Stocking Feedback

[Aaron Stone]

I have a new aquarium on order and am in the planning phase of what I am going to stock. Fish to me have always been a means to and ends, that being fish poop as food for my coral and various nuisance mitigation machines. I have paid little attention to them beyond ensuring their dietary requirements and habitat needs are met.

The kids however want fish, fish, fish. They are playing a much more active role in this tank, and I am excited to see them really digging into the the theory behind what we do in our hobby.

I have kept primarily SPS tanks for the last 10 years, and the new one will be a SPS heavy mixed reef, 150 gallons. As an expert coral keeper, but shamefully intermediate fish keeper, I would like some feedback and direction on my proposed stocking list. Especially on the order of introduction.

Lyretail Anthia (group of 5-6, one male)
Occ Clown (pair)
Blue Hippo Tang
Square Tail Bristletooth
Lawnmower Blenny
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (group of 5-6)
Banggai Cardinal Fish (2)
Melenarus Wrasse (2)

My primary concern is the introduction of the tangs, and timing. I would ideally get them in early to assist with algae, but am aware that they should probably go in simultaneously as the last fish stocked.

The fish will all be quarantined before introduction to the system, and I am planning on taking my time stocking the tank. Fish will be introduced with the use of an acclimation box as well.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Lavey29]

So 21 fish in a 150g (100g with rocks) tank. With the list you have it would probably work but I would make a few changes. Melanurus wrasse will go after your cleaners or shrimp if you add any. Instead of that add a yellow coris wrasse which is beautiful and a 6 line wrasse. Both of these will take care of pests in your tank like flatworms but not harm your cleaners. A blue streak cleaner wrasse will clean parasites off your tangs too. I have to wonder also if the anthia school may eventually dwindle down to one like chromis do with aggression? You have a big tank so lots of options. Get a nice variety of color with free swimming top tank fish, mid tank cruisers and interesting bottom dwellers like a yellow watchman and pistol shrimp pair.

 

[fishywishy]

That list looks decent.

In a tank that size you don't need to worry about tang aggression that much. Especially with just a blue tang and bristle tooth. I would add the bristle tooth first but it probably wont matter too much if you don't.

It’s best to keep a odd number of anthias, so i would only get 5.

I wouldn’t get a group of mccoskers wrasse, that will probably end badly. I would just get a bunch of different types. you have plenty of room and options.

 

[littlefoxx]

Be careful where you get your blue hippo from, they are so prone to nasty cases of ich even after QT! Ive sworn them off my stocking lists for this reason.

 

[Aaron Stone]

Thank you both on the Wrasse suggestions. I will likely have shrimp, so thanks on that tip.

The six-lines that I have had have all been miniature bullies, beautiful fish, put an imperial ton of short man syndrome!

 

[Aaron Stone]

Be careful where you get your blue hippo from, they are so prone to nasty cases of ich even after QT! Ive sworn them off my stocking lists for this reason.

Interesting. I know the powder tangs have always been prone to infection and ich, but had heard that the blue hippos were better off.

The other option was a yellow tang, but they have a reputation for being a little less well mannered.

 

[littlefoxx]

Interesting. I know the powder tangs have always been prone to infection and ich, but had heard that the blue hippos were better off.

The other option was a yellow tang, but they have a reputation for being a little less well mannered.

Ive never had an ich issue with the powder blue but they are MEAN. And my yellow from biota just had a habbit of chasing new editions when he got big but as a baby no issue. I think one would be perfectly fine in your tank! Or a scpoas even. Not saying dont get the hippo, but after the last super healthy looking one that was QTd that I put in my tank I wont do it again, he brought something that looked kinda like black ich. Was an adult about 8 inches too. Lost a bunch of fish even when treating. Ended up pulling all my fish to QT and completely re cycling the tank. Took the rock out and bleached it then completely re started the whole tank. Everyone was fine until the hippo… also had a baby before him that always had ich and I always had to pull him and treat him too, just my experience with them. Sucks cause they are beautiful!

 

[Lavey29]

Thank you both on the Wrasse suggestions. I will likely have shrimp, so thanks on that tip.

The six-lines that I have had have all been miniature bullies, beautiful fish, put an imperial ton of short man syndrome!

My 6 line is a model citizen even with 3 damsels, clowns and 8 other fish in a medium size tank. He hardly ever eats because he hunts his own food all day.

 

[Aaron Stone]

Ive never had an ich issue with the powder blue but they are MEAN. And my yellow from biota just had a habbit of chasing new editions when he got big but as a baby no issue. I think one would be perfectly fine in your tank! Or a scpoas even. Not saying dont get the hippo, but after the last super healthy looking one that was QTd that I put in my tank I wont do it again, he brought something that looked kinda like black ich. Was an adult about 8 inches too. Lost a bunch of fish even when treating. Ended up pulling all my fish to QT and completely re cycling the tank. Took the rock out and bleached it then completely re started the whole tank. Everyone was fine until the hippo… also had a baby before him that always had ich and I always had to pull him and treat him too, just my experience with them. Sucks cause they are beautiful!

Ouch! I prefer the Scopas anyways...but kids. I might have to see if I can get them focused on a nice Wrasse instead.

 

[Aaron Stone]

My 6 line is a model citizen even with 3 damsels, clowns and 8 other fish in a medium size tank. He hardly ever eats because he hunts his own food all day.

Good to know they aren't all little Napoleon's! They are a beautiful fish, and always active, maybe we will give it a go again.

 

[littlefoxx]

Ouch! I prefer the Scopas anyways...but kids. I might have to see if I can get them focused on a nice Wrasse instead.

Theres a yellow coris wrasse, its super bright yellow!

 

[Uncle99]

Tang last, but keep in mind, the blue grows super fast and will be knocking off your sticks time to time and will control that tank.

Be aware of that, since your a sticks man, . On the bright side, you’ll have auto fragging.

It’s a lot of wrasses, in an early system, going to limit pod populations.

6 line is hit or miss, but for sure, nobody that looks a bit like him and is same size. Had one quite a while, but he’s the smallest in the tank.

The lawnmower blen consumes a ton of green so in early systems may perish in months.

While the tangs do pick algae, there secondary to a strong diverse micro fauna population which you mostly can’t see, but, are the guys responsible for clean rocks and white sand.

Rock solid chemistry advances their development.

 

[Aaron Stone]

Good point on the pods for the Wrasse, I will push them to the end. All my systems have had a very strong population of pods and I have actively encouraged their population as a means of mitigating the uglies. But it takes a while for them to truly get established.

Auto-Fragging

 

[littlefoxx]

Tang last, but keep in mind, the blue grows super fast and will be knocking off your sticks time to time and will control that tank.

Be aware of that, since your a sticks man, . On the bright side, you’ll have auto fragging.

It’s a lot of wrasses, in an early system, going to limit pod populations.

6 line is hit or miss, but for sure, nobody that looks a bit like him and is same size. Had one quite a while, but he’s the smallest in the tank.

The lawnmower blen consumes a ton of green so in early systems may perish in months.

While the tangs do pick algae, there secondary to a strong diverse micro fauna population which you mostly can’t see, but, are the guys responsible for clean rocks and white sand.

Rock solid chemistry advances their development.

Lol a fish that frags acros thats awesome

 

[Uncle99]

Lol a fish that frags acros thats awesome

He is so clumsy.

 

[Aaron Stone]

He is so clumsy.

He'd fit in at my house. I frag my corals on accident all the time!

 

[Uncle99]

He'd fit in at my house. I frag my corals on accident all the time!

The shear speed of this fish is amazing but the brakes, not so good.

He can throw water at me 6 feet away.

Attitude

 

[Aaron Stone]

Part of what I want in fish is character, and this one seems to have taken a good deal of this page up with character!

 

[naterealbig]

Following along! This will certainly be a great build.

The kids however want fish, fish, fish. They are playing a much more active role in this tank, and I am excited to see them really digging into the the theory behind what we do in our hobby.

Aaah - the aquariums are always more fun if you can get the kids into it. What a great catalyst for discussions on chemistry, physics, biology, and art! My 11 year old isn't really interested unless there is something he can touch/hold (I have a couple serpent starts just for this!). Such a contrast to the obsession over aquariums I had at that age. Do what you can to keep them engaged!

The toughest part about it is bringing them to the fish store - the kids (and wife!) quickly fall in love with the different shapes, patterns, bright colors, and personality, but it's (incredibly) tough to give the 30-second version of livestock compatibility in the middle of the fish store.

Blue Hippo Tang

Oof - this fish are oafs. The get really big, really (really really) fast. They are heavy and clumsy, and are jerks. I've had a couple, but they have had very similar personalities. Beautiful fish (love the yellow-bellies) but my suggestion is to find a blue-colored tang that isn't a bull in a china cabinet.

You mentioned Powder Blues, and yes, they are absolutely ich magnets. You mentioned quarantining your fish, but, let me say that I've had a great experience so far with Dr. Reefs Quarantined fish. I purchase them there fully quarantined, at the same price for most fish as my local fish store.

The Anthias may be the toughest to quarantine, as you will need a large space with lots of hiding spaces/ledges in order for them to feel comfortable, you will be buying a ton of food to get them eating well, and you will need to feed them several times a day at least for the first few weeks. I would absolutely recommend a full round of Metronidosol & Copper which will take care of Ich, Velvet, and (external) Uronema. Squamipinnis and Dispar ship well, and have a lower occurence/presentation of Uronema (god you don't want this in your system) than other Anthias.

McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (group of 5-6)

Don't know much about wrasses (reef-safe or otherwise) but this would be something I haven't see before.

Pics!