Stocking Suggestion

[msujohn]

I have a 90 gallon reef that has been set up for about 3 years. I have the following fish in it currently:

• 2 Picasso Clowns
• Midas Blenny
• Kole Yellow Eye Tang
• 3 Pajama Cardinal fish
• Melanurus Wrasse
• Dwarf Flame Angel

All of these fish have been in the tank for at least 1 year. I have tried about 1 year ago to add additional wrasses (Lubbock & Carpenters Flasher) and an Orchard Dottyback.

When I added the wrasses, I did use an acclimation box. But after several days/weeks - the Melanurus would not stop picking on them - so I had to take them out.

The Orchard Dottyback was just too timid for the tank and would hide all the time.

I would like to add 2 more fish, but really concerned with what I could add? Do I have to add some more aggressive fish (i.e. Purple dottyback, Yellow tail damsel, etc)?
I've considered a longnose Hawkfish as well - but I do have shrimp in the tank (cleaner, peppermint).

If I added those 2 fish (Damsel/Dottyback), would they end up being too aggressive for the tank? What are some other options that I can consider?
Do you think I could add the hawkfish, or would it eat the shrimp in the tank?

 

[JBKReef]

I'm not seeing a bottom dwelling fish, maybe a blenny of some kind? Starry Blenny possibly? Will perch on rock mostly, not be a free swimmer, however will be bulky enough and defend itself again any competitive fish.

I know they feed on the same as Tangs.

 

[msujohn]

I'm not seeing a bottom dwelling fish, maybe a blenny of some kind? Starry Blenny possibly? Will perch on rock mostly, not be a free swimmer, however will be bulky enough and defend itself again any competitive fish.

I know they feed on the same as Tangs.

I have a midas blenny already and didn't think I could add another blenny? I'd worry adding another algae eater to the tank might be a little much.

 

[eatbreakfast]

A larger anthias species, such as bimaculatus or pink square.

A group of zebra or scissortail dartfish.

Chrysipta damsel species are well behaved. I like tricincta and kupangs.

 

[msujohn]

A larger anthias species, such as bimaculatus or pink square.

A group of zebra or scissortail dartfish.

Chrysipta damsel species are well behaved. I like tricincta and kupangs.

Is the Kupang - an Azure? If I add it, should I add more than 1? Could I also do a Purple Dottyback with it or no? I always thought that dartfish would be too timid.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Is the Kupang - an Azure? If I add it, should I add more than 1? Could I also do a Purple Dottyback with it or no? I always thought that dartfish would be too timid.

Some dartfish can be timid, but both of those are pretty bold.

Yes kupang and azures are the same. You can do a few.

I find purple dottybacks can be more aggressive than they are worth.

 

[msujohn]

What would be a good bottom dwelling fish that won’t get lost in the tank?

Is a royal gramma less aggressive than a purple DottyBack?

 

[eatbreakfast]

What would be a good bottom dwelling fish that won’t get lost in the tank?

Is a royal gramma less aggressive than a purple DottyBack?

Good bottom dwelling fish for that size tank include:
Red sand perch
Diamond goby
Engineer goby

Royal grammas are significantly less aggressive than purple dottybacks.

 

[msujohn]

So I’m thinking about the following,

• Azure damsel
• Talbots damsel
• Royal gramma

Would adding these be ok? Is the gramma more aggressive than an orchard dottyback? Should I add only 1 of each or a pair?

 

[eatbreakfast]

So I’m thinking about the following,

• Azure damsel
• Talbots damsel
• Royal gramma

Would adding these be ok? Is the gramma more aggressive than an orchard dottyback? Should I add only 1 of each or a pair?

Those would be ok. Royal grammas are similar in aggression to orchid dottybacks.

I wouldn't do pairs of those fish. It would either be 1 specimen per species or a few specimens per species.

 

[msujohn]

I am also considering a mandarin. How do I know if my pod population is sufficient to support one? I don’t seem to see any? Just wondering if they are so small and I wouldn’t see them or not.

 

[Jesterrace]

I am also considering a mandarin. How do I know if my pod population is sufficient to support one? I don’t seem to see any? Just wondering if they are so small and I wouldn’t see them or not.

You should be stocking pods for at least a year and it will be tough to keep one with a melanurus wrasse (since they regularly search the rocks hunting pods). Personally I wouldn't recommend one with your current stock.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I am also considering a mandarin. How do I know if my pod population is sufficient to support one? I don’t seem to see any? Just wondering if they are so small and I wouldn’t see them or not.

If you used live rock pods will reproduce on their own without them being supplemented. Just give the population 6-12months to establish. Also give 50g per pod eating fish in order to keep a mandarin. Halichoeres and leopard wrasses count as pod eaters even though they readily take food.

 

[msujohn]

I don’t have any Cheato in my sump either. But, I do have a 8x4x4 marine block in there. Will they be able to reproduce in it? With the tank being 3 years old, I would have thought I would already have pods.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I don’t have any Cheato in my sump either. But, I do have a 8x4x4 marine block in there. Will they be able to reproduce in it? With the tank being 3 years old, I would have thought I would already have pods.

You don't need chaeto to have pods. At 3yrs old you definitely have pods. They're tiny but can still be seen with the naked eye.