Biocube 29 Stocking

[jtwill2011]

Hey all! Set up my first saltwater tank (coming from years of freshwater) and am looking for thoughts on these three sticking ideas I had. I do plan on getting softies and LPS coral in the future as well.

Option #1

• 2 Ocellaris Clownfish
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Pink Streaked Wrasse
• Tailspot Blenny
• Yellow Watchman Goby

Option #2

• 2 Ocellaris Clownfish
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Royal Gramma
• Firefish
• Banggai Cardinal

Option #3

• 2 Ocellaris Clownfish
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Pistol Shrimp
• Watchman Goby
• Firefish

Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Gman83]

First, I like your aquascape. Here are my thoughts based on my experiences with the fish you are considering:

I started with a 30, and had two clowns. One of them became aggressive towards me, and nipped me a couple times. Stayed that way even after upgrading to a 55gal, until it died. I'm now in a 75gal. and have a pair of clowns again (my kids love them) and they don't pay any attention to me. Not to talk you out of it, but to give you a heads up.

While I love a Royal Gramma, the last one I had hid in a cave Except when another fish got too close, and it would chase them away. So you may not see it very often.

B. Cardinal will hang out in mid to upper portion.

I currently have a tailspot. I love it. While he hides when I'm around, from afar I see him swim around and munching on small algae.

I also love firefish, but don't currently have one. My last one would hide most of the time. They will jump, so try not to forget to close the top.

As for the pistol/ywg combo, I've never had them. My only concern would be if you have enough sand for them to burrow. Maybe someone else will comment on how deep your sand needs to be.

I've also never had a pink streaked wrasse, so i don't know or have any experiences with it.

Generally, to me, your stocking plans seem appropriate for the aquarium size. I would start slow, and probably add the clowns last, especially if you go with a tailspot or firefish.


Best of luck

 

[melfy]

Hi :)

Nice set up!!
I always end up getting clownfish for my tanks, they're just too awesome even though they can bite lol

I've had a pink streaked and loved it!!! Had it for 2 years but sadly lost it when I moved. I've had many tailspots and they're awesome. Great personnality and will munch on algae.

I've also had grumpy face yellow watchman and pistol shrimp, really cool but the constant noise from the shrimp drove me nuts (tank was close to my bedroom). You'd be fine with the sand depth, more than enough they will rearrange it to their liking anyway lol.

Had a royal gramma and it was super shy.

Had a purple firefish, shy at first but ended up chilling in the middle of the tank for the most part.

If it were my tank I'd do:
-pair of ocellaris clownfish
- tailspot blenny
-pink streaked wrasse
-yellow watchman with pistol
So basically combo #1 ;)

 

[jtwill2011]

First, I like your aquascape. Here are my thoughts based on my experiences with the fish you are considering:

I started with a 30, and had two clowns. One of them became aggressive towards me, and nipped me a couple times. Stayed that way even after upgrading to a 55gal, until it died. I'm now in a 75gal. and have a pair of clowns again (my kids love them) and they don't pay any attention to me. Not to talk you out of it, but to give you a heads up.

While I love a Royal Gramma, the last one I had hid in a cave Except when another fish got too close, and it would chase them away. So you may not see it very often.

B. Cardinal will hang out in mid to upper portion.

I currently have a tailspot. I love it. While he hides when I'm around, from afar I see him swim around and munching on small algae.

I also love firefish, but don't currently have one. My last one would hide most of the time. They will jump, so try not to forget to close the top.

As for the pistol/ywg combo, I've never had them. My only concern would be if you have enough sand for them to burrow. Maybe someone else will comment on how deep your sand needs to be.

I've also never had a pink streaked wrasse, so i don't know or have any experiences with it.

Generally, to me, your stocking plans seem appropriate for the aquarium size. I would start slow, and probably add the clowns last, especially if you go with a tailspot or firefish.


Best of luck

Thank you so much for all of that info!

I did wonder about the sand depth for the shrimp/goby, I have more sand I can add to make it deeper.

I’m glad to know they’re all decent options, I like them all so it’s hard to decide lol

 

[Gman83]

I would probably hold off based on @melfy comments, if you got that route. If you start to see bare spots then you can add more.

 

[Gman83]

I'm sure you'll get some additional comments as well, but put out an update once you have decided.

 

[jtwill2011]

Hi :)

Nice set up!!
I always end up getting clownfish for my tanks, they're just too awesome even though they can bite lol

I've had a pink streaked and loved it!!! Had it for 2 years but sadly lost it when I moved. I've had many tailspots and they're awesome. Great personnality and will munch on algae.

I've also had grumpy face yellow watchman and pistol shrimp, really cool but the constant noise from the shrimp drove me nuts (tank was close to my bedroom). You'd be fine with the sand depth, more than enough they will rearrange it to their liking anyway lol.

Had a royal gramma and it was super shy.

Had a purple firefish, shy at first but ended up chilling in the middle of the tank for the most part.

If it were my tank I'd do:
-pair of ocellaris clownfish
- tailspot blenny
-pink streaked wrasse
-yellow watchman with pistol
So basically combo #1 ;)

Thank you!

I am leaning towards that combo as the one to go with, I may do a yasha goby instead of a ywg since they’re a bit smaller.