Anyone see a problem with my fish stocking plan?

Jordan J · Apr 30, 2019

I have a 60 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. I already have a pair of clowns and plan on getting a juvenile yellow tang next week. My lfs already agreed to take it back once it gets too big for my tank. My plan going forward from there is to add:

Melanurus Wrasse
Pygmy Angel
Mandarin (after pod population is established)

That puts me at a fish for every 10 gallon. I am doing a mixed reef with quite a few lps. I know angels are very hit or miss for nipping at coral, but I have decided it’s worth the risk. Anyone have personal experience or advice to refine my stocking plan?

James M · Apr 30, 2019

The wrasse and mandarin are going are going to complete for pods. Even though your going to build up a population your going to end up dosing a lot to keep up with both eating the pods.
Otherwise you stocking list looks good but why waste money and time on the tang and then return it.

Jordan J · Apr 30, 2019

James M said:
The wrasse and mandarin are going are going to complete for pods. Even though your going to build up a population your going to end up dosing a lot to keep up with both eating the pods.
Otherwise you stocking list looks good but why waste money and time on the tang and then return it.

It wouldnt outgrow the tank for several years. It's also possible I will upgrade tanks before I have to return it. I just know the tang police are on the prowl.

WMR · Apr 30, 2019

I wouldn’t put the wrasse in before the mandarin. Establish your pod colonies before the mandarin, you still may to continue adding pods after the fact. Put another yellow fish in your reef other than the tang, they get too big & territorial also. Yellow Assessor or Meicanthus blenny instead. Other than that, the wrasse & Angel last. Use an acclimation box too. What kind of clowns do you have?

Jordan J · Apr 30, 2019

WMR said:
I wouldn’t put the wrasse in before the mandarin. Establish your pod colonies before the mandarin, you still may to continue adding pods after the fact. Put another yellow fish in your reef other than the tang, they get too big & territorial also. Yellow Assessor or Meicanthus blenny instead. Other than that, the wrasse & Angel last. Use an acclimation box too. What kind of clowns do you have?

They are frostbite clowns.

Jesterrace · Apr 30, 2019

Just me but I would skip the Mandarin and keep the Wrasse. The Wrasse is MUCH EASIER to keep and will be much more visible. One of the things I never realized until I got my Mandarin is how much you don't see them since they are almost always hovering in and around the rockwork. The Melanurus Wrasse on the other hand is almost constantly visible and active. As cool as the Mandarin seems and can be I would rather have the Wrasse any day of the week. In a 60 gallon you will likely be a slave to the Mandarin's feeding needs.

WMR · Apr 30, 2019

Jordan J said:
They are frostbite clowns.

Nice pair

Jesterrace said:
Just me but I would skip the Mandarin and keep the Wrasse. The Wrasse is MUCH EASIER to keep and will be much more visible. One of the things I never realized until I got my Mandarin is how much you don't see them since they are almost always hovering in and around the rockwork. The Melanurus Wrasse on the other hand is almost constantly visible and active. As cool as the Mandarin seems and can be I would rather have the Wrasse any day of the week. In a 60 gallon you will likely be a slave to the Mandarin's feeding needs.

agreed