Stocking thoughts

[Mark_C]

So! I had an icky thing happen. I had shut down return pump power to do a water change, did said change, restored power, and noticed something stuck in my overflow grates. Unfortunately it was a snowflake clown which has been doing fantastically since purchase 6 months ago and got a bit too close to the overflow once power was shut down. I blame myself, as had I been instructing it to avoid suction tides instead of trying to teach it to do taxes, things may have been different.

Regardless, I do feel bad, but shall move on, and in deciding so, was curious on the viewpoints of the crew here regarding tank stocking.

I'm in a 90g atm - assuming I have adequate filtration, what do you feel is a reasonable stock level for a mixed reef tank?

My current run includes 9 fish; Tomini Tang, Clown, Solar Wrasse, Chromis, Chalk Bass, Cardinal, Antheas, Watch Goby, Spotted Mandarin.

With the recent loss of the second clown I'm considering replacing it with another wrasse. Potentially thinking of adding that wrasse and another clown.

I've read dozens of thoughts and opinions on stocking limitations, but am curious per this groups opinions, as I know you guys and know theres not too much BS here.

Opinions?

 

[mikem]

I read somewhere that 1 inch (sq inch) of fish per gallon was an average number.

 

[mnat]

I always like to keep clowns in pairs, they are just more interesting that way. However, that does not mean you cannot get another wrasse. You can look at the possum wrasses which are very peaceful and stay relatively small. You could also look at a flasher wrasse (mckoskers or carpenter for example) which are very pretty but stay small. The solar wrasse might give them trouble, but you should be ok.

 

[Paul B]

We hang our stockings from the mantle of our fireplace before Christmas..... Oh, you mean fish..Never mind.

 

[Chrisgarrick]

Paul you beat me to the fireplace comment. I have a 300 gallon tank. I keep my filtration simple - socks, carbon, biopellets, cheto. I only use about 2-3 cups of pellets. I have a SRO 3000 skimmer. I let my cheto grow in a second 30 gal sump drains into my main (50 gallon). Im not sure how much live rock i have 200-250 pounds. I have 15 fish and all are very healthy - it is my opinion that too many fish results in stress and disease. I have 3 tangs and they alone need lots of room. In the wild they swim miles a day foraging for food. if your going to house a lot of fish you need to really up your filtration and poss. look into UV. Just my 2 cents

 

[horseplay]

While researching angelfish I came across these:

Multifasciata

What a beautiful fish. A pair seems to be a good fit for a 90g tank. A little difficult to keep but you do have live food available for them. And these are supposed to be less likely to nip corals.