40g Breeder Stock suggestions

[LongWayHome]

Sorry to ask a frequent question. I will be merging two 10g tanks soon, and with that merger will be two clownfish and a yellow watchman goby.

So two questions:
First, should the clownfish pair be added first or the goby? I'm leaning toward goby first so it can get its holding.

Second, what would you add (if any)? The only filtration is going to be a SeaChem110 Tidal HOB, so I want to keep the bioload on the lower side.

I think I'm pretty set on a tailspot blenny after a few months of this new 40g being established. My husband doesn't seem interested in any angelfish, so I'm curious about what else some would suggest. Maybe a hawkfish. Possibly a dragonet waaaay down the line.

If you feel that these four fish would be a good max capacity, then let me know.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mann1139]

Those four fish should be fine. I would watch the blenny. I have had two tailspots. One was aggressive, the other (too) passive.

With the bigger footprint, buy some fish that use the space to swim. Clowns, gobies, and blennies are all fairly stationary. Find something that will move around and draw the eye.

 

[LongWayHome]

Those four fish should be fine. I would watch the blenny. I have had two tailspots. One was aggressive, the other (too) passive.

With the bigger footprint, buy some fish that use the space to swim. Clowns, gobies, and blennies are all fairly stationary. Find something that will move around and draw the eye.

Maybe something like a smaller wrasse? Maybe a six line wrasse?

 

[exnisstech]

Do you have a lot of rocks that a sixline can hunt in? I have 3 in separate tanks. A lot of people have trouble with aggression but I think it's smaller tanks not laid out correctly for them.

 

[LongWayHome]

Do you have a lot of rocks that a sixline can hunt in? I have 3 in separate tanks. A lot of people have trouble with aggression but I think it's smaller tanks not laid out correctly for them.

Currently no, but this is good to know if I end up going this route. I'll be adding more rock as the tank matures, so with enough time I would probably scape the tank for its liking.

Is what I currently have going on, but will be putting the rocks from the other two tank into this when it finishes cycling.

 

[LongWayHome]

Ok so my husband seems to really like the way wrasse look, so maybe that is the route we go 4+ months out.

Any other wrasse that could work in the 40g? Would like to weigh our options and start researching them.

 

[Oldsman]

Royal gramma is common or a firefish, either the typical red, or purple colors. If you choose a firefish or wrasse be certain you'll have a tight fitting top..they like to jump out

 

[exnisstech]

Any other wrasse that could work in the 40g? Would like to weigh our options and start researching them.

Currently no, but this is good to know if I end up going this route. I'll be adding more rock as the tank matures, so with enough time I would probably scape the tank for its liking.

Is what I currently have going on, but will be putting the rocks from the other two tank into this when it finishes cycling.

@Slocke may be able to suggest a peaceful wrasse. Maybe a possum wrasse?

These are examples of the type of rock work I find keeps my sixlines from being aggressive.

20g here that a sixline is the only fish.

65g with a sixline and three other fish.

330g here. I'll be lucky to see the sixline once a week unless I get a flashlight and look for it but I'm fine with that since I keep them more for pest control.

EDIT: IMO much of the fish aggression people report could be avoided with a little more thought and effort into providing a better habitat for them. Good on you for researching first rather than asking how to stop aggression later.

 

[Slocke]

Ok so my husband seems to really like the way wrasse look, so maybe that is the route we go 4+ months out.

Any other wrasse that could work in the 40g? Would like to weigh our options and start researching them.

Actually @JoJosReef is the person for wrasse in a 40. My suggestions are:

• Pink streak/cryptic: they are the far more peaceful cousins of the sixline
• Possum wrasse
• Small Halichoeres: yellow, Christmas (biocellatus), radiant
• Leopard: difficult so be prepared

 

[LongWayHome]

@Slocke may be able to suggest a peaceful wrasse. Maybe a possum wrasse?

These are examples of the type of rock work I find keeps my sixlines from being aggressive.

20g here that a sixline is the only fish.

65g with a sixline and three other fish.

330g here. I'll be lucky to see the sixline once a week unless I get a flashlight and look for it but I'm fine with that since I keep them more for pest control.

EDIT: IMO much of the fish aggression people report could be avoided with a little more thought and effort into providing a better habitat for them. Good on you for researching first rather than asking how to stop aggression later.

These are awesome looking! Thanks for providing such good examples.

He seems to really like the six line so that'll probably be the last fish at this point. If he ends up being an absolute menace would he be fine in the old 13.5g I'm moving the clowns from?

I personally couldn't imagine jumping on getting a fish without researching or asking about it first. LFS aren't really helpful since they generally only want to sell you a fish so this forum is great for it.

 

[LongWayHome]

Actually @JoJosReef is the person for wrasse in a 40. My suggestions are:

• Pink streak/cryptic: they are the far more peaceful cousins of the sixline
• Possum wrasse
• Small Halichoeres: yellow, Christmas (biocellatus), radiant
• Leopard: difficult so be prepared

We started looking at the biocellatus wrasse, I'm mostly seeing folks state 50g. Would it actually be fine in a 40g? Thanks again for these suggestions.

 

[Slocke]

We started looking at the biocellatus wrasse, I'm mostly seeing folks state 50g. Would it actually be fine in a 40g? Thanks again for these suggestions.

Yeah
Length is important not gallons with wrasse

 

[LongWayHome]

Yeah
Length is important not gallons with wrasse

Wonderful, thank you so much for your input.

 

[LongWayHome]

EDIT: IMO much of the fish aggression people report could be avoided with a little more thought and effort into providing a better habitat for them. Good on you for researching first rather than asking how to stop aggression later.

Hello again, we ended up going with the six line wrasse.

There was initial territorial tension, but the clowns and goby held their ground.

So far there has been peace outside the goby getting the 6 line pretty good, but in their defense, new guy was too close to the burrow when the pistol shrimp was bulldozing.

Will probably add more rocks in the future, but time to let the tank simmer again. Thanks again for your recommendation.

 

[LongWayHome]

It has been about 8 months now and I'm happy to report that there's still been no aggression. The heavy rock-work seems to the key to success in increasing your chances of minimizing it.

The tank doesn't look the same from my earlier picture as I rearranged the rock-work to have more tunnels and holes around the right side. The right side is his kingdom that only the female clownfish is allowed entry.

The six-lined wrasse absolutely loves swerving between the corals and rocks. It's been an awesome fish to watch. It is much shyer than I was expecting. He's not bold at all.