Time to restock the 65g

[BSJF]

My daughter's B-day is coming up so I thought that would be a good time to restock the 65g tank she is tending for me in Utah. Looking for suggestions for fishies.

I think it currently hosts a pink skunk anemone fish, maybe a dragonet. She has had SW fish for several years now and the tank is very established, but want fish that are easy to care for.

Since the tank is fairly small, I like fish that hang out in the water column rather than hide in the rocks. The top isn't covered, but some precautions for a casual attempt at a jump are in place (canopy and gutter guard on the back).

[Europhyllia]

This is probably an unusual choice but I really like my small group of masked gobies. They make things look so natural with their tiny size hovering like gnats in their area.
Usually we see the same size fish over and over in different colors. A group of tiny fish just adds some interest and variety for me.

[BSJF]

Unusual as well as not available.

Is everyone else speechless?


I stand corrected, she has a pink clown, a mandarin, coral beauty, and 1 blue/green chromis. The following fish are on her wishlist (not all, I'm just supposed to surprize her):
Anthias (Bartlett, Disbar, or Lyretail) - had disbar previously and they did well for her
Golden Midas Blenny
Copperband Butterflyfish
Bluespotted Watchman Goby
Green Clown Gobys (these guys are little so she wants 2)
Yellow Watchman Goby & Pistol Shrimp Pair
Melanurus Wrasse

[Jarob]

I looove the idea of a group of masked gobies. Of her wishlist you should def. get her a goby/shrimp pair, they are so amazing to watch together!

[BSJF]

The last goby/shrimp pair I put in my 125 didn't even hit the ground before the shrimp was gobbled up by my tang. I could have killed him!

Are pistol shrimp compatible with harlequin shrimp? She has one of those. Big dude.

[Jarob]

good question because I would like both aswell

[BSJF]

I would think they would be.

[BSJF]

Well, this is what I decided on.

Golden Midas Blenny, Ecsenius midas, Africa
Copperband Butterflyfish , Chelmon rostratus, Indo Pacific
Pink Skunk Anemonefish, Amphiprion perideraion, FIJI
Yellow Watchman Goby , Cryptocentrus cinctus , Sri Lanka
Melanurus Wrasse, Halichoeres melanurus, Fiji, Male
Anemone Porcelain Crab, Neopetrolisthes spp., Indo Pacific

[kkiel02]

Is there coral in the tank? If so and you want to be safe I would do a pyramid butterfly instead of the copperband. Love the Midas Blennies. If I can find/catch my porcelain crab you can have it. They(or at least mine is) are nocturnal and always hiding. It is colored very nice though but its ashame its never out.

[kkiel02]

What about Fairy Wrasses? Mine are always out and about swimming everywhere. Plus they come in soo many different colors.

[BSJF]

Sorry Kevin, decision made, order placed.

There are corals, and I really hesitated about the CBB, but in the end got it because she has had an aiptasia problem forever.
I chose a Melanurus wrasse because she hasn't ever had one and fell in love with mine when she was here.

[kkiel02]

That is a great list. The Melanurus are a great choice as well. I recently got rid of my aiptasia with a couple peppermint shrimp in the 125 gallon if the cbb doesnt do it. Some also have great success keeping cbb in reef tanks so I wouldnt sweat it too much.

[BSJF]

She has tried the peppermint shrimp without success, otherwise that would have been my first choice too.

[Kristy]

Let us know how she likes her cool bitthday gift!

[BSJF]

Well the wrasse was practically DOA due to a water leak in the bag. She put him in and hasn't seen him since. She said the watchman was really small and parished within minutes. The CBB seems to be in good shape. The midas is on the fence. The pink skunk has already found its mate and the anemone. Little anem crabby hasn't found its nem yet, but seems happy anyway.

[BSJF]

CBB didn't make it either.

[Europhyllia]

That sucks

(can I say that or will that be filtered?)

[Kristy]

Dang... those are terrible survival rates! Sorry about your multiple losses. I wonder if ordering fish online this time of year is more risky?

[BSJF]

3rd order in a row I have had issues with. At least 5 of the 7 fish lost in these 3 orders are clearly a result of poor packaging. The watchman may have been a result of his small size (even though I ordered medium). CBBs are always sensitive and I knew that was a risky purchase.

I got much of my existing stock online in December 2009 after experiencing several losses from fish purchased locally. Every single thing survived (I expected casualties).

[Europhyllia]

I was scared after your recent experiences but they're the only supplier that offers certain fishes sexed. I got my order today and I guess they treat their anthias a little nicer than their wrasses: all arrived in a cozy warm package, plenty of water and so far very healthy and active - already schooling and eating. Got lucky...