12g stocking suggestions

[DEL 707]

I have a little 56l tank that's going through it's cycle.

Fluval 107 Canister Filter
AI Nero 3
AI Blade Coral Grow 21"

I could use some suggestions when it comes to stocking the tank.

Fish wise, I was looking at a Royal Gramma, Blue Neon Goby or maybe a Firefish.
There are so many different gobies and blennies out there, it's hard to chose.
Realistically with my size tank, am I looking at a single fish?

Shrimp, I was looking at 1 or maybe 2 cleaner shrimp?
Maybe a blood shrimp?

For corals, 1st up I was looking at Green Star Polyps. I've read they can be a bit of a "weed", so I'm trying to figure out a spot where they won't take over 1/2 the tank.
Pulsing Xenia, similar problem.
Zoanthids.
Maybe a Toadstool coral, something to reach up from the rock.
Would really like to try a Hammer Coral.
And while not a coral, I would like to have a Rock Flower Anemone or 2.

I greatly appreciate all suggestions and opinions.

[Staticmoves]

3 "small" fish should be fine, but not all at once. 2-3 weeks in between additions.

and to add more personality without the bio load, maybe a pistol shrimp with that goby.

xenia and gsp would own that tank in short order. albeit nice movement.

nice rock work, lots of room for fish and coral.

 

2 cents in the pot........................

[DEL 707]

Thanks.

 

I love the look of gsp, was tempted to try to get it to attach to the back glass, but after reading horror stories on how hard it is to remove from rock, I think I'll skip it.

Maybe 1 day I'll make a "weed" reef tank.

 

Regarding fish, I was looking at clown gobies. Do you think it's possible to house 2 in my tank? Was thinking a yellow and a green

[Airedale.Reef]

Hey DEL - Welcome to NR!  I dig the island aquscape, and look forward to seeing this tank progress! 

 

5 hours ago, Staticmoves said:

3 "small" fish should be fine, but not all at once. 2-3 weeks in between additions.

I agree with Static here. I think 2-3 small fish would be fine. 

9 hours ago, DEL 707 said:

Shrimp, I was looking at 1 or maybe 2 cleaner shrimp?
Maybe a blood shrimp?

I am a big fan of ornamental shrimp! I think you could easily house a pair of skunk/fire or a combination of the two without any issue. 

44 minutes ago, DEL 707 said:

I love the look of gsp, was tempted to try to get it to attach to the back glass, but after reading horror stories on how hard it is to remove from rock, I think I'll skip it.

I cant speak for all, but would bet big money that GSP were the first coral for many of us reefers. It is hardy, doesn't need much attention, provides movement and adds great color to the tank. I understand your concerns with it being on the rock, but if you can manage it on the back glass, or even an isolated island on your sand bed, id say go for it and enjoy!

[Staticmoves]

4 hours ago, DEL 707 said:

Thanks.

 

I love the look of gsp, was tempted to try to get it to attach to the back glass, but after reading horror stories on how hard it is to remove from rock, I think I'll skip it.

Maybe 1 day I'll make a "weed" reef tank.

 

Regarding fish, I was looking at clown gobies. Do you think it's possible to house 2 in my tank? Was thinking a yellow and a green

I don’t have personal experience with the clown gobies.

but it sounds like it could be a cool combo.  My only concern is if it’s not a mated pair there could be an aggression issue with two males or females.

but worth further research.

depending on the type of goby, I have seen tanks with multiples. Just need to bear in mind tank size and available real estate.

when space is limited it’s nice to plan out stocking with specimens that occupy different parts of the water column.

like one swimmer, one percher and one cave/sand digger. This thinking can help avoid territorial issues  and bring character to different parts of the aquarium, but ultimately you have to enjoy it.

[DEL 707]

8 hours ago, Staticmoves said:

when space is limited it’s nice to plan out stocking with specimens that occupy different parts of the water column.

like one swimmer, one percher and one cave/sand digger. This thinking can help avoid territorial issues  and bring character to different parts of the aquarium, but ultimately you have to enjoy it.

 

Would something like a yellow clown goby and a blue neon goby work? 1's a percher, 1's a swimmer.

Would I have enough room for 2?

[Airedale.Reef]

4 hours ago, DEL 707 said:

 

Would something like a yellow clown goby and a blue neon goby work? 1's a percher, 1's a swimmer.

Would I have enough room for 2?

I don’t see any issue with this grouping at all. I would even consider the idea of adding at the same time so neither establish a territory. Would just need to watch and monitor bio load. 

[DEL 707]

I'm definitely sold on the yellow clown goby, still thinking about rest of the stock.

 

Once my tanks cycled, should a fish be it's 1st inhabitant?

[Airedale.Reef]

Nice! Decided what fish to get is half the battle…that’s my challenge anyway. 
 

Fish as your first inhabitant is completely fine. I’d recommend some clean up crew as well (particularly algae eaters) but definitely not needed. 

[Staticmoves]

4 hours ago, DEL 707 said:

I'm definitely sold on the yellow clown goby, still thinking about rest of the stock.

 

Once my tanks cycled, should a fish be it's 1st inhabitant?

Take it or leave it, but keeping the lights off for the first few months while adding livestock, and just enjoy the fish, seems to help the down the road.

[DEL 707]

For fish no.2, would a tailspot blenny be a good choice?

Would that leave room for a swimmer fish like the blue neon goby or something similar?

 

Are there any alternatives to GSP/Pulsing Xenia? Similar looks but don't take over the tank.

 

[boscoT]

I am working with a 24gal aquarium and I would agree that 2-3 fish would be my max with one shrimp.  The goby's are more of a sit around and perch fish and always a flight risk.  

 

I am more about watching the fish movement and had terrible luck with gobies this past year.  Anxiety and jumping all the time, either into my rear chamber or on the floor.  

 

I would stick with peaceful fish and if you go with the one orange clown goby look into a pink streak wrasse (very peaceful) and in and out of the rock work all the time.   

 

I have a helfrichi filefish goby that is beautiful and more of a swimmer and cave hider at times, I also have the royal gramma (mostly peaceful however; a bit territiorial at times)

 

No interest in a clown fish pair?

 

I just added a small GSP colony to my tank.  I am worried about it getting out of control as I have had that issue in previous tanks.  I have it isolated on its own rock on the sand bed away from my main rock work.  I will monitor it as it grows.  

 

I would avoid an anemone in such a small tank.  I enjoy watching fragboxTV, a local fish store with YouTube channel.  They just did a video on the reasons not to own an anemone in a small tank setup.  

 

You will be ok with a few hammers in the tank, keep them on their own area and they won't harm one another

 

 

[DEL 707]

1 hour ago, boscoT said:

I would stick with peaceful fish and if you go with the one orange clown goby look into a pink streak wrasse (very peaceful) and in and out of the rock work all the time.  

 

That pink streak wrasse does look very interesting.

 

1 hour ago, boscoT said:

No interest in a clown fish pair?

 

I've not had the best of luck with clown fish, it's been 20 years since I've had a marine tank. I had a clarkii pair in a 300l. The female was a right bitch, harrased the male to death and was an alround nightmare. Would regulary attack me when my hand was in the tank.

I had a pair of ocellaris in a 400l, but they completely ignored the BTA I got for them and decided to host in a toadstool, much to it's annoyance.

 

I generally don't have an interest in the species, even though they are ideal for nano tanks.

[boscoT]

1 minute ago, DEL 707 said:

 

That pink streak wrasse does look very interesting.

 

 

I've not had the best of luck with clown fish, it's been 20 years since I've had a marine tank. I had a clarkii pair in a 300l. The female was a right bitch, harrased the male to death and was an alround nightmare. Would regulary attack me when my hand was in the tank.

I had a pair of ocellaris in a 400l, but they completely ignored the BTA I got for them and decided to host in a toadstool, much to it's annoyance.

 

I generally don't have an interest in the species, even though they are ideal for nano tanks.

I love the six line wrasse, however; they are a mean SOB...  The pink streak has many similar characteristics of feeding and swimming with none of the aggression.  Such a peaceful fish.  The yellow banded possum wrasse is a very cool fish as well.  

 

When I first set up this tank I purchased two ocellaris clowns and one died the same day.  I added a new one later that week and the two never got along and went super aggressive after adding another fish.  I ended up taking them and a six line to the store and traded them for two really small storm clowns.  They have been the perfect pair for the past 10 months. 

 

My current stock list appears to get along, however; if I added another fish at this point, I believe a war would break out lol

 

Good luck, can't wait to see what you pick

[Staticmoves]

17 hours ago, DEL 707 said:

For fish no.2, would a tailspot blenny be a good choice?

Would that leave room for a swimmer fish like the blue neon goby or something similar?

 

Are there any alternatives to GSP/Pulsing Xenia? Similar looks but don't take over the tank.

 

Patience, and read up on all your questions. Some people love Xenia and GSP, but there are many other corals that may give you what your looking for with out the take over.

check out all of Than’s coral video’s over at Tidal Gardens.

[ReefGoat]

13 hours ago, boscoT said:

I love the six line wrasse

They’re my favorite fish. Absolute terrors on a lot of pests. I’ve had success with them with multiple different pests. 
 

mines name is Killer. Beautiful colors, perfect patterns. I wish they were nicer and I hope Killer doesn’t absolutely lose his mind in my big tank. I think it’ll be alright though 

[DEL 707]

I have a little rock in the tank. I've moved it out from the group.

Would this make it safe for GSP? Or does it need a bigger gap?

 

 

[Staticmoves]

8 minutes ago, DEL 707 said:

I have a little rock in the tank. I've moved it out from the group.

Would this make it safe for GSP? Or does it need a bigger gap?

 

 

some GSP actually branches, should you be so lucky.

[Airedale.Reef]

Shouldnt be an issue, and a good place to start. You can always move it if you think it is getting to close to your main rock island in the future.