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Reef Tank Compatability & Care.


purplequeen101

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purplequeen101

Hello all! Thank you for having me here @ nano-reef. I have been following the forums as an outsider for quite some time. I have had a fowlr tank some time ago. I have been away from the hobby and would like to come back (to stay).

 

I believe that it is ideal to come up with a list (sky is the limit) and than to be realistic and narrow this list down. The narrowed list should take into deep consideration the needs of each species , feeding, natural habitat and how well they may or may not get on with other species.

 

 

This is what I am looking at working with and around:

 

2 Tuka Anthias-2 Purple Queens
1 6 Line Wrasse
1 Purple Dottyback
1 Pink Bar Goby & Prawn
1 Spotted Jawfish
1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang
2 Barnacle Blennies
1 Tail Spot Blenny
1 Copperband
Inverts:
pom pom crab
sexy shrimp
Narcissius Snails
Red Shrimp
Sand Starfish
Things to take note of. I understand that there are well reasoned and strong arguments for bristle worms/fire worms etc. However; I do not want them in a display, a sump tank is another matter.
My concerns are the purple dotty back /6 line. My daughter is partial to the dotty back because of its strawberry pink coloration, which I will come back to. I am concerned if the dotty back will terrorize these other tank mates and/or the inverts.
I am also concerned about the 6 line doing the same as the dotty back.
Possible red flags for well seasoned acquaint would be.
1) The Tuka or Purple Queen Anthias. As my name states I really am partial to these fish. I have read up on them , their finicky eating habits as well as need to eat frequently. I want them to survive. However; after musing over statements of more seasoned hobbyist I am willing to give them a pass.
If I do pass them I am interested in possibly a pair of either of the wrasse species in the pictures below.
2) The copperband butterfly fish. Also known to be a picky eater. I plan on having a display tank well established possibly 2 months or more before adding any live fish /definitely want to add a Tang only after established algae growth). I had one before in my fowlr and he lived for 6 months and I believe he died because during a move my water parameters among other things were severely off.
Love this fish so much. So I want it to be known that I have careful consideration given to his diet. My main concern is this stock list and will he/she get bullied. It is important for me that the Copperband feel a sense of peace among the tank inhabitants. I see possible conflicts with the Dottyback for belligerence and the Sixline for taking out copepods.
3) The adding of a strawberry dottyback and/or sixline wrasse.
What I am asking from you fellow hobbyist.
Minimal tank size to keep these reef inhabitants happy. Happy as in allowing them to have established territory and comfort.
A tank of inhabitants that can take out bristle worms/fire worms. I don't plan on adding a sand star until after I have a very well established sand bed in the main tank.
I don't might keeping some crabs/ and I do like the snails (as does my daughter) and I even want to keep them happy. Snail and crab shells, how many what variant sizes?
I want to be able to keep down hair algae, bubble algae, diatom blooms, polychetes, and/or anything else that any of you may deem to be a nuisance.
If you have any further suggestions for additions to a future tank please do mention. *Note- I have not even purchased a tank yet until I have all my ducks in a row concerning these precious inhabitants.
I want to say that I am thankful for this community and this forum. I do not respond well to condescend but I am very open to earnest advise and you will not find me stubborn in regards to it.
Thank you for all comments!

 

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fishfreak0114

Ok so this is just my take on stocking, I'm sure others have different opinions.

 

I'd be worried about the sexy shrimp being eaten by a wrasse or dottyback

I've heard that sand sifting stars do not do well long term, unless they are in huge mature systems.

In a system large enough to house a butterfly/tang, a pom pom crab would be very hard to find. I haven't even put one in my 29g because I'm not sure how often I'd see it lol, they're just so tiny!

 

I'd probably do inverts more like this:

 

Nassarious snails

Trochus snails (great for algae)

Red shrimp (fire shrimp?)

Serpent star if you want a star (mines pretty neat and often comes out at night)

Hermit crabs? (Optional, good for scavenging)

 

I love anthias. I mean, they're beautiful! However they're only a good idea if you can feed them very frequently, and with that heavy import of food, be able to keep up with nutrient export. Personally I'd pass, but it really depends on your situation and whether you think you can manage.

 

For the jaw fish, you'll need deeper sand. Not 100% sure! but I'm thinking 3-4"

 

Not sure how well different types of blennies would coexist, that really depends on tank size. In a large tank it would be totally fine.

 

I don't have personal experience with dottyback or six lines, but with. The right tank mates (ones not too small to be bullied) I think it would be fine. Perhaps a captive bred dottyback would be a bit less aggressive?

 

Live aquaria says that copperband butterflies need 125g. So, being that that would be your largest space requirement I'd go with a 125g tank. If you can get it eating prepared foods I think you'd be ok :)

 

I'm very bad at ID'ing things, so I can't tell what the wrasses in the pictures are. Personally I love flashers, a pair of those would be beautiful.

Wrasses will definitely help with the bristle worms (maybe I should get one! Lol they'd have a feast!)

 

For shells, I'd probably add 1-2 spares per hermit crab in all sizes (well anything bigger than they currently have)

 

Hope this helps!

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Dottybacks are aggressive fish, even the most docile one is on the aggressive side. Their natural diet is benthic inverts. Shrimps, crabs, even some snails will be on their diet.

 

I have a dottyback, i've lost an emerald crab, hermits, i wouldn't attempt a shrimp as its their fav meal.

 

Copperband are hard to keep, they are known as coral nippers, and need a large tank.

 

Jawfish are cool but never really leave their home and they do need deep sand beds. More than 3".

 

Multiple blennies are definitely recommended in large systems. They generally don't do well with anything that resembles themselves.

 

You should check out liveaquaria.com individual fish requirments as well as the

Compatability chart.

 

If you want all those fish, especially the tang and copperbanded, you are looking at 100g +.

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purplequeen101

Hello all! Thank you for having me here @ nano-reef. I have been following the forums as an outsider for quite some time. I have had a fowlr tank some time ago. I have been away from the hobby and would like to come back (to stay).

 

I believe that it is ideal to come up with a list (sky is the limit) and than to be realistic and narrow this list down. The narrowed list should take into deep consideration the needs of each species , feeding, natural habitat and how well they may or may not get on with other species.

 

 

This is what I am looking at working with and around:

 

2 Tuka Anthias-2 Purple Queens
1 6 Line Wrasse
1 Purple Dottyback
1 Pink Bar Goby & Prawn
1 Spotted Jawfish
1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang
2 Barnacle Blennies
1 Tail Spot Blenny
1 Copperband
Inverts:
pom pom crab
sexy shrimp
Narcissius Snails
Red Shrimp
Sand Starfish
Things to take note of. I understand that there are well reasoned and strong arguments for bristle worms/fire worms etc. However; I do not want them in a display, a sump tank is another matter.
My concerns are the purple dotty back /6 line. My daughter is partial to the dotty back because of its strawberry pink coloration, which I will come back to. I am concerned if the dotty back will terrorize these other tank mates and/or the inverts.
I am also concerned about the 6 line doing the same as the dotty back.
Possible red flags for well seasoned acquaint would be.
1) The Tuka or Purple Queen Anthias. As my name states I really am partial to these fish. I have read up on them , their finicky eating habits as well as need to eat frequently. I want them to survive. However; after musing over statements of more seasoned hobbyist I am willing to give them a pass.
If I do pass them I am interested in possibly a pair of either of the wrasse species in the pictures below.
2) The copperband butterfly fish. Also known to be a picky eater. I plan on having a display tank well established possibly 2 months or more before adding any live fish /definitely want to add a Tang only after established algae growth). I had one before in my fowlr and he lived for 6 months and I believe he died because during a move my water parameters among other things were severely off.
Love this fish so much. So I want it to be known that I have careful consideration given to his diet. My main concern is this stock list and will he/she get bullied. It is important for me that the Copperband feel a sense of peace among the tank inhabitants. I see possible conflicts with the Dottyback for belligerence and the Sixline for taking out copepods.
3) The adding of a strawberry dottyback and/or sixline wrasse.
What I am asking from you fellow hobbyist.
Minimal tank size to keep these reef inhabitants happy. Happy as in allowing them to have established territory and comfort.
A tank of inhabitants that can take out bristle worms/fire worms. I don't plan on adding a sand star until after I have a very well established sand bed in the main tank.
I don't might keeping some crabs/ and I do like the snails (as does my daughter) and I even want to keep them happy. Snail and crab shells, how many what variant sizes?
I want to be able to keep down hair algae, bubble algae, diatom blooms, polychetes, and/or anything else that any of you may deem to be a nuisance.
If you have any further suggestions for additions to a future tank please do mention. *Note- I have not even purchased a tank yet until I have all my ducks in a row concerning these precious inhabitants.
I want to say that I am thankful for this community and this forum. I do not respond well to condescend but I am very open to earnest advise and you will not find me stubborn in regards to it.
Thank you for all comments!

 

These were all very helpful ideas and suggestions! Thank you!

Dottybacks are aggressive fish, even the most docile one is on the aggressive side. Their natural diet is benthic inverts. Shrimps, crabs, even some snails will be on their diet.

 

I have a dottyback, i've lost an emerald crab, hermits, i wouldn't attempt a shrimp as its their fav meal.

 

Copperband are hard to keep, they are known as coral nippers, and need a large tank.

 

Jawfish are cool but never really leave their home and they do need deep sand beds. More than 3".

 

Multiple blennies are definitely recommended in large systems. They generally don't do well with anything that resembles themselves.

 

You should check out liveaquaria.com individual fish requirments as well as the

Compatability chart.

 

If you want all those fish, especially the tang and copperbanded, you are looking at 100g +.

Thank you! I am in Singapore and for some odd reasons live aquaria has stopped allowing us to access their web page! I was able to from Singapore a few years back. This is not the case now. So far I have gotten two responses that make me think twice about having a dotty back. Thank you for your suggestions. I greatly appreciate it!

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fishfreak0114

That's so weird that you can't go on it! Too bad because it has some very good information. If you want me to copy and paste their info for any of the fish just let me know.

Direct from live aquaria

 

Marine Compatibility Chart

Tank mate compatibility is crucial to a successful and healthy marine aquarium. Incompatible species will increase stress in the tank which could result in disease and considerable loss. Use the chart below as a guideline when selecting fish and please read our article "Introducing New Fish Into Your Aquarium" before making your fish selection.

 

Remember, no guarantees can be made about the compatibility or incompatibility of any particular species of fish. Also, particular species within a group of fish vary in temperament and may not correspond with the guideline below.

 

Y = Yes, Generally Compatible

C = Can co-exist with Caution

N = No, Not Compatible

 

image_zpshimdzspo.jpg

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You might consider replacing the Purple Dottyback with an Orchid Dottyback instead. I have one and it is my favorite fish in the aquarium, plus they are supposed to be less aggressive than the Purple Dottyback. Mine hasn't been a problem in my 35 gallon tank with 5 other fish and a cleaner shrimp.

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purplequeen101

 

Thank you all very much! This is what I am thinking now:

 

2 Tuka Anthias-2 Purple Queens

1 6 Line Wrasse

1 Purple Dottyback. -Replace w Orchid Dottyback

1 Pink Bar Goby & Prawn

1 Spotted Jawfish-Make sure to have 4inch sand bead

1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang

2 Barnacle Blennies

1 Tail Spot Blenny

1 Copperband - make sure to have refugium to make copepods....

 

Is it true flasher wrasse eat bristle n fire worms? Any video or picture of this?

 

 

 

 

Inverts:

Orange legged hermits

Narcissius Snails

Cleaner Shrimp

Sand Starfish- introduce after 5 6 months of established sandbed n established refugium

 

Will the 6line wrasse out compete the copperband for copepods?

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You will want to read up on deep sand beds. There is special care involving them. They can't be disturbed so you can vacuum them to remove detritus.

 

At 4" its a deep sand bed.

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purplequeen101

You will want to read up on deep sand beds. There is special care involving them. They can't be disturbed so you can vacuum them to remove detritus.

 

At 4" its a deep sand bed.

Any links you recommend for special care?

Thanks!

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I have never run a deep sand bed but i had a jawfish in my 55g with crushed coral. It made a home within the rockwork as it really couldn't dig into the substrate.

 

I loved the fish but it rarely came out, mostly saw its head most days. I had to feed it with a long pipette as it wouldn't come out to grab any food.

 

Here is a link.

 

http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/318105-things-to-consider-when-deciding-on-the-sandbed/

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