Stocking My Secondhand 32g BioCube

[Marshmellow]

I purchased a 32g BioCube second hand with existing inhabitants. There was a harem consisting of 8 clownfish, a coral banded shrimp, a sand sifting starfish, a condylactis nem, 3 tube nems and a crap ton of cleanup crew. I found new homes for all but 2 clowns, the condylactis nem and the CUC. I have since added 2 banggai cardinals and a pulsing Xenia in with the clowns. There is a bunch of live rock and about 2-3 inches of live sand. My question is - do you think the following list of inhabitants will work with my setup? Should I not add more since I already have 4 fish currently? I’m new to saltwater and don’t want to stress anyone out. It was hard enough dealing with the stress of moving the tank and everyone in it without losses. Your input is greatly appreciated!!

Currently in the tank:
2- clownfish
2- banggai cardinals
1- condylactis anemone
1- pulsing Xenia
CUC consisting of hermits, snails and 2 conch

Want to add:
1- yasa goby
1- pistol shrimp
1- royal gramma

 

[fishywishy]

Should be fine to add those fish.

 

[jabberwock]

Royal Gramma would be my only hesitation on additions. I would have skipped the clown though...

There are so many variables in tank stocking dynamics. Suggest you go slow and look for signs of aggression, specifically from the clowns.

 

[Marshmellow]

Royal Gramma would be my only hesitation on additions. I would have skipped the clown though...

There are so many variables in tank stocking dynamics. Suggest you go slow and look for signs of aggression, specifically from the clowns.

I wondered about the royal gramma. Why would you skip the clowns? Aggression? I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal since I already had them. I did debate only keeping one but landed on two. I can always take the second clown to the LFS that took the other 6.

 

[jabberwock]

I wondered about the royal gramma. Why would you skip the clowns? Aggression? I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal since I already had them. I did debate only keeping one but landed on two. I can always take the second clown to the LFS that took the other 6.

I hope they gave you store credit...

 

[jabberwock]

Yes, aggression with the clowns. Royal Grammas are hit or miss. Mine were always jerks.

 

[Marshmellow]

I hope they gave you store credit...

They did. Quite a bit more than I was expecting, actually. I’ve heard royal grammas can be aggressive. My son really wants one, though. If I do try, it would go in last.

 

[fishywishy]

I wondered about the royal gramma. Why would you skip the clowns? Aggression? I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal since I already had them. I did debate only keeping one but landed on two. I can always take the second clown to the LFS that took the other 6.

Ive had multiple pairs of clowns in big and small tanks and ive never had a problem with them, sometimes you get some bad ones but not all are bad.

Nothing wrong with royal grammas. I had one in my 29 and 75 gal and they were fine, they are definitely a little territorial and will scare off any fish that gets close to its den, but they wont ever harm another fish.

 

[Marshmellow]

Ive had multiple pairs of clowns in big and small tanks and ive never had a problem with them, sometimes you get some bad ones but not all are bad.

Nothing wrong with royal grammas. I had one in my 29 and 75 gal and they were fine, they are definitely a little territorial and will scare off any fish that gets close to its den, but they wont ever harm another fish.

Considering that the clowns lived in a harem of 8 their whole lives, they’re kinda used to being cramped. At least, that’s how I see it anyway. They’ve never been aggressive before toward tankmates. But I’m new and just want to make sure I’m not going to stress anyone out by adding the gramma. It’s the one fish my son really loves. He wants to name it Sandy after his grandma.

 

[Bfgjose]

I have the same setup and the exact same # and type of fish. I do have softies, mushrooms and LPS. I just added a Royal Gramma. He hid the entire first day and now he's out and about. The Clowns were definitely interested in the reef hole he was in but I haven't seen any aggression between them. Oddly enough my pair or pajama cardinals don't seem to get along with eachother. I have three levels of rocks with caves and pass throughs so space to chill if needed. My wife picked out the RG and named him Irving after Magic Johnson (Lakers colors) good luck. I say give it a go but I'm a new reefer myself..so.

 

[jabberwock]

My concern here is not that the Royal Gramma will attack anybody. I am concerned about adding stress to the tank. Stress weakens the immune system, and reduces the fishes ability to be resistant to diseases. I would suspect an ich outbreak may occur.