Fish Recommendations and Order of Introductions - 28g --> 65g
 

Hi Everyone,

Upgrading from a 28g Nano Cube to a RSM C250 (65g). I wanted some fish planning feedback along with introduction order feedback. It is a mixed reef mostly LPS and Softies.

I feel I'm a bit short on fish that are active in the water column. Royal Grammar is the one I am least confident about and likely to swap but I would love all feedback.


FISH | ORDER | NEW?
Tailspot Blenny 1 N
Sand Goby 2 N
Lawnmower Blenny 3 Y
Fairy Wrasse 4 Y
Leopard Wrasse 5 Y
Royal Gramma 6 Y
Clown Pair 7 N
Violet Damsel 8 N


Pic of the new tank: RSM c250 https://imgur.com/gallery/j6mVk8r

Thanks for all your feedback and recommendations.

I love tailspot blennies - they’re so cute. I’m fond of all blennies in general. They don’t spend a ton of time in the water column but once they claim a home, they are much more bold and explore more. I would also highly recommend a goby/pistol shrimp pair. Such a great relationship. Clowns are of course mandatory lol. I think an anemone hosting relationship makes them much more manageable. IME my pair of non-hosting clowns are a bit psycho.
Not sure about violet damsel’s aggression? I have a Springerii after reading that it is the most mild-mannered damsel, and he has indeed been a model citizen for the 3 years I’ve had him.

I already have the following in the 28g:

Tailspot Blenny
Sand Goby
Clown Pair /w 10 anemones but none hosted :(
Violet Damsel (Starting to get protective of his cave and was sold to me as a Yellow-Tail
- Looks like this: https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/hom...es/363#summary
- Details:http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLi...?CritterID=786


Will my Diamond Goby pair up with the pistol shrimp or do I need a specific Goby?

Doing some research and I have a Long Finned sleeper goby. They don't typically pair up with a pistol shrimp.

I may get the pistol shrimp anyways and may be there is a chance.

Royal Grammas are nice.
Consider a firefish?

@Smokinreefer, I would consider a firefish.

Making the list a bit easier to read.

ORDER | FISH
1 Tailspot Blenny - Already Own
2 Sleeper Goby - Already Own
3 Lawnmower Blenny
4 Fairy (or similar) Wrasse
5 Leopard Wrasse
6 Royal Gramma
7 Clown Pair - Already Own
8 Violet Damsel - Already Own

Some feedback from another person mentioned the Lawnmower Blenny won't get along with the Sleeper Goby.

Also got feedback that the tank may be too aggressive for my wrasses choices.

Lawnmower blennies can get pretty big. I had a segmented blenny, which is a smaller version. Very cute guy.
You need a shrimp goby to pair up with a shrimp.
I had a firefish for about a year in the main tank, and although I saw no aggression from the other fish, all the goings-on were apparently too much for her, and she hid out of sight except for feeding - when I would see her for a few brief seconds. I now have one in my little softy tank, and with just a few small gentle tank mates, she is hanging out in the water column all the time

Do you think a Bi-Color Dottyback would be a better fit than a Royale Grammar?

No, they tend to end up as very nasty fish to other smaller or similar sized.

Updating based on current thoughts:

ORDER | FISH
1 Tailspot Blenny - Already Own
2 Sleeper Goby - Already Own
3
4 Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse
5 Leopard Wrasse -(Too timid?)
6 Royal Gramma
7 Clown Pair - Already Own
8 Violet Damsel - Already Own

Agreed!

How about a pair of Bangaii Cardinals? Another of my favorites, potentially you could get them breeding too.

I really want a pair and had it on the list originally. I heard they hide most of the time and wasn't sure if they'd be bullied.

May be I'll put them back on the list

Updated:

ORDER | FISH
1 Carpenter Flasher Wrasse - DONE
2 Leopard Wrasse
3
4 Tailspot Blenny - Already Own
5 Sleeper Goby - Already Own
6 Royal Gramma
7 Clown Pair - Already Own
8 Violet Damsel - Already Own

Inverts:
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Pair
Red Tuxedo Urchin
BTA x 8 (Anyone want to buy some?)


Considerations (Picking one or add suggestions):
Pistol Shrimp/Goby pair
Bangaii Cardinal Pair
Firefish

Moved my Tail-spot blenny over yesterday. Was worried the Carpenter Wrasse was lonely.

Wrasse was a bit aggressive in keeping my Tail-Spot grounded and not allowed to swim around freely. Continuing a bit today on day two but leaving him alone if he's not swimming around.

Updated:

ORDER | FISH
1 Carpenter Flasher Wrasse - DONE
2 Tailspot Blenny - DONE
3 Leopard Wrasse
4
5 Sleeper Goby - Already Own
6 Royal Gramma
7 Clown Pair - Already Own
8 Violet Damsel - Already Own

Inverts:
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Pair
Red Tuxedo Urchin
BTA x 8 (Anyone want to buy some?)


Considerations (Picking one or add suggestions):
Pistol Shrimp/Goby pair
Bangaii Cardinal Pair
Firefish

That carpenter probably thinks he owns the tank now lol. Maybe move over another fish to divert his attention? I kinda regret getting my skunk cleaner - he’s annoyingly grabby, haha. But I can’t give him up.

What kind of bta do you have? I suspect might be the small “acid rain” ones? My clowns didn’t like them

The Tailspot and Carpenter seems to be swimming without problems now. I hope they become friends.

Yes, I can't get the clowns to host in these BTAs:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jHBRToet47nV8AHKA

The bta’s stay small, right? Multiply quickly?
I ended up with 30-50 of them, and while they were very pretty and didn’t move all over, I finally re-homed them and got a rainbow that was bigger with longer tentacles. (Also don’t split as much thank god). Not saying that’ll do the trick for you, but it worked for me. Might be a good time to do that while you’re setting up new tank

Yes, good feedback, I have been considering not moving any of my BTAs into the new tank. I think I have 10 or 11 now :(

I've read some threads that Banggai Cardinals may eat small gobies. Few pics of a Firefish and a Tailspot that were eaten. I might skip the Cardinals now.

Maybe the 3 firefish. Is a RSM 250 big enough for 3?

After doing more research, I would not try to put 3 Firefish in a RSM 250. I may get 1 Purple Firefish though.

They're gorgeous fish. I put one in my Evo, and just love looking at it. The return flows are so high in my own RSM C250, though, that I'm afraid that it would have just been batted around in there.

I just have a multicolor angel and two captive-bred orchid dottybacks in my 250. I have a lawnmower blenny and fairy wrasse that'll be joining them after they finish quarantine.

Are your water cooling fans still working? Mine aren't, and I can't find replacement parts for them. Big Al's still has fan hoods, and I've picked some up. You might want to stock up if you need parts, as they're disappearing fast, and Red Sea has been REALLY unhelpful with the general questions that I've thrown at them about this system.

I picked up the RSM c250 used and no hood. So far I've been happy with the progress and shouldn't need any official RSM parts.

Bought much cheaper return pump replacements, a bit strong though.

I really hate maintaining two tanks while I wait to take down my Nano Cube 28g. I need to find a Royale Grammar and a Leopard Wrasse before I can move over my 2 clowns and Damsel.

Not sure what to do with all the RBTAs I have as well :|

I'd check with New Dawn Aquaculture in Edmonton for the Royal Gramma; Mitchell may have one for you.

The Marine Experience, also in Edmonton, had a Leopard Wrasse listed a few weeks ago -- perhaps they still have it.

Really appreciate the info, I'm not sure how I feel about fish by delivery. I don't want to stress them out anymore than they have been already. I'll look into it though.

Completely understandable. I had the majority of my fish shipped to me, and in the winter, as I'm a ten hour roundtrip from Edmonton.

Have you put in a specific request with Canada Corals? It seems like they'd be one of the better sources for you.

Posting an update

Picked up a Royal Gramma and Yellow Coris Wrasse this weekend. Having trouble capturing the cleaner shrimp. Just just caught one after 2 weeks. The other is going to be even more difficult.

ORDER | FISH
1 Carpenter Flasher Wrasse
2 Tailspot Blenny
3 Purple Firefish
4 Sleeper Goby
5 Royal Gramma
6 Yellow Coris Wrasse
7 Clown Pair - Not Moved Yet
8 Violet Damsel - Not Moved Yet

Inverts:
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Pair
Red Tuxedo Urchin
BTA x 8 (Anyone want to buy some?)