Stocking Limits

jer77 · 09/18/2009, 05:47 PM

I have a 180 gallon reef with about 150 lbs. LR and a 40 gallon sump/fuge. So currently I have stocked it with:

6'' 6 yr old Clarkii clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)
3.5'' Yellowhead Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthocephalus)
5'' Falcula Butterflyfish (Chaetodon falcula)
5'' Semilarvatus Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)
7'' Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
5'' Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
7'' Emperor Angel (Pomacanthus imperator)

So my 180 gallon reef is full but the fish all have tons of room and there is almost no aggression besides a little boldness from the Angel during feeding time.

I would like to know about what you think about adding smaller fish like gobies, blennies, mandarins and possibly a group of small anthias or cardinalfish? I really wanted to add 3 Carberryi anthias. I will be increasing the total water volume very soon by adding a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon to the system, but the total space for the fish will not change.

So what do you think?

Roy G. Biv · 09/18/2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jer77
I would like to know about what you think about adding smaller fish like gobies, blennies, mandarins and possibly a group of small anthias or cardinalfish?

Rule of thumb.. If it cant fit in someones mouth, its safe to add.
Also,
Rule of thumb.. 2-3lbs of live rock per gallon. If you want to add more fish, add more live rock. Keep watching craigslist for a tank breakdown. Even at the fish only rule (1lb per gallon) you should have 220lbs in there.

MCCOOL · 09/18/2009, 07:51 PM

I don't think the small fish will steal any room from the larger fish, but that is alot of larger fish for a 180. I'd be more concerned with water quality, if that's fine you should be ok adding a few small fish.

Aquarist007 · 09/18/2009, 10:28 PM

IMO the rule of thumb for live rock is 1 1.5 lbs per gallon. However the more the better.
Remember the live rock can be placed anywhere in the water column---sump, refugium, deep sand bed etc etc---it still will do its job.
Eventually you will have swimming problems for the emperor angel and the blue tang as they reach adult size. But for now you should be able to add the other fish you want to. Most of the fish you have are herbevoirs and if well fed won't bother them.

Aquarist007 · 09/18/2009, 10:29 PM

Your selection of fish is excellent. How about posting a picture of your tank?

09/18/2009, 05:47 PM	#1
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	Stocking Limits I have a 180 gallon reef with about 150 lbs. LR and a 40 gallon sump/fuge. So currently I have stocked it with: 6'' 6 yr old Clarkii clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) 3.5'' Yellowhead Butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthocephalus) 5'' Falcula Butterflyfish (Chaetodon falcula) 5'' Semilarvatus Butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus) 7'' Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) 5'' Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus) 7'' Emperor Angel (Pomacanthus imperator) So my 180 gallon reef is full but the fish all have tons of room and there is almost no aggression besides a little boldness from the Angel during feeding time. I would like to know about what you think about adding smaller fish like gobies, blennies, mandarins and possibly a group of small anthias or cardinalfish? I really wanted to add 3 Carberryi anthias. I will be increasing the total water volume very soon by adding a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon to the system, but the total space for the fish will not change. So what do you think? __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

09/18/2009, 07:51 PM	#3
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	I don't think the small fish will steal any room from the larger fish, but that is alot of larger fish for a 180. I'd be more concerned with water quality, if that's fine you should be ok adding a few small fish. __________________ 58g reef

09/18/2009, 10:28 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	IMO the rule of thumb for live rock is 1 1.5 lbs per gallon. However the more the better. Remember the live rock can be placed anywhere in the water column---sump, refugium, deep sand bed etc etc---it still will do its job. Eventually you will have swimming problems for the emperor angel and the blue tang as they reach adult size. But for now you should be able to add the other fish you want to. Most of the fish you have are herbevoirs and if well fed won't bother them. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/18/2009, 10:29 PM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Your selection of fish is excellent. How about posting a picture of your tank? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock