Starting to think about stocking the tank

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SteveD

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Apr 1, 2004
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Hello,
My cycle is looking good so I am starting to this "fish" rather than equip. I have a 55 gallon with 50 lbs live rock 30 base, 20 lbs live sand and 60 base. My plan is:

2 clowns
1 yellow tailed damsel
1 serpent sea star
2 cleaner shrimp
2 hermit crabs
2 turbo snails
1 sea cucumber

The clowns and damsel will go in first, after a couple weeks I'll add everyone else. Now heres the question.


Once everyone is settled I would love to add a snowflake eel, but would he eat everyone else? My goal is to upgrade to a 90 gallon in about a year, so I think I am ok with tank size. Steve
 
Snowflake eels eat crustaceans. They will get your hermits, any hitch hiker crabs, maybe the shrimp. Probably the shrimp.

I would add the fish at the same time. The clowns will claim a 'host', and should leave the damsel alone as long as it doesn't go into their host. Adding the clowns first and then the damsel increases the odds of them killing it. Adding it first might work, since the clowns will be able to gang up on the damsel and claim an area, but still risky.

You may want to increase your cleaner crew--2 snails, 2 hermits won't be able to keep pace with the algae. I have 2 hermits, and a bunch of snails in my 10--a 55 will need many more. If you want to start small and build, that's great, I'd just plan on having more in the long run.
 
I'd bump up the number and diversity of "janitors," and add them first. Maybe a dozen blue leg hermits and a few scarlets, plus maybe a total of 30 snails. A mix of turbos (or astreas) ceriths, trochus and margaritas will help keep algae in control on the rocks and glass. If the algae looks sparse, add fewer now.

The only problem with the eel is that I think it will eat your crabs and snails.
 
Ok its sounding like the eel is a bad idea.

The fish should be added at once.

I need more janitors. Is there anything to eat for them with no fish in the tank?

Assuming I scrap the eel, any other cool fish ideas?
 
well it really depends on what you like but, I have a weakness for Pajama cardinals , royal grama, scooter blennies and chalk basslets. They are hardy peaceful guys that are really easy to take care of and get along pretty well. Not to beat a dead horse because o.g. already mentioned this there is a very good chance that your clowns will really gang up on that damsel. That can cause a pretty nasty situation because damsels are just about impossible to catch. I pick one or the other if it were me. "which it isn't." Just wanted to let you know they may get along just fine though.
hth
Chris:)
 
Originally posted by maxilaria
well it really depends on what you like but, I have a weakness for Pajama cardinals , royal grama, scooter blennies and chalk basslets. They are hardy peaceful guys that are really easy to take care of and get along pretty well. Not to beat a dead horse because o.g. already mentioned this there is a very good chance that your clowns will really gang up on that damsel. That can cause a pretty nasty situation because damsels are just about impossible to catch. I pick one or the other if it were me. "which it isn't." Just wanted to let you know they may get along just fine though.
hth
Chris:)
Click to expand...

I keep the Yellowtail Blue damsels and clowns in a lot of tanks together. Added together It has not been a problem. They claim different territories and defend them; but do not do any real damage to each other. After a week it is pretty much settled and the rules are established between them.

Ray
 
I suppose that I sort of panicked when I saw the initial reaction. They were after each other big time in my 90 so I ended up moving them to another tank. Oh well you live you learn :rolleyes: . It took me about 2 hours and a whole redesign of my l.r. to catch em to lol.
chris
 
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