Order of introduction

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

So, I planned out the order of introducing my fish and inverts to the tank so that the shyer species would have time to establish before adding the pair of clownfish last. After a series of unfortunate events and mysterious deaths I lost all my other fish and shrimp. So I guess my question is how do I go about restocking and introducing in a way to offer the greatest vhance of success when the most aggresive tank mates are already in the DT? Do I put the clownfish back in QT and do almost a reset or is there another option?

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

What size tank is this? What other fish are you planning on adding?

Also, do you know what wiped out your other fish? If it was disease, it may be worth QTing the clowns and running the tank fallow to eradicate possible diseases still lingering in the tank.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

What size tank is this? What other fish are you planning on adding?

Also, do you know what wiped out your other fish? If it was disease, it may be worth QTing the clowns and running the tank fallow to eradicate possible diseases still lingering in the tank.

Its a IM 25 gallon lagoon. I'm not sure what happened to the 2 peppermint shrimp, I kinda think the one was a molt gone wrong. The Wheeler's shrimp Goby jumped through the netting of the lid. The first time he did it I caught it right as it happened and got him back in, but a few days later he did it again and ended up on the floor overnight. The Fire Shrimp I'm worried I might have injured during a water change. I had a pump with tubing to gently add the clean water, but my daughter broke it right before the water change so I tried just pouring the water in and the next morning it was half buried dead in the sand. That left the Firefish as the only thing besides snails and two hermit crabs and I think the clownfish then targeted it since there was what looked a bite out of the gills on it's body. Honestly, it was a very discouraging month. It started out with everyone being happy and adjusting well to the DT and just went downhill. I don't know if I'll replace the Peppermint Shrimp, but everything else I'd like to replace with the same species and eventual will add in a Randall's Pistol Shrimp and some Porcelain Anemone Crabs once there's some coral habitat.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Also, everything was quarantined before being added to the DT

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Its a IM 25 gallon lagoon. I'm not sure what happened to the 2 peppermint shrimp, I kinda think the one was a molt gone wrong. The Wheeler's shrimp Goby jumped through the netting of the lid. The first time he did it I caught it right as it happened and got him back in, but a few days later he did it again and ended up on the floor overnight. The Fire Shrimp I'm worried I might have injured during a water change. I had a pump with tubing to gently add the clean water, but my daughter broke it right before the water change so I tried just pouring the water in and the next morning it was half buried dead in the sand. That left the Firefish as the only thing besides snails and two hermit crabs and I think the clownfish then targeted it since there was what looked a bite out of the gills on it's body. Honestly, it was a very discouraging month. It started out with everyone being happy and adjusting well to the DT and just went downhill. I don't know if I'll replace the Peppermint Shrimp, but everything else I'd like to replace with the same species and eventual will add in a Randall's Pistol Shrimp and some Porcelain Anemone Crabs once there's some coral habitat.

Sorry to hear. This hobby can be tough sometimes.

Since everything was quarantined prior, I think it’s safe to start restocking. It sounds like the clownfish are pretty established, so it may be best to temporarily move them to a different tank and get all of the other fish you want established in the DT and then move them back.

Clowns can definitely be jerks…especially in pairs. What type of clowns are they? Please don’t say maroon or tomato

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

They're a pair of Mochas. Would it help if I tried to establish some corals to give a bit more habitat to hide out in besides just the rocks?

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Ok…it’s possible. Clowns are weird. Sometimes they’ll pick a corner, other times corals, etc.

I guess at this point you could try new hiding spots/territories for them and then introduce the fish you want. If you see constant harassment then you may have to remove the clowns for a bit.

I would probably introduce all your new fish at the same time (no more than 2 or 3 so the bacteria can catch up) so the clowns don’t just zero in on one.

Sometimes in smaller tanks they claim the whole thing as their territory and it’s hard to add anything else.

 

[Reefer Brent]

Agree with the smaller tank being the clowns territory. I have a pair in a 40 gallon that kills anything i put in it. I will be putting them in a small desk tank when I finish my 100gal build and not add them until last or not at all.