How to Mitigate Aggression Between These...

Wandering Albatross

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Good morning all,

I have my first few fish and inverts in the tank now, and am trying to work out timing and batch size for when I add my next set. I'd like some algae growth for the blennies, and maturation time for the mandarins. Blues, toadstool, and eels are the well settled older additions. The blues are actually more skittish than the eels, it seems so backwards. Eels extend 4-5" from their burrows and eat like total pigs, anything I give them. They seem to prefer the larger frozen mysis.

Tank: 150g, 40g sump, 5'x2'x2', deep sand areas, lots of caves, intended to be community reef tank.

Current Stock:
2 blue gudgeon dartfish (paired)
2 garden eels (third is still MIA)
1 penderson cleaner shrimp (supposed to be 2 but was shipped a labeled and intact empty bag...refund issued but would have rather had another shrimp)
2 porcelain crabs
1 baby clam (>2")
1 green toadstool

Incoming:
2 cerith snails
2 nass snails
1 feather duster
1 cheap acro frag
1 cheap favia frag

Intended Additional Fish Stock:
2 neon gobies
2 yellow watchman
2 starry or tailspot blennies
2 Royal grammas
2 manadrins
2 orchid dotty backs
2 blk/wht clowns
*Considering centerpiece fish*

I've read mixed reviews on grammas being territorial. How much space do they defend? Would it help to add them towards the end of the stocking so everyone else is settled and they're the new kid, or will they just uproot someone else in the tank? Same with dotty backs? Don't want them picking on the eels if possible, the smaller one has its burrow up front near several cave entrances.

How would you approach adding these fish, what order would you add them? Could I manage another fish in this size range? Have you had problems between any of these species?

Blessings
 
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Wandering Albatross

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And for those of us who like pics/videos… 🙂
 

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Freenow54

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Good morning all,

I have my first few fish and inverts in the tank now, and am trying to work out timing and batch size for when I add my next set. I'd like some algae growth for the blennies, and maturation time for the mandarins. Blues, toadstool, and eels are the well settled older additions. The blues are actually more skittish than the eels, it seems so backwards. Eels extend 4-5" from their burrows and eat like total pigs, anything I give them. They seem to prefer the larger frozen mysis.

Tank: 150g, 40g sump, 5'x2'x2', deep sand areas, lots of caves, intended to be community reef tank.

Current Stock:
2 blue gudgeon dartfish (paired)
2 garden eels (third is still MIA)
1 penderson cleaner shrimp (supposed to be 2 but was shipped a labeled and intact empty bag...refund issued but would have rather had another shrimp)
2 porcelain crabs
1 baby clam (>2")
1 green toadstool

Incoming:
2 cerith snails
2 nass snails
1 feather duster
1 cheap acro frag
1 cheap favia frag

Intended Additional Fish Stock:
2 neon gobies
2 yellow watchman
2 starry or tailspot blennies
2 Royal grammas
2 manadrins
2 orchid dotty backs
2 blk/wht clowns
*Considering centerpiece fish*

I've read mixed reviews on grammas being territorial. How much space do they defend? Would it help to add them towards the end of the stocking so everyone else is settled and they're the new kid, or will they just uproot someone else in the tank? Same with dotty backs? Don't want them picking on the eels if possible, the smaller one has its burrow up front near several cave entrances.

How would you approach adding these fish, what order would you add them? Could I manage another fish in this size range? Have you had problems between any of these species?

Blessings
wow a lot of fish
 
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Wandering Albatross

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wow a lot of fish
Actually I was planning more, but wasn't sure what kind of limits to push on space. If you ask 10 reefers how many fish can fit in a 150, you'll get 10 different answers. I want everyone to be healthy and not overly harassed. I expect minor squabbles though. So far the eels and blues get along fine. Inverts do their own thing. I'm just happy the eels are doing so well, given what I've heard about their care.
 

Freenow54

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Actually I was planning more, but wasn't sure what kind of limits to push on space. If you ask 10 reefers how many fish can fit in a 150, you'll get 10 different answers. I want everyone to be healthy and not overly harassed. I expect minor squabbles though. So far the eels and blues get along fine. Inverts do their own thing. I'm just happy the eels are doing so well, given what I've heard about their care.
I have no clue only as a diver behaviour between night and day totally different. Daytime hide. Night out and about free swimming
 
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Wandering Albatross

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The third eel LIVES!! He just showed up, nowhere near where I thought he was hiding! So happy! He moved in close to the larger one in the deep sand, hopefully will stay friendly cause the big guy was there first... Sooooo happy! 🤩 😁
 

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