Fish stocking suggestions

[sdsyhs]

Hi guys. I'm new to the hobby. Coming from FW aquascaping. As you see in the video, completely newbie eagerly trying for macroalgae, softies and lps.

So the tank dimension is 80x45x45, 160l/40g.
Has been up for like 1 month plus

Currently have a pair of ocellaris clown that always stay on the back wall except when its feeding time, sand sifting starfish, 5 zebra hermit crab and 2 turbo snails

I plan to get a green mandarin cause i really like them. I assume i have a healthy colony of copepods as i see them everywhere. And also a copperband probably as a centerpiece.

May I know what else can i consider to stock in?

 

[littlefoxx]

recommended tank size for the copperband is 125 gallons, so I would not put one in a 40 gallon… Mandarin will need you to dose pods because they eat all day and will eat all the pods believe it or not. Best to look at minimum tank sizes for fish as they need a ton more room than freshwater fish. A goby, blenny, or other smaller fish (maybe a cherub angel as its the smallest dwarf angel) would be okay. Or damsels and dottybacks, but add last as they are aggressive. Cardinals are also great fish for this tank size.

 

[AetherealKnight]

Hi guys. I'm new to the hobby. Coming from FW aquascaping. As you see in the video, completely newbie eagerly trying for macroalgae, softies and lps.

So the tank dimension is 80x45x45, 160l/40g.
Has been up for like 1 month plus

Currently have a pair of ocellaris clown that always stay on the back wall except when its feeding time, sand sifting starfish, 5 zebra hermit crab and 2 turbo snails

I plan to get a green mandarin cause i really like them. I assume i have a healthy colony of copepods as i see them everywhere. And also a copperband probably as a centerpiece.

May I know what else can i consider to stock in?

What’s the coral in the middle, is it a toadstool? Its look great btw!

 

[AetherealKnight]

Stuff that you can stock that I think are good imo
- Yellow Watchman
- Royal Gramma
- Jawfish
- Flame Angelfish
- Longnose Hawkfish
- Cleanershrimp
- Citron Clown Goby
- Filefish?
- Saddle Puffer (Reef Caution) May eat inverts, though some have success keeping them in a reef tank

 

[EliMelly]

If you want personality a Midas Blenny is a fantastic option! Everything else noted is great as well. Firefish, royal gramma, puffer, watchman goby.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

You might consider to move the powerhead up and point it at the surface, the surface is too flat and collecting debris which will cut the gas exchange. Agitating the water surface will help oxygenate the system.

 

[ScottJ]

I would add more rock, also. More hiding places and filtering. Defiantly more flow, also.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi guys. I'm new to the hobby. Coming from FW aquascaping. As you see in the video, completely newbie eagerly trying for macroalgae, softies and lps.

So the tank dimension is 80x45x45, 160l/40g.
Has been up for like 1 month plus

Currently have a pair of ocellaris clown that always stay on the back wall except when its feeding time, sand sifting starfish, 5 zebra hermit crab and 2 turbo snails

I plan to get a green mandarin cause i really like them. I assume i have a healthy colony of copepods as i see them everywhere. And also a copperband probably as a centerpiece.

May I know what else can i consider to stock in?

Definitely research your stocking.

Unfortunately, I would not add the manderin or copperband.

There's a lot of colorful fish in the wrasse department.
Gobys, peaceful damsels, ect.

Lots of sites have tank recommendations for tank sizes for fish.

 

[sdsyhs]

recommended tank size for the copperband is 125 gallons, so I would not put one in a 40 gallon… Mandarin will need you to dose pods because they eat all day and will eat all the pods believe it or not. Best to look at minimum tank sizes for fish as they need a ton more room than freshwater fish. A goby, blenny, or other smaller fish (maybe a cherub angel as its the smallest dwarf angel) would be okay. Or damsels and dottybacks, but add last as they are aggressive. Cardinals are also great fish for this tank size.

Thanks for the suggestion. After a bit researching. I guess i will drop cooperband and mandarin from my stocking list.

 

[sdsyhs]

What’s the coral in the middle, is it a toadstool? Its look great btw!

Oh. I think it's not a toadstool. The seller just stated as a 'leather coral'. Yeah i like it because its already big. And now its getting bigger. I wonder how long will he take over the whole center rock.

 

[sdsyhs]

Stuff that you can stock that I think are good imo
- Yellow Watchman
- Royal Gramma
- Jawfish
- Flame Angelfish
- Longnose Hawkfish
- Cleanershrimp
- Citron Clown Goby
- Filefish?
- Saddle Puffer (Reef Caution) May eat inverts, though some have success keeping them in a reef tank

Thanks for the suggestions! I really like the saddle puffer too but a bit worried as i actually considering some shrimps. Hard to decide.

 

[sdsyhs]

If you want personality a Midas Blenny is a fantastic option! Everything else noted is great as well. Firefish, royal gramma, puffer, watchman goby.

Yes this one nice too! But i looked around my area. It is quite expensive and somehow not easily available.

 

[sdsyhs]

You might consider to move the powerhead up and point it at the surface, the surface is too flat and collecting debris which will cut the gas exchange. Agitating the water surface will help oxygenate the system.

Ok. I moved upward a bit to make a small wave on the surface. Also im thinking of getting a surface skimmer actually.

 

[Tamberav]

If you add more rock and it is going to be a macroalgae tank, a mandarin may be possible in the future. I found them very easy to keep in macro dominant tanks due to the ridiculous number of pods in such tanks. You are not quite there yet though.

Copperbands are definitely too active/large. They glass surf when unhappy which is stressing to watch.

A shrimp goby + pistol shrimp is always fun to watch.

 

[sdsyhs]

I would add more rock, also. More hiding places and filtering. Defiantly more flow, also.

I also think that the tank look a bit barren. But the thing is im considering to add more macro. Is it a good option too?

 

[sdsyhs]

Definitely research your stocking.

Unfortunately, I would not add the manderin or copperband.

There's a lot of colorful fish in the wrasse department.
Gobys, peaceful damsels, ect.

Lots of sites have tank recommendations for tank sizes for fish.

Yes. Forgive me for not doing proper research.

I will go with what others suggested instead.

 

[sdsyhs]

If you add more rock and it is going to be a macroalgae tank, a mandarin may be possible in the future. I found them very easy to keep in macro dominant tanks due to the ridiculous number of pods in such tanks. You are not quite there yet though.

Copperbands are definitely too active/large. They glass surf when unhappy which is stressing to watch.

A shrimp goby + pistol shrimp is always fun to watch.

I see. Yeah i noticed a lot of pods crawling on the macro. I guess will set mandarin as my ultimate goal haha. Definitely after tank bit more matured.

For now, should i add live rock or enough with dead rock?

Yup no copperband for me.

My sand is only like 1 inch, is it enough for Shrimp goby and pistol shrimp?

 

[BetteMidler]

For wrasses, go with either a group from the Lubboki or Lunatus. You can ask more seasoned reefers on wrasse suggestions, they have this nice chart. Both are group "A" of minimum tank size of 40g. These are sort of expensive choices.

For cheaper solution, a basslet such as a royal Gramma or a Lantern Bass. For a jawfish, try a Pearly Jawfish. If you don't like a jawfish, go with a blenny, something like a Tailspot blenny or a starry blenny.

I also have a 40g and only have a wrasse type fish & a Aiptasia Eating Filefish. I'm regretting the Filefish, worried about him eating Corals. I am looking at getting a Pearly Jawfish next, just make sure you have a good lid.

 

[odariel]

+1 for a goby + pistol shrimp.. Actually a pair of gobys + the pistol is even better.. they are less shy in pairs, and it is true that they are fun to watch... and they actually don't need to much space as they rarely move more than 15 cms from their burrow. Stenogobiops nematodes + alpheus randalli are a good fit for your reef.

+1 on the pygmy cherub angel. It is a good recommendation too.

Also some varieties of wrasse will add a lot of movement to it and they are good to eliminate possible pests that come in frags.

Regarding adding more macroalgae... it is controversial... you are gonna be fighting with nutrients if you add too much... (it will consume them all) therefore competing with your corals for food..

I would personally ditch the green caulerpa.. it is very fast growing, consumes a lot of nutrients and it will soon take over your tank... you need to be trimming it constantly and if all the algae dies it will release all the nutrients that it had absorbed...

 

[odariel]

Forgot to say i like the tank, i can see you are coming from the planted aquarium scene..:)

But don't think of algae as your freshwater thanks, think about grown coral colonies as your hardscape... Research the growth pattern and morphology of those corals once they grow up to shape your aquarium... i know it is not as rewarding as the freshwater, were you can have a great looking tank almost from the very beginning... in saltwater it takes time! but the range of colours, shapes and animals is mindblowing vs freshwater.

Enjoy the process!