Stocking 75g Reef

[Wandering Albatross]

Good morning all!

While I'm building up my reserves for my large tanks, I figured I'd set up something smaller to get into the groove. It'll be a 75 gallon reef, small passive fish. While I'm not in favor of moving fish more than necessary (the only thing stopping the larger tanks is the space not being ready yet and narrowing down the best equipment), these fish may very well end up in my 200-250g reef later on. It'll be my dry run while working towards my tank room. Anyway, I've got tentative stocking, and am looking for anecdotal perspectives. I've heard several of these fish can be sketchy with similar-looking fish.

ROYAL GRAMMA PAIR

STARRY BLENNY PAIR

WATCHMAN GOBY PAIR

FLASHER WRASSE PAIR

CLOWN PAIR BY DEFAULT

ORCHID DOTTYBACK PAIR

*MANADRIN PAIR WILL WAIT FOR THE BIG TANK, I DON'T TRUST THEM NOT TO STARVE*

VARIOUS CUC (CLEANER SHRIMP, URCINS, STAR, SNAILS, MAYBE SMALL CRAB)

Are any of these guys too similar? Any other small fish that might work?

I'm going for small fish, that may transfer better to the big tank. The plan is to make the 75g a species only or breeding tank after the transfer, but no sense in not getting it matured early right? Maybe get corals large enough to frag to the big tank.

Blessings all :)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The problem is that most of us can't tell the sexes of most fish, so if you get a pair, you have to hope you get a male and female. If you get 2 males or 2 females, they might be aggressive to each other.

 

[fishywishy]

I’m not sure if dottybacks can change sex, but if you can find a male and a female, it might work. However, keep in mind that dottybacks are still dottybacks and can still be aggressive to other fish and each other.

i wouldn’t get a flasher pair, even if you get a male and female the usually both turn into male eventually and become aggressive.

The rest are fine as long as you can get a male and female.

 

[Uncle99]

Good morning all!

While I'm building up my reserves for my large tanks, I figured I'd set up something smaller to get into the groove. It'll be a 75 gallon reef, small passive fish. While I'm not in favor of moving fish more than necessary (the only thing stopping the larger tanks is the space not being ready yet and narrowing down the best equipment), these fish may very well end up in my 200-250g reef later on. It'll be my dry run while working towards my tank room. Anyway, I've got tentative stocking, and am looking for anecdotal perspectives. I've heard several of these fish can be sketchy with similar-looking fish.

ROYAL GRAMMA PAIR

STARRY BLENNY PAIR

WATCHMAN GOBY PAIR

FLASHER WRASSE PAIR

CLOWN PAIR BY DEFAULT

ORCHID DOTTYBACK PAIR

*MANADRIN PAIR WILL WAIT FOR THE BIG TANK, I DON'T TRUST THEM NOT TO STARVE*

VARIOUS CUC (CLEANER SHRIMP, URCINS, STAR, SNAILS, MAYBE SMALL CRAB)

Are any of these guys too similar? Any other small fish that might work?

I'm going for small fish, that may transfer better to the big tank. The plan is to make the 75g a species only or breeding tank after the transfer, but no sense in not getting it matured early right? Maybe get corals large enough to frag to the big tank.

Blessings all :)

Nothing at all wrong with stocking a 75G to transfer to bigger, I went 65G to 180G.

Lots of pairs in there, if they are true pairs, that could work.

Except for the clowns I’ve not seen the rest sold in pairs, or at least, in my local area.

Sounds like fun….enjoy!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I’m not sure if dottybacks can change sex, but if you can find a male and a female, it might work. However, keep in mind that dottybacks are still dottybacks and can still be aggressive to other fish and each other.

i wouldn’t get a flasher pair, even if you get a male and female the usually both turn into male eventually and become aggressive.

The rest are fine as long as you can get a male and female.

I heard that dottybacks do change much like clownfish, and I was basing it off that information. I except some struggle with pairing, but I’m willing to work with them to try to make it happen. I’m also aware of the potential for aggression, going for many caves and crevices to help.

If not flashers, perhaps a melanarus pair? They are nice looking fish. Anyone know how I might be able to coax the female not to change? Perhaps over feed the male a little to keep him strong? Obvious size difference when I get them? Use a mirror so he feels like he’s protecting his patch?

 

[LiquidSpace]

For what it’s worth, I have had an orchid for 3 years. It’s been a model fish and friend to all. But you know how it is, every fish is different, etc.

 

[fishywishy]

I heard that dottybacks do change much like clownfish, and I was basing it off that information. I except some struggle with pairing, but I’m willing to work with them to try to make it happen. I’m also aware of the potential for aggression, going for many caves and crevices to help.

If not flashers, perhaps a melanarus pair? They are nice looking fish. Anyone know how I might be able to coax the female not to change? Perhaps over feed the male a little to keep him strong? Obvious size difference when I get them? Use a mirror so he feels like he’s protecting his patch?

its wrasse in general, not just flashers. here’s a good article on pairing wrasse:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pairing-wrasses-thats-not-how-any-of-this-works.3/

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Nothing at all wrong with stocking a 75G to transfer to bigger, I went 65G to 180G.

Lots of pairs in there, if they are true pairs, that could work.

Except for the clowns I’ve not seen the rest sold in pairs, or at least, in my local area.

Sounds like fun….enjoy!

I didn’t except to be able to get them as pairs, but to get them small/young, maybe with a definite size difference on any that have the ability to transition, and try to pair them. Of course it all comes down to the individual and luck, but something about any fish being alone just makes me sad. Even the ‘mean’ ones look so lonely. They may not all become pairs like we think of with clowns, I just want them to have the option to spawn if the mood strikes them. Free food for everyone else lol

 

[Wandering Albatross]

its wrasse in general, not just flashers. here’s a good article on pairing wrasse:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pairing-wrasses-thats-not-how-any-of-this-works.3/

I’ve actually read this article before lol, it’s got a lot of useful information. I can’t help but wonder though if there is some way to keep the male stimulated to prevent the female thinking he is weak and possible to overthrow. It may take extra effort to accommodate, but that’s okay. I’ve heard people using mirror to trick the male into defending his territory, but I don’t know how well it worked in the long term. It’s harder to gauge this sort of thing if there’s a high turnover rate. The science behind it is fascinating nonetheless.

Blessings

 

[fishywishy]

I’ve actually read this article before lol, it’s got a lot of useful information. I can’t help but wonder though if there is some way to keep the male stimulated to prevent the female thinking he is weak and possible to overthrow. It may take extra effort to accommodate, but that’s okay. I’ve heard people using mirror to trick the male into defending his territory, but I don’t know how well it worked in the long term. It’s harder to gauge this sort of thing if there’s a high turnover rate. The science behind it is fascinating nonetheless.

Blessings

@OrionN

 

[Uncle99]

I didn’t except to be able to get them as pairs, but to get them small/young, maybe with a definite size difference on any that have the ability to transition, and try to pair them. Of course it all comes down to the individual and luck, but something about any fish being alone just makes me sad. Even the ‘mean’ ones look so lonely. They may not all become pairs like we think of with clowns, I just want them to have the option to spawn if the mood strikes them. Free food for everyone else lol

While I understand your thinking, it may be difficult to accomplish and some will perish in the process.

IMM, fish can be completely happy without a mate.

Clowns look great together, but still happy as one.

When ready, a Mandarin pair are easy to manage and like clowns, stay much together.

Enjoy.