Restocking 300G tear down with current inhabitants temporarily in a stock tank.

[Sandman4Kids]

I have had numerous reef tanks over the past 20 years and one of my four current aquariums is a 300G FOWLR that I recently tore down due to algae issues and the desire to re-plumb and add a large inline UV sterilizer. I am currently using a 110G stock tank to temporarily home my 5” Juvenile Koran, 4” Humu, 5” Sailfin Tang, 4” Purple Tang, 3” Bristletooth Tang, Dwarf Rusty Angel and 2 Perculas. During the past several years the tank additionally housed a 2” Valentini Puffer, 6” Foxface, 4” Niger, 6” Harlequin, 10” Vlamingi Tang, 7” Lubbock Wrasse and 8” and 5” Hippo Blue Tangs. The fish have never been aggressive towards each other but I believe the latter died from natural causes or rapidly deteriorating water conditions despite regular large water changes as well as replacing all of the Cyanobacteria covered rock with new rock work.

The tank is currently dry and will be newly plumbed this week with cycling beginning next week. All new sand and rock.

My question is re-stocking issues. I’m obviously going to return my temporarily housed fish but my wish list is as follows:

I definitely want to add a Valentini Puffer, Magnificent or regular Foxface, and Harkequin Tusk.

Others for consideration are my first ever Lionfish (likely a no with the Humu), Clown Trigger (likely a no because of their aggression), Juvenile Blue or Queen Angelfish and perhaps a handful of Wrasses (Bluehead, Paddlefin, Lubbock, Two-Spot). Maybe a Porcupine Puffer, although I bought a 10” one from a local aquarist last year that sadly would not eat oysters or clams like its owner fed it and died a week later from I can only imagine starvation.

I would appreciate any advice on compatibility issues with my considered fish or any other recommendations of species not mentioned.

Thanks!!!

 

[MnFish1]

I have had numerous reef tanks over the past 20 years and one of my four current aquariums is a 300G FOWLR that I recently tore down due to algae issues and the desire to re-plumb and add a large inline UV sterilizer. I am currently using a 110G stock tank to temporarily home my 5” Juvenile Koran, 4” Humu, 5” Sailfin Tang, 4” Purple Tang, 3” Bristletooth Tang, Dwarf Rusty Angel and 2 Perculas. During the past several years the tank additionally housed a 2” Valentini Puffer, 6” Foxface, 4” Niger, 6” Harlequin, 10” Vlamingi Tang, 7” Lubbock Wrasse and 8” and 5” Hippo Blue Tangs. The fish have never been aggressive towards each other but I believe the latter died from natural causes or rapidly deteriorating water conditions despite regular large water changes as well as replacing all of the Cyanobacteria covered rock with new rock work.

The tank is currently dry and will be newly plumbed this week with cycling beginning next week. All new sand and rock.

My question is re-stocking issues. I’m obviously going to return my temporarily housed fish but my wish list is as follows:

I definitely want to add a Valentini Puffer, Magnificent or regular Foxface, and Harkequin Tusk.

Others for consideration are my first ever Lionfish (likely a no with the Humu), Clown Trigger (likely a no because of their aggression), Juvenile Blue or Queen Angelfish and perhaps a handful of Wrasses (Bluehead, Paddlefin, Lubbock, Two-Spot). Maybe a Porcupine Puffer, although I bought a 10” one from a local aquarist last year that sadly would not eat oysters or clams like its owner fed it and died a week later from I can only imagine starvation.

I would appreciate any advice on compatibility issues with my considered fish or any other recommendations of species not mentioned.

Thanks!!!

Depending on the size, you may be pressing the stocking density. I would use personal preference. You may not need to re-cycle your tank - if you have already started you might as well do it now. Compatability wise adding fish back all at once - perhaps with the new fish as well - may limit any disease issues (after a proper quarantine time)

 

[Sandman4Kids]

Depending on the size, you may be pressing the stocking density. I would use personal preference. You may not need to re-cycle your tank - if you have already started you might as well do it now. Compatability wise adding fish back all at once - perhaps with the new fish as well - may limit any disease issues (after a proper quarantine time)

I’m definitely going to add the fish back together but that’s an excellent point that new ones may benefit from being added at that time so they are effectively all new to find and establish their territories. Thanks!

 

[MnFish1]

By the way - I said with regards to compatibility - use personal preference - because I've bought fish that were supposed to be 'compatible' that ripped eachotehr to shreds!

 

[Sandman4Kids]

By the way - I said with regards to compatibility - use personal preference - because I've bought fish that were supposed to be 'compatible' that ripped eachotehr to shreds!

I honestly feel that the limiting factor is the Humu trigger, although a large Angelfish can do some damage too.

 

[Cheese Griller]

Personally, I would stick to just the Koran as far as large angels go. They get huge, and Queens can get really nasty as they get large. I’m not too sure about blues, but they’re so closely related that I can’t imagine they would be that much nicer. One of the mid-sized angels, (majestic, regal, gray Poma) could work. Two of the wrasses (blue head and paddlefin) you listed seem hardy enough to put up with the humu, so I would say those two and a mid-sized angel and you’re hitting the sticking limit.

 

[MnFish1]

I honestly feel that the limiting factor is the Humu trigger, although a large Angelfish can do some damage too.

Actually - I've had triggers tormented by clowns. It all just depends on what fish picks what territory IMHO. I've never had a situation where a compatibility issue could not be resolved.

 

[Sandman4Kids]

Personally, I would stick to just the Koran as far as large angels go. They get huge, and Queens can get really nasty as they get large. I’m not too sure about blues, but they’re so closely related that I can’t imagine they would be that much nicer. One of the mid-sized angels, (majestic, regal, gray Poma) could work. Two of the wrasses (blue head and paddlefin) you listed seem hardy enough to put up with the humu, so I would say those two and a mid-sized angel and you’re hitting the sticking limit.

Majestic was also under consideration. I thought the idea was to not have two of the same genus together, so a Pomocanthus (Koran) and Holocanthus (Queen) would be more compatible. Majestic is another Pomocanthus.

 

[Cheese Griller]

Majestic was also under consideration. I thought the idea was to not have two of the same genus together, so a Pomocanthus (Koran) and Holocanthus (Queen) would be more compatible. Majestic is another Pomocanthus.

since the Koran and Majestic are in different size brackets it should be less of an issue, they will sort out the pecking order with the Koran at the top fairly quickly. Since Majestics and Korans are both on the more docile end of the spectrum, they should both accept the pecking order and be compatible. It is always a gamble mixing angels, but if you pick angels of different sizes you can stack the deck in your favor. As far as the queen goes, both the queen and Koran will want to be top dog, and since neither will outgrow each other, that will keep tensions high. That is ignoring the fact that queens have a reputation of becoming quite aggressive as they age.

 

[MnFish1]

Majestic was also under consideration. I thought the idea was to not have two of the same genus together, so a Pomocanthus (Koran) and Holocanthus (Queen) would be more compatible. Majestic is another Pomocanthus.

I will say - that angels in a tank can be very gentle - or aggressive - however not often to 'killing mode' - in a tank in which they have grown up

 

[Sandman4Kids]

I will say - that angels in a tank can be very gentle - or aggressive - however not often to 'killing mode' - in a tank in which they have grown up

That’s encouraging. My Koran is the first non-dwarf I’ve had and is transitioning from juvenile. Have never seen him chase fish whereas my purple tang often does.

 

[Sandman4Kids]

since the Koran and Majestic are in different size brackets it should be less of an issue, they will sort out the pecking order with the Koran at the top fairly quickly. Since Majestics and Korans are both on the more docile end of the spectrum, they should both accept the pecking order and be compatible. It is always a gamble mixing angels, but if you pick angels of different sizes you can stack the deck in your favor. As far as the queen goes, both the queen and Koran will want to be top dog, and since neither will outgrow each other, that will keep tensions high. That is ignoring the fact that queens have a reputation of becoming quite aggressive as they age.

Yes, as much as I’ve always wanted a Queen Angel I know that it’s a foolish choice and will avoid it. Thanks for your info on size difference and pecking order. It’s still the Humu that I mostly worry about although he’s still rather small.

 

[Cheese Griller]

Yes, as much as I’ve always wanted a Queen Angel I know that it’s a foolish choice and will avoid it. Thanks for your info on size difference and pecking order. It’s still the Humu that I mostly worry about although he’s still rather small.

Queens are absolutely gorgeous- I don’t blame you!! It’s crazy how quickly even something like a 300 can fill up quickly when you’re dealing with big, mean fish!

As far as the size difference, I always like to think of stocking tanks like a pyramid. Have one or two very large fish, a few mid-sized, and then many little fish. I think it makes the tank look more like a natural reef, and gives the fish a natural pecking order so they don’t have to fight too much as they figure it out!

And yeah, I would definitely keep an eye on the humu, and would make sure anything you add is bigger than it by a significant margin to help deter aggression!