Order of Fish "Operations?"

[kaelyne3]

So we tested our water last night and it tested perfect so now it is time to add our first purchased fish to our “Pet” LR and the 2 hitchhikers that came with it (one looks a very tiny feather duster and the other looks like a tiny white starfish).
We are hoping to have a nice mix of small compatible fish and simple (cleaner crew type) invertebrates. It is a 37 gallon tank with 90 lbs LR, 100 gallon capacity protein skimmer, Millennium 3000 power filter & 2 submersible pumps for water circulation. The only issue we are having at all is the presence of some brown algae which the LFS tells us is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
That being said we are wondering what to add as our first inhabitant(s). The LFS is telling us to add 5 hermit crabs, 3 snails and 2 gobies. They have also said that we can add 1-2 shrimps as well if we want at this point. However, since I am new to all of this I wanted to double check here to be safe as this sounds like it could be way too many things to add all at once. Assuming that it is and that we will need to pare it down what would be your suggestions of numbers and the order to add them? We are hoping to eventually have the following and want to give them the best chance possible at survival and compatibility:
2 false percula clowns (3")
1 Neon Goby (1/2")
1 Pink & Blue Goby (3")
1 sailfin, scooter or lawnmower blenny (4")
3 Blue Reef Chromis (2") or 2 Bangaii Cardinals (3")
1 Royal Gramma (3")
1 Lemon Peel Pygmy Angel (4")
1 Randalli Pistol Shrimp (1/2")
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp (1")
2 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs or Hawaiian Zebra Hermits (1/4")
3 Scarlet hermit crabs (1")
3 Nassarius snails (3/4")
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!!
Stephanie

 

[pfitz44]

Originally Posted by kaelyne3
2 false percula clowns (3")
1 Neon Goby (1/2")
1 Pink & Blue Goby (3")
1 sailfin, scooter or lawnmower blenny (4")
3 Blue Reef Chromis (2") or 2 Bangaii Cardinals (3")
1 Royal Gramma (3")
1 Lemon Peel Pygmy Angel (4")
1 Randalli Pistol Shrimp (1/2")
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp (1")
2 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs or Hawaiian Zebra Hermits (1/4")
3 Scarlet hermit crabs (1")
3 Nassarius snails (3/4")
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!!
Stephanie

2 false percula clowns (3")- If theyre paired already, great, if not, get one smaller than the other or they will fight to the death
1 Neon Goby (1/2")-Good
1 Pink & Blue Goby (3")-Good
1 sailfin, scooter or lawnmower blenny (4")-Nope
3 Blue Reef Chromis (2") or 2 Bangaii Cardinals (3")-Nope
1 Royal Gramma (3")-Nope
1 Lemon Peel Pygmy Angel (4")-Nope
1 Randalli Pistol Shrimp (1/2")
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp (1")
2 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs or Hawaiian Zebra Hermits (1/4")
3 Scarlet hermit crabs (1")
3 Nassarius snails (3/4")
Cleanup crew is fine

 

[mrdc]

Why nope on the gramma? Tank size?

 

[pfitz44]

yea.. thats what im thinking.... its only a 37

 

[coachklm]

howd you get all the LR in there....lol

sounds good start slow and re-arrage territories as fish are added ..docile or not.

 

[coachklm]

Originally Posted by PFitz44
2 false percula clowns (3")- If theyre paired already, great, if not, get one smaller than the other or they will fight to the death
1 Neon Goby (1/2")-Good
1 Pink & Blue Goby (3")-Good
1 sailfin, scooter or lawnmower blenny (4")-Nope
3 Blue Reef Chromis (2") or 2 Bangaii Cardinals (3")-Nope
1 Royal Gramma (3")-Nope
1 Lemon Peel Pygmy Angel (4")-Nope
1 Randalli Pistol Shrimp (1/2")
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp (1")
2 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs or Hawaiian Zebra Hermits (1/4")
3 Scarlet hermit crabs (1")
3 Nassarius snails (3/4")
Cleanup crew is fine

 

[kaelyne3]

Originally Posted by PFitz44
1 sailfin, scooter or lawnmower blenny (4")-Nope
3 Blue Reef Chromis (2") or 2 Bangaii Cardinals (3")-Nope
1 Royal Gramma (3")-Nope
1 Lemon Peel Pygmy Angel (4")-Nope

So is that a no on any of those choices because of size or temperament or both? If so what else do you recommend? With just 2 clowns and 2 gobies and the cleanup crew it seems like we are nowhere near our 1-2'' per gallon limit (it would only be at approx 17.75") and would have more room for at least a couple more fish of some type or another, wouldn't we?
Thanks.

 

[coachklm]

post up a pic (full shot) of your tank .......that live rock takes up alot ....alot of swimming room ..

 

[pfitz44]

there really is not inch/gallon rule.... and the best one ive heard for salt water is 1" per 5 gallons... that gets you in the rough area of how many fish to add.... ex:
Im my 55, w/ 5.5 gal fuge, i have:
Dwarf Lion
2 False Pec. Clowns
Flame Angel
Royal Dottyback
LMB
Red Anntia goby
And some will say that im over my bioload...

 

[yimmy]

I'm not sure about the fish...I have that much lr, the thing though is the tank is a95gal

 

[wax32]

The so-called rule isn't one or two inches of fish per gallon. It's one inch of ADULT fish per 5 gallons. This isn't set in stone but is a very generic guideline. Going by this guideline, you are looking at 7 inches of adult fish in your tank. A pair of clowns and maybe a small blenny, goby and/or wrasse is all I would put in a tank that small.

 

[kaelyne3]

I misspoke. There is 50 lbs of LR in the tank, not 90. Sorry.
So how does that change things (if at all)?
Thanks again

 

[pfitz44]

none at all. I stand by my list still

 

[misfit]

Thats O.K. you feel that the list doesnt seem like it has a lot. Right? This hobby is VERY addicting!In no time you will be upgrading to a bigger tank. Thats why I always tell people to go as big as they can 1st tank, not only cause its easier the bigger but that it holds MORE. Thats how I got up a 210. My husband and I would love to go to a 400 someday!!!

 

[misfit]

and an added benifit would be you can use the tank you have now for a QT.

 

[misty927]

In my opinion, that list sounds highly overstocked. With all of that live rock, you have to realize how much water is actually present considering the volume replaced by the live rock. If it were my setup, I would start out with the pair of clowns, then add one of the gobies, and a hawkfish (possibly a pygmy angel depending on the length of the tank, size/species of other inhabitants, etc). Have you thought about the hawkfish family? They have tons of personality and are great to watch...they can be a little aggressive at times, so i would add last.
I would go four, MAXIMUM five if very small, fish. I tend to be somewhat conservative, however. Although some may disagree, for example, I find PFitz's 55 overstocked for my taste. In my experiences, I find that the other tank inhabitants, not fish, sometimes prove to be the most interesting. Four fish may not seem like a lot, but it's all about a healthy environment that the inhabitants feel comfortable leading an active life. Less is more, I guess you could say! Good luck!

 

[kaelyne3]

First off, thanks for bearing with a newbie. Your advice is much appreciated. I kinda figured the list was probably too ambitious which is why I asked before actually getting anything. I just wanted to make sure first.
Anyway, I have removed the angel, chromis, cardinals & scooter from the list for sure. This leaves:
1 false percula clown
1 Neon Goby
1 Pink & Blue Goby
1 Sailfin or Lawnmower Blenny
1 Randalli Pistol Shrimp
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs or Hawaiian Zebra Hermits
3 Scarlet hermit crabs
3 Nassarius snails
1)Does this look more reasonable?
2)Would the clown be happy living by himself or do they prefer another clown with them?
3)Which order would you add them in and how many at once bc I am picking up the first ones this weekend?
Thanks again!