When to add fish?

[esmithiii]

I am converting over from my 55 to my new 180, which has been up about a month. The 180 has 180 lbs of LR, a 4-6" DSB, good circulation and 3x400 MH lights + 2x96W PC Actinics.

I plan on eventually having the following fish:

Paracanthurus hepatus (Hippo Tang)
Zebrasoma flavescens (Yellow Tang)
Naso lituratus (Naso Tang)
Amphiprion ocellaris (Percula Clown)
Chromis viridis (Several, enough to school)

Any thoughts on when to start adding the fish (tank has cycled, ammonia, nitrate zero), how long to wait between adding them, and order to add the fish? Any interaction issues?

I also plan on moving my corals over along w/ some liverock and sand to the new tank. How long to wait on that?

Thanks in advance.

Ernie

 

[Anonymous]

I'd definitely add the tangs at the same time. The others shouldn't matter as long as the tank is completly cycled...

Glenn

 

[Carpentersreef]

Ernie,
I would add the perc and chromis now, the three tangs all at once a couple of weeks after that, and I think corals could be added any time, just not too many at one time. I think the important thing is other fish first and the three tangs later, but all at once.
Good luck! Can you post some pictures in the future?

Mitch

 

[esmithiii]

Any other ideas on when to add these guys? How many chromis to school?

Mitch,

Will do the pics in a month or so. I may be in Calgary every month and a half for a year startin in Feb. If so, you will have to let me know where to check out some cool LFSs.

 

[Carpentersreef]

Ernie,
Don't know much about chromis school size, but if you DO find yourself in Calgary, give me a call! I'll show you a couple of good ones, we don't have that many. Or, if you're pressed for time, i'll give you the addresses.
Do you know what camera you're going to use?
Plus I'll show you what a REAL skimmer looks like!

Mitch

 

[esmithiii]

Any other thoughts??

Ernie

 

[Marty M]

Ernie,
Chromis do best in larger groups, 6+. In smaller groups there is a tendency for a bully to develop. No problem with the other species.
Ocellaris are no problem alone or a pair. Three can be a problem because if two of them pair up, they may torment or kill the third. No problem with other species.
The Naso is not likely to be a problem with others. The little ones are very shy though. I think it would acclimate best with just the Chromis and clown until it is aggressively feeding. The tank raise ocellaris especially, will teach him to acccept food from you, without being too competitve.
Hippos are usually mellow but mine has acted like he's the boss of the tank since he was the size of a thumbnail. He regularly challenges the other fish, including the much larger Naso, Sohal, and Niger Trigger. If you select a feisty one too, I would introduce it, and the Yellow Tang together, after all the other fish are acclimated.
Yellow tangs are pretty mellow, but can be vicious to any fish added after they become established. Make sure you don't want any more fish, even little ones, before adding the yellow.
Now here is a suggestion that has worked very well for me. Don't put ANY of the fish in your 180 reef until ALL of them are getting along peacefully and are parasite free for 4-6 weeks in your 55. Use some sort of external biofilter, like a trickle,so you can promptly treat with copper if necessary. After you have all the fish, I would do a copper or quinine treatment regardless. They have all been stressed and exposed to parasites at the dealers. There is a 60/40 chance the Hippo and Yellow will come down with something within the first 2 months and they will spread it to the others. In the meantime build and stock your reef.A planned order of fish introduction is a key factor for success but disease prevention and treatment are even more essential. And you won't have to worry about tearing your reef apart for sick or aggressive fish. HTH
Marty

 

[esmithiii]

Thanks for the info. Any other ideas?

Ernie