Stocking suggestions!

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 12, 2022

So I had a bout of velvet about two months ago... I lost every single fish except one. The long nose hawkfish has beena trooper. He has survived copper QT and is currently in a separate QT system waiting out my display tank fallow period.
I will be able to introduce new fish staring Nov 1st. Due to my battle, I have added a uv sterilizer to my system and koving forward will not be ordering any fish from anywhere but dr reefs quarantined fish. Hopefully this will help mitigate any future problems. My wife cannot handle any more stressful events.

With the addition of the Hawkfish I'd like to get two clowns and atleast one wrasse. I'm leaning towards the earmuff wrasse.

What other fish does the community suggest for a 1 year old waterbox 90.3. 60gal display, 34×22×20 I believe?
Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Sebastiancrab · Oct 12, 2022

My favorite fish a royal gramma. You don't want to know how many fish have not survived quarantine for me due to parasites!

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 12, 2022

Sebastiancrab said:
My favorite fish a royal gramma. You don't want to know how many fish have not survived quarantine for me due to parasites!

Thank you for your suggestion! My wife loved my old one. RIP Angry Bird.

i cant think · Oct 13, 2022

Get a couple wrasses in there. Everyone I know loves to have Atleast one wrasse in their tank.
Other recommendations is hard, it would be great to know what you like about a fish. minimal patterns? personality? vibrant colours? More neautral colours?

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

i cant think said:
Get a couple wrasses in there. Everyone I know loves to have Atleast one wrasse in their tank.
Other recommendations is hard, it would be great to know what you like about a fish. minimal patterns? personality? vibrant colours? More neautral colours?

Oh I fully intend on getting a wrasse or two. I think it's best I post my proposed list to see if it makes sense.

Hawkfish
2 clowns
Diamond Goby
Earmuff wrasse
(Now I'm open to suggestions)
I'd like to have atleast one utility fish for algae. The tank is a bit small for a tang at 60 gal but I'm not opposed to a tomini tang as they are good eaters.
If I go that route, I'll probably stop there as that's about max bioload I think.
If I go with a smaller algae eater like an algae blenny it'll do minimal work but I could potentially get a royal Gramma or another wrasse.

Just trying to brainstorm what a good blend of pretty fish (for my wife) and utility fish would look like.

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

Here is a obligatory FTS just for fun.
I am dealing with bit of brown algae and cyano. Tank is currently fallow due to the velvet. I just have my CUC and a cleaner shrimp in it now.
Parameters as of last Friday
Nitrate 11.3
Phos 0.03
Salinity 1.025
Temp 77.7
Mag 1400
Alk 8.3
Tomorrow I'll do another round of testing and I'll snag a few updates pictures with a lense and post an update. I'm very happy with the way the coral is growing and looking but man I didn't realize the fish would be more challenging than the coral. Lesson learned!

Wrassenaround · Oct 13, 2022

I'm a big wrasse fan not only for their beauty but for their purpose in our reefs. Excellent at pest control. Also a good bang for the size. If you want a utility fish for algae I would recommend a white tale bristle tooth. They don't get super big and are always grazing throughout the tank. I have one on my list to add to my tank.
For wrasses I'm a big fan of -
Melanurus
Christmas
Naoko
Various flashers wrasses
I personally want a lineatus and a choati leopard but those have a higher price point and difficulty.

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

BlakeStew said:
I'm a big wrasse fan not only for their beauty but for their purpose in our reefs. Excellent at pest control. Also a good bang for the size. If you want a utility fish for algae I would recommend a white tale bristle tooth. They don't get super big and are always grazing throughout the tank. I have one on my list to add to my tank.
For wrasses I'm a big fan of -
Melanurus
Christmas
Naoko
Various flashers wrasses
I personally want a lineatus and a choati leopard but those have a higher price point and difficulty.

If I could find one, I'd 100% get the Naoko wrasse. Gorgeous fish and it swims around the top adding alot of movement and enjoyable to watch.
Currently out of stock on dr reefs. I'll keep my eye open though.

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Oct 13, 2022

xWascallyWabbit said:
Oh I fully intend on getting a wrasse or two. I think it's best I post my proposed list to see if it makes sense.

Hawkfish
2 clowns
Diamond Goby
Earmuff wrasse
(Now I'm open to suggestions)
I'd like to have atleast one utility fish for algae. The tank is a bit small for a tang at 60 gal but I'm not opposed to a tomini tang as they are good eaters.
If I go that route, I'll probably stop there as that's about max bioload I think.
If I go with a smaller algae eater like an algae blenny it'll do minimal work but I could potentially get a royal Gramma or another wrasse.

Just trying to brainstorm what a good blend of pretty fish (for my wife) and utility fish would look like.

What is your budget on fish?

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
What is your budget on fish?

Probably 800-1000. Knowing that if I go the dr reef route there is a premium for their quarantine and medicating services plus some shipping costs.
This of course will be spread out over a few months. Maybe 3 orders 2 months apart from one another.

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Oct 13, 2022

xWascallyWabbit said:
Probably 800-1000. Knowing that if I go the dr reef route there is a premium for their quarantine and medicating services plus some shipping costs.
This of course will be spread out over a few months. Maybe 3 orders 2 months apart from one another.

Reach out to him! About Naoko! And i asked price wise cuz a lot of pretty wrasses as you know. Splendid pintail, diamond tail, golden rhomboid etc… pricey tho. @i cant think can tell you compatibility

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
Reach out to him! About Naoko! And i asked price wise cuz a lot of pretty wrasses as you know. Splendid pintail, diamond tail, golden rhomboid etc… pricey tho. @i cant think can tell you compatibility

There really are some beautiful wrasses out there. The golden rhomboid may be worth a few nights one the couch lol

i cant think · Oct 13, 2022

If you can get a list of wrasses you like then I can help you sort through them with ones that will be good for your tank

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

i cant think said:
If you can get a list of wrasses you like then I can help you sort through them with ones that will be good for your tank

Awesome. Thank you. 100% getting an earmuff wrasse. (So pretty)
If I get another I am thinking if a fairy wrasse as I hear they are pretty compatible with others.
Top choices:
Splendid pintail
Scott's fairy wrasses. (I have a twin brother named Scott he'll find it amusing)
Naoko
Or Hooded Flame

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Oct 13, 2022

xWascallyWabbit said:
Awesome. Thank you. 100% getting an earmuff wrasse. (So pretty)
If I get another I am thinking if a fairy wrasse as I hear they are pretty compatible with others.
Top choices:
Splendid pintail
Scott's fairy wrasses. (I have a twin brother named Scott he'll find it amusing)
Naoko
Or Hooded Flame

My only experience with a Cirrhilabrus scottorum was an awesome one! Was such a docile fish at LFS. What i call “doo da doo” fish. Didnt give a hoot about the going ons in the tank.

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
My only experience with a Cirrhilabrus scottorum was an awesome one! Was such a docile fish at LFS. What i call “doo da doo” fish. Didnt give a hoot about the going ons in the tank.

Thanks for the input. I may have to move it up the list. A good community fish is always welcomed.

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Oct 13, 2022

xWascallyWabbit said:
Thanks for the input. I may have to move it up the list. A good community fish is always welcomed.

Only other recommendation would be if you do go w/ rhomboidalis get a female too. They are available as ive seen on occasion.

i cant think · Oct 13, 2022

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
My only experience with a Cirrhilabrus scottorum was an awesome one! Was such a docile fish at LFS. What i call “doo da doo” fish. Didnt give a hoot about the going ons in the tank.

Cirrhilabrus scottorum is a 50/50 species… some love it some hate it and some just go from what they read (Whether it’s good or bad). I have had experience with bite this species and their close relative, Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus (Pictured below).

My experience with Melanomarginatus has been that they’re very laid back. These guys don’t really follow their reputation that Scottorum has given them. Scottorum is a species that I’ve had both good and bad experiences with, I find the Aussies are more laid back than the Fiji and Cook Island specimens are. Both of these are larger species so you will want to get them as juveniles or females and eventually pass them on to someone with a 4’ tank. Also add them as the last wrasse so you don’t risk the aggression that some experience.

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 13, 2022

kingoftheHiLLpeople said:
Only other recommendation would be if you do go w/ rhomboidalis get a female too. They are available as ive seen on occasion.

As in get both a male and female? Do they have a great interaction or is it better for their health?

kingoftheHiLLpeople · Oct 13, 2022

i cant think said:
Cirrhilabrus scottorum is a 50/50 species… some love it some hate it and some just go from what they read (Whether it’s good or bad). I have had experience with bite this species and their close relative, Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus (Pictured below).

My experience with Melanomarginatus has been that they’re very laid back. These guys don’t really follow their reputation that Scottorum has given them. Scottorum is a species that I’ve had both good and bad experiences with, I find the Aussies are more laid back than the Fiji and Cook Island specimens are. Both of these are larger species so you will want to get them as juveniles or females and eventually pass them on to someone with a 4’ tank. Also add them as the last wrasse so you don’t risk the aggression that some experience.