Adding fish to new tank

[xyousefb]

My 150 gallon tank’s cycle period is about to come to an end and I have completed the list of what fish I’d like to have in my tank in the long run. However, I’m having trouble knowing in what order I should introduce these fish to the system, and whether I’ve chosen too many fish.

- a pair of ocellaris clownfish
- 3 green chromis
- orchid dottyback
- a pair of anthias
- mandarin fish
- a watchman goby
- a pair of Dartfish
- blue tang
- sailfin tang (small)

Let me know what you think.

 

[muzikalmatt]

Typically you want to add fish in the order of least aggressive to most aggressive and do this over a period of months. That way the more timid fish go in first and can establish their habit before the more aggressive/larger fish are added. Out of that list I'd say the dartfish might be the least aggressive and the dottyback and tangs are probably the ones you want to add last. Schooling fish like anthias and chromis should be added together usually.

I don't have any experience with tangs, so hopefully some of the more experienced reefers can chime in and give you more specific advice or even an order of addition with that list. @vetteguy53081

 

[Super Fly]

In new tank, I like to add livestock gradually to allow beneficial bacteria time to catch up to handle the increased bioload, i.e. 2 week gap between adding new livestock. Tang(s) should be the final addition as once established they will bully any new comers even to death. Also FYI re. Mandarin fish, it'll need steady supply of pods to survive so either folks keep/buy pods on the side to feed them or wait till tank is very mature. Even then Mandarins can quickly eat all pods in a mature tank. GL

 

[maleks.reef]

In new tank, I like to add livestock gradually to allow beneficial bacteria time to catch up to handle the increased bioload, i.e. 2 week gap between adding new livestock. Tang(s) should be the final addition as once established they will bully any new comers even to death. Also FYI re. Mandarin fish, it'll need steady supply of pods to survive so either folks keep/buy pods on the side to feed them or wait till tank is very mature. Even then Mandarins can quickly eat all pods in a mature tank. GL

Some mandarins eat frozen, you'd have to check with your LFS first though.

 

[vetteguy53081]