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- Feb 26, 2020
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Yes, I know this gets asked a lot.
The biggest struggle for me in this hobby is knowing which fish are good with each other. For instance, I just read very recently that a Midas Blenny wouldn't enjoy my YWG and Firefish. That WAS on my stocking list prior to reading that thread.
I know this is a very personable question and every single person may have a different idea... But that's what I am after!
Tank:
Red Sea XL300
65g + Sump, 36" x 23" and 22" tall
1.5" sandbed, good amount of caves and caverns for fish to go through.
I have 2 other tanks I can move problematic fish if "caution" fish do not work out (exception YWG and shrimp, will not move). Also friends with 5 tanks combined. Prefer NOT to have to move fish, though.
Decent Skimmer to handle a much larger bioload than what I have now.
Refugium section ready to go.
Mixed Reef.
Current Fish:
2 Clownfish (Black Photon)
1 Yellow Watchman (+Shrimp)
2 Exquisite Firefish
So, pretty chill fish. They all stick to their areas. Clowns hang out top left. YWG bottom middle. FFish right bottom.
I am looking to add a bit of movement and a bit chunkier fish.
-------------------
Looking at:
Mandarin (Captive bred, pods are good and can supplement, but will pay more to increase chances)
1-4 Wrasse (Flasher and/or Fairy)
Tomini Tang
Let's look at each option
Mandarin: I see that Mandarins are "with caution" with Firefish. Pod population is booming. Willing to buy a captive bred and also buy pods monthly if needed. My biggest worry, however, is that a lot of territory is claimed by the YWG and Firefish already. Would s/he be able to settle in? Lowest priority of all the fish listed for ME, but highest priority for wife. She loves them...
Wrasse 2-4 - I would like to do multiples of wrasse for color and movement. It seems as though Fairy and/or Flasher give me the highest chance to do so. A few that I have looked at include Pintail Fairy (tank too small?), McCosker's Flasher, Blue Flasher (Kinda boring), Exquisite Fairy (tank too small?), Hooded Fairy. Would like to get a couple different colors if possible. I have a tight fitting lid. Will gladly just take someone else's wrasse collection (2-4 if possible) that works in a 65g and copy it...
Tomini Tang - Smaller tang. Should be good to go for most of its life. IF it does outgrow this tank, my 4'x2' tank can house it.
-------
This would also be the presumable stocking order.
Again, I know every person has a different opinion and this question gets asked a million times. I still would like to know.
Got any other suggestions? Throw them at me!
Will GLADLY give as much info about my tank(s) you need to make a more informed decision.
The biggest struggle for me in this hobby is knowing which fish are good with each other. For instance, I just read very recently that a Midas Blenny wouldn't enjoy my YWG and Firefish. That WAS on my stocking list prior to reading that thread.
I know this is a very personable question and every single person may have a different idea... But that's what I am after!
Tank:
Red Sea XL300
65g + Sump, 36" x 23" and 22" tall
1.5" sandbed, good amount of caves and caverns for fish to go through.
I have 2 other tanks I can move problematic fish if "caution" fish do not work out (exception YWG and shrimp, will not move). Also friends with 5 tanks combined. Prefer NOT to have to move fish, though.
Decent Skimmer to handle a much larger bioload than what I have now.
Refugium section ready to go.
Mixed Reef.
Current Fish:
2 Clownfish (Black Photon)
1 Yellow Watchman (+Shrimp)
2 Exquisite Firefish
So, pretty chill fish. They all stick to their areas. Clowns hang out top left. YWG bottom middle. FFish right bottom.
I am looking to add a bit of movement and a bit chunkier fish.
-------------------
Looking at:
Mandarin (Captive bred, pods are good and can supplement, but will pay more to increase chances)
1-4 Wrasse (Flasher and/or Fairy)
Tomini Tang
Let's look at each option
Mandarin: I see that Mandarins are "with caution" with Firefish. Pod population is booming. Willing to buy a captive bred and also buy pods monthly if needed. My biggest worry, however, is that a lot of territory is claimed by the YWG and Firefish already. Would s/he be able to settle in? Lowest priority of all the fish listed for ME, but highest priority for wife. She loves them...
Wrasse 2-4 - I would like to do multiples of wrasse for color and movement. It seems as though Fairy and/or Flasher give me the highest chance to do so. A few that I have looked at include Pintail Fairy (tank too small?), McCosker's Flasher, Blue Flasher (Kinda boring), Exquisite Fairy (tank too small?), Hooded Fairy. Would like to get a couple different colors if possible. I have a tight fitting lid. Will gladly just take someone else's wrasse collection (2-4 if possible) that works in a 65g and copy it...
Tomini Tang - Smaller tang. Should be good to go for most of its life. IF it does outgrow this tank, my 4'x2' tank can house it.
-------
This would also be the presumable stocking order.
Again, I know every person has a different opinion and this question gets asked a million times. I still would like to know.
Got any other suggestions? Throw them at me!
Will GLADLY give as much info about my tank(s) you need to make a more informed decision.