Stocking a 75g Reef

kkgaskin90 · May 24, 2015

Slowly, very slowly stocking a 75g reef. Here's what we have:
-Flame Hawkfish
-(2) Bartlett's Anthias
-Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Here's what we were thinking:
-Peppermint Shrimp
-1 more Bartlett's Anthias*
-Kole Tang
-Some form of wrasse
-Some form of goby
-Eibli Angel**

*Should the Anthias we put in be smaller than the ones already in? And does it need to be a Bartlett's? I thought you could only keep one species of Anthias together, but I'm finding conflicting information on the matter.
**With the Eibli, I'm concerned it will start to nip at corals. SO are there any suggestions as to a colorful fish around the size of a dwarf angel that is a little more reef safe?
Is that a good stock list? Too heavy? Any input is appreciated

Rattooth · May 24, 2015

My experience with all dwarfs angel fish is corals of all kinds are safe , but NOT clams. I know I have seen pictures and videos all over the net showing large and dwarf angels with clams, but my dwarf Angels always eventually start to nip the clams. They may behave for as long as a year, but someday they get bored and say" Oh , watch this clam flinch!"

Rattooth · May 24, 2015

I like Royal Grammas. Very safe and hardy for reef.
?

kkgaskin90 · May 24, 2015

Not looking to get a clam, so we'd be safe on that front.

eatbreakfast · May 24, 2015

I have found a varying degree of reefsafeness with dwarf angels, some being completely reef safe, others have quite the taste for coral polyps. It can be done, but there is no true secret to ensure it won't.

Bartletts can be aggressive as anthias go, I would recommend adding a group of smaller bartletts to the 2 that are established, rather than a single one that will almost certainly face an insurmountable amount of aggression.

kkgaskin90 · May 24, 2015

Well they aren't very established, they are currently in week 2 of quarantine, but that's probably a good idea

Kan123 · May 27, 2015

hey man,

I'd suggest keeping your bartlett anthias in odd numbers. I tend to find less aggression and higher survival rates when any form of anthias are in odd numbers.

And if you're keen on keeping an angelfish, go for a Lamarck or Swallowtail, both extremely beautiful in my opinion with wonderful personalities. (and completely reef safe)

Lubbock fairy wrasse tends to look beautiful and are active while being peaceful and for gobies, if you're looking for an effective one to clean your sandbed, keep a golden headed (in MHO they are the best at balancing effectiveness with beauty). if you want gobies for aesthetics, try a court jester or hector. they are very small, but i think they add a sense of scale to the aquarium while still looking great.

Humblefish · May 27, 2015

I have an Eibli and it does nip occasionally on my soft corals. The one dwarf angel I've have had the best luck with (not nipping) is a Coral Beauty. Can't explain why that is really.

You could also put a few reef safe wrasses in there: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+1378

kkgaskin90 · May 27, 2015

Kan123 said:
hey man,

I'd suggest keeping your bartlett anthias in odd numbers. I tend to find less aggression and higher survival rates when any form of anthias are in odd numbers.

And if you're keen on keeping an angelfish, go for a Lamarck or Swallowtail, both extremely beautiful in my opinion with wonderful personalities. (and completely reef safe)

Lubbock fairy wrasse tends to look beautiful and are active while being peaceful and for gobies, if you're looking for an effective one to clean your sandbed, keep a golden headed (in MHO they are the best at balancing effectiveness with beauty). if you want gobies for aesthetics, try a court jester or hector. they are very small, but i think they add a sense of scale to the aquarium while still looking great.

I had a trio, but had a rapid ammonia spike and lost one in QT before I could even get the water for a water change. I'm nervous about introducing just one to the two that are already in since they will have been in much longer once I can get another through quarantine... And I'm thinking 5 Anthias in a 75g will be a bit much. Not quite sure what to do.

I think both those angels are much too large for a 75g, correct?

My husband likes the gold headed goby, so that is on the list

kkgaskin90 · May 27, 2015

Humblefish said:
I have an Eibli and it does nip occasionally on my soft corals. The one dwarf angel I've have had the best luck with (not nipping) is a Coral Beauty. Can't explain why that is really.

You could also put a few reef safe wrasses in there: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+1378

Interesting! I'm game for a coral beauty. I guess it's really luck of the draw. Wish there was a way to test it before I got it in my tank and have a heck of a time getting it back out!

Humblefish · May 27, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
Interesting! I'm game for a coral beauty. I guess it's really luck of the draw. Wish there was a way to test it before I got it in my tank and have a heck of a time getting it back out!

It can also change over time. Most of the fish we buy are juveniles, and IME small dwarf angels are less likely to nip. But as they grow, the chances increase. Just like with regular angels ... the juveniles don't usually nip, but adults can inflict major damage to certain corals.

kkgaskin90 · May 27, 2015

Humblefish said:
I have an Eibli and it does nip occasionally on my soft corals. The one dwarf angel I've have had the best luck with (not nipping) is a Coral Beauty. Can't explain why that is really.

You could also put a few reef safe wrasses in there: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15+1378

Do you think the Eibli's nipping will/has caused you to lose some corals?

Also, any particular order I should add the things on the list?

Humblefish · May 27, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
Do you think the Eibli's nipping will/has caused you to lose some corals?

Also, any particular order I should add the things on the list?

I think I probably don't see as much growth as I should, but overall the damage is minimal. But my tank is filled with mature coral colonies. You might notice the damage more with frags.

I would add the fish in this order: goby, wrasse, anthias, tang, angel. (It's sort of a toss up between the tang & angel who goes in last. Maybe just QT/add them both at the same time?)

kkgaskin90 · May 27, 2015

Ok-that's what I had in mind but wanted to make sure, thanks!

eatbreakfast · May 28, 2015

I would flip the order on the wrasse and anthias and the tang and angel.

billgillette · May 28, 2015

From my experience with the gobies I currently have a diamond goby. I have had the yellow headed before and yeah he did sift the sand but unlike my diamond he would swim all over my tank while he sifted it leaving sand all over my corals. The diamond really only leaves the sand bed at feeding time.

Kan123 · Jun 4, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
I had a trio, but had a rapid ammonia spike and lost one in QT before I could even get the water for a water change. I'm nervous about introducing just one to the two that are already in since they will have been in much longer once I can get another through quarantine... And I'm thinking 5 Anthias in a 75g will be a bit much. Not quite sure what to do.

I think both those angels are much too large for a 75g, correct?

My husband likes the gold headed goby, so that is on the list

no they arent too large, they require a minimum space of 70 gallons so you could keep one

why not try a trio of chromis, real easy to keep, easy feed and really low bioload

SantaMonicaHelp · Jun 4, 2015

Rattooth said:
My experience with all dwarfs angel fish is corals of all kinds are safe , but NOT clams. I know I have seen pictures and videos all over the net showing large and dwarf angels with clams, but my dwarf Angels always eventually start to nip the clams. They may behave for as long as a year, but someday they get bored and say" Oh , watch this clam flinch!"

Lol, they would do that.

~ CI

kkgaskin90 · Sep 10, 2015

So my list has changed a bit and I'm looking for suggestions. Here's what I have:
Kole Tang
Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Flame Hawkfish
3 Bartlett's Anthias (in QT)
(plus inverts)

Definitely want a Blue Star Leopard wrasse.. Any other suggestions? I'm weird about colors and want lots of movement... Maybe blues and/or greens but not Chromis simply because everyone has them

I'm off the Angel kick... Don't want to chance my corals

4FordFamily · Sep 10, 2015

kkgaskin90 said:
So my list has changed a bit and I'm looking for suggestions. Here's what I have:
Kole Tang
Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Flame Hawkfish
3 Bartlett's Anthias (in QT)
(plus inverts)

Definitely want a Blue Star Leopard wrasse.. Any other suggestions? I'm weird about colors and want lots of movement... Maybe blues and/or greens but not Chromis simply because everyone has them I'm off the Angel kick... Don't want to chance my corals

Blue star leopards are allegedly easier leopard species but I went through heck getting them to survive - I can keep every other type just fine. My males were no challenge, which I hear is reversed from normal experience.

They're a gorgeous leopard. I recommend adding a group of leopard wrasses and waiting until your tank is very established with lots of pods. Adding 2-4 would be my suggestion. If it were me I would get a male blue star, a female blue star, an ornate, and a potters. Sweet mix of leopards! I have all four and others as well they're fantastic additions but they are demanding. You'll need a sandbed and prazi pro.

Once established they're hardy. That first two to four weeks is critical.