Swannyson7's 180g mixed reef

[MarvinsReef]

Thanks everyone! I took a ton of pics this past week, but I haven't had the chance to post process them yet. Plenty more to come in the upcoming week, though!

@ Marvin- You aren't kidding about taking pics of fish. When I'm trying to get pics of my fish, I usually only keep about one for every twenty pictures taken. Wrasses & clowns are the hardest off all fish IME because they never stay still, so with your fish list you don't stand a chance!

1 for 30-35 shots is a good no for me. Especially right now, the clowns are only an inch long. LoL

 

[skinz78]

Looking great Swanny as always!

 

[Mike&Terry]

Fantastic pics of some really nice specimens... thanks for sharing!

 

[Dashiki]

Really nice setup.

 

[swannyson7]

Today was an exciting day for me. During the winter storm in October, I lost quite a few fish and had a couple MIAs after a week long power outtage. About 3 weeks after the storm, I had beaten a huge ich outbreak and a few fish that were MIA reappeared including a Lamarck's angel, dragonface pipe, and a convict tang. Fast forward to today... while feeding the tank, my ruby headed fairy wrasse showed up out of the blue. I haven't seen him in the past month and a half and sure enough I saw some movement in the shadows and he came out to say hello. I grabbed the camera and tried to snap a couple pics, but they came out horrible, so this is the best on I got in the excitement.

 

[swannyson7]

And my other new additions fresh out of QT.

I have one other fish currently in QT that's going to be added to the tank this afternoon if all goes well. It's a fish that I've always wanted even though it isn't necessarily considered "reef safe," but it seems to be readily feeding on mysis and pieces of clam... so hopefully I won't have any problems in the tank if it's well fed. I'm ready to move my clams to the frag tank if need be (Skinz is going to be disappointed in me :tongue:), but I'd be willing to give them up to keep this beauty!

Any guesses?

 

[MarvinsReef]

awesome about the ruby headed fairy wrasse. :)

 

[ultramafic]

A 2 foot porcupine puffer?

 

[ultramafic]

I'd like to change my answer to...

I've heard of a few people that have had luck keeping regals with clams. I'm seriously considering getting one myself and hope that I wouldn't have to move the clams to the frag tank :squigglemouth:

 

[swannyson7]

Awwww... you ruined the surprise! I've always wanted a regal angel and a harlequin tusk wrasse, but I've always been hesitant. I was lucky enough to get a gift certificate to LA, so I jumped on the opportunity when I saw they had one available a few weeks back. I just finished acclimating him to the DT, so here's a quick pic.

The yellow tang doesn't seem too happy about the new addition and he's been tail-whipping the angel, but the regal doesn't seem to phased by the scuffle. Hopefully the novelty of the new tankmate will subside and they'll get along. If it comes down to it, I'll trade the tang at the LFS for a new one so that there aren't any territory issues.

 

[MarvinsReef]

nice addition. :)

 

[cdness]

I would give up my clams for a regal as well if I had the chance... I don't have any super awesome ones though so the decision would be easy. Very nice additions.

I have had the same luck with my ruby headed wrasse. It disappears for months then shows its face for a few days then hides again... They can be very tempermental.

 

[swannyson7]

Thanks Marvin! I know they're one of those fish that don't do well in captivity, but I'm hoping I can keep him successfully. From what I've read, the hardest part tends to be getting them to feed. For the first 5 days in QT, he wouldn't touch anything, but then he started nibbling on fresh pieces of clam. In the following days he started eating mysis soaked in selcon & garlic. Shortly after I added him to the display, I fed the tank and he showed no interest, but I hope its just due to interest in his new surroundings. This is an Aussie specimen which aren't as hardy as their Red Sea counterparts, but better than regals from Indo & the Phillipenes. As of right now, he seems to picking at the liverock and the aggression from the tang seems to have lessened a bit already. Wish me luck!

 

[swannyson7]

I have had the same luck with my ruby headed wrasse. It disappears for months then shows its face for a few days then hides again... They can be very tempermental.

Really? Prior to the power outtage and the ensuing water quality issues, he was always in sight. He had a cave that he stuck in for the most part, but he readily came out during feedings. I hope he doesn't go back into hiding in a couple days. :squigglemouth:

 

[Mike&Terry]

glad to see your wrasse is no longer MIA and congrats on your new addition!

 

[MarvinsReef]

Thanks Marvin! I know they're one of those fish that don't do well in captivity, but I'm hoping I can keep him successfully. From what I've read, the hardest part tends to be getting them to feed. For the first 5 days in QT, he wouldn't touch anything, but then he started nibbling on fresh pieces of clam. In the following days he started eating mysis soaked in selcon & garlic. Shortly after I added him to the display, I fed the tank and he showed no interest, but I hope its just due to interest in his new surroundings. This is an Aussie specimen which aren't as hardy as their Red Sea counterparts, but better than regals from Indo & the Phillipenes. As of right now, he seems to picking at the liverock and the aggression from the tang seems to have lessened a bit already. Wish me luck!

nice man. it seems like you've done lotsa homework about the fish. that's all we can do is provide the best possible environment for them and hope for the best. good luck again and hope we get a good update in the next week or two. ;)

 

[gar732]

Awwww... you ruined the surprise! I've always wanted a regal angel and a harlequin tusk wrasse, but I've always been hesitant.

Tell me you got a harlequin tusk wrasse. That has to be my all time favorite fish but won't be able to get one till I upgrade. Nice angel too, I gotta head out your way to check out your new stuff.

 

[swannyson7]

Tell me you got a harlequin tusk wrasse. That has to be my all time favorite fish but won't be able to get one till I upgrade. Nice angel too, I gotta head out your way to check out your new stuff.

Nah, no harlequin. You're always more than welcome bro!

 

[swannyson7]

Day two in the DT and the regal still isn't showing much interest in prepared foods. He's constantly picking at the LR, but I put a fresh clam on the half shell in the tank and also tried feeding some mysis and he showed no interest whatsoever... :squigglemouth:

 

[Aquaph8]

Goodluck with the Regal, keep trying new things and hopefully he'll come around.