fish and coral stocking suggestions?

[sharkboy]

I am looking for input on types of fishes and corals to put in my 215. What kinds of angels have you all had success with in a reef? I plan to have mainly lps and softies initially. Another thing...I have also read that it is a good idea to put in corals before the fishes. Is this necessary? I have a general idea but I want to know what has worked in the past. I am taking things slowly. Once I develop a list I will need to determine what goes in first and so forth.

[lachrimae]

I've had a Coral Beauty angel in my 135Gallon for about 9 months and it hasn't done more than occasionally nip at a feather duster or a toadstool leather coral polyp. I've found that it nips lightly for a few weeks & then loses interest. This could possibly get more serious as the fish gets older but it's fine for now. (btw, I would recommend adding the angel as one of your last fish if possible to prevent some aggression)

I think the reason why some say to add all corals before fish is because fish will sometimes see new additions as food that they're supposed to eat. Although this a potential problem, there is no way that you're going to stop adding coral to your tank after you have fish... it's just too addictive :)

I used to worry a lot about what I added to the tank that might nip on a coral here or there but as long as it's not doing any real damage, I don't care anymore & just let nature run it's course (to an extent).

Keep in mind that LPS & Softies don't always mix very well (i.e. torch's can get killed by leathers if too close). I have softies, LPS & SPS in mine & everything is fine but there are some placement issues you will need to plan for.

Great idea to get a list of everything you want in the tank before moving forward. I wish I'd been so patient...

[TexasTodd]

Sand, rock, and water first.

Cure

Fish

Balance

Corals slowly

:)

Todd

[sharkboy]

Thanks! I would also like some input on anemones and how they will affect different corals. I know they will move around until they hopefully find a comfort area, but I am guessing running into other corals could be damaging???

[TexasTodd]

Anemones can be fairly tricky to keep.

I'd wait 6 months before trying one and try a Bubble Tip. They need pretty good light...generally halide and fairly strong current.

They can kill about any coral, but usually don't move around too much ONCE they find a spot they like. If you change the lighting or current that can cause them to move again.

Todd

[lachrimae]

If you get an anemone, I'd recommend getting one that split from another in captivity.

I personally am against importing more anemones from the wild due to the very low survival rate.

Todd is correct, 6 mo. minimum...

[sharkboy]

What other reef type fishes do you all recommend and what kind of corals are good starters once water conditions are suitable?

[lachrimae]

Fish:
A school of blue/green chromis or anthias or cardinal fish.
With that tank size, a tang would be nice but I'd add that last along with the angel.
If you plan to add a mandarin or lawn mower blenny, wait until the tank is VERY well established. I'd wait 6 months for the blenny & a year for the mandarin.
Various gobies such as neon or watchman. You may only be able to add one or two.
Clownfish pair.
Six Line Wrasse if you keep clams

Corals: (for a young tank)
Zoanthids
Mushrooms/Ricordea
Toadstool leather (stay away from yellow fiji leather until the tank matures)
Xenia/Anthelia
Green star polyps
Some short tentacled plate corals could work out ok
Maybe brain corals...

Stay away from sponges & most gorgonians.

[sharkboy]

Thanks! Any other crowd favorites for after the tank matures? Again, I am working on a long term list. I know this is difficult due to things such as availability and timing but I am willing to be patient. I also don't want to have to remove any fishes/corals.

[sharkboy]

Experiences with butterfly fishes?

[cbianco]

Sharkboy

I love the Pajama Cardinalfish myself. They are nocturnal but will eventually come out during the day. Only downside is that you will never get them to take flake food (from my experience). However they love frozen food! :)

Christopher

[GaryP]

Experiences with butterfly fishes?
Butterflies can be pretty challenging. First because its hard to get a healthy one from an LFS and second because they are picky eaters. Be prepared to provide a specialized diet duch as live mussels for them for at least a year until you can get them weaned over to frozen food.

[sharkboy]

I read somewhere that the longnose is the most likely to be kept successfully in a reef. Any experience with this?

[sharkboy]

Want to get some input on Tangs, which Tangs can coexist ? Can the Naso, powder blue, and or hippo and yellow all be in one tank or will they be aggressive towards each other?

[GaryP]

I read somewhere that the longnose is the most likely to be kept successfully in a reef. Any experience with this?
I've heard the same thing and plan on adding one in the near future. All of my experience has been with CBB. Instar is our local butterfly expert. Try PMing him.

[ATMgueedo]

Get a few bannerfish. "poor man's moorish idle". Very pretty and hardy. Mine are eating like crazy. Keeping away from the corals.

[sharkboy]

When should inverts like shrimp and sand sifting starfish be introduced?

[GaryP]

Shrimp can be added at the same time as the corals.

Sand sifting starfish - never. They have a tendency to strip the sand bed of benefical critters such as good worms.

[sharkboy]

What do you recommend to stir up the sand other than snails and sml hermits?

[sharkboy]

Any recommendations for refugium inhabitants and when should I put them in?

[sharkboy]

I've got some chaeto, live rock rubble and about 4 inches of live sand in my refugium. also have a few snails. It is being lit by a 130 watt 50/50 power compact on a reverse photoperiod. What other critters should I add?