Stocking List and Questions

[HTXReefer]

I am currently 1 month into setting up a 215 gallon (72x24x30) tank. I Have just started the fishless cycle process. I am looking to add the following fish but would like input as to compatibility and proper stocking order and any other suggestions. I have 3 20 gallon QTs up and running to start the QT process.
I want a very heavy bio load and have the filtration ready to support the necessary nutrient export.
The tank is being setup as a SPS dominant tank so everything has to be reef safe.
Thank you in advance for any help.

3+ orchid dottybacks
1- yellow tang from my 72 bowfront
1-blue tang
1-orange shoulder tang
1-chevron tang
1-exquisite fairy wrasse
1-red headed fairy wrasse
1- pair of Platinum percula clowns
1- pair occelaris clownfish
1- mandarin dragonette
1- CBB ( later addition)
3+ lyretail anthias (later addition)
1-purple spotted goby from my 72 bowfront
1-black cap basslet

 

[Chef Mateo]

My biggest worry would be that the orchid dottybacks would fight to the death but i don't have personal experience with them.

The clown pairs my also fight but if you introduce them at the same time and on separate sides of the tank then they should be fine.

Also what fish do you mean by red headed fairy wrasse? Do you mean C. solorensis ? If so add that wrasse after the exquisite because it may become slightly aggro to the exquisite but it should be fine.

Other then that I think it looks very good

I'm not a tang expert so you may want to check with the tang peeps just to make sure they are all compatible

If you want a heavier bioload I would suggest a few more fish to that stock list seems like a smaller list for a 215.
I would recommend some medium/smaller fish to fill out the tank more let me know if you want any suggestions.

 

[HTXReefer]

My biggest worry would be that the orchid dottybacks would fight to the death but i don't have personal experience with them.

The clown pairs my also fight but if you introduce them at the same time and on separate sides of the tank then they should be fine.

Also what fish do you mean by red headed fairy wrasse? Do you mean C. solorensis ? If so add that wrasse after the exquisite because it may become slightly aggro to the exquisite but it should be fine.

Other then that I think it looks very good

I'm not a tang expert so you may want to check with the tang peeps just to make sure they are all compatible

If you want a heavier bioload I would suggest a few more fish to that stock list seems like a smaller list for a 215.
I would recommend some medium/smaller fish to fill out the tank more let me know if you want any suggestions.

Thank you for the reply. I too had the same concern about the dottybacks but figured I’d add them at the same time in hopes to combat any aggression.
As for the red headed fairy wrasse it’s C.Cyanopleura.

as for bioload I would love to add more tangs and/or angels or any other larger reef safe fish. I do agree that I won’t get the achievable bioload with this list so I need a few more fish for sure. Any suggestions?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Heavy bioload you say?
Doesn't get much heavier than a big ol' moray. If you pick say, a snowflake, they predominantly eat crustaceans, so your fish would be safe, but certain clean up crew might be problematic.

 

[HTXReefer]

Heavy bioload you say?
Doesn't get much heavier than a big ol' moray. If you pick say, a snowflake, they predominantly eat crustaceans, so your fish would be safe, but certain clean up crew might be problematic.

I thought about an eel. They are awesome. I’m just worried about securing the tank well enough for them. My wife would freak out if one got out plus I think I’ll need an extensive CUC for this tank

 

[Hugh Mann]

They are awesome, I love mine.

I secured my rocks together with reefcrest aqua weld. It's a reusable thermoplastic and held my rocks well, rock solid.

A tight fitting mesh or solid lid should keep it in the tank too. But at least for me, mine has yet to make an escape attempt.

 

[HTXReefer]

They are awesome, I love mine.

I secured my rocks together with reefcrest aqua weld. It's a reusable thermoplastic and held my rocks well, rock solid.

A tight fitting mesh or solid lid should keep it in the tank too. But at least for me, mine has yet to make an escape attempt.

Has yours ever gotten ahold of any of your fish? I would definitely get one if I could get it to not eat my fish and get get it past my wife. Plus with covid I can’t use any of my typical tricks to distract the wife like spa days or girls shopping trips!!!

 

[Chef Mateo]

Thank you for the reply. I too had the same concern about the dottybacks but figured I’d add them at the same time in hopes to combat any aggression.
As for the red headed fairy wrasse it’s C.Cyanopleura.

as for bioload I would love to add more tangs and/or angels or any other larger reef safe fish. I do agree that I won’t get the achievable bioload with this list so I need a few more fish for sure. Any suggestions?

The fairy wrasse should be 100% good then.

You should look at the angels in the Geniacanthus genus. Very beautiful active fish, the only 100% reef safe angels come from this genus.

Yellow Pyramid Butterflies are a personal favourite, the only reef safe butterflies for a reef tank, they will eat your xenia though only coral they will consume.

If you want to go for something slightly more beasty I would suggest a single or pair of blue throat triggerfish, they are kind of gentle giants the most reef safe trigger. The only problem with them is some have had bad expierences but they nearly always work when bought young.

Those are my top 3 suggestions of the top of my head. I really like all these fish, they are nice big, reef safe and beautiful!!

 

[Hugh Mann]

Nope. It's been kept with
Coral beauty angel
Lemonpeel angel
Lyretail anthias
Flame hawkfish
Marine betta
Fuzzy dwarf lion
12+ mollies
Assorted snails and hermit crabs.

Never touched anything. If it grabbed the mollies it did so at night, but the lion was primarily responsible for those.

Recently I've kept the eel alone with 3 nassarius, 2 nerite snails and 1 hermit crab for the last 2 months. Hasn't touched one.

That being said, "soft" crustaceans like emerald crabs and Peppermint shrimp are a no go. I speak from experience. As well my eel is small, only 14". The leaving fish alone may change as it grows, but as I understand it if they're well fed they won't bother.

 

[Chef Mateo]

The big problem with an eel and your current stock list is that the clowns, dragonet, gobies and potentially the anthias are going to be one expensive snack. They are just too small to live with an eel. I personally wouldn't risk it. Just my opinion though

 

[Hugh Mann]

A Dwarf species might be okay, but it definitely would not be 100% risk free. Such is the danger of keeping predators unfortunately.

 

[Chef Mateo]

A Dwarf species might be okay, but it definitely would not be 100% risk free. Such is the danger of keeping predators unfortunately.

Yes very beautiful but risky, although if you stock a tank like you stocked your tank you are good to go. All of your fish are definitely big enough to evade an eel.