Opinions - What order should these fish be added?

[Rikerbear]

I am planning 5 fish for my 29 gal FOWLR. My question is, in what order should they be added to the tank so as to make sure of a peacful coexistance?

Flame hawk
Red FireFish
Flame Angel
Long Horned Cow Fish
Royal Gramma

Other inhabitants will be:
Red formosa star
purple lobster
emerald crab
10 hermits
25 snails
tuxedo urchin
3 peppermint shrimp (assuming the hawk doesn't eat)

 

[Jlobes]

you should pretty much plan on nixing the cowfish. that thing needs a large tank, much larger than 29 gallons.

The firefish can go in whenever as they are very peaceful fish. pretty much the same with the gramma. The angel and the hawkfish will be the more aggressive in the tank. And the flame angel even though a dwarf, will be cramped in the 29 as well.

Good on you for researching before you go further. take a better look around at the fish you have in your list, to find/see the care requirements. It may be helpful to start with fish that can be kept in a smaller tank.

 

[Rikerbear]

The cow fish will only be less than an inch long and takes years to grow at which time he will be moved to a larger tank.
I am well versed in the care requirments and have made my list of fish accordingly. The only thing that there is little to no info on is how to add fish correctly so as to not ruffle anyone's territorial feathers as it were. Which is why I was asking for opinions on the order of adding them in.
I have kept all of these fish before but not in this grouping.
Thanks for your opinion Jlobes :smile:

 

[Mr. E Wrasse]

Firefish and cowfish first. They are the most docile id say. Then the flame hawk. Gramma next because they can be a little territorial but usually end up hanging in one are like a little cave lastly the flame angel. People say pygmy angels are usually calm but they can be very aggressive, especially if other tank mates are added well after establishment of the flame. Hope this helps and goodluck!

 

[Rikerbear]

Thanks Mr. E. Wrasse! I sort of assumed that was close to the order I would do them in...and I just knew I'd be adding the angel last for sure.....
Guess it will be the firefish this weekend (if the testing show stability that is)

 

[Mr. E Wrasse]

Sounds good! Just make sure you have a top! Ive lost a few that way unfortunately

 

[Rikerbear]

Sounds good! Just make sure you have a top! Ive lost a few that way unfortunately

Yeah, this tank has a great fully sealed top (learned about top covers the hard way)

 

[Rikerbear]

Any other opinions on the order of addition?
So far I think I will be adding the firefish first....this weekend if all the tests continue to show stability.
Gonna have to get the urchin and maybe a lettuce nudi in there soon too....the dang hair algae is starting to pop up already.

 

[Rikerbear]

Added the red firefish this afternoon. Haven't seen much of him, but I am sure he will be out and about as he gets settled in.
Named him Fuego

 

[Tabasco1]

I would have the same recommendation as jlobes. Unless you have a 200+ system to transfer or you have someone lined up I'd skip the cow. If you have a transfer in place go for it. If not he might be harder to place than you think.

I'd skip the flame in a 29 as well. With the smaller space you will be more likely to see aggression or picking at coral. Sure you could get an exception. But really much smarter (responsible) to stick to the odds.

You seem to already have your mind made up which is why you might not have gotten a lot of response.

Good luck!

 

[caudill187]

I'd add the hawkfish last. The most territorial fish I've ever kept in my reef was a Falco Hawk, and I've kept a bunch of fish. I kept a flame Hawk who was a lot smaller but also very territorial Admittedly the flame hawk may be a touch less aggressive that the Falco, but............

Oh and my Flame Hawk ate my peppermints and loved them

 

[Rikerbear]

I would have the same recommendation as jlobes. Unless you have a 200+ system to transfer or you have someone lined up I'd skip the cow. If you have a transfer in place go for it. If not he might be harder to place than you think.

I'd skip the flame in a 29 as well. With the smaller space you will be more likely to see aggression or picking at coral. Sure you could get an exception. But really much smarter (responsible) to stick to the odds.

You seem to already have your mind made up which is why you might not have gotten a lot of response.

Good luck!

My mind was always made up on the list of fish....the question was on the order to add them. I appreciate the opinions on what fish to forego, but also understand what I need to do to keep them happy until the larger tank is ready for them in a couple years.
I am not planning to keep any corals per say in the fowlr tank, so there will be almost nothing for the angel to nip. May have a few zoas/palys and shrooms but not really sure.

 

[Tabasco1]

Sounds good. A lot of really cool mushrooms out there these days.

I'd say fire, cow, gramma, hawk, angel. You could probably go either way on the gramma/cow since they are shaped so different I don't think it would matter.

 

[Rikerbear]

Thanks Tabasco! That's pretty much what I had thought...wasn't sure about the hawk and angel mainly.
The real challenge will be actually finding these fish in the size I want/need them to be LOL

 

[Tabasco1]

Check drs f&s. I think they frequently have small cow fish. Not sure about the others as far as sizing.

 

[Rikerbear]

Thanks but I'm really picky on my fish. I have to see them in person and see them eat before I take them home. I'm funny that way :neutral:

 

[Rikerbear]

I have decided that as much character and fun loving personality the cow fish has I will for go one till we get to Florida and I set up the 200 gal naturally lit reef I am planning :tongue: (7 more years to plan and dream about it)
Instead I settled for a tiny yellow tang to add my splash of yellow for now. She will have to be traded out in a couple years for sure but for now it's fun to watch her graze the algae on the live rock. The out growth of byopsis and some hair algae are nearly all gone in just 3 days.
So far I have the firefish and the tang in the tank. In a couple weeks or so I will look to add the gramma.

 

[eliramos]

not the tang!!! lol
if you really want that flash i would suggest a canary wrasse beautiful guys with lots of character.
im afraid the tang wont last a few years in that size tank, possibly not even a few months.
i also have a 29gallon biocube.
in the best interest of the fish i would return the tang..due to the size of the tank he will be a lot more aggressive than you would think!

 

[Rikerbear]

not the tang!!! lol
if you really want that flash i would suggest a canary wrasse beautiful guys with lots of character.
im afraid the tang wont last a few years in that size tank, possibly not even a few months.
i also have a 29gallon biocube.
in the best interest of the fish i would return the tang..due to the size of the tank he will be a lot more aggressive than you would think!

Thanks but don't need the Tang Police visiting.....I know what I am doing and know that this size tank is indeed not good for an adult size tang. A tang the size of a quarter (like mine) will be fine for a LONG time. The larger tank is in the works and will be next summer's project.
Thanks for your concern for the fish, but it is unwarranted.......

 

[eliramos]

Best of luck my friend


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