Is a 65 gallon too small for a school of chromis?

[jonw59]

So I originally never thought Id want these little guys but after seeing a school of them at my lfs I think they give some real character to a tank. From what I've read on other forums it seems like it is best to keep them in odd numbers and 7 seems to be the lucky number. I'm pushing it as is with what fish I'd like to have. Currently I have a ocellaris clown, lawnmower blenny, and a damsel. My wish list is a flame angle, a mandarin goby, and a leopard wrasse. Id really like a school of blue chromis in addition to those. I feel like 13 fish would be pushing it a bit much. It is a 65 gallon with a 20 gallon sump/refugium, at the moment it is a fish only tank but im slowing moving toward a reef tank. I am aware of the mandarin copapod need (hence the refugium) and I know a flame angle is a risk with reef system. Also what would be the best order to introduce these guys to decrease the aggression.

 

[grant778]

13 fish sounds like too many. Probably half that amount would be ok depending on the size and needs of the fish.

 

[jonw59]

Ya I do realize that. are there any fish that will school in groups of 3-4?

 

[grant778]

You could probably do 4 yellow striped cardinal fish. Since you already have 3 other fish in the aquarium I'm not sure if I would add any more fish than that :/ Also, that damsel is a little worrisome because the cardinal fish I suggested (and a lot of other small schooling fish) are peaceful and could be picked on or killed by the damsel. So I wouldn't add the Cardinal fish unless you get rid of the damsel because most damsels tend to be very aggressive.

 

[jonw59]

I do hate my damsel he's just a pain. I'll look into the yellow striped cardinal fish. From what I've been reading it seems like more people fail with the chromis than succeed, so I may stay away from them for now

 

[zoidberg01]

If you get a wrasse you have to watch out because when you put him in the tank hes going to start to attack everything because it's scared

 

[zoidberg01]

Also chromis can turn annoying and pick on the fish especially if they have long fins and they will fight and probably loose

 

[jonw59]

any other thoughts on my other tank selections? like I said currently I have an ocellaris clown, lawnmower blenny, and a damsel. I'd like to add a flame angle, a mandarin goby, and a leopard wrasse. Would these 6 be alright with each other and if so what would be the best order to introduce the last 3 fish?

 

[jay0705]

Angel last. While the Mandy can be added any time BC they don't bother a thing your tank needs enough pods for them to eat. I've been lucky w mine they eat frozen and pellets but u can't bank on them doing that.

 

[jonw59]

Anyone have experience with a leopard wrasse? I'm still doing research on them, they seem like a difficult fish in the beginning. From what I've read it sounds like a must to QT them but a bit risky to keep alive while being QT. I was also planning on getting another clown to pair with mine but as I looked into it many people claimed it made both clowns very territorial/protective. I'm hesitant because right now hes the friendliest little guy in my tank. I do have a refugium set up in order to hopefully sustain enough pods for the mandarin, but I still have a few months before I'd consider getting one.

 

[jay0705]

In most cases clowns are best added togather in pairs. Now if u have either a large or small u can try one of the opp size. Females are larger. But that doesn't mean it will work. I have 2 occ clowns and the smaller of the 2 when I got them is now the bigger. But they get alone well.

 

[jonw59]

So as far as getting the pods from the refugium to the DT I have heard of 3 methods. 1) switching the live rock between the two tanks 2) siphoning them out of the refugium and into the DT and 3) that they will migrate on their own via the return pump. Any suggestions on the best method, id rather not move the LR between tanks. Im also unsure the pods would still be alive after going through the return pump

 

[zoidberg01]

Wrasses are mostly aggressive with little fish

 

[jay0705]

Siphon or lr it. I bring in new lr every month or so just for the new alage,my tank and fox love it