these surviving?
1 neon goby
1 coral beauty (cross my fingers for the corals...)

That is a lot of fish, if you did all of them, for a 40 gallon tank. I would definitely not do the leopard wrasses, and if you plan LPS corals, would find a different smallish fish in lieu of the coral beauty.

Think this abit much for bioload.. so i will have tough decisions to make...

snails for CUC tho perhaps some ornamental shrimps

[Tetra84]

Originally Posted by Tetra84

Any comments on my latest revised stock list for 57 gallon reef tank?


Lyretail Anthias (female)
Ocellaris Clownfish x2
Royal Gramma Basslet
Blue Reef Chromisa X2
Kaudern's Cardinal

Thanks,
Paul

Would I be able to add a green mandarin to this group? or would any of these fish compete for pods?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Tetra84

Would I be able to add a green mandarin to this group? or would any of these fish compete for pods?

IF you feed frozen mysis or nutramar ova multiple times per day, you may be ok, otherwise not.

[big cats]

Hi Steve, just getting ready to put the finishing touches on my 50g cube, and had a question about a fish. I'm looking to start adding fish soon, and was wondering about a certain fish.

I want to put at least one Banner Cardinal in there, but I have heard they can be somewhat aggressive, so I was just wondering if I should put them in last or at least after I put all my vulnerable fish in the tank?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by big cats

Hi Steve, just getting ready to put the finishing touches on my 50g cube, and had a question about a fish. I'm looking to start adding fish soon, and was wondering about a certain fish.

I want to put at least one Banner Cardinal in there, but I have heard they can be somewhat aggressive, so I was just wondering if I should put them in last or at least after I put all my vulnerable fish in the tank?

Banner Cardinals, more commonly called Banggai Cardinals can be aggressive towards conspecifics unless you get a male and female. They can/will eat small shrimp and small fish. If the fish are vulnerable, then order will make no difference. Be sure to get tank bred or you are likely to have difficulty getting them to eat/survive.

[SKurj]

Hey Steve,

Are you saying no to the leopard wrasses at all? I might even cut the list down to the 2 clowns, a neon goby and a leo or 2... and maybe a bottom dweller. From the leopard primer i definitely would be best to add them a long time from now, maybe in the fall unless they have some eager eaters at the LFS..

Shame there aren't more slab sided small colourful reef safe fish...


Though I did fall in love with a 48x36x27 tank on the weekend...

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by SKurj

Hey Steve,

Are you saying no to the leopard wrasses at all? I might even cut the list down to the 2 clowns, a neon goby and a leo or 2... and maybe a bottom dweller. From the leopard primer i definitely would be best to add them a long time from now, maybe in the fall unless they have some eager eaters at the LFS..

Shame there aren't more slab sided small colourful reef safe fish...


Though I did fall in love with a 48x36x27 tank on the weekend...

The problem is that leopard wrasses, like mandarins, are copepod hunters. While virtually all of them eat PE mysis and other frozen foods, the vast majority of aquarists do not feed multiple times per day, so with their metabolism, they often starve to death, especially in smallish tanks. Obviously having two exacerbates the problem.

[BowieReefer84]

Ok, tank is 55"x22"x22" using a 40 breeder as a sump with a reef octopus 200 with bubble blaster 3000 pump. Tank is brand new, and I want to determine how I am going to stock it before I start adding things at random. Will be FOWLR, but not looking to go too agressive with it.

I will start and let you critique:
1. aussie har tusk
2. humuhumu picasso trigger
3. dog face puffer
4. foxface
5. some sort of butterfly. Ideas on an easy one?
6. fireball angel
7. black cap basslet
8. kole tang

Thanks in advance!

Edit - I plan on adding over a 6 month - 1 year period as funds allow. It is not going to be a one shot thing...

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by BowieReefer84

Ok, tank is 55"x22"x22" using a 40 breeder as a sump with a reef octopus 200 with bubble blaster 3000 pump. Tank is brand new, and I want to determine how I am going to stock it before I start adding things at random. Will be FOWLR, but not looking to go too agressive with it.

I will start and let you critique:
1. aussie har tusk
2. humuhumu picasso trigger
3. dog face puffer
4. foxface
5. some sort of butterfly. Ideas on an easy one?
6. fireball angel
7. black cap basslet
8. kole tang

I don't provide commentary on aggressive tanks, however a 115 gallon tank is not going to provide a peaceful home to the fish you are planning. So sorry.

Thanks in advance!

Edit - I plan on adding over a 6 month - 1 year period as funds allow. It is not going to be a one shot thing...

[SKurj]

Hi Steve,

This maybe a little off topic, but..

I have been browsing the selection at liveaquaria, and notice there are many wrasse considered with caution for reef tanks, had my eye on Christmas or red line wrasse for a mixed reef as I have seen them in other reef tanks.

What are the risks for the reef from these fish, it notes they may protect some corals, but at the same time may eat feather dusters and tubeworms, is it these last 2 items that rank these fish as reef with caution? Not sure what the negatives would really be unless I guess I wanted to keep a feather duster reef or am I really missing the point?

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by SKurj

Hi Steve,

This maybe a little off topic, but..

I have been browsing the selection at liveaquaria, and notice there are many wrasse considered with caution for reef tanks, had my eye on Christmas or red line wrasse for a mixed reef as I have seen them in other reef tanks.

What are the risks for the reef from these fish, it notes they may protect some corals, but at the same time may eat feather dusters and tubeworms, is it these last 2 items that rank these fish as reef with caution? Not sure what the negatives would really be unless I guess I wanted to keep a feather duster reef or am I really missing the point?

Your analysis is correct. Feather dusters, tube worms, in some cases shrimp are all at risk. There is no danger to corals that I am aware of, however, with wrasses. Angels, butterfly fish, etc, different story.

[Paulie7285]

I have a yellow tail damsel, it is being aggressive to my newly added Talbot damsel... it's only been a day and a half, but I'm worried it won't stop. I have a 28 gallon tank. I'm trying to get a 10 gallon refugium set up soon, I will put the yellow tail in there if he is still bad. I'm just wondering if you think he will start behaving?