Stocking a reefer 250 - advice?

[The JLP Experience]

Hey guys, first of all really appreciate the incredible resource this site has been.

Was hoping to get your advice on next steps for my tank. I've got my quarantine tank (both a coral and fish) up and running now.

My DT is a Reefer 250 (total 65g, DT 54g, sump 11g). I'm hoping to start incorporating coral fairly soon as well. Right now I've got 2 clowns who are doing well. I wanted to go ahead and put my next fish into the QT while the DT matures and gets ready to accommodate the next additions.

Right now have these guys in mind:
1) flame hawkfish
2) potter vs flame angelfish
3) gold assessor basslet
4) yellow watchman vs yasha goby (+ pistol shrimp)
5) mandarin goby (will get a CB one, refugium is being made a pod haven)
6) kole tang

These fish are +/- pending what you guys think my additional capacity might be:
1) six line wrasse (I really don't want to place a lid otherwise I'd love one of these)
2) cardinal fish
3) algae blenny

My questions:
1) can I accommodate the above?
2) what order would you add the rest of the fish in?
3) any other fish you may substitute that you think I'd be missing? I love big personalities and creating a lively community

Thanks very much in advance everyone!!!

 

[Brent02]

If you’re going to have coral the angle is a crap shoot. I got my first tank this year and got a small coral beauty along with two clowns a Watchman pistol combo and a fire fish. The Coral Beauty was behaving until she decided she liked nibbling on my chalice, and the killed a Duncan. I getting 90 next month, and won’t have an angle in the tank.

 

[The JLP Experience]

Appreciate your input.

Any thoughts on an active/colorful alternative to an angel if I want to be more reef safe and avoid the aggression?

 

[i cant think]

Appreciate your input.

Any thoughts on an active/colorful alternative to an angel if I want to be more reef safe and avoid the aggression?

Wrasse(s) - Specifically from the genuses Cirrhilabrus (Fairies), Halichoeres, and Paracheilinus (Flashers).
If you want to get into harder wrasses then Macropharyngodon and Anampses are the way to go but only when you have a tank truly established.
CBs are as reef safe as angelfish get though.

 

[blaxsun]

I'd nix the flame angel for a coral beauty (less likely to go after corals). I'd also get a dottyback and drop the algae blenny (they never seem to survive for very long).

 

[i cant think]

Hey guys, first of all really appreciate the incredible resource this site has been.

Was hoping to get your advice on next steps for my tank. I've got my quarantine tank (both a coral and fish) up and running now.

My DT is a Reefer 250 (total 65g, DT 54g, sump 11g). I'm hoping to start incorporating coral fairly soon as well. Right now I've got 2 clowns who are doing well. I wanted to go ahead and put my next fish into the QT while the DT matures and gets ready to accommodate the next additions.

Right now have these guys in mind:
1) flame hawkfish - This guy gets aggressive in small tanks
2) potter vs flame angelfish - Potters gets bigger and more pricey so flame would be better in terms of price however Potters are more reef safe
3) gold assessor basslet - These are often shy but will come out over time, both colourful and
4) yellow watchman vs yasha goby (+ pistol shrimp) - Yasha is the more peaceful option.
5) mandarin goby (will get a CB one, refugium is being made a pod haven)
6) kole tang - If the tank is less than 4’ across then this won’t work.

These fish are +/- pending what you guys think my additional capacity might be:
1) six line wrasse (I really don't want to place a lid otherwise I'd love one of these) - No, if you go for a wrasse then Halichoeres however, EVERY fish can jump if given the opportunity so most tanks with angelfish, wrasse, ect.. should have a lid IMO
2) cardinal fish
3) algae blenny - Rarely survive long term

I’ve added some comments to the fish listed

 

[Lavey29]

I have a similar size tank Xl300. I currently have a fairy wrasse, yellow coris wrasse, rohmboid wrasse and squaretail tang. I am adding a melanarus wrasse, royal gramma, yellow watchman goby and a firefish. I'd recommend you consider some wrasses. They are great utilitarian fish, hardy with great colors. They will help pest control like your tang choice helps algae control. Hold off on the mandarin until your tank is mature enough to sustain pods. As others said. Flame angels might damage corals. Hawkish will go after your cleaner shrimp if you decide to add some of those.

 

[The JLP Experience]

You guys have given me a lot to think about here…

- I’ll explore lid options some more. I really love how elegant the reefer looks right now and I haven’t seen a lid yet that doesn’t take away from that yet.

- sounds like flame hawk fish isn’t a great fit. Any thoughts on a “rock hopping” alternative?

- I may speak w my LFS about the angels and see if they’d be ok w me potentially bringing one back if he/she goes berserk on coral

- any issues w yasha being too shy compared to YWG?

- as an alternative to a kole, if I could find one would a squaretail bristletooth be a contender?

It does sound like I need to figure out the lid thing to accommodate wrasses.

 

[nereefpat]

- I’ll explore lid options some more. I really love how elegant the reefer looks right now and I haven’t seen a lid yet that doesn’t take away from that yet.

You listed a few fishes that can jump if spooked. For me, it takes too much effort and money getting fish into my tank, so losing a fish to the carpet is just not an option.

- sounds like flame hawk fish isn’t a great fit. Any thoughts on a “rock hopping” alternative?

I love hawks, especially flame and long nose hawks. They are great fish for a tank your size and larger. Possibly can eat small inverts. It's up to you if small shrimp and more important. Blennies and gobies are good rock hoppers. Starry blenny might be a good one for you.

- as an alternative to a kole, if I could find one would a squaretail bristletooth be a contender?

With a 3 foot tank, tangs aren't going to be a good choice long term.

1) six line wrasse (I really don't want to place a lid otherwise I'd love one of these)

Don't do this if you want a mandarin or any other wrasse. It will outcompete the mandarin, or outright kill it.

 

[i cant think]

You listed a few fishes that can jump if spooked. For me, it takes too much effort and money getting fish into my tank, so losing a fish to the carpet is just not an option.

With a 3 foot tank, tangs aren't going to be a good choice long term.

I find these both to be good points, a tang or any fish that needs the room to swim will do terribly in a 3 foot long term.
The jumping bit is also good because when you get the more pricey fish, you will realise they are jumpers but also ANY fish can and will jump eventually if given the option.
A lid that I use on both my rimless tanks and doesn’t take away from the look is most of the fine mesh netting, this is similar to the one I use:

Also, I know it’s not the same fish as the tang mentioned however, my two spot bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus) is in a 4’ tank and at 2” he can go from one side to the other within 3 flaps of his fins (Although, he rarely does and just hangs with the foxface and angelfish)
Here’s a photo of him:

 

[Lavey29]

You guys have given me a lot to think about here…

- I’ll explore lid options some more. I really love how elegant the reefer looks right now and I haven’t seen a lid yet that doesn’t take away from that yet.

- sounds like flame hawk fish isn’t a great fit. Any thoughts on a “rock hopping” alternative?

- I may speak w my LFS about the angels and see if they’d be ok w me potentially bringing one back if he/she goes berserk on coral

- any issues w yasha being too shy compared to YWG?

- as an alternative to a kole, if I could find one would a squaretail bristletooth be a contender?

It does sound like I need to figure out the lid thing to accommodate wrasses.

I have a bristletooth in my red sea and he seems to be doing OK but probably would be better in a larger tank. He does peck algae all day but finicky eater. I didn't want a lid either but the wrasses requires it. Clearview lids made mine and overall it does not really diminish the tank asthetics. Still get light shimmer. Acts like a filter for the lights with the mesh screen top. Here is my lid.

 

[The JLP Experience]

I love hawks, especially flame and long nose hawks. They are great fish for a tank your size and larger. Possibly can eat small inverts. It's up to you if small shrimp and more important. Blennies and gobies are good rock hoppers. Starry blenny might be a good one for you.

For inverts the smallest shrimp I'm interested in are probably peppermint and the pistol. The starry blenny is a GREAT suggestion.

Don't do this if you want a mandarin or any other wrasse. It will outcompete the mandarin, or outright kill it.

Do you know if this applies to all wrasses + mandarin? I'm pretty sold on finding a lid now to broaden to wrasses.

I have a bristletooth in my red sea and he seems to be doing OK but probably would be better in a larger tank. He does peck algae all day but finicky eater. I didn't want a lid either but the wrasses requires it. Clearview lids made mine and overall it does not really diminish the tank asthetics. Still get light shimmer. Acts like a filter for the lights with the mesh screen top. Here is my lid.

Thanks for the pics - going to investigate the clearview.

 

[i cant think]

Do you know if this applies to all wrasses + mandarin? I'm pretty sold on finding a lid now to broaden to wrasses.

Not ALL wrasses but the two genera that will also eat pods are Macropharyngodon and Anampses. Halichoeres not so much, although yes they peck at rocks they can’t desolate a population instantly.

 

[nereefpat]

For inverts the smallest shrimp I'm interested in are probably peppermint and the pistol. The starry blenny is a GREAT suggestion.

Peppermints *could eventually be snacks, but I don't trust peppermint shrimps so I don't keep them. I agree, starry blennies are awesome.

Do you know if this applies to all wrasses + mandarin? I'm pretty sold on finding a lid now to broaden to wrasses.

Fairies and flashes don't eat pods.

 

[The JLP Experience]

Not ALL wrasses but the two genera that will also eat pods are Macropharyngodon and Anampses. Halichoeres not so much, although yes they peck at rocks they can’t desolate a population instantly.

Fairies and flashes don't eat pods.

Ok, based on everyone's input I've tried to come up with a stocking list that has a good spread of color/activity levels. I found some mixed info on what tank sizes the wrasses could be in but hopefully these guys would be okay (and not eat the mandarin's pods). This is also roughly the order I would plan to introduce the crew (the clowns obviously already being there). And yes - I'm caving on the lid!

1. Clown fish x2
2. Yasha Goby/Pistol Shrimp
3. Gold assessor basslet
4. Starry blenny
5. Potter’s angelfish (a bit larger, but hopefully more reef safe)
6. Mystery wrasse
7. Scott’s fairy wrasse
8. Mandarin

 

[nereefpat]

6. Mystery wrasse

Same group as six line. Mean, will eat pods, and might even outright kill the mandarin. When mature, doesn't mix with other wrasses.

7. Scott’s fairy wrasse

Right group, but this specific one loses its color and gets big/aggressive.

 

[Lavey29]

Ok, based on everyone's input I've tried to come up with a stocking list that has a good spread of color/activity levels. I found some mixed info on what tank sizes the wrasses could be in but hopefully these guys would be okay (and not eat the mandarin's pods). This is also roughly the order I would plan to introduce the crew (the clowns obviously already being there). And yes - I'm caving on the lid!

1. Clown fish x2
2. Yasha Goby/Pistol Shrimp
3. Gold assessor basslet
4. Starry blenny
5. Potter’s angelfish (a bit larger, but hopefully more reef safe)
6. Mystery wrasse
7. Scott’s fairy wrasse
8. Mandarin

Looks like a good list. Captive bred mandarin may eat frozen or sinking pellets also but I would still add that one last to an established tank maybe at the one year mark is my plan.

 

[Lavey29]

Check out the pintail fairy wrasse , yellow coris and rohmboid wrasse. No issues with them at all in my tank.

 

[The JLP Experience]

Same group as six line. Mean, will eat pods, and might even outright kill the mandarin. When mature, doesn't mix with other wrasses.

Check out the pintail fairy wrasse , yellow coris and rohmboid wrasse. No issues with them at all in my tank.

thank you both. at this moment I'm now leaning away from a mandarin in favor of opening up some flexibility for different wrasses.

in addition to the ones you mentioned I'm reading more about melanurus, leopard, redhead solon, and the exquisite fairy. I'm still very taken by the mystery wrasse as well.

 

[Lavey29]

thank you both. at this moment I'm now leaning away from a mandarin in favor of opening up some flexibility for different wrasses.

in addition to the ones you mentioned I'm reading more about melanurus, leopard, redhead solon, and the exquisite fairy. I'm still very taken by the mystery wrasse as well.

I didn't know much about them either but now I'm hooked with 3 in the tank and adding a melanarus also tomorrow. They all have great colors, free swim all day. Super hardy to.