Help with choosing compatible fish

[sighthoundlover]

To make a long story short, back in June I began mt first saltwater tank - 75 gallon. I had live rock, snails and crabs. I ended up with a Royal Gramma, 2 false perculas, a yellow Tang, a fairy wrasse, a threadfin butterfly. Everything was doing pretty well. Then I bought a Bannerfish. :evil: This fish was really hyper and should have been in a 150 gal tank. There was some relentless chasing of the Bannerfish by the Threadfin. Then I started feeding too much - 3 times a day because the Bannerfish was always so hungry. Then I had an algae explosion. Then I got the cleaning crazies. Then all the fish really got stressed and then I got Marine Velvet. Eventually they all died. 2 months ago I tore down the whole setup and started over. The tank now has many crabs and snails and a gregarious common cleaner shrimp who eats out of my hand. I also set up a 30 gal quarantine tank, and two days ago purchased a Royal Gramma who is in the quarantine with low levels of copper. I would like expert advice on my planned community. I would like (in addition to the gramma and the shrimp) a percula, a foxface rabbitfish OR a yellow Tang, a sharknose OR a neon goby, a Long nose butterfly, a fairy wrasse, a pajama cardinal and a flame angel. Is this too many? Are there fish on my list I should avoid? Any suggestions or order of introduction? Thanks for any and all help!

 

[Anonymous]

To make a long story short, back in June I began mt first saltwater tank - 75 gallon. Then I bought a Bannerfish. This fish was really hyper and should have been in a 150 gal tank.

Correct that's the theory behind researching first.

The tank now has many crabs and snails and a gregarious common cleaner shrimp who eats out of my hand. I also set up a 30 gal quarantine tank, and two days ago purchased a Royal Gramma who is in the quarantine with low levels of copper. I would like expert advice on my planned community.

The Gramma loreto (Royal Gramma is fine for your tank.


I would like (in addition to the gramma and the shrimp) a percula

Amphiprion percula ( Percula Clown is fine for your tank.

, a foxface rabbitfish OR a yellow Tang

Both of these are omnivores they feed on algae but do eat a fair amount of meaty foods so they will eat zooplankton.
I would recommend the FoxFace ( Siganus vulpinus ) over the Yellow Tang ( Zebrasoma flavescens ) as These need plenty of swimming space and 75gls is about the minimum.

, a sharknose OR a neon goby

Elactinus evelynae ( Sharknose Goby ) and Elactinus oceanops ( Neon Goby are both fine for your tank though they will jump out so a covered tank is a must.

, a Long nose butterfly

A Butterfly of the genus Forcipiger would be a nice addition as these feed on meaty foods and algae.

, a fairy wrasse


Wrasses of the genus Cirrhilabrus are great fish feeding on copepods so feeding of meaty foods is a must. These are prone to jump out of tanks so again a cover is needed and these may eat your shrimp.

a pajama cardinal

A Pajama Cardinal ( Sphaeramia nematoptera ) would be a peaceful addition to your tank these feed mainlly on meaty foods.

and a flame angel.

A Flame Angel ( Centropyge loricula ) is an algae, coral, sponge and pod eater, these can be manic and have been known to jump out of tanks.

Is this too many?

This amount is fine but add them slowly.


Are there fish on my list I should avoid?

If this is a reef tank with corals then I gave you the drawbacks and if this is uncovered I also listed the ones prone to jump.

Any suggestions or order of introduction? /quote]

Add the Butterfly first then the Foxface then the Flame Angel then the others.
Remember to research and never be in a hurry.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[sighthoundlover]

Dave thanks for all the great info! I have a covered tank so that is not a problem. I also have a mostly fish tank with a large but appropriate amount of live rock, crabs, snails, and my adorable common cleaner shrimp. As far as the order goes - could you clarify that for me? I have the gramma so he would be first. I was told by someone at the fish store that I should do the Flame angel last because they were aggressive :?: . So are you saying Gramma, percula, goby, butterfly, foxface, angel, wrasse, cardinal? :? I would really be appreciative if you could spell it out for me. I just don't want to make too many more blunders! Thanks, Toni

 

[Anonymous]

Obviously the Gramma was first I didn't expect you to remove from your tank. ;-)
My main concern was the order of the Foxface, Butterfly and Angel the others really don't matter. As long as the Angel is after the Foxface and the Butterfly, what order you introduce the others before or after the Angel is simply a matter of when you get them.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[sighthoundlover]

Thanks again Dave. Appreciate the help!