Need help deciding on whether or not a fish is right for your tank? Post here and we'll help!

[bandit1994]

I should have added its a cool water set up like low to mid 70s temp wise

 

[eatbreakfast]

I should have added its a cool water set up like low to mid 70s temp wise

All the fish mentioned will be fine at those temps.

 

[bandit1994]

ok is there any mantis shrimp that can work in a 5 gallon I want a Gonodactylus smithii but I don't know if it well work

 

[eatbreakfast]

ok is there any mantis shrimp that can work in a 5 gallon I want a Gonodactylus smithii but I don't know if it well work

It'll be close. Most sites list 10g as the minimum, but ot is a small species, and not terribly active.

 

[michellejy]

I am setting up a 28 gallon nano cube. I have had several of the fish I am asking about in the past, but they were in a 120 gallon tank. I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for second opinions before adding them to a smaller tank. I am listing them in the order I plan to add them.

Picasso Percula (2) - these are going in first. They are a juvenile pair of barely over an inch, so I don't have any worries about aggression towards new additions

Goby OR Blue Spot Jawfish - Goby options are Wheeler's, Hi Fin, or Green Banded. Ideally, I would have a Magnificent Fan Shrimp Goby, but I know those are nearly impossible to find.

Gold Assessor Basslet, Clown Goby, or Midas Blenny - I know Midas Blenny may be pushing it on size for a Nano, but I know people have kept them successfully in that size tank long term. Since they tend to spend as much time lounging on the rocks as they do swimming, I *think* the size will work. (I have had one before, so I am familiar with the general behavior.)

Starcki Damsel - This is the one I am the most worried about. Everything I have read said they are the most peaceful damsel species, but I have never had any damsel (aside from clowns).

 

[eatbreakfast]

I am setting up a 28 gallon nano cube. I have had several of the fish I am asking about in the past, but they were in a 120 gallon tank. I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for second opinions before adding them to a smaller tank. I am listing them in the order I plan to add them.

Picasso Percula (2) - these are going in first. They are a juvenile pair of barely over an inch, so I don't have any worries about aggression towards new additions

Goby OR Blue Spot Jawfish - Goby options are Wheeler's, Hi Fin, or Green Banded. Ideally, I would have a Magnificent Fan Shrimp Goby, but I know those are nearly impossible to find.

Gold Assessor Basslet, Clown Goby, or Midas Blenny - I know Midas Blenny may be pushing it on size for a Nano, but I know people have kept them successfully in that size tank long term. Since they tend to spend as much time lounging on the rocks as they do swimming, I *think* the size will work. (I have had one before, so I am familiar with the general behavior.)

Starcki Damsel - This is the one I am the most worried about. Everything I have read said they are the most peaceful damsel species, but I have never had any damsel (aside from clowns).

For the most part, your list looks good. Here are the concerns I would have:
Blue spot jaws come from cooler waters and fare better in a tank with temps in the mid 60's-low 70's.

In smaller tanks midas blennies can get a little 'nippy'.

While peaceful for a damsel, starcki damsels will still defend their perceived territory from other fish, and a small tank doesn't leave a whole lot of room. It can be done, just with caution.

 

[Tateopotatoe]

I have a ten gallon nano, and because I have a hang on-back filter and nano reducing, I can't really get a lid. Could I get a clown go by, or do they jump? What about shrimp? Thanks!

 

[michellejy]

For the most part, your list looks good. Here are the concerns I would have:
Blue spot jaws come from cooler waters and fare better in a tank with temps in the mid 60's-low 70's.

In smaller tanks midas blennies can get a little 'nippy'.

While peaceful for a damsel, starcki damsels will still defend their perceived territory from other fish, and a small tank doesn't leave a whole lot of room. It can be done, just with caution.

Hmmm...I had a blue spot in a much warmer tank. I didn't realize they preferred cooler temps, so I will take that off of my list.

If not the Damsel, what would you suggest for an "open water" swimmer? I considered the black cap basslet, but everything I could find said they didn't like bright reef lighting. I've had a royal gramma before and didn't particularly want another.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have a ten gallon nano, and because I have a hang on-back filter and nano reducing, I can't really get a lid. Could I get a clown go by, or do they jump? What about shrimp? Thanks!

Any fish can jump, but clowns are 'safer' than others.

Shrimp such as regular cleaners, blood, peppermint, periclemines, etc should all work.

Hmmm...I had a blue spot in a much warmer tank. I didn't realize they preferred cooler temps, so I will take that off of my list.

If not the Damsel, what would you suggest for an "open water" swimmer? I considered the black cap basslet, but everything I could find said they didn't like bright reef lighting. I've had a royal gramma before and didn't particularly want another.

I have seen black cap grammas kept in sps tanks, they will adapt to the lighting.

The yellow assessor is an open water fish.

A firefish would also be an appropriate choice.

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Any fish can jump, but clowns are 'safer' than others.

Shrimp such as regular cleaners, blood, peppermint, periclemines, etc should all work.



I have seen black cap grammas kept in sps tanks, they will adapt to the lighting.

The yellow assessor is an open water fish.

A firefish would also be an appropriate choice.

Thank you!!

 

[michellejy]

Any fish can jump, but clowns are 'safer' than others.

Shrimp such as regular cleaners, blood, peppermint, periclemines, etc should all work.



I have seen black cap grammas kept in sps tanks, they will adapt to the lighting.

The yellow assessor is an open water fish.

A firefish would also be an appropriate choice.

Thanks! It's always helpful to have another set of eyes.

 

[bean2986]

Hello-
First post here! Excited to find a new website full of valuable information. Been at this for a few months, and I am trying to get some feedback on my stocking plans. I have spent countless hours reading behavioral posts and other stocking plans and I appreciate any help you can give. I have been steered in a couple different directions by other hobbists and a few different LFS. The goal is a peaceful, active community reef tank. All fish are quarantined in a 20L.

Tank:
65G 36x24x18
2x AI Prime
Reef Octopus HOB100 Skimmer
~3500 GPH Filtration via 3 powerheads and a cannister filter (used as reactor)
Mixed Reef Planned

No2/3/NH3: 0 Phos: 0
RODI: 0PPM

Current Stock:
Inverts:
7x Cerith Snails
6x Super Tongan Nassarius Snails
5x Nerite Snails
1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
4x Blue Legged Hermits
5x Scarlet Reef Hermits

Current Fish (in add order):
1x Green Chromis
1x Ocellaris Clown
1x Red Firefish
1x Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse
1x Tailspot Blenny
1x Pink Streaked Wrasse

So far tank is very peaceful with no issues. Getting green coraline and have some stubborn diatoms.

Would like to add:
1x Royal Gramma
1x Yellow Eye Kole Tang (Would remove Tailspot if needed) - Lots of conflicting information on tank requirements. I've seen the same people flip-flop on a 65 being too small, then "marginal", then "ok", then "too small".
If no Yellow Eye Kole Tang:
1x Canary Blenny

Any help/ suggestions/substitutions are greatly appreciated.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Hello-
First post here! Excited to find a new website full of valuable information. Been at this for a few months, and I am trying to get some feedback on my stocking plans. I have spent countless hours reading behavioral posts and other stocking plans and I appreciate any help you can give. I have been steered in a couple different directions by other hobbists and a few different LFS. The goal is a peaceful, active community reef tank. All fish are quarantined in a 20L.

Tank:
65G 36x24x18
2x AI Prime
Reef Octopus HOB100 Skimmer
~3500 GPH Filtration via 3 powerheads and a cannister filter (used as reactor)
Mixed Reef Planned

No2/3/NH3: 0 Phos: 0
RODI: 0PPM

Current Stock:
Inverts:
7x Cerith Snails
6x Super Tongan Nassarius Snails
5x Nerite Snails
1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
4x Blue Legged Hermits
5x Scarlet Reef Hermits

Current Fish (in add order):
1x Green Chromis
1x Ocellaris Clown
1x Red Firefish
1x Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse
1x Tailspot Blenny
1x Pink Streaked Wrasse

So far tank is very peaceful with no issues. Getting green coraline and have some stubborn diatoms.

Would like to add:
1x Royal Gramma
1x Yellow Eye Kole Tang (Would remove Tailspot if needed) - Lots of conflicting information on tank requirements. I've seen the same people flip-flop on a 65 being too small, then "marginal", then "ok", then "too small".
If no Yellow Eye Kole Tang:
1x Canary Blenny

Any help/ suggestions/substitutions are greatly appreciated.

The kole tang in a 65g elicits a great deal of debate on whether it is an appropriate tank size or not. Personally, I have seen it work plenty of times, so I fall into the camp that it is fine, though I probably wouldn't add them to any smaller tanks. The kole will definitely be the boss of the tank.

The kole and the tailspot blenny may or may not coexist. It really depends on the individual personality f each fish, as aggression vaties greatly within eavh species.

The gramma and canary blenny should provide no issues.

 

[bean2986]

Thank you for the response. I have noticed it is quite the touchy subject online.

Last question- my wrasses are atypically friendly and not very reclusive. I would hate for this to change. Regardless of individual personality, are the chances high that any Kole would keep them more confined to the rock work? I would consider the Canary/ Royal just to preserve their current behavior/ comfort with roaming the tank.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thank you for the response. I have noticed it is quite the touchy subject online.

Last question- my wrasses are atypically friendly and not very reclusive. I would hate for this to change. Regardless of individual personality, are the chances high that any Kole would keep them more confined to the rock work? I would consider the Canary/ Royal just to preserve their current behavior/ comfort with roaming the tank.

It eeally all depends on the kole tang. If he ignores them they should continue to be outgoing, if the kole throws it's weight around, then the wrasses could become more timid. I'd lean toward the kole ignoring them, but both situations are possible.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thank you for the response. I have noticed it is quite the touchy subject online.

Last question- my wrasses are atypically friendly and not very reclusive. I would hate for this to change. Regardless of individual personality, are the chances high that any Kole would keep them more confined to the rock work? I would consider the Canary/ Royal just to preserve their current behavior/ comfort with roaming the tank.

It eeally all depends on the kole tang. If he ignores them they should continue to be outgoing, if the kole throws it's weight around, then the wrasses could become more timid. I'd lean toward the kole ignoring them, but both situations are possible.

 

[bean2986]

It eeally all depends on the kole tang. If he ignores them they should continue to be outgoing, if the kole throws it's weight around, then the wrasses could become more timid. I'd lean toward the kole ignoring them, but both situations are possible.

Thank you for your help! I'll have to give it a shot- hopefully I can find a mellow one.

 

[bandit1994]

I have a ten gallon tank and really want a yellow head jawfish is this doable

 

[mr11]

I currently have a 50g 36", but have a 65g 48 x 18 x 18 being built. What do you think?

Pair of occelaris
Melanurus Wrasse
McCosker Wrasse
Flame Angel
C. cf. lanceolatus
Starki Damsel
Yellow Watchman

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have a ten gallon tank and really want a yellow head jawfish is this doable

Yeah, that should be doable.

I currently have a 50g 36", but have a 65g 48 x 18 x 18 being built. What do you think?

Pair of occelaris
Melanurus Wrasse
McCosker Wrasse
Flame Angel
C. cf. lanceolatus
Starki Damsel
Yellow Watchman

That should work. Add the damsel, melanurus and flame angel toward the end.