Stocking compatibility

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David Gibson

Premium Member
I have a 58g tank (with 30g sump, but no fuge yet) and am putting together my wish list of fish to include and wanted to see if anyone had any comments.

What I'm considering:
coral beauty
Either a McCosker flashing wrasse or possibly Carpenter flashing wrasse pair
white tiger goby

I think it's a fairly light bioload, but enough color and movement to make a nice display.

Concerns I have are mostly with the flashing wrasses. Regardless of if I go with the McCosker or the Carpenter, I would like to get a pair. I've read recommendations though of getting three females to the one male. At 3"-4" listed max size, four of them is hitting the bioload a good higher than I originally want to go, though it is probably workable. Is just a pair going to be fine, or should I seriously consider three females?

Also, any thoughts about the McCosker versus the Carpenter? I think they both have great color, though the Carpenter seems to cost a good bit lower in comparison. Is that just due to availability? Can't seem to turn up any behavioral differences.
 
I dont know much about the wrasses but keeping a small angel in a relatively small tank is going to increase the chances of the angel nipping at corals.
 
I've been reading a lot about the flasher wrasses as I just picked up a single male filamented. I read they're used to harems and I thought about doing the same thing just adding a single female, but I've decided against it. I've only had him about a week or so and he's in QT, but watching him he's a cool fish. Will definitely be a jumper if spooked based on watching his movements when I put the camera too close to the tank. Singly he might be harrased by the angelfish. As far as which one to go with,that's hard to say. I went back and forth with all of them trying to decide which one to get as well. Both the McCosker & Carpenter look good. I got mine from Live Aquaria, Diver's Den as the picture is the picture of the fish you're buying. The photo however does make the fish look a much brighter red than I'm seeing in person. This guy is initial phase so doesn't have is main coloring yet. Also their color flashing comes when courting. Fish stocking... what else do you have in the tank? I have a 24g with a mated pair of clowns and a jawfish with no issues (water quality) and I'm planning 3 fish for my 30g. So with your 58 I'm pretty sure you could do a single male flasher with 5 females and no other fish in that size tank.
 
I'm still working on stocking the tank with bacteria at the point, so fish are still a good bit down the road. I'm just getting an idea of what I want to stock to plan out compatibility and the order I want to add them.

I'm starting to lean more towards adding three females, then the male after they are established. The coral beauty would be the last addition to the tank, and if it turns out to be a bully would be the one to find a new home. I love the colors on them though.
 
Besides building up bacteria, lots of pods, too. This little guy spends his whole day hunting for food... they are planktavors, although he eats frozen mysis and meat from Rod's Food. Today was his first day sampling pellet food, even though I've been putting it in the tank for over a week and he''s been ignoring them. Take your time... who knows you may find other fish that you like better.
 
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