Stocking my tank

55gallonsoffun · Jan 2, 2015

Good day everybody!
I had a question I thought you fine folks could help me out with.
I have a 55 gallon tank with live rock (please don't ask me how many pounds; that's my husband's territory), & live sand (about 4-5").
The tank is not new. It has been running for almost three years.
The problem is that my original line up of tank mates ended up in fighting, and had a few deaths, and was only resolved after ALL the rock, and almost all of the water, were removed and the two nasty guys were taken back to the LFS.
Now that I know better than to just take my local LFS at their word (doh!), and do some proper research, I am restocking my tank with new inhabitants.

What we have:
1 Ocellaris Clownfish (the only original guy from the first setup; he has been such a wonderful fish)
1 Neon Goby
1 Midas Blenny

I would like to add 2 blue/green Chromis, and 1 Yellowhead Jawfish.
Is this too many fish in a 55 gallon? I loathe overstocking, and am trying to make sure I don't do so inadvertently.

And for anyone curious about the old fish that terrorized my lil' tank, it was a Blue Damsel, and a Falco Hawkfish. The damsel first killed the other blue that we put in the tank with it, then a Cardinal fish, then a Coral Beauty. The Falco assisted in harassing the Coral B., and killed any shrimp/snails it came across (as is their nature; a fact the my sales guy didn't inform me of). The Clownfish was added as we were advised it would hold its own, which fortunately turned out to be accurate. He has a classic "don't start nothin', won't be nothin'" attitude lol.

mike007 · Jan 2, 2015

You might think about some reef safe wrasses. Chromis can be bullies. With smaller fish you can keep more. In that size tank peaceful fish would be best.

55gallonsoffun · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks for the input! See now everything I've read about the Chromis is that they are peaceful. All I want in my tank is peaceful fish, so going on fish sites I don't consider anything that doesn't have a peaceful temperament in its description (with the exception of the Clown which is technically semi-aggressive, but he was there first, and he really is a peaceful dude unless something tries to bite him). Finding the right fish can be so frustrating some times.

Humblefish · Jan 2, 2015

Green chromis are peaceful, except sometimes with each other. Oftentimes, a group will whittle themselves down to one lone survivor (i.e. "the winner"). I avoid them these days due to their susceptibility to a disease called Uronema marinum.

As mike007 pointed out, you could do some colorful fairy/flasher wrasses in your 55. Firefish, basslets and cardinalfish would be other suitable options.

55gallonsoffun · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks much. I really like the reef safe wrasses! I think I will ditch the idea of the two Chromis, and substitute it for a wrasse. Here I am worried about overstocking, and I was potentially setting up another bully situation! Thanks so much for your help!

mike007 · Jan 2, 2015

For what it is worth I have 7 wrasses , 4 gobies in a 55 and they are doing great. Chromis are part of the damsel family so they can be aggressive. To me not worth the chance. My main dp has have a maroon clown that is 15 years old and will take on any fish .

55gallonsoffun · Jan 2, 2015

Sounds like a neat setup:) . Also, I love those maroon clowns! Thanks again, and I will have to put up some pics when my restocking is complete! If I have any more qs, I'll be sure to post them on this site.