Reef Fish choices

[Akadios]

Why do you say snail only clean up crew?
I'e been doing a lot of reading about the reef,I'll check out their yout tube channel

 

[SourAngelfish]

Hermits can cause problems

 

[Akadios]

What problems can they cause? I have some now haven' seen any, is it different for a reef than fish only?

 

[SourAngelfish]

They will usually end up killing your snails which are usually more vital to the clean up crew, some of the larger Hermits will also move stuff around and eat smaller fish, I generally tend to stay away from them but I have a few blue legs at the moment.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Maybe another damsel like a three stripe... I’m not really sure, you may also be able to get away with a coris wrasse. As for cleaners I would probably have one snail/hermit per 2 gallons and get and emerald crab either a peppermint or cleaner shrimp and a serpent star. The clean up crew won’t really be determined until you see how much waste all of these fish will produce.

I would recommend against adding a 3 stripe damsel if you are adding your current fish last.

I have also found that 1 hermit/snail for every 2g is very overstocked. They end up outcompeting each other, and if a snail starves and dies it produces a lot more waste than if a hermit dies.

They will usually end up killing your snails which are usually more vital to the clean up crew, some of the larger Hermits will also move stuff around and eat smaller fish, I generally tend to stay away from them but I have a few blue legs at the moment.

I have found a mixed cuc does a better job than sticking with just one type of cleaner. As long as cuc isn't overstocked, crabs will take the easy scavenging opportunity rather than hunting, unless it needs a new shell.

 

[Akadios]

would the 3 line at the same time as the current fish work or should I look at a different fish?

 

[SourAngelfish]

I would recommend against adding a 3 stripe damsel if you are adding your current fish last.

I have also found that 1 hermit/snail for every 2g is very overstocked. They end up outcompeting each other, and if a snail starves and dies it produces a lot more waste than if a hermit dies.


I have found a mixed cuc does a better job than sticking with just one type of cleaner. As long as cuc isn't overstocked, crabs will take the easy scavenging opportunity rather than hunting, unless it needs a new shell.

Thank you for correcting me, that’s the guideline I usually hear. I would of most likely done it in my tank and that would of been a big mess up .

 

[Akadios]

So my plan is to go with the Hawkfish, Blenny (either starry or lawnmower), Diamond Goby.

I will add an assortment of cleaners up to 1 per 3 gallons. (Should I get a shrimp or anything besides crabs/snails?)

I will have space for 2 or 3 more fish, I think I will add 1 more to be safe. Any thoughts on a fish compatible with the Hawkfish, Blenny, Goby, Yellow Tang, 6 Line Wrasse, and Blue and Gold Damsel? Would any type of Clownfish be a valid option given that I don't plan on an Anemone any time soon?

Also anyone have any thoughts on the using the 206 as a reactor and putting the intake and output in the last area of my sump?

 

[SourAngelfish]

A clown pair would probably work, they don’t need anemones.

 

[Akadios]

Would there be a specific type of clown I should go for?

 

[SourAngelfish]

Maybe a clarkii clown? I would add it after everything else except for the damsel and wrasse

 

[Akadios]

Would I want a pair? Bringing the total fish to 8?

 

[SourAngelfish]

For the clarkii I’m fairly sure a pair might cause problems, so maybe an ocellaris pair? The ocellaris are kind of cool cause you can get designer varieties,but for the clarkii I would do her by herself if our decide on it.

 

[Akadios]

What is the benefit of Clarkii over Ocellaris? Is it just their hardiness to handle the more aggressive tank mates?

 

[Joshua Agostoni]

Any thoughts on specific fish?

Your tang will be fine your damsels will be fine.. to prevent agressivness toward new fish get an acclimation box..

 

[Marineman82]

If going aggressive go with a black cap dottyback. Maybe instead of the six line, go for a melanerus(I think that's how it's spelled) it's not too aggressive and will eat some diff variety of pests in the tank

 

[SourAngelfish]

What is the benefit of Clarkii over Ocellaris? Is it just their hardiness to handle the more aggressive tank mates?

The Clarkii is able to handle more aggression from the others

 

[Akadios]

Thanks everyone for their help, I will be building this tank over the next couple months and will keep people updated with a reef build thread.