Will one more fish be the straw on the camels back?

[Reef.ductionist]

Hi everyone,
As some of you know Ive only been on these forums for about six months and my nanoreef is six months.
I chose the biological method and have about 10 corals and four fish, the fish are Black True Percula,
Firefish, Pajamas Cardinal, and Midas Blenny.
I run Cheato in a refugium in rear at night and have sevral different types of Macroalgae in the main tank also.
All fish get along swimmingly but was thinking of adding one more, should I or would I be too close to exceeding the 'biological limit' of my biocube 14?
I was thinking of adding a Scarlet Hawkfish or a small goby?
Please help me decide.
Cheers.
(Im going to check back tommorrow)
Thanks everyone, have a great day wherever you are.

 

[NanaReefer]

IMHO you've already exceeded your bio-load limit by 2 fish as it is. You actually want to add another?! Really that's just cruel. Have you given any thought to getting a bigger tank?

Please DO NOT put any more fish in that tank!

 

[Reef.ductionist]

Lol. Hmmm.
Well Here is a pic of it, bear in mind I use activated carbon with floss(changed once every 5 days), and chemipure to help with phosphates, change 15%water every seventh day, and use macro to reduce nutrients /phosphates, clean sand top every second week or as soon as it looks dirty(usually about every second week),

My 14 gallon Biocube.

 

[tyler1503]

I'd say your already beyond your stocking limits too.
I'd limit a 14gal to 2 or 3 small fish. Even that's pushing it. That's just my opinion though. If your having success with your tank how it is, I'd leave it.

 

[Reef.ductionist]

OK thanks, I was considering a small green Goby but I guess I've reached the limits of this tank setup.
I forgot to add the clownfish and cardinal are juveniles but no doubt soon they'll be toobig for this tank and then Ill need to upscale to a larger one,

 

[Wbrian]

It s more than just a matter of water parameters. It's a matter of cruelty. Fish need room to swim, and places that they can mark as "theirs". Definitely no more in that tank... But good on ya for asking!
Brian

 

[Joeganja]

If anything add some invertabrates in there like a cleaner shrimp. Or add a scooter blenny. A bottom feeder

 

[Marshall O]

I would look to re-home the Midas Blenny for sure, and maybe the Clown. Midas Blennies should be in 3' tanks minimum IMO. Mine uses half of my 125. Wouldn't think of keeping it in anything less than a 40B.

 

[Reef.ductionist]

OK guys. Ill eventually do that, however, given thatmy tank has plenty of hiding places and given that the Blenny does not do much in the way of exploring, it just sits in a shell all day long, how is it suffering inthe meantime? Please enlighten me.

 

[Reef.ductionist]

...and thanks for giving me some feedback, I'll take all the advice into consideration, that said, in the meantime here is a pic of its dwelling spot.. for the first few days it was in a cavern at the rear left upper corner
Cheers

 

[NanaReefer]

Your Blenny isn't doing much but sitting there because he's got no where to go!! Fish are not dumb! What's to explore? Definitely not enough rock for him to munch on. Blenny's are generally very active fish. Always exploring the rock for food. He's cramped up in there with 3 other very active fish.
I'm done....

 

[Reef.ductionist]

I understand.
Ok, hmmm, well in fairness the Blenny has just settled in, third day in tank, first day in current spot , so I'm going to continue monitoring him closely and see if his exploratory skills develope in this tank. Whether they do or don't I'll post back the results k? If they do and the Blenny is more active and seems very social this way then I might keep it through until my upgrade. Right now I am leaning towards finding it another home because things will only get more cramped in there for sure. I admit I got bitten by a bit of an impulse buying decision here. Its such a beautiful fish you know?
Anyways... yup Ill eventually need a larger tank thats for sure. So thanks for sharing your thoughts Nanareefer, I'll eventually do whats right for the Blenny.

 

[Eienna]

Your Blenny isn't doing much but sitting there because he's got no where to go!! Fish are not dumb! What's to explore? Definitely not enough rock for him to munch on. Blenny's are generally very active fish. Always exploring the rock for food. He's cramped up in there with 3 other very active fish.
I'm done....

Easy on the newbie no need to bring the claws out yet. You were one once too, remember?

That said, I agree, he's not active because he's cramped. I saw a midas in a store once and I would not have considered putting him in a 20, let alone a 14. I did note that the store's recommendation was for 20g, but I would say that's for mere survival, not for it to thrive. Give him room to graze and do stuff and you will see a different fish (once he gets some muscle tone back.)

To answer your question, no, you're already overstocked. I would really consider upgrading if I were you.

 

[saltyphish]

Yes agreed, way overstocked. That would be to much for my 29 gal biocube. Got to watch those impulse buys. Always research the needs and compatibility for all future purchases prior to purchasing. Not to give you a hard time. I am sort of new to the hobby again myself and relearning everything. Good luck.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

I have a biocube 14 and have two fish and think I am at my limit. I would not add any more

 

[Reef.ductionist]

Well I think I will return the Midas Blenny. Normally my clown and cardinal line up together and wait for food at feeding time and that pattern has changed. The Midas blenny is too active and I think, even though the cardinal and dartfidh and clown all get along great even swimming beside each other, as they too grow there will be more territorial disputes. Thanks for the advice.

 

[NanaReefer]

Very wise decision! Much respect to you

 

[Reef.ductionist]

Well thanks Nanareefe and to everyone else who shared thier opinions. In hindsight I probably should have asked the questio first. One thing is for sure, if and when I eventually do get a a larger tank I will be getting another one of those fish.