Just a question

[AgentAlice]

In a 36 bowfront saltwater tank. What is the total fish list including corals you can put into with it being overstocked of course?

 

[Luno]

It's a difficult question, which I guess goes into 2 parts.

1) actual fish size and size of aquarium and fish swimming nature. You need to research each fish, a good source for me has always been live aquaria. Gives a pretty good basic reference to the natural habits and minimum tank size of a fish.

2) bioload really depends on how well you are exporting nutrients. I have a 15g cube which many would say overstocked bioload wise but I have have high export nitrate stable at 1-2 and phosphate stable at 0.02-0.03. I have 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 mandarin, 1 bicolor blenny and a coral Banded shrimp. As well as clams and other inverts and cuc.

If you are a novice reefer I would air on the side of caution, and not try pushing your bioload limits. I would also be careful to introduce the bioload slowly so your system can figure itself out and have a good idea what fish you will want to try and add overall as temperament and timing of addition may play a role in fish safety and health.

 

[Luno]

Also corals don't count to bioload. Depending on what corals though just have to be careful of coral warfare say in a mixed reef

 

[AgentAlice]

It's a difficult question, which I guess goes into 2 parts.

1) actual fish size and size of aquarium and fish swimming nature. You need to research each fish, a good source for me has always been live aquaria. Gives a pretty good basic reference to the natural habits and minimum tank size of a fish.

2) bioload really depends on how well you are exporting nutrients. I have a 15g cube which many would say overstocked bioload wise but I have have high export nitrate stable at 1-2 and phosphate stable at 0.02-0.03. I have 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 mandarin, 1 bicolor blenny and a coral Banded shrimp. As well as clams and other inverts and cuc.

If you are a novice reefer I would air on the side of caution, and not try pushing your bioload limits. I would also be careful to introduce the bioload slowly so your system can figure itself out and have a good idea what fish you will want to try and add overall as temperament and timing of addition may play a role in fish safety and health.

Cause I was thinking when that day comes to add fish. I wanted to get two clowns cause everywhere I seen they say it's better with a pair, 3 green chromins, and two firefish. And 2 or 3 corals. But I was thinking bout is that too many fish. I love going to live aqaria site I like to see what they have and I say I like this fish and look on other sites and YouTube about them..... and my tank is 36 gallons but I'm looking at the max size of those fish. Trying to see them at their max size if the lord grant me the knowledge to care of them that long without them dying or anything.

 

[karo25]

Although I have 3 Chromis in my 75gal display and they're getting along great for a year now, I have read often that they can kill off one another until their is only one. I believe the smaller the tank the more likely that will be. To have two Firefish you'd need to get a mated pair or you could run into the same issue. For the Clownfish you'd need a mated pair or make sure to buy them young so they grow up together and naturally decide who will be female. You might want to look at an algae eating Gobie once your tank is up and stable to help with your display maintenance.

 

[AgentAlice]

Although I have 3 Chromis in my 75gal display and they're getting along great for a year now, I have read often that they can kill off one another until their is only one. I believe the smaller the tank the more likely that will be. To have two Firefish you'd need to get a mated pair or you could run into the same issue. For the Clownfish you'd need a mated pair or make sure to buy them young so they grow up together and naturally decide who will be female. You might want to look at an algae eating Gobie once your tank is up and stable to help with your display maintenance.

Ok thanks I could look for another fish that it could get in place of the chromis and I thought bout that but I wasnt sure bout adding on cause I'm thinking long terms as each fish will grow and the all the fish I'm looking at i want in pair....but how can you tell which one is a Male and female. I love fish but I cant tell which is which for some of them...

 

[AgentAlice]

Also corals don't count to bioload. Depending on what corals though just have to be careful of coral warfare say in a mixed reef

Yes I'm always looking into the pros and cons on corals but I figure in another year from now I get one cause I want to make sure everything needs to be and all. Some I know would kill them other or grow over the other anything comes to play.....but I thank you for answering my question

 

[karo25]

If you watch "Divers Den" on Liveaquaria.com they will often offer fish in bonded pairs. As for Clownfish, they are all male in the beginning and eventually the strongest one will become female, thus the reason for getting them young. Often there is no way to tell male from female and there are several breeds of fish that transition like the Clownfish.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/divers-den/category/3/marine-fish

Although the fish on Diver's Den are slightly more expensive than other fish they offer, it is well worth the little extra money for fish that have been quarantined and made sure they are eating on captive foods.

 

[AgentAlice]

If you watch "Divers Den" on Liveaquaria.com they will often offer fish in bonded pairs. As for Clownfish, they are all male in the beginning and eventually the strongest one will become female, thus the reason for getting them young. Often there is no way to tell male from female and there are several breeds of fish that transition like the Clownfish.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/divers-den/category/3/marine-fish

Although the fish on Diver's Den are slightly more expensive than other fish they offer, it is well worth the little extra money for fish that have been quarantined and made sure they are eating on captive foods.

I never knew clownfish does that but thanks I will check it all out