26-Gallon Stocking

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Hello! I recently treated my entire tank for internal parasites, as I was struggling with it for some time. It’s ready for some more fish and coral. The tank currently has one frostbite clownfish, two snails, and a yellow watchman goby/tiger pistol shrimp pair. I’m looking to add maybe two to three more fish to the tank. I’m setting up a ten-gallon quarantine tomorrow with old water from a water change and seeded media. Does anyone have some suggestions for fish? I’d like something cheap, hardy, colorful, and out in the open, like a clownfish. Thank you! I’d also like some frags, so feel free to make suggestions for those as well. I’ll be double checking my parameters just in case, but phosphates and nitrates should be near zero.

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2018

I am biased but a tank without a wrasse, just isn't worth having. A pink streaked wrasse would be a nice additon (the picture doesn't do it justice):

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+2908&pcatid=2908

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Jesterrace said:
I am biased but a tank without a wrasse, just isn't worth having. A pink streaked wrasse would be a nice additon (the picture doesn't do it justice):

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+2908&pcatid=2908

Thank you for the suggestion! I recently tried a Pygmy wrasse, but it unfortunately died of internal parasites after a couple months. I’m wary of getting another wrasse, but I’ve definitely been interested in them and will think about it. Will this guy get along with my stocking? I heard they can be aggressive.

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2018

Adriifu said:
Thank you for the suggestion! I recently tried a Pygmy wrasse, but it unfortunately died of internal parasites after a couple months. I’m wary of getting another wrasse, but I’ve definitely been interested in them and will think about it. Will this guy get along with my stocking? I heard they can be aggressive.

Pink Streaked Wrasses are right up there with the Possum/Pygmy Wrasses for aggression (virtually non-existent). I would be more concerned about the established clownfish being aggressive to new tank mates. If you QT the Pink Streaked you should be fine.

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Jesterrace said:
Pink Streaked Wrasses are right up there with the Possum/Pygmy Wrasses for aggression (virtually non-existent). I would be more concerned about the established clownfish being aggressive to new tank mates. If you QT the Pink Streaked you should be fine.

Thanks! My clown is an aggressive feeder, but other than that, she doesn’t care about anyone in the tank. She did kill her male clown, but that’s the only fish she’s ever hated. The Pygmy wrasse I previously had was still able to eat with her around.

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2018

Adriifu said:
Thanks! My clown is an aggressive feeder, but other than that, she doesn’t care about anyone in the tank. She did kill her male clown, but that’s the only fish she’s ever hated. The Pygmy wrasse I previously had was still able to eat with her around.

That's good, you definitely want to get fish in there before the other clown becomes well established though as it will likely view any new addition as competition or a threat.

jabberwock · Dec 1, 2018

Royal Gramma, or Chalk Bass

jabberwock · Dec 1, 2018

For frags, I am addicted to the $10 frag pile at my LFS. I have to shop frequently to find the really great deals, but that is fun. The coral guy gives me a heads up when he is going to cut and tells me to come in and look the next day.

swebb · Dec 1, 2018

jabberwock said:
Royal Gramma, or Chalk Bass

I second the chalk bass they are really awesome fish.

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Thank you! Wouldn’t a royal gramma be too aggressive? I’ll look into that chalk bass for sure. Forgot to mention that I’m looking forward to purchasing an anemone soon. Will most likely be a BTA.

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2018

Adriifu said:
Thank you! Wouldn’t a royal gramma be too aggressive? I’ll look into that chalk bass for sure. Forgot to mention that I’m looking forward to purchasing an anemone soon. Will most likely be a BTA.

Royal Grammas can be mixed. Some can be aggressive and super active and others are as timid as your average firefish. It all depends on which one you get.

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Jesterrace said:
Royal Grammas can be mixed. Some can be aggressive and super active and others are as timid as your average firefish. It all depends on which one you get.

Okay. Would a combination of all three of the fish you guys listed work or would that be considered overstocked? Chalk bass, royal gramma, and a six line wrasse plus the fish I currently have. I won’t be adding them all at the same time. Will most likely purchase them one by one.

Jesterrace · Dec 1, 2018

Adriifu said:
Okay. Would a combination of all three of the fish you guys listed work or would that be considered overstocked? Chalk bass, royal gramma, and a six line wrasse plus the fish I currently have. I won’t be adding them all at the same time. Will most likely purchase them one by one.

I never recommended the 6 line wrasse. The 6 line wrasse is well known for going rogue once it reaches maturity and killing fish of similar or larger size even in 100 plus gallon tanks. Switch the 6 line for the Pink Streaked and you will be much happier.

jabberwock · Dec 1, 2018

Adriifu said:
Okay. Would a combination of all three of the fish you guys listed work or would that be considered overstocked? Chalk bass, royal gramma, and a six line wrasse plus the fish I currently have. I won’t be adding them all at the same time. Will most likely purchase them one by one.

Not a six line.... As stated above, very aggressive. Try a pink streaked wrasse, or an opossum wrasse. The Chalk Bass and a Royal Gramma are both Basslets. You can only have one. They will fight each other. Fish are individuals, and their personalities will vary. My Royal Gramma was the Boss of the tank until I got my clown pair. Now he is quite docile.

Add them in the order of least aggressive to most aggressive.

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

Oops, I meant the pink streaked. Sorry :( That was a big typo. So I’ll get the pink streaked and either the royal gramma or chalk bass depending on what my store has. Any other suggestions or would my tank be full at this point?

jabberwock · Dec 1, 2018

Go slow, leave a couple weeks between additions. Test parameters and observe if everyone is comfortable in their area. Four fish is going to be a pretty big bioload for a 26 gallon. Take into account sand and rock displacement and your are likely at closer to 22 gallons. My 32 gallon biocube has about 28 gallons of water in it.

Adriifu · Dec 1, 2018

jabberwock said:
Go slow, leave a couple weeks between additions. Test parameters and observe if everyone is comfortable in their area. Four fish is going to be a pretty big bioload for a 26 gallon. Take into account sand and rock displacement and your are likely at closer to 22 gallons. My 32 gallon biocube has about 28 gallons of water in it.

Okay, thanks