Fishes to add and in what order?

[brianw3185]

Hi folks,

I have a 36 BF with only two fish, an orchid dottyback and a green mandarin (I had a McCosker's an two clowns, the smaller of which was part snowflake and part wyoming white, for what it's worth; in any case, the hybrid started to chase and attack my McCosker's, essentially chased him to death. With his death and the fact that I brought the two clowns to the LFS for rehoming, I am now left with the two).

I have lots of rock hiding places and caves which I accomplished by changing most of my rock out for life rock, which I am very happy with btw.

What I would like is a royal gramma and/or a six line wrasse, or another McCosker's or Carpenter. I am not sure of what to add and when, but the (semi-agressive?) fish goes in last from what I have seen in the literature.

Also please advise as to what your recommendations are for my tank other than what I would like to put in.
PS I have a fire red shrimp, can I put a cleaner in there also or would they kill each other?

Thanks, any advice is appreciated!

Parameters: SG= 1.025, nitrates about 20, phosphates near 0, pH = 8.1, pKh= 9, temp = 72-75 deg F

 

[James M]

Are you supplying pods for the mandarin ??
The tank is too small for a McCosker's or Carpenter

 

[Bob Weigant]

Most sixline’s are evil so I’d stay away from that. Your dottyback will most likely also be come mean if it hasn’t already. Not a lot you can do with that size of a tank. Just keep a few friendly small fish

 

[Mozby]

Dottyback + Royal Grammma = no bueno

 

[WMR]

Maybe some cardinals, Orchid dottyback might be territorial now, keep an eye out on new additions or use acclimation box. Maybe rehome dottyback, then build from ground up, least aggressive first, just make sure other fish don’t outcompete mandarin for food, hope this helps

 

[Dripdroppin]

Royal gramma can be mighty aggressive would probably want to add last

 

[Jseimo]

Fire shrimp and cleaner shrimp are the same thing, just different colors. As far as fish why not a goby-pistol shrimp pair, or blenny?

 

[Jesterrace]

I definitely wouldn't mix Dottybacks and Basslets in a tank of that size. I also don't have high hopes for that Mandarinfish in there. My first tank was the same tank you have and my Mandarin adapted to frozen, I spent hundreds in pods and it still wasn't enough. No 6 line, No Flasher Wrasses. Not sure if a Lubbock's Wrasse will work, but I think the tank isn't long or wide enough. Possum or Pink Streaked Wrasse will work.

 

[brianw3185]

Hello again
So I finally was able to net my orchid dotty, he's a fast one, and brought him to the LFS for rehoming. So now I have my Mandarin (3") and a long nose hawkfish (2 1/2") in the tank.
I'm looking into a possum wrasse (as advised above), maybe one more small peaceful guy (need advice), as well as the last fish to be introduced, maybe a royal gramma (need advice, some say that he is too aggressive even as the last fish in, also as above).
Thanks!
Also just two questions, is my orbit marine led light source ok, sufficient, or altogether useless (from light to substrate is about 21")?
And, I am using an undergravel, don't read too much about them these days, are they still a good part of the filtration system? Or are they detrimental?
Appreciate any and all comments

 

[Jon Fishman]

Not sure the effect of an undergravel system has on a pod population.... I would assume they manage to avoid.