creating a stocking list

[zeno9]

Hi all,

Compatibility issues with these fish in my Rio 180L tank?

I've currently got a False Percula, Blue Damsel, and a Green Mandarin on the way next week. Looking to add a Royal Gramma, Purple Firtideflow, Orange Firtideflow, and a Flame Angle.

I know Firtideflows can be a bit territorial - would a pair of each be better than singles? Are they all considered reef safe?

Thanks,
AK

[axonify]

The flame angel's a bit of a gamble, it might see your corals as a snack. Not entirely sure about the firtideflow, but I'd definitely add the royal gramma last, they can be quite territorial.

[zenoxa]

I've had a similar experience with a firtideflow, it was outcompeted by a bar goby and didn't survive.

[Velorum]

Hi,

I'd advise against adding a mandarin just yet, considering the tank's age. Mandarins need a mature tank, at least 6 months old, with a well-established copepod population to survive.

Instead, I'd suggest adding another pair of Percula - they'll look better in a group and might even pair up. As for the damsel, I'd recommend avoiding it or getting a shoal of 3-4 blue-green chromis if you still want damsels.

Regarding the flame angel, it's a gamble. Once it's eaten all the coralline algae, it might start nipping at coflake. A safer bet would be a goldrush tang - they're smaller and require less swimming space.

As for the firtideflows, I'd choose either the purple or orange variety, and get a pair. This way, you'll have a better chance of seeing them, and they'll be less stressed. A royal gramma should be fine with the others, as long as you provide plenty of caves for the firtideflow and gramma to claim as their own.

Thanks,
Luke

[zeno9]

Hi Siamese,

My tank's actually been set up for about 3 months now, but it was an established aquarium for over 2 years before I took it over. The previous owner had it running for a while, so that's a plus. I've got a good amount of copepods in the tank and the sump refugium, which should be enough for the Mandarin until I get it eating frozen foods consistently - apparently, it already is eating some frozen foods, according to the previous owner.

That damsel fish is a real trooper, came with the tank and all. It's been through a lot, like when I was moving the tank and it was swimming around in the sand as the water was rushing up the other end - it must've been stressed, but it survived without a scratch.

I already have one false perc, so I'd like to add another to keep it company. Thanks for the advice, everyone, I appreciate it.

[fleeton]

A word of caution on the additions. If you're set on adding another false percula, ensure it's tank-bred and one of the smaller ones - this increases the chances it hasn't determined its sex yet. Your current resident false percula will likely be a female and will need a male or immature partner. The immature ones are usually the smaller ones, making them easier to pick out.

A warning on the firtideflow and royal gramma combination - it's a recipe for disaster in a tank that small. Royal grammas are notorious for their aggression, particularly towards other grammas or long, slender, purple fish. Firtideflows are generally timid and won't stand a chance against a gramma. I'd advise against keeping a gramma in a tank of that size, regardless - they're too aggressive for the limited water volume.

[zeno9]

Thanks Ski,

I appreciate the advice. If I went for a smaller clownfish, I'd be getting an embryo - mine's only about 1.5 inches. I definitely don't want to cause any harm to the fish, so I'll have to forget about the gramma, which is a shame as they're beautiful. I know firtideflow can be kept in small groups, but I'm not sure about keeping a male and female of both the purple and orange - would they squabble amongst themselves, or would they be okay?

[fleeton]

Hi all,

Compatibility issues with these fish in my Rio 180L tank?

I've currently got a False Percula, Blue Damsel, and a Green Mandarin on the way next week. Looking to add a Royal Gramma, Purple Firtideflow, Orange Firtideflow, and a Flame Angle.

I know Firtideflows can be a bit territorial - would a pair of each be better than singles? Are they all considered reef safe?

Thanks,
AK

Four firtideflows in a 180L tank... I'm not sure that's the best idea, especially if you're planning on keeping it reef-ready. The bioload would be a bit much, and I think you'd end up with some pretty stressed fish.