Stocking Suggestions 45 Gallon

[BirdGuy21]

So the tank has been up and running since November with a few corals added and planned upgrades down the road. 45 gallon JBJ AIO. I purchased a 20 gallon tank during the dollar per gallon sale for qt and have had an Aquaclear 70 sponge in the back compartments for almost a month to seed. Want to get some ideas for stocking.

Tank current has five damsels- two sapphire, two Talbots, and a blue velvet. Was thinking of keeping the Talbots as they are quite timid and I’ve read they are on the peaceful end for damsels?

What I’m thinking so far is:
Pair of clowns
Watchmang Goby, maybe diamond
Some type of blenny
Flasher or fairy wrasse

Just curious as to people’s thoughts and suggestions.

 

[adam finley]

Well clowns are great IMO and now with all the variations you have many choices. And wrasses are really fun to watch. I have a red lined wrasse and she’s a “piggy” lol. She’s always on the lookout for a meal.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Diamond gobies aren't true watchman, and are ill suited for a 45g. Stick with a true watchman species.

Talbot damsels are indeed a mild mannered damsel.

 

[BirdGuy21]

Will definitely be wanting a pair of clowns. I'm not looking for too fancy of variety but it is cool seeing the multiple variations.

Good to know about the diamond goby. I will take a look at different watchman species. Any special considerations if I would want to do watchman and pistol shrimp pairing?

As for the Talbots, I like their coloration and may keep them depending on how they work out. The blue sapphire are also listed as "semi-aggressive" so I may take my time rehoming them, depending on my final stocking plan.

 

[BestMomEver]

Be wary of the blue velvet damsel. They get big quickly and are nasty mean. Been there.... since he was one of the first fish in there, he’s gonna rule the roost, so to speak, and he will not be peaceful about it. I would consider finding a home for him. The rest seem ok. Good luck!

 

[BirdGuy21]

Be wary of the blue velvet damsel. They get big quickly and are nasty mean. Been there.... since he was one of the first fish in there, he’s gonna rule the roost, so to speak, and he will not be peaceful about it. I would consider finding a home for him. The rest seem ok. Good luck!

Oh yeah, will definitely be finding him a new home before I add anymore fish. He’s grown significantly since I bought the tank in November and he harasses the Talbots and blue sapphire damsels.

Any thoughts on the blue sapphires? I’ve read mixed reviews on them in regards to aggression.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Blue sapphires, C. springeri, are also a well-behaved damsel.

 

[BirdGuy21]

Blue sapphires, C. springeri, are also a well-behaved damsel.

Depending on what I decide for final stocking plans I might end up keeping both the Talbots and Sapphires then.

 

[Jesterrace]

A Flasher (ie McCosker's Carpenter's) might work. A Lubbock's or Tricolor Fairy Wrasse might also be a possibility (although they tend to be more assertive).

 

[BestMomEver]

Oh yeah, will definitely be finding him a new home before I add anymore fish. He’s grown significantly since I bought the tank in November and he harasses the Talbots and blue sapphire damsels.

Any thoughts on the blue sapphires? I’ve read mixed reviews on them in regards to aggression.

I never had any chromis before my current tank so I bought a small school of six. They’re very underrated. Beautiful little fish and get along with everyone....except each other. My six was whittled down to two. I hear that’s fairly common unless you get a dozen or more. But one or two will school with more peaceful damsels and they’re very pretty.

 

[BirdGuy21]

I never had any chromis before my current tank so I bought a small school of six. They’re very underrated. Beautiful little fish and get along with everyone....except each other. My six was whittled down to two. I hear that’s fairly common unless you get a dozen or more. But one or two will school with more peaceful damsels and they’re very pretty.

I haven’t considered chromis but will take a look at them next time I head to the LFS. I do like the idea of a small school that could blend in with the damsels

An LFS just reopened this weekend and the fish selection they are posting online seems great. Wasn’t able to make it up there yesterday but will definitely be going next weekend.

 

[BestMomEver]

I haven’t considered chromis but will take a look at them next time I head to the LFS. I do like the idea of a small school that could blend in with the damsels

An LFS just reopened this weekend and the fish selection they are posting online seems great. Wasn’t able to make it up there yesterday but will definitely be going next weekend.

I actually like the chromis. Like I said, I always thought of them as just plain, little beginner fish and never considered them. Then I watched a video of one of those huge tanks (like 1000s of gallons) and they had a large school of them. They were stunning. But get a few more than you think you’ll need!

 

[AdamNC]

Chalk Basslet and Bangaii Cardinal are 2 that I have in my 40.