Which to Add First?

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

Hello everyone,

I recently finalized my stocking list and was wondering the order of which I should add them. Right now I only have 2 clowns in my 55 gallon. Any help would be appreciated! Here is the list:

2 Bangaii Cardnalfish
1 Royal Gramma
1 Six Line Wrasse
1 Fire Fish
1 Lawnmowers Blenny
1 Mandarin Goby
1 Dusky Margined Wrasse
1 Violet Hamlet
1 Yellow Tang

Mikey-D · Jan 22, 2023

I love your list...its exactly what I want too....

For the mandarin...you'll want to wait and mature your tank a bit.....I want one so bad but I have read it's better for them to have an established tank.

I currently have 2 clowns, 1 ywg and 2 cardinals......I added the fish in that order.

dedragon · Jan 22, 2023

A couple things about the list in general
not sure what is meant by violet hamlet but if it is a blue hamlet they can eat smaller fish like firefish im pretty sure.
Yellow tang should not be in a 55 gallon so i would remove that from the list

sixline wrasses I dont personally like as the only one i tried started nipping fins of every fish so if you do decide to add it should go last but there are other small wrasse options like tanakas or yellow line as well

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

Mikey-D said:
I love your list...its exactly what I want too....

For the mandarin...you'll want to wait and mature your tank a bit.....I want one so bad but I have read it's better for them to have an established tank.

I currently have 2 clowns, 1 ywg and 2 cardinals......I added the fish in that order.

Ok! Other than the Mandarin does it matter which I add next?

argiBK · Jan 22, 2023

The Sixline will probably cause drama with the Dusky. It will probably cause drama with everyone added after it. Tbh, I’d consider adding a more peaceful species (or genus).

For fish with similar shapes, introduce the more docile species first. So, firefish > gramma.

For grazers (b/c they cause a lot drama between themselves), the lawnmower should be added before the yellow tang. Once established, lawnmowers also don’t take nicely to other blennies.

Mikey-D · Jan 22, 2023

There's also this to go off of and gives you an idea who's compatible

Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

m.liveaquaria.com

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

argiBK said:
The Sixline will probably cause drama with the Dusky. It will probably cause drama with everyone added after it. Tbh, I’d consider adding a more peaceful species (or genus).

For fish with similar shapes, introduce the more docile species first. So, firefish > gramma.

For grazers (b/c they cause a lot drama between themselves), the lawnmower should be added before the yellow tang. Once established, lawnmowers also don’t take nicely to other blennies.

Ok! Do you have any suggestion for a more peaceful Wrasse?

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

Mikey-D said:
There's also this to go off of and gives you an idea who's compatible

Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart

m.liveaquaria.com

Thank you! That is helpful!

argiBK · Jan 22, 2023

danenelsen said:
Ok! Do you have any suggestion for a more peaceful Wrasse?

The Wrasse Guy is a pretty comprehensive resource on reef safe wrasse selection.

Anything from the Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus genuses would be ideal for a 55 (so many options in the former too). If you’re looking for an affordable fairy wrasse, Lubbock’s wrasses are wonderful, the ones from Cebu are particularly striking.

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

argiBK said:
The Wrasse Guy is a pretty comprehensive resource on reef safe wrasse selection.

Anything from the Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus genuses would be ideal for a 55 (so many options in the former too). If you’re looking for an affordable fairy wrasse, Lubbock’s wrasses are wonderful, the ones from Cebu are particularly striking.

Thanks! The Lubbock's wrasse is beautiful! No more 6 line. Will replace it with the Lubbock's. Any opinion on adding order?

argiBK · Jan 22, 2023

As far as the wrasses are concerned, I think you’re good. Lubbock’s are very peaceful (from my experience). You might want to add the Lubbock’s first, but I’m not experienced keeping Halichoeres wrasses.

danenelsen · Jan 22, 2023

argiBK said:
As far as the wrasses are concerned, I think you’re good. Lubbock’s are very peaceful (from my experience). You might want to add the Lubbock’s first, but I’m not experienced keeping Halichoeres wrasses.

Thank you!

danenelsen · Jan 24, 2023

Quick question, I got some advice like introduce the more docile species first, but is there a specific list of adding? For example,

1. Bangaii Cardnalfish
2. Lubbock’s Wrasse.
Etc.

Updated list is:
2 Bangaii Cardnalfish
1 Royal Gramma
1 Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
1 Fire Fish
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Mandarin Goby
1 Dusky Margined Wrasse
1 Violet Hamlet
1 Yellow Tang

salty150 · Jan 24, 2023

Like others have stated...

No Yellow tang in a 55 gallon tank...
No Six-Line Wrasse - they are mean little buggers - and they cannot be kept with a Mandarin Goby...
No Mandarin Goby - they require a very well established tank with a lot of live rock...

The Dusky Wrasse really requires a larger tank - one with PLENTY of open swimming room and at least 2 inches of sand...

You will also need to keep some sort of top/lid on your tank...

Screwgunner · Jan 24, 2023

One , look to see how big the fish gets full grown with a 55 you are good for 11 inches of fish full grown. If you go over that then you will have to do bigger water changes.

danenelsen · Jan 24, 2023

salty150 said:
Like others have stated...

No Yellow tang in a 55 gallon tank...
No Six-Line Wrasse - they are mean little buggers - and they cannot be kept with a Mandarin Goby...
No Mandarin Goby - they require a very well established tank with a lot of live rock...

The Dusky Wrasse really requires a larger tank - one with PLENTY of open swimming room and at least 2 inches of sand...

You will also need to keep some sort of top/lid on your tank...

How many pounds of rock would you recommend for the mandarin? My tank meets the requirements for the Dusky, as I have everything that you said. I switched the 6 line to a Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse.

Screwgunner · Jan 24, 2023

Manderins only eat pods so you need a lot of them . I do not think a 55 will be big anouph for the rock you need . Get a subscription with algea barn and have them send pods. I put pods in before I put fish in . But I have a 125 gallon. With 130 pounds of live rock.

danenelsen · Jan 24, 2023

Screwgunner said:
Manderins only eat pods so you need a lot of them . I do not think a 55 will be big anouph for the rock you need . Get a subscription with algea barn and have them send pods. I put pods in before I put fish in . But I have a 125 gallon. With 130 pounds of live rock.

Ok, any alternatives for the mandarin?

One Reefing Boi · Jan 24, 2023

danenelsen said:
Ok, any alternatives for the mandarin?

depends what you are looking for.

As others have said, don't put a yellow tang in a 55 gallon. You will be in for a bad time

For wrasse, I have a Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse, Yellow Coris Wrasse, and a Pink Streak Wrasse all together and they do fine. Added them all at once for what it's worth.

Also have 2 clowns, a filefish, a royal gramma, and a lawnmower blenny. All are doing great