Stocking a 200L reef

Emma_fish · Feb 14, 2022

Hi everyone, I’ve got a new 200L (not sure in gallons I think it is somewhere between 40 and 50) tank and I would like some advise on stocking

I’m thinking:
Pair of clowns
Watchman goby
Pistol shrimp
Midas blenny
Filefish
Mandarin dragonet(once copepod population is sustainable)
Tuxedo Sea urchin

ok, questions:
1.Is the pistol shrimp likely to kill my clowns?
2. It’s a lidless tank how likely is the blenny to jump
3. Have I got to many fish/inverts that hang around the bottom of the tank

T-J · Feb 14, 2022

Get a mesh lid that covers the entire top. I've had jumpers, even with a lid that had a little bit of space for my light legs.
I don't think the pistol shrimp is an issue for the clowns.
I wouldn't put a Mandarin in a tank that small. Not unless you want to stock it with pods every week.
Can I ask, my isn't your tank filled all the way?
I'd suggest getting an ATO as well.

Sharkbait19 · Feb 14, 2022

Pistol shrimps (the pairing kinds) are harmless and basically blind, so there is little worry of it hurting anything. May steal the occasional hermit crab or snail but that’s about it.
No experience with blennies or lidless tanks, but I’d imagine that everything is at risk without a lid. Gobies are known to jump. I’d get a screen lid for safety.
The watchman is the only guy to be strictly living sandbed, the mandarin and blenny will go about the rock and sand.

Emma_fish · Feb 14, 2022

T-J said:
Get a mesh lid that covers the entire top. I've had jumpers, even with a lid that had a little bit of space for my light legs.
I don't think the pistol shrimp is an issue for the clowns.
I wouldn't put a Mandarin in a tank that small. Not unless you want to stock it with pods every week.
Can I ask, my isn't your tank filled all the way?
I'd suggest getting an ATO as well.

Oh yeah the picture was taken whilst I was filling it up, it is now filled all the way
Mesh lid is probs a good idea I will see what I can find, thanks!

nereefpat · Feb 14, 2022

Emma_fish said:
Hi everyone, I’ve got a new 200L (not sure in gallons I think it is somewhere between 40 and 50)

Hey, yourself! 200 liters / 3.79 L/gallon = 53 gallons

Emma_fish said:
I’m thinking:
Pair of clowns
Watchman goby
Pistol shrimp
Midas blenny
Filefish
Mandarin dragonet(once copepod population is sustainable)
Tuxedo Sea urchin

That's pretty reasonable. The filefish and mandarin require some research.

Emma_fish said:
ok, questions:
1.Is the pistol shrimp likely to kill my clowns?
2. It’s a lidless tank how likely is the blenny to jump
3. Have I got to many fish/inverts that hang around the bottom of the tank

Shrimp is safe with fish.
Gobies and blennies are pretty risky without a lid. Believe it or not, I've seen clowns and mandarins jump too. A mesh lid is easy to make and cheap.
I think your list looks fine.

Emma_fish · Feb 15, 2022

nereefpat said:
Hey, yourself! 200 liters / 3.79 L/gallon = 53 gallons

That's pretty reasonable. The filefish and mandarin require some research.

Shrimp is safe with fish.
Gobies and blennies are pretty risky without a lid. Believe it or not, I've seen clowns and mandarins jump too. A mesh lid is easy to make and cheap.
I think your list looks fine.

Yeah I know the mandarin will need lots (and lots) of copepods
I will deffo look at a mesh lid the last thing I want is to wake up to a blenny on the floor

Sharkbait19 · Feb 15, 2022

One option is a scooter dragonet, a bit smaller so eats a bit less.

cdw79 · Feb 15, 2022

Midas bennies are known carpet surfers. Mine, which I'm on the fence about rehoming due to aggression to my Yellow Assessor, is always poking his head out of the water and/or half jumping out near the powerhead lol. Lid is an absolute must imo. Get the DIY reefer mesh setup and use zip ties instead of the roller and rope stuff they give- heard that's a nightmare but the zipties were a DIY godsend. Can't recommend them highly enough (just trim the ends when you're done).

I think your fish "distribution" is fine. My pistol shrimp / goby pair don't mind anyone near them, if anything the goby is overly timid!

And I'm sure you know this but keep in mind that filefish will likely limit what coral you could potentially add. Super cool fish, but not if you like zoas

bnord · Feb 15, 2022

I paid for a Midas to be picked up from the LFS from a lidless tank. Needless to say I am still waiting the replacement... smile

Also had a long term clown jump through the cracks a poorly closed mesh top (ended up dried out on top of the mesh - still remember it)

So, please get a good tight lid

and never had a problem with pistols and fish losses

lastly, never kept a Mandarin, but if captive bred are available where you are, would go that way, but I would still wait 6 months, or until your in tank pod collection is observed

Best of just - great start!

Emma_fish · Feb 15, 2022

Thanks so much everyone for your advice, definitely going to get a lid probably a bit of mesh that I will cut to size and tie on

HudsonReefer2.0 · Feb 15, 2022

T-J said:
Get a mesh lid that covers the entire top. I've had jumpers, even with a lid that had a little bit of space for my light legs.
I don't think the pistol shrimp is an issue for the clowns.
I wouldn't put a Mandarin in a tank that small. Not unless you want to stock it with pods every week.
Can I ask, my isn't your tank filled all the way?
I'd suggest getting an ATO as well.

Low tide

cdw79 · Feb 15, 2022

Forgot to mention- you may already know this but make sure your rocks are all the way on the bottom of the tank! Rock on glass. There's nothing worse than an overzealous pistol shrimp digging under rockwork balanced on the sand and causing a collapse or even a crack in the side glass. The latter happened to me as a kid- always place rocks firmly on the glass whenever you have any tank member that could be digging around there! Good luck with the incoming fish!

Emma_fish · Feb 19, 2022

Been to my lfs to get more water and I’ve seen a dwarf fuzzy lion fish and I’m obsessed!
Is there anyway that I could keep one of these ? It seemed quite small like the size of one of those little tangerines (it could’ve been young though )
Edit: after some research realised it’s a no. I don’t want any snails shrimp or crabs to be eaten and they are super messy eaters

Emma_fish · Feb 19, 2022

This is the list I’ve got to now, the clowns are the only definite in open to changing others
Would this be ok, and what order should I add them in ?

GHOSTLY · Feb 19, 2022

That should work! Perfect stocking. Mandarin of course wait a year or so and have a refugium for it

i cant think · Feb 19, 2022

Emma_fish said:
This is the list I’ve got to now, the clowns are the only definite in open to changing others
Would this be ok, and what order should I add them in ?

So, the Midas blenny might be too aggressive. I’d recommend going with a different fish from the genus.
Here’s my Escenius lineatus (Linear Blenny)

Also Midas and Bicolours are risky around coral IME. Watchman gobies are often more boisterous gobies and may not be happy with other gobies in the tank. I’d stick to a Stonogobiops goby if you want the pairing ability, this will also take off the limit of the tiger pistol. If you want a watchman for the sand sifting then you’d be better with a Valenciennea goby since no Cryptocentrus actually does sand si. Here’s some of my gobies I own:
Stonogobiops yasha (Yasha Goby)

Gobiodon acicularis (Black Clown Goby)

Koumansetta hectori (Hectors Goby)

The filefish will most likely take a liking to Coral (Specifically the polyps). The Hawkfish may also eat ornamental shrimp, crabs and possibly snails.
The Stary Goby is hard to find IME, but other than that I think its alright (Could be wrong).

If you want my opinion I’d grab a Hectors Goby due to both the beautiful gold stripes they have on their body and the cyano eating ability (Actually, IMHO these guys are better than a blenny when it comes to algae - They eat it all, Dinos, Diatoms, Cyano, GHA, ect).

Emma_fish · Feb 19, 2022

Ok so updated list
Clowns
Mandarin
Watchman goby shrimp pair
Clown goby/lawnmower goby

I’m looking for some good fairly easy care oddballs, I’ve seen the Valentini puffer or a longhorn cow fish (think they need a huge tank though) and suggestions ?