50 Gallon Stocking

[ZanaZoola14]

Hello,

I am looking at stocking my newest tank and would like some opinions on it. The tank is larger than 50 us gallons, however I have "removed" some gallons to take into account the hardscape.

Actual —
Length x width x height
Inches — 69.69x12x15.75
cm — 177x30x40 approx

"Working"/internal —
Length x width x height
Inches — 69x11.9x14
cm — 175.26x27.94x35.56

This tank will be sumped! I luckily managed to get myself an overflow bit so this tank is now capable of being sumped, the size of the sump is still unknown due to not having it yet. I have room to add on a decent sized hang on refugium to the tank, as well as an ato if my sump size ends up rather small.
I am hoping for a sump size around 15 us gallons, if that is good?

I've already started this tank off to help with getting it cycled, so it currently has around half an inch of sand in there alongside 5kg of rock including some live rock I took from my other tank to seed some of the dry stuff. I was also given mangroves so they are in this tank as well.

I will be increasing the rock as well, another 3kg increased over the next couple of days. And hopefully when I can get a lift to the lfs I can get the final amount of rock in wet live rock. (Although I will be adding to it once I can get some branches). The rock is directly on the glass, with the sand surrounding it.

Any corals for the tank are likely to just be zoes and softies, as well as possible macroalgae. The lights on it currently are not very good, but I hope to upgrade these in the future.

I make my own saltwater as I have an RO/DI unit. Instant Ocean salt. I do also occasionally use natural saltwater as well.

Before I show the lists of fish I like, let me do some explanation. I am not intending to do all these fish. Only those in Known are guaranteed to happen. Otherwise the other two lists are based on the number I gave them, the higher the number, the more I am interested in them. Those in the Possible list are of more interest than those in the Lower list.

Known
1x Chalk Basslet
1x Assessor Basslet (yellow or blue)
2x Flame Scooter Blenny (m&f)

I do have a spare tank already running that either of these basslets can be moved into if needed. But I want to give it a shot

Possible
1x Possum Wrasse (yellow?) (6)
2x Banggai Cardinal (6)
3x PJ Cardinal (7)
1x Barred Spiny Basslet (6)
1x Yellowfin Flasher Wrasse (6) Paracheilinus flavianalis
1x Multicolour Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse (5) Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
1x McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse (8) Paracheilinus mccoskeri
1x Ruby Longfin Fairy Wrasse (8) Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis
1x Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse (8) Cirrhilabrus naokoae

Here I understand that I will only be able to have a Ruby Longfin or a Naoko's due to them coming from the same subspecies of fairy wrasse. Which one I get will likely end up as which one the lfs can get in as I like them equally.

Lower
1x Starry Algae Blenny (7)
1x Blue Stripe Pipefish (4)
1x Golden Dwarf Moray (2)
1x Snowflake Moray (2)
1x Jawfish (yellowhead?) (9)
1x Longnose Hawkfish (6)
4x Blackfin Dartfish (6)
4x Barnacle Blenny (4)
1x Greenbanded Goby (5)
4x Blue Gudgeon (6)
1x Blue Cheek Goby (4)
2x Purple Firefish (6)
1x Silver Belly Wrasse (5) Halichoeres leucoxanthus (1" sand)
1x Peacock Leopard Wrasse (5) Macropharyngodon bipartitus (1" sand)
1x Red-Lined Wrasse (5) Halichoeres biocellatus (1" sand)

Here I know the wrasses will need a deeper sand than what I already have. However, I can always deepen areas as well for them.

I don't know whether the eels are actually likely, due to wanting these smaller fish that they might see as snacks. Also whether the width of the tank would stop them, even with their noodle soft curling up. Anyone have any experience on what sort of "size" fish these eels have the chance of eating?

CUC
3x Cleaner Shrimp
2x Pods
5x Nass snails
2x Spiny Astrea snail
2x Conch
2x Tuxedo Urchin (?)
4x Trochus snails
5x Nerite snails

Here the tuxedo urchin has a (?) due to how I am debating doing macroalgae in the display and I know that these would eat it.

With my tank size I understand that I cannot have any fish larger than 6".

To help with the numbers in the bracket, treat it like a 1 — lowest chance of having, 10 — guarantee of having. For instance clownfish would be a 0 due to how I don't want them no matter what.

The jawfish is a 9, a very high rating, but not moving up because I have a yellowhead/pearly jawfish in my other tank. And as much as I love the little idiot, I don't know if I want two of the same fish in there.

Please feel free to suggest fish, or reasons for fish to change categories, as nothing is set in stone. I am struggling to also work out what sort of numbers I could do for this tank, as it is not like the little nano I was originally planning. For instance, I think that Tomini Tangs are small enough for this tank, but I am not sure whether the width/depth of this tank would be fair for them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, whether that is on the stocking or otherwise. As well as maybe anyone who has any idea on the order of adding livestock to the tank?

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Try to get a sump that is at least half the length of the main display tank (eg: 3ft long x 12inch wide x 15-18 inches high). A bigger sump would be even better. This will give you more water volume.

Can you get a bigger tank or are you limited to space?
An aquarium that is 15 inches high x 12 inches wide doesn't give much room for fish or scaping even if the tank is nearly 6ft long. An aquarium that is 18 inches high x 18 inches wide would provide a lot more room.

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No eels, they will eat shrimp and fish like the assessors if you miss their dinner. Eels also jump so any tank for them needs a tight fighting coverglass otherwise you find them dry and crispy on the floor.

Sea urchins are a pain in the butt and chew on cables as well as eat any macro algae you try to grow.

You could get a group of 8-10 Bangaii cardinalfish and breed them in the tank. All cardinalfish live in family groups and like company. Only have one species of cardinalfish per tank. If you get a group of cardinalfish, get similar sized fish and add them all at the same time.

You could have a male and 3 or 4 female fairy wrasses from a single species.

What cleaner shrimp did you want?
Banded coral shrimp and red line cleaners are territorial when mature and in pairs and will not tolerate a third shrimp being in their territory. You also don't want to keep these 2 species (banded coral and red lines) together because they fight.

No conches.

Trochis snails are fine

I always like fire gobies (Nemateleotris decora and magnifica) and a small group of one species might be nice to contrast the Bangaii cardinals.

 

[ZanaZoola14]

Try to get a sump that is at least half the length of the main display tank (eg: 3ft long x 12inch wide x 15-18 inches high). A bigger sump would be even better. This will give you more water volume.

Can you get a bigger tank or are you limited to space?
An aquarium that is 15 inches high x 12 inches wide doesn't give much room for fish or scaping even if the tank is nearly 6ft long. An aquarium that is 18 inches high x 18 inches wide would provide a lot more room.

---------------------

No eels, they will eat shrimp and fish like the assessors if you miss their dinner. Eels also jump so any tank for them needs a tight fighting coverglass otherwise you find them dry and crispy on the floor.

Sea urchins are a pain in the butt and chew on cables as well as eat any macro algae you try to grow.

You could get a group of 8-10 Bangaii cardinalfish and breed them in the tank. All cardinalfish live in family groups and like company. Only have one species of cardinalfish per tank. If you get a group of cardinalfish, get similar sized fish and add them all at the same time.

You could have a male and 3 or 4 female fairy wrasses from a single species.

What cleaner shrimp did you want?
Banded coral shrimp and red line cleaners are territorial when mature and in pairs and will not tolerate a third shrimp being in their territory. You also don't want to keep these 2 species (banded coral and red lines) together because they fight.

No conches.

Trochis snails are fine

I always like fire gobies (Nemateleotris decora and magnifica) and a small group of one species might be nice to contrast the Bangaii cardinals.

Thanks for the reply!

I can see what I can do sump size. As that sump would end up completely on view at that size. Maybe if I make a custom front to the stand then I might be able to do that and just have one less actual tank. That would give me room for 3'x18"x18".

I have room for a larger tank, 82"x18"x18"; however, the tank measurements I gave is the tank I have. Anything larger is unlikely to make it into the house. This one was already on the verge of too larger.

------

The eels have since been removed from the list, alongside the gobies. The cardinals have been moved to the Lower list. Barnacle Blenny removed, Midas Blenny added. I've been suggested dwarf angels and having a look the Cherub Angel (Centropyge argi) at the moment. Any experience or opinion on them? I don't want fleshy LPS anyway.

Well, I was already debating no urchins due to the microalgae I might do (might not), but if they munch cables than off the list they go!

I thought the cardinals would always kill each other off until there was only one? Or is there like a limit of numbers and you have enough to spread the aggression? Would they also be the only stock at that many?

Hmm, that would probably be pretty good to look at, but I also love the look of all those different ones. Fairies start female and one transitions? Or are they one of the few that don't?

Looking at the skunk cleaner shrimp (lysmata amboinensis). I believe that is the red line.
If only two will work than that is fine. I originally was looking at one until I was told by others they would work as a trio. Down to two it is.

Is there a reason for no conches? I am looking at the strawberry conch I think.

I was looking at the fire gobies, the decora is the purple firefish I listed. However, I've actually partially moved away from them. I thought they don't do well in groups? Singles or a bonded pair at most? I have a magnifica in my other tank currently with the jawfish.

Thank you for the reply again.

 

[Colin_T]

Most pygmy angels are nice enough but they are all territorial so try to have one species per tank and one male and a female or a male and a couple of females if they are ok in groups and you can sex them. Not all pygmy angels can be sexed and some live in pairs while others have a harem.

Cardinalfish are normally found in family groups consisting of 5-20 individuals or in large groups (100s) consisting of fish that are related and unrelated. Bangaii cardinals are one species that is found in family groups that have around 5-12 fish in and they like to live among the spines on the black long spined sea urchins. However, they don't need the urchins in captivity, they use them for protection in the wild. If you get a group of little ones and grow them up together they will sort out their pecking order and set up little breeding prs. You could have other fishes with them but to get the highest number of young you want nothing that will eat the young. Small mouth fishes like fairy wrasses should be fine with them.

My understanding is all wrasses start out female and when one is sexually mature and takes over a territory, it turns into a male. The sex change takes about 2 weeks. As long as there is a dominant male in the area, none of the females will change into a male.

Just get two small Lysmata amboinensis and they will turn into a pair. Avoid really big shrimp because they are old and don't live as long. In the wild they can be found in large groups in caves but in aquariums they live the adage (2's company, 3's a crowd) and the 3rd usually doesn't do well. They are hermaphrodites and breed each month when they shed their skin. The larvae are released at night and are small and float around the surface. You can scoop them out in a plastic container and feed them on newly hatched brineshrimp, rotifers, copepods and fish eggs. After a few months they metamorphous and settle to the bottom. You can feed them normal shrimp food when that happens.

Most marine snails (including conches) don't do well in aquariums. Some prey on other snails or fish and they can die for no apparent reason. If a big snail dies in the tank, you might not know about it until a few days later when the ammonia levels are sky high and everything starts to die. Trochis snails are smaller and generally do very well in aquariums but most other snails have to be watched carefully. You can try a conch but check it regularly to make sure it hasn't died. They stink really badly when dead.

I have always had Nemateleotris magnifica in groups of 3-5 and they have been fine. I have never been able to afford a group of N. decoras due to their price and scarcity. They were hard to get back in the day and commanded a $100+ each price tag. N. magnifica were about $30 each and were more commonly available. In your tank (close to 6ft) you should be able to have a group and if they get upset with each other there should be sufficient room for them to move.

 

[ZanaZoola14]

Most pygmy angels are nice enough but they are all territorial so try to have one species per tank and one male and a female or a male and a couple of females if they are ok in groups and you can sex them. Not all pygmy angels can be sexed and some live in pairs while others have a harem.

Cardinalfish are normally found in family groups consisting of 5-20 individuals or in large groups (100s) consisting of fish that are related and unrelated. Bangaii cardinals are one species that is found in family groups that have around 5-12 fish in and they like to live among the spines on the black long spined sea urchins. However, they don't need the urchins in captivity, they use them for protection in the wild. If you get a group of little ones and grow them up together they will sort out their pecking order and set up little breeding prs. You could have other fishes with them but to get the highest number of young you want nothing that will eat the young. Small mouth fishes like fairy wrasses should be fine with them.

My understanding is all wrasses start out female and when one is sexually mature and takes over a territory, it turns into a male. The sex change takes about 2 weeks. As long as there is a dominant male in the area, none of the females will change into a male.

Just get two small Lysmata amboinensis and they will turn into a pair. Avoid really big shrimp because they are old and don't live as long. In the wild they can be found in large groups in caves but in aquariums they live the adage (2's company, 3's a crowd) and the 3rd usually doesn't do well. They are hermaphrodites and breed each month when they shed their skin. The larvae are released at night and are small and float around the surface. You can scoop them out in a plastic container and feed them on newly hatched brineshrimp, rotifers, copepods and fish eggs. After a few months they metamorphous and settle to the bottom. You can feed them normal shrimp food when that happens.

Most marine snails (including conches) don't do well in aquariums. Some prey on other snails or fish and they can die for no apparent reason. If a big snail dies in the tank, you might not know about it until a few days later when the ammonia levels are sky high and everything starts to die. Trochis snails are smaller and generally do very well in aquariums but most other snails have to be watched carefully. You can try a conch but check it regularly to make sure it hasn't died. They stink really badly when dead.

I have always had Nemateleotris magnifica in groups of 3-5 and they have been fine. I have never been able to afford a group of N. decoras due to their price and scarcity. They were hard to get back in the day and commanded a $100+ each price tag. N. magnifica were about $30 each and were more commonly available. In your tank (close to 6ft) you should be able to have a group and if they get upset with each other there should be sufficient room for them to move.

Brilliant.

I'm only really looking at the Cherub angel, which is said to grow to 3" and are ok as a pair as long as they are introduced small and at the same time. They seem to be like the wrasse where all female until the largest dominant fish turns male.

I was more worried about how I've been suggested that 10–12 fish would be my to most amount of fish, and you were initially suggesting amount of that limit just with the cardinals. And I want basslets too much to fill up the space with cardinals, as well as I really do want wrasses for how much movement and colour they can give.

Thanks so much for the reply!

So with the wrasse if I try and introduce them all together at a similar small size I should hopefully have less aggression issues. Although it might not be the case for all of them I know.

That should be easy enough to do, the lfs gets skunks in very regularly. Sounds like an interesting challenge, I managed to mostly raise amano shrimp before so worth seeing if I can raise the cleaner shrimp!

I've got a conch in another tank and I am constantly watching him because he can be clumsy and rather interesting. But I'll take that into account.

 

[ZanaZoola14]

And thanks for the bit on the firefish, that is interesting to know about as most say even pair might be pushing how many you can have.