Will I overstock a Reefer 250?

[TatorTaco]

I've always intended on adding more fish, but I'm worried I overdid it with my recent fish order. Can you review and advise if I should exclude a fish? I'm thinking about not adding the Bangaii's in particular.

Current Livestock
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tailspot Blenny
2 Ocellaris Clowns
Chalk Basslet (always hides)

Livestock on Order (to arrive this Saturday)
2 Bangaii Cardinals
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

I have a Red Sea RSK300 skimmer, so I'd think I'll be just fine. But, I need a second opinion.

 

[PR_nano]

Looks good, they’re small mostly peaceful fish which cover different levels.

With that said you might know if the clown are aggressive or not with new fish and if rock work provides shelter for all.

 

[TatorTaco]

Looks good, they’re small mostly peaceful fish which cover different levels.

With that said you might know if the clown are aggressive or not with new fish and if rock work provides shelter for all.

Great. I'm not worried about the clownfish - they hang out in a very small corner of the front. I was actually hoping this new order would give me more open-water swimmers.

 

[TatorTaco]

Could I add more fish?

 

[TatorTaco]

Is their a good recommendation for an open water swimmer besides Bangaii?

 

[PR_nano]

I like cromis and wrasse (fairy) for open water swimmers, some go for anthias. Also some of these require multiple feeding so researcher the species one you decided on one. You could also search here for build thread of the same tank to get ideas of stocking. There are a many, I was considering this tank at one point.

You should consider starting a build thread to track your progress overtime. It also helps getting feedback.

 

[PR_nano]

Are you thinking of replacing the cardinals?

I would not add more fish and let the tank settle with the new addition on the weekend. 9 fish while small might creep your nutrients and be too much for 50 - 60 gallons that the R250 is if I recalled correctly.

 

[i cant think]

Personally I think the tank is too small for a mccoskeri or even a carpenteri as if I recall, a R250 is 3’x2’x2’. I think flashers will bump into anything in that size tank personally however others may disagree with this. I agree with sticking to 9 to see how you do as they’re heavier bioload fish (I have 9 in my RS Max Nano but the majority are small and low bioload species).

 

[davidcalgary29]

What's your aquascape like? At the moment, you've got:

-a territorial pair (clowns)
-a rock lurker (chalk bass)
-two bottom-dwellers that actively use rockwork if available.

You want to add:

-two darty, active swimmers that need hiding spaces (fairy wrasses)
-two placid open water column drifters

That's a lot of competition for your aquascape. Chalk bass are part of the grouper family, and are not easily intimidated. Is yours being harassed by clowns? It should not be hiding. I'd set up a remote camera and watch the tank: if your clown(s) are being aggressive, I'd rehome them if you want to add other fish.

 

[Chortanator]

Here's what I have in my Reefer 250:

x2 ocellaris
x3 pj cardinals
x1 royal gramma
x1 green wrasse
x1 green spotted mandarin
x1 coral beauty

There could be a goby/shrimp pair in there but I think one or more of them got eaten, so that's my definite list. I'm pretty happy with what I have so I'll only add inverts from now on.