ADVICE NEEDED: 40 gallon Breeder stocking list

PhaseOneReefer · Apr 7, 2026

Hi guys! I got a 40 gallon breeder to start my reefing journey before I hop into it with my 100 gallon IM tank. I currently live on a 4th floor apartment so I just wanted to move safe and just have some good practice all around before trying to do anything too big right now. I have a stocking list in mind and wanted to get some feedback since I don’t want to overstock. I want to make sure all the fish are set up for success. :)

My List (In order of how I’d add them):

1. Firefish
2. Watchman goby + shrimp
3. Clown pair
4. Midas blenny
5. Candy basslet
6. Flame hawkfish
7. Spotted Mandarin (Added 6-8 months later after tank maturity, preferably captive bred)

Any objections? It might seem a little overkill but I love all of these fish dearly lol. Thanks in advance for the tips.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 7, 2026

IMO it would be a full tank in terms of territory and bioload, but I think its possible. But I think it will depend on the rockwork, I don't think an abstract type of rockwork will suit these type of fish, there will need to be some tight nooks and crannies IMO

PhaseOneReefer · Apr 7, 2026

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
IMO it would be a full tank in terms of territory and bioload, but I think its possible. But I think it will depend on the rockwork, I don't think an abstract type of rockwork will suit these type of fish, there will need to be some tight nooks and crannies IMO

Could you give me a visual example between the two types of rockwork you mentioned? I want to plan my aquascaping accordingly and not just put something together without thinking about the livestock and also give myself space to clean the tank and place some corals. I was thinking of doing NSA rockwork but maybe it won’t work if I do it that way

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 7, 2026

PhaseOneReefer said:
Could you give me a visual example between the two types of rockwork you mentioned? I want to plan my aquascaping accordingly and not just put something together without thinking about the livestock and also give myself space to clean the tank and place some corals. I was thinking of doing NSA rockwork but maybe it won’t work if I do it that way

Basslets, firefish, watchman goby, and blenny are all rock/cave dwelling fish, they won't be happy in nsa rockwork, they are happier with the old fashioned rock wall.Even the mandarin normally hunts among rocks for the pods all day.

Clownfish will be fine with nsa, I think the hawkfish too but I don't have experience with them. There are other fish that could work with this type of rockscape.