How would you stock this tank?

ibryson · Apr 25, 2022

I am setting up my Nuvo 40 as an SPS dominant bare bottom, and I’m looking for fish stocking suggestions. Ones that are less common, unique and will be eye catching since there won’t be many fish in this tank.

The only fish I know I want so far is a firefish, only because I’ve never had one. I know they aren’t uncommon lol. I’ve include a picture of my aquascape just for fun and because I’m proud of it! (Took 6 hours)

blaxsun · Apr 25, 2022

Nice aquascape! If you're opting for bare bottom (which is fine), just note that it precludes having certain species of wrasses or sand-sifters. And anything shaped like a torpedo needs a lid.

SlugSnorter · Apr 25, 2022

ibryson said:
I am setting up my Nuvo 40 as an SPS dominant bare bottom, and I’m looking for fish stocking suggestions. Ones that are less common, unique and will be eye catching since there won’t be many fish in this tank.

The only fish I know I want so far is a firefish, only because I’ve never had one. I know they aren’t uncommon lol. I’ve include a picture of my aquascape just for fun and because I’m proud of it! (Took 6 hours)

firefish as you said are fun.

What color corals?

PatW · Apr 25, 2022

Fire fish are pretty shy. So you need to have other fish that will not menace them. I would suggest going with peaceful fish. Bengai cardinals do not mess with fire fish. Gobies and blennies are probably good. Chromis should work. Flasher or fairy wrasses are good. You might be able to get away with a mild tempered damsel fish but I don’t know.

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

Quite common but adding a royal gramma last. The personality (I just got one) is awesome. Also a midas blenny. Those 2 colors in an sps tank….. typically always out and about….. what a dream. I can’t keep sps yet but it’s a goal. My midas is more pink purple as the weeks go by. I understand that brown is stress but he is pink. I have them together in my tank that isn’t set with coral yet

Dave1993 · Apr 25, 2022

Don't do a Midas Blenny with Firefish

blaxsun · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
Don't do a Midas Blenny with Firefish

Oh...?

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
Don't do a Midas Blenny with Firefish

Oh yeah forgot about that, I guess it depends on the fish like a lot of things. My midas was in a tank at the lfs for a week with a fire fish and no problems. But I’m lucky

Dave1993 · Apr 25, 2022

You could have ever do a Midas blenny without firefish as i find firefish boring

Dave1993 · Apr 25, 2022

blaxsun said:
Oh...?

Midas blennys are known for nipping at firefish

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
You could have ever do a Midas blenny without firefish as i find firefish boring

I think this scape would need a cave? There’s no sand. Mine made a burrow in the sand next to a rock. Since this is bare bottom however, I don’t see it finding a happy safe place

Pkunk35 · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
Don't do a Midas Blenny with Firefish

+1. They will harass them to death

Recommend building in a small more “covered” space and getting a swissguard basslet which are awesome!

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

blaxsun said:
Oh...?

A midas doesn’t like “blenny shaped fish” so like fire fish, other blennies, goby shaped as well. From what I read a while back

Dave1993 · Apr 25, 2022

charles7 said:
I think this scape would need a cave? There’s no sand. Mine made a burrow in the sand next to a rock. Since this is bare bottom however, I don’t see it finding a happy safe place

ah yea true mine lives in a hole in a rock

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
ah yea true mine lives in a hole in a rock

They are amazing fish though, purple and yellow is an awesome color that contrasts with bright corals like sps. One day… it’s the dream

blaxsun · Apr 25, 2022

Pkunk35 said:
+1. They will harass them to death

Recommend building in a small more “covered” space and getting a swissguard basslet which are awesome!

Maybe that's why mine all ended up on the floor. Although to be honest, my midas blenny is so lazy I can't see him making the effort.

Dave1993 · Apr 25, 2022

charles7 said:
They are amazing fish though, purple and yellow is an awesome color that contrasts with bright corals like sps. One day… it’s the dream

mine is more orange here is a pic of him in the back ground

charles7 · Apr 25, 2022

Dave1993 said:
mine is more orange here is a pic of him in the back ground

Here is mine, no changes just a screen shot off of a video and a filter to keep most of the blue light out so it’s actually visible.

ibryson · Apr 25, 2022

blaxsun said:
Nice aquascape! If you're opting for bare bottom (which is fine), just note that it precludes having certain species of wrasses or sand-sifters. And anything shaped like a torpedo needs a lid.

Yep! I kept a 180g for a few years. Definitely going to miss keeping a leopard wrasse. That was my favorite fish. Luckily this Nuvo 40 came with a nice mesh lid!