FishProfiles.com Message Forums

what would be the best stock for my 40B out of the following fish?

-pair of Cinnamon Clownfish or other clownfish
-Royal Gramma Basslet
-Sailfin/Algae Blenny
-longnose hawkfish
-Fridmani Pseudochromis

any other fish ideas for active personal fish?

I couldn't fit all of them could i?

You definitely couldn't have all of those, but I would want to know all the equipment (sump? protein skimmer? LR? refugium?) and filtration and other aims for the tank (like do you want inverts or is this going to be a reef tank?) before I'd comment on what you could possibly keep in a not-so-large tank like a 40 breeder.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

i have a reef octopus hob protein skimmer working well, 50 lbs live rock, and maybe an anenome but probaly not, just corals most likly

Tip: do NOT ever try mixing a Dottyback with a Royal Gramma. The Gramma will be harassed even by a relatively 'laid back' species such as the Orchid Dottyback, and in the case of some of the other Dottyback species, they'll kill the Gramma.

In fact, I would give Dottybacks a miss full stop in anything smaller than a 55, and preferably wait until you have a 75 or over to house one, because they can be VERY assertive with respect to their chosen territory and its defence. Some species will even beat up Damselfishes twice their own size unless there's enough space for the fishes to coexist without territorial overlap!

Go for a nice peaceful Goby or Blenny that won't be too demanding on space, then arrange the decor so that you have some overhangs to make a Royal Gramma happy. In your 40, I'd say you can have 3 fishes maximum, and they'd better be small and reasonably sociable. On that basis I'd skip the Clownfishes (bit too close to Damselfishes temperament wise for comfort in such a restricted space), so if you're looking for some variety, try a small Fairy Wrasse or Flasher Wrasse (you can find a species that stays a nice small size by scanning Fishbase for the requisite Genera - Cirrhilabrus for Fairy Wrasses, Paracheilinus for Flasher Wrasses). Put the Goby/Blenny in first, then add the Fairy Wrasse/Flasher Wrasse and the Gramma at the same time afterwards.

If you run with the above combination - Goby/Blenny of some sort, followed by a Fairy/Flasher Wrasse and a Royal Gramma - then you're maximally stocked. Do NOT try and add any more fishes from that point on! And ONLY attempt that level of stocking if you have excellent quality filtration (preperably with spare capacity) and spares easily to hand to deal with any malfunctions. Last thing you want to have happen in that setup is a drop off in water quality with expensive fishes residing in the aquarium.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002