Quick question about live stock

[Subuchef]

Hi everyone just looking for a quick answer to my question, I have currently a 13.5g fluval, been up and active for about 2 1/2 months everything is thriving I have a bunch of corals, 2 young occ clowns that seem to be paired (dont know if juveniles can pair but they dont leave eachother's side) and a 6line wrasse that gets along with them like best buds. So anyway my question is would I be pushing it by getting another small fish like a yasha goby or another tiny shrimp goby, to pair with a red banded pistol shrimp? I totally understand if the bioload would be too much but I do weekly water changes/tests I'm always trying to be on top of it since i'm still learning and love learning in this hobby. As for thinking about the 10g being small in territory i was thinking the pair would eventually burrow and basically take up no territory space from the other fish. I do however have an emerald crab though felt like I should throw that out there he's fairly small and feeds on seaweed but don't want any fighting going on.

 

[GoVols]

First off if it already has not already happened, one of your young clowns will turn into a female.

Your reef is going great and I would not push it.

But... JMO.

 

[Subuchef]

First off if it already has not already happened, one of your young clowns will turn into a female.

Your reef is going great and I would not push it.

But... JMO.

I assume they are paired just don't know 100% The bigger one is the female correct?
Also I agree i shouldn't push it was just wondering if I was able to get by, thank you for the input I appreciate it. Do you think a fire shrimp on the other hand would be pushing it, i've read that inverts don't have a huge bioload but honestly can't go off everything I read right? Im just wondering if I can fit in a last nice addition with some color.

 

[GoVols]

I assume they are paired just don't know 100% The bigger one is the female correct?
Also I agree i shouldn't push it was just wondering if I was able to get by, thank you for the input I appreciate it. Do you think a fire shrimp on the other hand would be pushing it, i've read that inverts don't have a huge bioload but honestly can't go off everything I read right? Im just wondering if I can fit in a last nice addition with some color.

Yes,
The bigger one would be the female or will turn into the female.

I agree that a fire shrimp would be a nice addition and they are beautiful color wise. I like skunk cleaner shrimps because they seem to be less shy than a fire shrimp.

A pair of harlequin shrimp are my favorite but my reef has plenty of tiny asterina starfish for them to feed on.

I would not add more fish just based on your bio-load but your clowns will grow and need their territory too, as another factor.

By all means, if you want a shrimp then get one. If you can support the harlequin's feeding needs then they are awesome boogers.

I'd pass on a banded just because I've had mean ones in the past.

 

[Subuchef]

Yes,
The bigger one would be the female or will turn into the female.

I agree that a fire shrimp would be a nice addition and they are beautiful color wise. I like skunk cleaner shrimps because they seem to be less shy than a fire shrimp.

A pair of harlequin shrimp are my favorite but my reef has plenty of tiny asterina starfish for them to feed on.

I would not add more fish just based on your bio-load but your clowns will grow and need their territory too, as another factor.

By all means, if you want a shrimp then get one. If you can support the harlequin's feeding needs then they are awesome boogers.

I'd pass on a banded just because I've had mean ones in the past.

I've heard fire shrimp are pretty shy but are they to the point of you barely see them? The ones at my lfs are in small viewing tanks and dont seem skiddish from someone looking at them but of course it all changes in a new environment, do you think a shrimp and my emerald would get along? I feed my crab a small piece of seaweed every couple days and he sprints to it and doesn't share so I would hope hes happily fed, i've read they can be a pest but i really love them. As for the harlequin shrimp would you only recommend them if you have a population of asterina stars or other star for them to feed? I haven't read much on them but they are beautiful and would be really into getting a pair but I know they only eat starfish so if its something like a mandarin I couldn't provide for it, but if you have any info I would be totally up for some reading.

 

[GoVols]

Zweiday,
My local reef shop keeps fire shrimp in small tanks like yours but there are a lot of them in there so they may be bolder in groups. I have a larger display than yourself so they tended to hide but one maybe more visible in your small display or maybe your local fish store has one that's not as shy to the couple I had over the years.

I think you have a good question about how your emerald would react to a shrimp in your small display and I just don't know.

I bought my harley's to help keep my asterina starfish population down last year and then I fell in love with them.
It looks like a nano is a no go for these guys unless your willing to freeze large starfish and feed a little at a time.

I would ask your (LFS) if you would have trouble between your crab and a fire or skunk shrimp.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've heard fire shrimp are pretty shy but are they to the point of you barely see them? The ones at my lfs are in small viewing tanks and dont seem skiddish from someone looking at them but of course it all changes in a new environment, do you think a shrimp and my emerald would get along? I feed my crab a small piece of seaweed every couple days and he sprints to it and doesn't share so I would hope hes happily fed, i've read they can be a pest but i really love them. As for the harlequin shrimp would you only recommend them if you have a population of asterina stars or other star for them to feed? I haven't read much on them but they are beautiful and would be really into getting a pair but I know they only eat starfish so if its something like a mandarin I couldn't provide for it, but if you have any info I would be totally up for some reading.

In a small tank fire shrimp may not always be front and center, but should remain visible.

Don't get a harlequin unless you are prepared to buy starfish to feed every week/ every other week.

Don't add anymore fish. The bioload may be an issue, but the 6line will definitely be an issue.

 

[GoVols]

the 6line will definitely be an issue.

+1

 

[Subuchef]

I appreciate the feedback definitely figured i was maxed out in this tank, and yeah the harlequin are pretty demanding saw a pair at my LFS but seems like their feeding regiment is intensive. Are 6line wrasses bullies? my clowns seem to be doing fine, first few days i saw like 2 scuffles between the female clown but they settled it and wake up every morning together. But I made the decision and got a fire shrimp, I totally under stand they are more reclusive than the other shrimp but I really love these guys and also asked my lfs if they were ok with a small emerald and they said it would be fine and I also noticed there are 2 crabs in the tank with the fire shrimp so I hope there wont be an issue.

 

[Subuchef]

In a small tank fire shrimp may not always be front and center, but should remain visible.

Don't get a harlequin unless you are prepared to buy starfish to feed every week/ every other week.

Don't add anymore fish. The bioload may be an issue, but the 6line will definitely be an issue.

+1

Just wanted to thank you guys and before this thread was wrapped up I had a quick question I picked up an orange hammer coral today aswell and wanted to know if this was ok flow for it, I read low to med flow and im really still learning how to tell what is what aside from the obvious barely any flow to really high flow. I currently have a koralia 240 in my 13g aimed slightly upwards a few inches under, i can get a pic if needed and now that i remember someone doesnt mind helping me dial in my flow so its perfect and tweak it I would much appreciate it.

 

[GoVols]

Zweiday,
You did good!

It's been a long time since I had a 6 line. All that I remember as it got bigger that it became a pest to other fish over time.

 

[GoVols]

I have one branching hammer and one wall hammer. If they don't fully extend then the flow is too much. (I shot for a nice gentle sway for them)
Also a branching hammer is more forgiving than a wall hammer in keeping healthy over the long haul.