What’s the best order for me to put in my fish?

[Zionas]

So I’ve finalized my stocking list, and I am wondering which is the best order for me to put in my fish. My stocking list for my 4-foot, 48”x24”x22” system (105 gallons) will be x2 Ocellaris Clowns, x1 Marine Betta, x1 Royal Gramma, x1 Flame / Falco / Spotted Hawkfish, x1 Dwarf Angel.

What I have in mind is:

First batch of fish-x2 Ocellaris Clowns + x1 Marine Betta (they’ll go in as soon as my tank has finished cycling and is stable enough)

(Wait 2-3 weeks)

x1 Royal Gramma

(Wait 1-2 months)

x1 Flame / Coral / Spotted Hawkfish

(Wait 4-5 months, by now tank will be 6-7 months old)

x1 dwarf angel


What do you think of this order? Would you make any changes? Please let me know what you think. If things go well I may add a 7th fish (thinking of a wrasse, a YWG, or another basslet) but I won’t do an 8th after more thought.

I may even opt to get a pair of dwarf angels, which in that case I’ll have my 6th and 7th fish added simultaneously.

 

[Cory]

Put the most peaceful in first. Probably the clowns and flame hawk.

 

[Zionas]

Would the Marine Betta be too aggressive to put in my first batch of fish?

Regardless the dwarf angel will be last, because I prefer a more stable water quality and algae growth before I put one in.

Is the Royal Gramma more aggressive than the Flame Hawk? What about the Falco and Spotted Hawks?

 

[neltel_7]

Would the Marine Betta be too aggressive to put in my first batch of fish?

Regardless the dwarf angel will be last, because I prefer a more stable water quality and algae growth before I put one in.

Is the Royal Gramma more aggressive than the Flame Hawk? What about the Falco and Spotted Hawks?

I think because you have a large enough tank you wouldn't have a problem adding the Marine Betta maybe 4th or 5th, but I feel putting it in the first group will make it slightly territorial. However, because you have a good-sized tank with limited stocking I feel he would have enough territory that he would keep to himself, making it possible to add it in the first batch.

 

[Zionas]

I’ve made some slight alterations:

x2 Darwin Ocellaris Clowns

x1 Marine Betta

x2 Flame Hawkfish

x1 Royal Gramma / Swissguard Basslet / Yellow Assessor (hope I can find one)

x1 McNeill’s Assessor (hope I can find one) / Swissguard Basslet / Royal Gramma

x1 dwarf angel (Flame, Multicolor, one of the pygmy species, or Joculator)


*If I can find a mated pair of angels I’ll keep only 1 Basslet.

*There is also a chance I might try a Burgess Butterfly (not sure if it’s recommended for a beginner though) and swap out one of the basslets or one of the Hawkfish for it.



First batch of fish will be Marine Betta + Ocellaris pair.

Second batch will be the two basslets.

Third batch will be the two hawks.

Finally, I’ll put in the dwarf angel (or the pair).


If I get a Burgess it’s going to go in with the basslets.