Fish compatibity with current stocking for potential future tank

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! It's been a while since I was last on this forum, but I've recently had a strong urge to upgrade tanks from my current 38-gallon to either a 65, 75, or 80-gallon tank(4 feet long). There's lots for me to get out of the way first before I can make that happen, so this is just the early stages of me considering what may be added down the line in terms of livestock.

Anyways, while I enjoy the prospect of having nice new fish, I want to make sure that when I transfer my current livestock over, nothing new will overly compete with my mandarin specifically. My boy is big and round, and I have had him in here for over a year, fed 2-3x daily, and restocked pods regularly. Regardless, there's no benefit to having a larger tank for him if all the new fish I add are outcompeting him for pods anyway, so that's a big consideration, although I go fairly rock-heavy so it may be less of an issue depending on the size of the tank.
In my mind, this eliminates wrasses, anthias, and some gobies unfortunately, though I may be mistaken. More experienced keepers feel free to chime in regarding that bit.

I admit the discrepancy between the tank sizes introduces a lot of variance with the potential suggestions I receive, so if nothing else, recommendations from what youve kept in same-size tanks are appreciated. Really, any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Baldyreef]

Heyo! It's been a while since I was last on this forum, but I've recently had a strong urge to upgrade tanks from my current 38-gallon to either a 65, 75, or 80-gallon tank(4 feet long). There's lots for me to get out of the way first before I can make that happen, so this is just the early stages of me considering what may be added down the line in terms of livestock.

Anyways, while I enjoy the prospect of having nice new fish, I want to make sure that when I transfer my current livestock over, nothing new will overly compete with my mandarin specifically. My boy is big and round, and I have had him in here for over a year, fed 2-3x daily, and restocked pods regularly. Regardless, there's no benefit to having a larger tank for him if all the new fish I add are outcompeting him for pods anyway, so that's a big consideration, although I go fairly rock-heavy so it may be less of an issue depending on the size of the tank.
In my mind, this eliminates wrasses, anthias, and some gobies unfortunately, though I may be mistaken. More experienced keepers feel free to chime in regarding that bit.

I admit the discrepancy between the tank sizes introduces a lot of variance with the potential suggestions I receive, so if nothing else, recommendations from what youve kept in same-size tanks are appreciated. Really, any suggestions are appreciated.

Dwarf angelfish are great for a 4 foot tank, 4 feet also opens you up to possible a yellow tang although a tomini would be happier in that space, blackbar chromis are small-ish schoolers that look like damselfish but are peaceful and inquisitive little things

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

I think dwarf angelfish would be great as well. Perhaps an interesting choice could be a pair of Hoplolatilus tilefish.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! It's been a while since I was last on this forum, but I've recently had a strong urge to upgrade tanks from my current 38-gallon to either a 65, 75, or 80-gallon tank(4 feet long). There's lots for me to get out of the way first before I can make that happen, so this is just the early stages of me considering what may be added down the line in terms of livestock.

Anyways, while I enjoy the prospect of having nice new fish, I want to make sure that when I transfer my current livestock over, nothing new will overly compete with my mandarin specifically. My boy is big and round, and I have had him in here for over a year, fed 2-3x daily, and restocked pods regularly. Regardless, there's no benefit to having a larger tank for him if all the new fish I add are outcompeting him for pods anyway, so that's a big consideration, although I go fairly rock-heavy so it may be less of an issue depending on the size of the tank.
In my mind, this eliminates wrasses, anthias, and some gobies unfortunately, though I may be mistaken. More experienced keepers feel free to chime in regarding that bit.

I admit the discrepancy between the tank sizes introduces a lot of variance with the potential suggestions I receive, so if nothing else, recommendations from what youve kept in same-size tanks are appreciated. Really, any suggestions are appreciated.

Dwarf angelfish are great for a 4 foot tank, 4 feet also opens you up to possible a yellow tang although a tomini would be happier in that space, blackbar chromis are small-ish schoolers that look like damselfish but are peaceful and inquisitive little things

I’ve heard the dwarf angels are hit or miss in terms of reef compatibility. I would be very open to any of the smaller tangs! Though I would skip a yellow tang likely, I hate having to rehome fish for any reason, and they’re pricey$$

 

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! It's been a while since I was last on this forum, but I've recently had a strong urge to upgrade tanks from my current 38-gallon to either a 65, 75, or 80-gallon tank(4 feet long). There's lots for me to get out of the way first before I can make that happen, so this is just the early stages of me considering what may be added down the line in terms of livestock.

Anyways, while I enjoy the prospect of having nice new fish, I want to make sure that when I transfer my current livestock over, nothing new will overly compete with my mandarin specifically. My boy is big and round, and I have had him in here for over a year, fed 2-3x daily, and restocked pods regularly. Regardless, there's no benefit to having a larger tank for him if all the new fish I add are outcompeting him for pods anyway, so that's a big consideration, although I go fairly rock-heavy so it may be less of an issue depending on the size of the tank.
In my mind, this eliminates wrasses, anthias, and some gobies unfortunately, though I may be mistaken. More experienced keepers feel free to chime in regarding that bit.

I admit the discrepancy between the tank sizes introduces a lot of variance with the potential suggestions I receive, so if nothing else, recommendations from what youve kept in same-size tanks are appreciated. Really, any suggestions are appreciated.

Dwarf angelfish are great for a 4 foot tank, 4 feet also opens you up to possible a yellow tang although a tomini would be happier in that space, blackbar chromis are small-ish schoolers that look like damselfish but are peaceful and inquisitive little things

I’ve heard the dwarf angels are hit or miss in terms of reef compatibility. I would be very open to any of the smaller tangs! Though I would skip a yellow tang likely, I hate having to rehome fish for any reason, and they’re pricey$$

Again only if I end up with a four foot tank*

 

[Baldyreef]

I’ve heard the dwarf angels are hit or miss in terms of reef compatibility. I would be very open to any of the smaller tangs! Though I would skip a yellow tang likely, I hate having to rehome fish for any reason, and they’re pricey$$

in my experience as long as cherub/flameback angels and and coral beauties are well fed they wont go after coral, I've even pushed my luck with the addition of maxima clams and they've never touched one, I was thinking about suggesting a melanarus wrasse but forgot about the mandarin, but what comes to mind instead is flasher and fairy wrasses which wouldnt be a food competiter for your mandarin, depending on your tank's footprint and how you set it up a tomini can be done in a 30 inch or around 30 inch long tank provided the depth and width is also suitable

 

[CatsandClowns]

I think dwarf angelfish would be great as well. Perhaps an interesting choice could be a pair of Hoplolatilus tilefish.

Unsure if I would choose a dwarf angel over a Tomini or Kole Tang. Just personal preference. Although jawfish and tilefish are super cool, I don’t really like the look of super deep sandbeds, and I bet they need that.

 

[Baldyreef]

Unsure if I would choose a dwarf angel over a Tomini or Kole Tang. Just personal preference. Although jawfish and tilefish are super cool, I don’t really like the look of super deep sandbeds, and I bet they need that.

dwarf angels and tomini tang coexist fine without aggression
if your interested in jawfish I've kept pearly jawfish before, 4 inch sand bed is sufficient for them which isn't too bad compared to others like the mexican blue spot jawfish

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

I think dwarf angelfish would be great as well. Perhaps an interesting choice could be a pair of Hoplolatilus tilefish.

Unsure if I would choose a dwarf angel over a Tomini or Kole Tang. Just personal preference. Although jawfish and tilefish are super cool, I don’t really like the look of super deep sandbeds, and I bet they need that.

Tilefish are actually quite distantly related to similar looking fish like jawfishes, blennies, and gobies. They are actually much closer to tangs and angelfish phylogenetically, which all belong to the order Acanthuriformes. Jawfish+blennies, and gobies each belong to two separate orders.

However that being said, they are ecologically similar in some respects and are known to burrow. We have a pair in our personal tank and they just attached to a large rock. They did dig a hole beneath it but I’ve seen them regularly sleep outside in the open. I don’t think they really need that deep of a sandbed. Sand sleeping wrasses probably need more sand than they do.

 

[CatsandClowns]

I’ve heard the dwarf angels are hit or miss in terms of reef compatibility. I would be very open to any of the smaller tangs! Though I would skip a yellow tang likely, I hate having to rehome fish for any reason, and they’re pricey$$

in my experience as long as cherub/flameback angels and and coral beauties are well fed they wont go after coral, I've even pushed my luck with the addition of maxima clams and they've never touched one, I was thinking about suggesting a melanarus wrasse but forgot about the mandarin, but what comes to mind instead is flasher and fairy wrasses which wouldnt be a food competiter for your mandarin, depending on your tank's footprint and how you set it up a tomini can be done in a 30 inch or around 30 inch long tank provided the depth and width is also suitable

That is a real dang shame about the melanarus, that’s a gorgeous fish.

 

[Baldyreef]

That is a real dang shame about the melanarus, that’s a gorgeous fish.

it truly is and I'm having the same issue with the setup of a 80g trying to decide between a mandarin dragonet or a melanarus wrasse

 

[Cael Gallery]

That is a real dang shame about the melanarus, that’s a gorgeous fish.

I don't think that Halichoeres wrasse consume a significant amount of copepods, generally speaking. Leopard wrasses do, so avoid those. Halichoeres generally prefer larger prey. So contrary to what some other people have suggested i think that a Halichoeres wrasse is a good idea if you like the look of them. Personally, i think that there are much better looking options than just melanurus, like H.melasmapomus or H. iridis.
Anthias also will only feed on the small number of pods that are mid-water, so i don't think that they are likely to compete with the mandarin.
Tilefish don't really need a deep sand bed but i'd avoid them because they're extremely sensitive and not hardy at all. They're very good at jumping out and might get bullied by the dwarf angels.

I would also consider a royal or blackcap gramma, and/or an Assessor (yellow or blue).

 

[CatsandClowns]

That is a real dang shame about the melanarus, that’s a gorgeous fish.

I don't think that Halichoeres wrasse consume a significant amount of copepods, generally speaking. Leopard wrasses do, so avoid those. Halichoeres generally prefer larger prey. So contrary to what some other people have suggested i think that a Halichoeres wrasse is a good idea if you like the look of them. Personally, i think that there are much better looking options than just melanurus, like H.melasmapomus or H. iridis.
Anthias also will only feed on the small number of pods that are mid-water, so i don't think that they are likely to compete with the mandarin.
Tilefish don't really need a deep sand bed but i'd avoid them because they're extremely sensitive and not hardy at all. They're very good at jumping out and might get bullied by the dwarf angels.

I would also consider a royal or blackcap gramma, and/or an Assessor (yellow or blue).

I’ll leave the Halichoeres idea up in the air for now I suppose. I had to rehome an incredibly territorial/aggressive gramma a few months ago, maybe it would be better in a larger tank, idk. I have been considering a yellow assessor for my tank currently, but that might be better to wait for the new tank then! I do prefer cryptic species in general, but for a larger tank, I would moreso prefer a mix of active of cryptic species over only one group

 

[CatsandClowns]

That is a real dang shame about the melanarus, that’s a gorgeous fish.

it truly is and I'm having the same issue with the setup of a 80g trying to decide between a mandarin dragonet or a melanarus wrasse

It’s a coin flip lol