Stocking Suggestions

Marine Iguana · Jul 21, 2016

Hey all, over the last 6 months my tank has looked pretty empty. I was anticipating moving away for college so I sold/gave away most of my fish spare the pair of ocellaris clowns that I've had for 6 years. I was planning on downsizing to a 10 or 15 gallon tank, however, I now know that I'm going to be commuting to college from home rather than move into a dorm, so I've decided to keep my current system going. I still have a few inverts, softies, and lps, but otherwise the tank is pretty empty. I want to keep the stocking somewhat low maintenance (so nothing that requires live foods/frequent feedings ie anthias, high metabolism wrasse) and lower budget (no blotched anthias, no matter how much I want one!) Tank is 65 gallons with a 20 gallon sump and a 20 gallon frag tank (I'll get to that later).

Current stock:
Ocellaris Clown Pair
Blue Linkia Star (My pride and joy, have had him for 2 years)
Serpent Star
Mini Maxi Carpet Anemone
Rose Bubble Tip Anemone
Few LPS, Softies
Various snails, hermits

If any of you have some ideas feel free to chime in, I really want to bring some life back to the tank! I'm also planning on revamping the 20 gallon frag tank and making it a species tank of some sorts, I've been considering both a frogfish or a mantis shrimp (Need to shrimp proof the bottom) but am open to any suggestions as well! Thanks for any suggestions and support in advance!

-Noah

Salty1962 · Jul 22, 2016

Fairy or Flasher Wrasses are always a nice addition.

Humblefish · Jul 22, 2016

Basslets, blennies, cardinalfish, firefish & gobies are all low maintenance fish. But you will need a lid to prevent them from jumping out.

eatbreakfast · Jul 22, 2016

A group of dartfish, a group of blue eye cardinals, these are both outgoing, hardy, and relatively inexpensive.

Royal gramma, chalk, lantern, or tobacco basslets, midas blenny, firefish, sand perch, yellow coris wrasse, melanurus wrasse, any flasher wrasses, smaller fairy wrasses.

Marine Iguana · Jul 22, 2016

Thanks all for the suggestions! I've been considering a group of cardinalfish or dartfish, I've always admired bangii cardinals but it was my assumption they only do well long term in sexed pairs, same for firefish? I enjoy basslets as well, and I am always a sucker for wrasse, so I'm sure that a fairy wrasse or yellow coris wrasse group will find its way in. Still open to suggestions!

Marine Iguana · Jul 22, 2016

Also, jumping is not an issue as I built a canopy for this tank and screened the back in a few years ago.

eatbreakfast · Jul 22, 2016

Marine Iguana said:
Thanks all for the suggestions! I've been considering a group of cardinalfish or dartfish, I've always admired bangii cardinals but it was my assumption they only do well long term in sexed pairs, same for firefish? I enjoy basslets as well, and I am always a sucker for wrasse, so I'm sure that a fairy wrasse or yellow coris wrasse group will find its way in. Still open to suggestions!

Correct, bangaii cardinals and firefish don't do well longterm with their own kind unless they are a bonded pr.

Marine Iguana · Jul 22, 2016

Thats what I thought, thank you for clarifying! I'll look more into blue eyed cardinals, I've heard they're much more beautiful in person than in photos.

eatbreakfast · Jul 22, 2016

Marine Iguana said:
Thats what I thought, thank you for clarifying! I'll look more into blue eyed cardinals, I've heard they're much more beautiful in person than in photos.

They are prettier in person and under blue lights.