Its Stocking List time..

[peterire]

Hi guys,

Ive just got two clownfish in my new Reefer 350, so in a couple of weeks i'll be adding another fish or two. I've had a large list of fish I'd like to add, but now its time to whittle it down and keep it realistic too!

I plan on putting Corals in soon . Start with softies and move on to LPS & SPS some day.

CUC at the moment is 10 turbo snails, 3 nassarius snails, 3 blue legged hermit crabs, tuxedo urchin, fighting conch.

This isnt the final draft, but heres what im thinking at the moment and in this general order. Any tips appreciated

2 ClownFish (just in)
1 Bangi Cardinal
1 Green Chromis
1 Royal Gramma
1 Six Lined Wrasse
1 Yellow watchman gobbie
1 Midas Blenny
1 Flame Angel
1 Purple Tang (aware I might have to move it if it gets too big)

So thats 10 fish, assume thats ok for a reefer 350 / 73 Gal display?

I'd like to add a couple more if possible. Maybe a firefish goby and would also like a Green Mandarin some day in the future too.

 

[BlennyTime]

Looks like a good list. I’d stay away from the 6 line wrasse, they can be very aggressive towards fish added after them. Ours was a model citizen for 6 months, then decided to start terrorizing the tank.

We have most of those fish and the flame angel and Midas blenny are two of our favorites. They have fun personalities.

You might want to consider some lyretail anthtiases, they are easy to keep and super pretty when they school. Not that expensive either.

 

[BlennyTime]

Also, if you buy a bonded pair of the cardinals, they will hang out together, which is fun. Can be hard to identify sex though, when they are juvenile.

 

[peterire]

Looks like a good list. I’d stay away from the 6 line wrasse, they can be very aggressive towards fish added after them. Ours was a model citizen for 6 months, then decided to start terrorizing the tank.

We have most of those fish and the flame angel and Midas blenny are two of our favorites. They have fun personalities.

You might want to consider some lyretail anthtiases, they are easy to keep and super pretty when they school. Not that expensive either.

Thanks, what if I added the six line later in the list?
I did think of two cardinals, but didnt want to restrict myself from different breeds..

 

[Zionas]

My opinions:

2 Ocellaris Clowns- Great

1 Bangaii Cardinal- Great

1 Green Chromis- Great, many people have said no matter how many they start with they end up with one, very mixed reports of success with getting them to school

1 Royal Gramma- Great, adds some nice color

1 Six-Line Wrasse- They have a reputation for general aggression and aggression towards others wrasses, I’m a bit more on the fence about this one so I’d welcome more input. If you’re keen on adding one add it towards the end if not as your last fish. They are very good coral pest killers but some say they eat snails and shrimp. If you want an alternative that provides the same services look into a smaller Halichoeres wrasse like a Yellow Coris, Melanurus, Adorned, Claudia’s, Red Lined etc. (for Halichoeres sp. you need at least a 2” sand bed)

If you don’t care about utility a Fairy Wrasse would be your next best option. Leopard Wrasses need a sand bed and have a reputation for being difficult to feed and keep and many just wither away, they don’t ship well either.


1 Yellow Watchman Goby- Great, even better when paired with a Tiger Pistol or Randall’s Pistol Shrimp, make sure you’ve got a sand bed of at least 2”


1 Midas Blenny- Great, it’s more of a swimmer than most other blennies.

1 Flame Angel- Awesome, love the bright red color. Try to avoid those from the Philippines, heard many dwarf angels caught there are caught using cyanide.

1 Purple Tang- Yes it does get too big long term it needs at least a 6’ 125 gallon tank. Any Zebrasoma Tang really, the Sailfins need even larger tanks, I’d say at least 8’ for a fully grown one, 10’ or 12’ if I’m being conservative. If you want a Tang in a 73 gallon (and it has to be a 4’ tank) stick to a member of the Bristletooth family. That means Tomini, Hawaiian or Indian Ocean Kole Tang, White Tail Bristletooth. Or maybe save the Purple Tang for a larger tank down the line and for your final slot get a Fairy Wrasse if decide to go with a Halichoeres wrasse over the Six-Line. If you’re really, really keen on the Six-Line, then maybe choose a fish that can stand up to the Six-Line, like perhaps 2-3 more peaceful Damselfish like the Chrysiptera sp. (Yellowtail, Azure, Springer’s, Talbot’s, Rolland’s etc.)

 

[PicassoClown04]

I like your list, agreed on the six line being the devil incarnate and the purple tang being a little too big. Perhaps you could go with a wrasse (as @Zionas suggested ) they will also take care of any flatworm issues you may see in the future, or you could try one of the hawk fish (if you’re okay with having no ornamental shrimp). Anthias are another option for a tank that size, and a copper and butterfly would be a stunning addition if you can find one locally that is eating, that is the only way I will buy a copperband. They also do aiptasia control for you . Personally, I’d also suggest a large shrimp, fire would be my favorite for the job.

 

[peterire]

Thanks for the feedback.

Im going to look further in to the alternates you guys have suggested. I do have my heart set on a purple Tang, as much as people may protest, but im willing to trade it back in after it gets too big.

Seems like the six line wrasse is better to be added later, they are such a nice looking fish though so i may be willing to take the risk.

Good to know about the 2inch sand depth for the watchman gobbie,due to sand movement from my wavemakers, there is prob certain areas that have close to that depth, so maybe ok? But i can always add a bit more sand.

I have a CUC pack that I purchased, but yet to actually take home are 2 shrimp (peppermint and cleaner), sand sifting starfish, brittle starfish and an emerald crab. I assume it best to add these guys later on.

 

[peterire]

Hi guys,

So iv revised my list a bit. Kole tang instead of a purple (pics of them have grown on me)

anyway, this is my new list below. Its 13 fish, wondering an i pushing the limits of a reefer 350 or is it ok..? Majority are small enough fish

Already in

2 ClownFish
3 Green Chromis
1 Midas Blenny

Next on the list

1 Royal Gramma
2 banggai cardinal
1 Yellow watchman gobbie
1 Six Lined Wrasse
1 Flame Angel
1 kole Tang

Thanks