Compatibility in New Tank

MV17 · Feb 7, 2022

Hi there,

I recently got a new saltwater 40g Breeder. This tank is all cycled and has lots of live rock and coral. I was wondering what would be A. Reef compatible and B. Compatible with each other. I have attached a list of what I was thinking of. Please let me know what you think!

1. 2 percula
2. Purple Long Tentacle Anemone
3. Mandarinfish
4. Royal Gramma
5. Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse
6. Tile Sea Star
7. 4 Peppermint Shrimp

Also I know it seems like a heavy bio load but I have a 20 gallon sump for this.

-Thanks

i cant think · Feb 7, 2022

MV17 said:
Hi there,

I recently got a new saltwater 40g Breeder. This tank is all cycled and has lots of live rock and coral. I was wondering what would be A. Reef compatible and B. Compatible with each other. I have attached a list of what I was thinking of. Please let me know what you think!

1. 2 percula
2. Purple Long Tentacle Anemone
3. Mandarinfish
4. Royal Gramma
5. Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse
6. Tile Sea Star
7. 4 Peppermint Shrimp

Also I know it seems like a heavy bio load but I have a 20 gallon sump for this.

-Thanks

The flasher wrasse ideally needs a 4’ tank to truly spread their fins and flash without diving into anything. PLTA’s will sting other coral and has the chance of grabbing the mandarin since it’s a slow moving fish. Peppermint shrimp are iffy with coral aswell, fleshy LPS does tend to be on the menu with these inverts. Only the true peppermints (L. wurdemanni) actually eat aiptasia and the difference between each species (a total of 6 species are labelled are peppermints) is very hard to see.

Jekyl · Feb 7, 2022

I have 6 bubble tips now and they haven't bothered my mandarin. That being said make sure to wait another 6 months at least before getting either. Nems need an established, mature tank as do Mandarins.

lapin · Feb 7, 2022

The mandarin will need a steady supply of pods to remain healthy. That can cost a lot of money over time.

3429810 · Feb 7, 2022

i cant think said:
The flasher wrasse ideally needs a 4’ tank to truly spread their fins and flash without diving into anything. PLTA’s will sting other coral and has the chance of grabbing the mandarin since it’s a slow moving fish. Peppermint shrimp are iffy with coral aswell, fleshy LPS does tend to be on the menu with these inverts. Only the true peppermints (L. wurdemanni) actually eat aiptasia and the difference between each species (a total of 6 species are labelled are peppermints) is very hard to see.

One good way to make sure you get the right pep shrimp is to only buy them if you know they are eating aiptasia. I would assume most lfs have aiptasia so if they do just make sure the peppermints are eating theirs. I got lucky and my lfs brought some in to help with one of their tanks. Just waited until I didn’t see any more aiptasia in the tank then I knew for sure and bought one.