55 gallon stock list.

moneylaw

moneylaw

Member
Hi,
I am starting a new FOWLR (may be a couple of corals). I haven't buy any fish or LR yet. I just want to check with you guys on my initial fish list.
Basically, I want variety of colors, as many color as possible. I will have a 55 gallon (4 feet long) tank with about 50 lbs of live sand and 55 to 75 lbs of LR. I will have 10 gallon refugium with chaeto and LR in it. Here is my list.
2 False Percula clown (orange ) 2 because I heard they like a pair.
flame angel (red)
yellow tang (yellow)
blue damsel (blue)
orchid dortyback (orchid)
Mandarin Dragonet (green) will add after 6 months.
fire shrimp
cleaner skunk shrimp
some hermit crabs (blue leg, red leg, green leg)
some snails.
How does it look? Any problem, aggressiveness? too many fishes? Any other color suggestion? Do I need some fishes to turn the sand? any other clean up crew? All your inputs are much appreciated. Thanks.
 
moneylaw

moneylaw

Member
Also please let me know the names and quantity of invertebrates (snails, crabs, what else) I should add to the tank. I don't want to start the wrong way, so I would really appreciate if you please share your experience. Thanks.
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
It's up to you on the tang, but most people say they need at least 120 gallons. The mandrin will definitely fit spacewise in the tank...but in case you don't know they often starve in tanks because they need a steady flow of copepods. I don't know much about it, but I think you may be able to grow them in the refugium, you should check that out.
As far as a cleaning crew, there are some reef packages on the side that can give you a clue as to how many, but you are unlikely to buy too much. You could probably put 50 hermit crabs and 30 snails in there...but I'd stagger the additions along w/the fish you add, because there won't be as much waste production at the beginning when there are fewer fish.
 
lovecraft

lovecraft

Member
I'd seriously consider lowering the number of crabs. I've got 12 in my 46 and I think they are too many IMO. I think 20 hermits and 3 emeralds is way too many recommended in 40-55gal. This is JMO. They will definitely put a dent in the number of snails you get for bigger shells, food, or out of boredom.
I just lost a nassarius due to they have something tasty on their shells from wherever they came from. The hermits won't leave them alone and will hold them in place while they get whatever it is they are after. It's like watching a gang of thugs after somebody's wallet.
Don't get me wrong I think hermits are beneficial because they are the first to the scene in getting something that has died and in over feeding, just not in the numbers they are typically reccomended. I think 10-12 would be plenty for a 55 gal.
I've got a dozen other snails 6 and 6 of trochus and cerith and 10(9 now) of nassarius. I have very little algae. I also have a lettuce nudi, a fighting conch, 2 peppermint shrimp, a skunk, a fire and a brittle star. I like a varied CUC and I like having different looking critters to do similar jobs. I may add a few more snails at some point cause I think snails are the best at what they do, as long as the hermits don't screw with them.
I also like filter feeders, I have a feather duster, a porcelain crab, and a yellow cuke. Their impact as "cleaners" are debatable since I add plankton to feed them, but they are wonderful to watch and I justify their existance as part of my cleanup crew to filter "nitrates" out of the water column.
 
moneylaw

moneylaw

Member
Thank you all for your reply.
lovecraft and garnet, your replys were very informative.
WangoTango, why do you say that I should loose madarin? Could you elaborate on that? I understand they need lots of copepods and other stuff for food, that is why I am thinking about adding it after 6 months and I do plan to buy 200 copepods from this site and established them in my refug before adding madarin. Is there any other reason why you think I should not get madarin? Thanks
 
nick76

nick76

Active Member
When people say mandrins eat alot of copods, it means they eat all-day-long. Chances are even if you seed the tank often with pods it will still never be enough. U would probably need to seed at least 200 a week or more.
I went though this process awhile back cause I wanted one for my 55 however I decided to pass because in the end I didnt want to starve the poor fish accidentaly.
 
michael r

michael r

Member
Most people recommend to add a Mandarin into an aquarium no younger than 1 year.
After 6 months, it is unlikely, even with seeding I believe, that it will survive long.
 
miaheatlvr

miaheatlvr

Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
i would lose the yellow tang and mandarin. everything else should be ok.
-Justin
I would even loose the damsel as well, they can be pests and bullies..
 
miaheatlvr

miaheatlvr

Active Member
Originally Posted by Nick76
When people say mandrins eat alot of copods, it means they eat all-day-long. Chances are even if you seed the tank often with pods it will still never be enough. U would probably need to seed at least 200 a week or more.
I went though this process awhile back cause I wanted one for my 55 however I decided to pass because in the end I didnt want to starve the poor fish accidentaly.
I agree 100% I think even after 6 months I dont think your pod population will be established enough, and not enough will be transfered over from the fuge.
 
team2jndd

team2jndd

Active Member
I would say the tank is too small for the tang or mandarin. You can buy pods on this site I believe something like 2-3000 at a time but with the tank that small, it won't last long. Damsels are devilfish I would suggest chromis. Hermits I would add as you go. After the cycle... start with 5. If they don't get the job done add 5 more. This way you don't pay for a bunch of hermits that are going to kill eachother/starve.
 
moneylaw

moneylaw

Member
Thanks. My list keeps shrinking. :-( I guess I just have to research more. So far only
2 False Percula clown (orange ) 2 because I heard they like a pair.
flame angel (red)
orchid dortyback (orchid)
missing blue, yellow and green.
Any suggestions for fishes with those colors? I would prefer to have solid bright colors not like anthias or green chromis.
 
moneylaw

moneylaw

Member
Originally Posted by Brandan
I know it is small, but I love my Yellow Clown Goby.
Yeah, these guys look real nice. Are they sand sifting goby like diamond goby? From what I have read so far, they are not. :-(
so many fishes, so little space tank.
 
am00re34

am00re34

Member
as suggested replace the damsel with a green or blue/green chromis. They are friendly fish and if you get a few of them will school which adds a nice element to the tank. They also almost always stay in the open so you can see them.
I know everyone says you shouldn't keep a tang in a 55, but i've had a yellow tang for about a year now with no problems. would larger be better? sure, but thats the case for any fish IMO.
The mandarin i agree with everyone else. I tried keeping one in my 55 and it died about 3months later. I didnt do my research so i'm glad you are.
A 6-line was suggested. I have never had one, but they are a beautiful fish. they have many colors and swim around like crazy. (at least my buddies does).
 
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