Advice on Stocking

[RV Reefs]

I am working on a tank upgrade. I'm taking my 35, and converting everything into a 102 gallon +20 gallon sump. (I know, it's a big upgrade, but I have 10 other tanks and can finally devote more time to this new tank!) The stocking list is still VERY experimental, I have a while to work on this since the fall and winter are too cold to ship fish where I live, but I'm trying to get as much input/advice as possible. This tank will be a Reef Tank, with mostly LPS and maybe some SPS if I decide to. WHEN YOU SEE ANIMALS IN ITALICS, THOSE ANIMALS ARE WHAT I NEED HELP DECIDING ON. I'll link my stocking list here:

Clean Up Crew
Lettuce Nudibranch (2)
Trochus Snails (25)
Nassaurius (10)
Golden Reef Cowrie (2)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (1)
Mexican Turbo Snails (4)

Stocking List (The first 4 fish are in the existing tank)
Clownfish (2)
Six Line Wrasse (1)
Aiptasia Eating Filefish (1)

Flameback Angelfish, Red Stripe Angelfish, Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish, Multibar, or Lamarck. (If compatible, I would prefer more than one angelfish, but I know that it will be tough with aggression and possible coral nipping) (1-2 Angelfish)
Red Mandarin Dragonet (1)
Magnificent Foxface (1)
Kole Yellow Eye Tang, Yellow Tang, Purple Tang, or Two Spot Bristletooth Tang (1)
Copperband or Muelleri Butterfish (1)
Firefish (1)
Clown Goby (1)
Dispar or Bartlett's Anthias (3)
Peppermint Hogfish (1)

Any opinions are welcome, even from the tang police. IF you are from the tang police, could I have your opinions on WHICH Tang I should get? Also, any suggestions on changing the list of fish for something you think would be better suited for this tank!

 

[tbrown]

Lettuce Nudibranches and Turbo snails will starve if there's not enough algae for them. I recommend not ordering any snails or hermit crabs until you get some algae starting to grow decently. I'm assuming these are what are currently in the 32?

I think for the most part you chose "smaller" tangs so any of them should be good for that size tank. I love the look of Kole tangs personally.

For the Magnificent Foxface, they're beautiful fish. Try to get a smallish healthy looking one. For the price, you don't want one that's only got another year or so of life left in him.

 

[RV Reefs]

Lettuce Nudibranches and Turbo snails will starve if there's not enough algae for them. I recommend not ordering any snails or hermit crabs until you get some algae starting to grow decently. I'm assuming these are what are currently in the 32?

I think for the most part you chose "smaller" tangs so any of them should be good for that size tank. I love the look of Kole tangs personally.

For the Magnificent Foxface, they're beautiful fish. Try to get a smallish healthy looking one. For the price, you don't want one that's only got another year or so of life left in him.

You would be correct that the Turbo snails are in my 32, but I was planning to get the lettuce nudibranchs. I'm hesitant for crabs, I don't have good experiences with them. I appreciate the foxfish advice! Any advice on the angels, or is this bioload too much? I'm using a canister filter, so IMO its fine, but what do you think?

 

[littlefoxx]

I am working on a tank upgrade. I'm taking my 35, and converting everything into a 102 gallon +20 gallon sump. (I know, it's a big upgrade, but I have 10 other tanks and can finally devote more time to this new tank!) The stocking list is still VERY experimental, I have a while to work on this since the fall and winter are too cold to ship fish where I live, but I'm trying to get as much input/advice as possible. This tank will be a Reef Tank, with mostly LPS and maybe some SPS if I decide to. WHEN YOU SEE ANIMALS IN ITALICS, THOSE ANIMALS ARE WHAT I NEED HELP DECIDING ON. I'll link my stocking list here:

Clean Up Crew
Lettuce Nudibranch (2)
Trochus Snails (25)
Nassaurius (10)
Golden Reef Cowrie (2)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (1)
Mexican Turbo Snails (4)

Stocking List (The first 4 fish are in the existing tank)
Clownfish (2)
Six Line Wrasse (1)
Aiptasia Eating Filefish (1)

Flameback Angelfish, Red Stripe Angelfish, Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish, Multibar, or Lamarck. (If compatible, I would prefer more than one angelfish, but I know that it will be tough with aggression and possible coral nipping) (1-2 Angelfish)
Red Mandarin Dragonet (1)
Magnificent Foxface (1)
Kole Yellow Eye Tang, Yellow Tang, Purple Tang, or Two Spot Bristletooth Tang (1)
Copperband or Muelleri Butterfish (1)
Firefish (1)
Clown Goby (1)
Dispar or Bartlett's Anthias (3)
Peppermint Hogfish (1)

Any opinions are welcome, even from the tang police. IF you are from the tang police, could I have your opinions on WHICH Tang I should get? Also, any suggestions on changing the list of fish for something you think would be better suited for this tank!

Bristletooth is your best bet. Purples get big and are mean AF in general, let alone a tank too small for them! Bristletooths are smaller, like to swim in the rocks, and keep the rocks clean! Angels, you could do two if the are significantly different. Like a flame and a multibar (different color, shape, size, pattern… but with the size tank and the larger fish you want 102 gallons is not a ton of room to work with in reality. So I would do one angel, bristletooth (if you have to have a tang that is), foxface (those get big). Also get rid of the firefish with these other fish, they are fast and will scare the heck out if it and it probably will wither away…

 

[RV Reefs]

Bristletooth is your best bet. Purples get big and are mean AF in general, let alone a tank too small for them! Bristletooths are smaller, like to swim in the rocks, and keep the rocks clean! Angels, you could do two if the are significantly different. Like a flame and a multibar (different color, shape, size, pattern… but with the size tank and the larger fish you want 102 gallons is not a ton of room to work with in reality. So I would do one angel, bristletooth (if you have to have a tang that is), foxface (those get big). Also get rid of the firefish with these other fish, they are fast and will scare the heck out if it and it probably will wither away…

Could I do red stripe and Lamark since at least one is generally considered reef-safe? I have taken your tang advice into consideration.

 

[tbrown]

I've no experience with angels but Lamarck's was the one I was looking at. @fishguy242 who would be the resident angel expert? @Goaway @i cant think ?

 

[littlefoxx]

Could I do red stripe and Lamark since at least one is generally considered reef-safe? I have taken your tang advice into consideration.

Not familiar with the red stripe but if its different enough from the lamark I would say thats fine, just add together. Only issue Ive ever had with angels together was when my french angelfish outgrew my regal and started bullying her because he was vastly bigger than her and regals are really shy angels. So look at the temperaments on those two and that should tell you if they will work

 

[KrisReef]

Not familiar with the red stripe but if its different enough from the lamark I would say thats fine, just add together. Only issue Ive ever had with angels together was when my french angelfish outgrew my regal and started bullying her because he was vastly bigger than her and regals are really shy angels. So look at the temperaments on those two and that should tell you if they will work

I had to look to, Red Stripe + Centropyge eibli

Same shape as Lamarcks.

 

[littlefoxx]

I had to look to, Red Stripe + Centropyge eibli

Same shape as Lamarcks.

Ahh. Yeah might be an issue

 

[KrisReef]

2 clownfish will eventually grow up to become (potentially) the most territorial nippers in the tank. The angelfishes should be ok, but Anthias (which also like to eat 3x/ day), small gobies, and possibly the mandarin could have a difficult time?

I love the color and swimming activity of my Harlequin tusk. The tusk is aggressive at eating but doesn't bite or chase anything other than the CUC.

 

[raythereefer]

I have a lamarcks angel and they don't get enough love they are a beautiful fish. Mine goes around eating algae with my magnificent foxface. Did have aggression problems when adding my small regal angel but after removing the lamarck for a week they ignore each other now. He is still boss of the tank arguably though and no one wants to get In his way, so maybe add one towards the end of your list if you do.

 

[i cant think]

Could I do red stripe and Lamark since at least one is generally considered reef-safe? I have taken your tang advice into consideration.

Done that mix perfectly in the past - The C. eibli and G. lamarckii right?
Centropyge and Genicanthus (or any ‘large’ species of angel) generally avoid each other. These two genera will avoid each other more as they are in different regions of the tank.

 

[i cant think]

I am working on a tank upgrade. I'm taking my 35, and converting everything into a 102 gallon +20 gallon sump. (I know, it's a big upgrade, but I have 10 other tanks and can finally devote more time to this new tank!) The stocking list is still VERY experimental, I have a while to work on this since the fall and winter are too cold to ship fish where I live, but I'm trying to get as much input/advice as possible. This tank will be a Reef Tank, with mostly LPS and maybe some SPS if I decide to. WHEN YOU SEE ANIMALS IN ITALICS, THOSE ANIMALS ARE WHAT I NEED HELP DECIDING ON. I'll link my stocking list here:

Clean Up Crew
Lettuce Nudibranch (2)
Trochus Snails (25)
Nassaurius (10)
Golden Reef Cowrie (2)
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (1)
Mexican Turbo Snails (4)

Stocking List (The first 4 fish are in the existing tank)
Clownfish (2)
Six Line Wrasse (1)
Aiptasia Eating Filefish (1)

Flameback Angelfish, Red Stripe Angelfish, Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish, Multibar, or Lamarck. (If compatible, I would prefer more than one angelfish, but I know that it will be tough with aggression and possible coral nipping) (1-2 Angelfish)
Red Mandarin Dragonet (1)
Magnificent Foxface (1)
Kole Yellow Eye Tang, Yellow Tang, Purple Tang, or Two Spot Bristletooth Tang (1)
Copperband or Muelleri Butterfish (1)
Firefish (1)
Clown Goby (1)
Dispar or Bartlett's Anthias (3)
Peppermint Hogfish (1)

Any opinions are welcome, even from the tang police. IF you are from the tang police, could I have your opinions on WHICH Tang I should get? Also, any suggestions on changing the list of fish for something you think would be better suited for this tank!

Straight away, remove the sixline wrasse.
They will slaughter that mandarin you want and quite likely also any gobies (Firefish included).

For angels I recommend going;
- Multicolour
- Multibar
- Lamarck
You’d only have 2 coral munchers in that mix and generally all different genera so should ignore each other (oh, and they are generally peaceful species in the first place)

Butterfly wise, I’d opt for muelleri as they are more resilient if it’s your first time owning a butterfly. They feed a lot more regularly too.

Hogfish are one that get aggressive, and they won’t allow other species of similar body shapes either. It’s also likely the six would go on a rampage for any wrasse (yes, hogfish are labrids) added after them. They’re truly a restricting species of fish and one that is guaranteed to eventually turn nasty no matter the tank size.

Hope this helps with choosing a magnificent Foxface

 

[littlefoxx]

Done that mix perfectly in the past - The C. eibli and G. lamarckii right?
Centropyge and Genicanthus (or any ‘large’ species of angel) generally avoid each other. These two genera will avoid each other more as they are in different regions of the tank.

Ah cool! Good to know. Angels can be so hit or miss!

 

[RV Reefs]

I have a lamarcks angel and they don't get enough love they are a beautiful fish. Mine goes around eating algae with my magnificent foxface. Did have aggression problems when adding my small regal angel but after removing the lamarck for a week they ignore each other now. He is still boss of the tank arguably though and no one wants to get In his way, so maybe add one towards the end of your list if you do

Straight away, remove the sixline wrasse.
They will slaughter that mandarin you want and quite likely also any gobies (Firefish included).

For angels I recommend going;
- Multicolour
- Multibar
- Lamarck
You’d only have 2 coral munchers in that mix and generally all different genera so should ignore each other (oh, and they are generally peaceful species in the first place)

Butterfly wise, I’d opt for muelleri as they are more resilient if it’s your first time owning a butterfly. They feed a lot more regularly too.

Hogfish are one that get aggressive, and they won’t allow other species of similar body shapes either. It’s also likely the six would go on a rampage for any wrasse (yes, hogfish are labrids) added after them. They’re truly a restricting species of fish and one that is guaranteed to eventually turn nasty no matter the tank size.

Hope this helps with choosing a magnificent Foxface

I can’t remove the six line, he’s already in my existing tank. I’m on board with the three angels, and removed the hogfish from my list, same with the clown goby. I also implemented the muelleri to my changes.

 

[tbrown]

I can’t remove the six line, he’s already in my existing tank. I’m on board with the three angels, and removed the hogfish from my list, same with the clown goby. I also implemented the muelleri to my changes.

Are you going to have a sump? Put him in the sump until you can find a new home for him?

 

[i cant think]

I can’t remove the six line, he’s already in my existing tank. I’m on board with the three angels, and removed the hogfish from my list, same with the clown goby. I also implemented the muelleri to my changes.

If I’m honest I would remove the mandarin and butterfly if you can’t remove the sixline. You may even find you struggle to add anything after that fish now.