Looking for help with stocking list

[Brewman1987]

so I have this 40 breeder with 20 sump currently a mixed reef. With 2 paired clowns that are almost 4 years old, inverts (pistol shrimp, crabs, serpent stars & etc). I'm looking to add a few more fish the beginning of the new year. My wife already wants a valentini puffer (gamble with reef compatability ) . Looking for suggestions on what else I should add, maybe a goby or Blenny of some sort? Any ideas would be great. For waste export I use a skimmer and have gfo and rox Carbon running.

Dan

 

[CodyRVA]

Depends if you're going to introduce any coral, if so what types, and how mature your system is. If you're strictly keeping fish, you have many more options. A Goby/Blenny would be a great reef safe option, but steer clear of specific types as some require established aquariums like the red scooter blenny. Similarly any mandarin dragonet, while inexpensive and beautiful, depends on a healthy supply of pods, and is not ideal for young systems. Some of my reef friendly favs are Long nose hawkfish, foxface rabbitfish, chromis, anthias, and some wrasse's. Dwarf angels and other non reef safe wrasses would be great if you're not adding coral. Keep in mind you have a 40 gallon tank, which IMO is slightly small for most triggers and tangs, but to each their own.

 

[Brewman1987]

Yeah negative on tangs and triggers, right now I have small section of zoas, gorgonians, chalice, frogspawn and mushroom. Plenty of caves and such in rock work. Was looking into either lawnmower Blenny or possibly a sand sifting goby. Keeping corals to a minimum as I will let my current ones grow out.

 

[CodyRVA]

Gotcha. There are plenty of Blenny's and Wrasses that would be great. Angels are nice, but you really are playing with fire in regards to the coral, its a 50/50 chance. I would look at Live Aquaria, I don't buy from there, but its a great place to get basic information and narrow down your options. If you find one, do some forum research on real life behavior of the fish.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I wouldn't add a foxface or a rabbitfish to 40g, they get big.

A valentini puffer will work, and most of your cuc will be safe.

A few suggestions that would work would include; a midas blenny, grammistes blenny, stigmatura blenny, clown goby, watchman goby, yellow assessor, swales basslet, royal gramma, chalk bass, zebra goby firefish, yellow head jawfish.