85 gallon Stocking list

[LuisCalibre1]

Hey everyone I have had a 4' by 2' tank with a 30 gallon sump for 10 months know. I was wondering if there is any problem or advice for my stocking list.

Current
2 ocellaris clowns
2 cardinals
2 clown gobies
1 fire fish
1 naoko wrasse
1 pink streak wrasse

future
1 gramma or swissguard basslet
1 midas, canary, or bicolor blenny
1 pair of mandarin gobies
1tomini tang

 

[Channas]

I would skip the canary (even though they are usually very peaceful) or any other type of wrasse Unless its more flasher wrasse because your exesting pink streak wrasse might get bullied due to their delicate Nature and be prepared to buy copepods if your are going to keep a pair of mandarins because the wrasses you have now are in direct competition of their main food source otherwise i dont see any problem of your Fish list

This is just my opinion and advice from experience, take it how you want

 

[jmcdona6]

Hey everyone I have had a 4' by 2' tank with a 30 gallon sump for 10 months know. I was wondering if there is any problem or advice for my stocking list.

Current
2 ocellaris clowns
2 cardinals
2 clown gobies
1 fire fish
1 naoko wrasse
1 pink streak wrasse

future
1 gramma or swissguard basslet
1 midas, canary, or bicolor blenny
1 pair of mandarin gobies
1tomini tang

Seriously. Plop this question as is straight into ChatGPT or another AI LLM. Questions like this it does an amazing and thorough job.

 

[salty150]

Not sure your tank is old enough to sustain a pair of Mandarins.

They usually need large, well-established tanks with a lot of copepods.

And a pair - do you plan on getting them captive bred?

 

[LuisCalibre1]

I would skip the canary (even though they are usually very peaceful) or any other type of wrasse Unless its more flasher wrasse because your exesting pink streak wrasse might get bullied due to their delicate Nature and be prepared to buy copepods if your are going to keep a pair of mandarins because the wrasses you have now are in direct competition of their main food source otherwise i dont see any problem of your Fish list

This is just my opinion and advice from experience, take it how you want

I already decided not to get a blenny. Also my pink streak wrasse surprisingly chases the Naoko wrasse if they get to close each other. As for the copepods I have a refugium since the second week of my tank and my rock work is from an established tank with copepods.

Not sure your tank is old enough to sustain a pair of Mandarins.

They usually need large, well-established tanks with a lot of copepods.

And a pair - do you plan on getting them captive bred?

Yes they are going to be captive bred.
Also how do I know if I have a lot of copepods? I see them on the walls all the time and in my chaeto?

 

[Channas]

I already decided not to get a blenny. Also my pink streak wrasse surprisingly chases the Naoko wrasse if they get to close each other. As for the copepods I have a refugium since the second week of my tank and my rock work is from an established tank with copepods.

Yes they are going to be captive bred.
Also how do I know if I have a lot of copepods? I see them on the walls all the time and in my chaeto?

Then you have plenty of pods, i would still supplement some pods once or twice a month, i cultivate my own phyto and pods so i their in my 140 gal once or twice a week for my one mandarin just to be safe and i do have a big refugium in the sump (70% of my sump is a refugium) but still add pods because they are also beneficial in so many ways

 

[jmcdona6]

You’ve actually put together a pretty thoughtful stocking plan already—this is close to a solid, balanced reef community. But there are a few pressure points you’ll want to think through before you add everything.

Tank context​

A 4' x 2' tank is typically ~75–90 gallons depending on height, with your 30g sump giving you decent total volume. That’s enough for a moderately stocked reef, but not a “load it up” system—especially with multiple wrasses and a tang in the mix.

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What looks good​

• Your current stocking is peaceful and compatible
• Good mix of:
  • open water swimmers (cardinals, firefish)
  • perchers (clown gobies)
  • active fish (wrasses)
• Bioload right now is reasonable for 10 months in

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Key concerns with your future list​

1. Mandarin goby pair (biggest risk)​

• mandarin goby are pod specialists
• A pair = very high food demand

Issue:

• 10 months is borderline unless:
  • You have a very established refugium
  • You see tons of copepods at night
• Your current fish (especially wrasses) will compete for pods

Real talk:
A pair in this tank is risky unless you are actively culturing pods or buying them regularly.


Safer options:

• Start with one mandarin
• OR wait another 6–12 months
• OR commit to live pod dosing / culture setup

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2. Tomini tang (space + aggression)​

• tomini tang is one of the better tang choices for a 4’ tank

BUT:

• Still gets ~5–6 inches
• Needs swimming room + algae grazing
• Can become territorial in smaller tanks

Verdict:

• Probably the only tang you should attempt
• Add it last
• Be ready to rehome if it gets aggressive or cramped

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3. Wrasse stacking​

You already have:

• Naoko wrasse
• Pink streak wrasse

Adding more fish increases competition and activity level.


Watch for:

• Food competition (affects mandarin viability)
• Territory disputes (wrasses can get spicy over time)

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4. Blenny choice (mostly fine)​

Options:

• midas blenny → most personality, semi-open swimmer
• canary blenny → peaceful, great choice
• bicolor blenny → can be territorial

Best picks for your tank:

• Canary (safest)
• Midas (if you want more movement)

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5. Basslet choice (good addition)​

• royal gramma → classic, hardy, can be territorial in caves
• swissguard basslet → more shy, expensive, very peaceful

Both work. Just:

• Add before the tang
• Provide rockwork with caves

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Bioload reality check​

If you add everything:

• You’ll be at ~12–14 fish including a tang and mandarin pair

That’s pushing it for a 75–90g system unless:

• Strong filtration
• Heavy export (skimmer, refugium, water changes)
• Careful feeding

---

Suggested adjusted plan (more stable)​

Keep:

• Basslet (either)
• Blenny (canary or midas)

Modify:

• Skip mandarin pair → do one later
• Add tang last and monitor

---

Order of additions (important)​

1. Basslet
2. Blenny
3. (Optional later) Mandarin
4. Tang LAST

---

Bottom line​

Nothing here is wildly off—but:

• Mandarin pair + wrasses = the weak link
• Tang is borderline but doable
• You’re approaching upper stocking limits