Tank's been settling in nicely for a little over a month now.
I guess it's time to start thinking about fish. I'd like to put a lot of thought into which fish to put into it, and I'd really appreciate suggestions and advice.
So far fish haven't been a priority in my tanks, more of an opening act rather than the main event. My first tank was fishless for the first seven months of its life. And I definitely spent more time looking at the corals than the fish, but now I'd like to become more of a fish guy to round out my reefing experience.
So far I have had the following:
Red Elegant Pseudochromis
Royal Gramma
Red Firefish
I really liked them all, but my favorite was definitely the Pseudochromis. Its boldness, curiosity, high level of activity and bright color really impressed me. The Gramma and Firefish were great and watching them interact was always interesting. I enjoyed taking care of my fish. None of them were ever sick in any way and they grew and held their color. Sometimes I get by on beginner's luck.
A little info. on my setup:
It's a 30 Cube containing about 35 pounds of mature live rock. Filtration is a Tunze Reefpack 200 and about 20X flow. No sump or fuge.
It houses my collection of Trumpets, Frogs, Zoos and Mushrooms and my prized Dragon's Breath Macroalgae that sprouted out of one of my rocks.
At the moment, it houses hermits, astreas, ceriths, hitchhiker snails, a large brittle star named "Harry" that I handfeed and lots of tiny brittle stars yet unnamed ( LOL).
After seven months of staring at a tank without fish, I actually really enjoy seeing all the pods, tiny shrimp, and worms doing their thing. I love the tiny feather dusters and even "Maude" the 12" bristle worm has a place in my heart. So I'd hate to put a fish into the tank that decimates their populations.
So I'm in a bit of a dilemma here. Most carniverous fish will limit the population of microcrustacians that I enjoy watching, and a herbiverous fish will probably wipe out my macros that I enjoy.
Here's my first stocking plan: a Black and White Clown and an Orchid Dottyback. I'd add them at the same time. I figure the Clown might stick to the open water up higher in the tank and possibly host one or the other Frogspawn while the Dottyback would stick to the rockwork that I arranged with lots of caves and passages for it to swim thru. This was my original plan when I set the tank up, so I arranged it accordingly. I've always thought the clown's behavior is very interesting and a Black And White would look great with the bright colors of the Frogspawns. And I've always thought the Orchid's color is amazing and enjoyed the way they swim and behave.
I just don't know if this is a mix that would work or be a recipe for constant aggression.
Lately I've been wanting a Coral Beauty, but I'm pretty sure that everything in my tank would suffer from its nibbling. But maybe....
And then there is the Flame Angel and 6 Line Wrasse combo that I have been considering lately....
Anyone willing to offer advice or experience or suggestions or willing to join in a decision that might last as long as seven months ( LOL ) out there?
BTW- I just tossed three Peppermint Shrimp in there a few days ago. By day Two they had eaten almost all of my Aiptasia. Yeah. I even like my Majanos and Ball Anemonaes. ( Guess I shouldn't have spent all that time staring at bare rock when I started in the hobby. Took me four months to get the first coral. )
Thanks for reading. I'd really enjoy reading your stocking plans and experiences.
I guess it's time to start thinking about fish. I'd like to put a lot of thought into which fish to put into it, and I'd really appreciate suggestions and advice.
So far fish haven't been a priority in my tanks, more of an opening act rather than the main event. My first tank was fishless for the first seven months of its life. And I definitely spent more time looking at the corals than the fish, but now I'd like to become more of a fish guy to round out my reefing experience.
So far I have had the following:
Red Elegant Pseudochromis
Royal Gramma
Red Firefish
I really liked them all, but my favorite was definitely the Pseudochromis. Its boldness, curiosity, high level of activity and bright color really impressed me. The Gramma and Firefish were great and watching them interact was always interesting. I enjoyed taking care of my fish. None of them were ever sick in any way and they grew and held their color. Sometimes I get by on beginner's luck.
A little info. on my setup:
It's a 30 Cube containing about 35 pounds of mature live rock. Filtration is a Tunze Reefpack 200 and about 20X flow. No sump or fuge.
It houses my collection of Trumpets, Frogs, Zoos and Mushrooms and my prized Dragon's Breath Macroalgae that sprouted out of one of my rocks.
At the moment, it houses hermits, astreas, ceriths, hitchhiker snails, a large brittle star named "Harry" that I handfeed and lots of tiny brittle stars yet unnamed ( LOL).
After seven months of staring at a tank without fish, I actually really enjoy seeing all the pods, tiny shrimp, and worms doing their thing. I love the tiny feather dusters and even "Maude" the 12" bristle worm has a place in my heart. So I'd hate to put a fish into the tank that decimates their populations.
So I'm in a bit of a dilemma here. Most carniverous fish will limit the population of microcrustacians that I enjoy watching, and a herbiverous fish will probably wipe out my macros that I enjoy.
Here's my first stocking plan: a Black and White Clown and an Orchid Dottyback. I'd add them at the same time. I figure the Clown might stick to the open water up higher in the tank and possibly host one or the other Frogspawn while the Dottyback would stick to the rockwork that I arranged with lots of caves and passages for it to swim thru. This was my original plan when I set the tank up, so I arranged it accordingly. I've always thought the clown's behavior is very interesting and a Black And White would look great with the bright colors of the Frogspawns. And I've always thought the Orchid's color is amazing and enjoyed the way they swim and behave.
I just don't know if this is a mix that would work or be a recipe for constant aggression.
Lately I've been wanting a Coral Beauty, but I'm pretty sure that everything in my tank would suffer from its nibbling. But maybe....
And then there is the Flame Angel and 6 Line Wrasse combo that I have been considering lately....
Anyone willing to offer advice or experience or suggestions or willing to join in a decision that might last as long as seven months ( LOL ) out there?
BTW- I just tossed three Peppermint Shrimp in there a few days ago. By day Two they had eaten almost all of my Aiptasia. Yeah. I even like my Majanos and Ball Anemonaes. ( Guess I shouldn't have spent all that time staring at bare rock when I started in the hobby. Took me four months to get the first coral. )
Thanks for reading. I'd really enjoy reading your stocking plans and experiences.
