[ZBT3091]

Right after i am finished selling my current fish. i will want to start stocking for my reef. I have a 75g. 260 watts light. I plan on adding mushrooms and softies. The fish i wanted to add were: 1 CBand Bfly, 1 Hippo Tang, yellow tang, pair of percs, 3 Cardinal Cards, 1 Diamond Goby, 1 Algae Blenny, 2 Neon Gobies, 1 Cleaner Wrasse, and 1 mandarin goby. Any ideas on stocking order?

[returnofsid]

Well, I'd suggest doing a lot of research into the Copper Banded Butterfly. They aren't always, or even usually reef safe, they're very hard to feed and their survival rate in captivity is dismal. The 2 Tangs in a 75 will most likely overload your bio-load. Also keep in mind that the 2 Tangs and the Algae Blenny will all be eating the natural algae growing in the tank. Some Algae Blennies don't eat foods we provide and need that algae for themselves. The Cleaner Wrasse will starve to death unless there's enough parasites to keep it alive. Cleaner Gobies (the Neon Gobies you have listed), on the other hand, don't HAVE to have parasites to survive. The Diamond Goby and the Mandarin Goby may not get along. The Mandarin Goby will need an established tank with a good supply of pods to sustain it, or it'll starve, unless you're able to find one of those rare ones that eat frozen foods.

All that being said, if you stick with the list you've provided...I'd make sure you add the Yellow Tang and Mandarin Goby last. Reasoning...the Yellow Tang will be the meanest fish in the tank...lol. The Mandarin needs the most established tank. I'd also wait to add the Algae Blenny until you're sure you have a sustainable algae supply. I'd start with the Percs and Cardinals, I think. I'd suggest repacing the Cleaner Wrasse with a 6 line Wrasse...but it'll out compete the Mandarin for the Mandarin's much needed food supply.

[almostdiva]

I would nix the cleaner wrasse altogether. They are dismal in aquariums. The CBB will not be happy w 2 tangs, nor will the mandarin, nor will the cardinals. The CBB, cardinals and mandarin are all shy, peaceful fish. The percs and tangs go together, but not with the rest of your list. ALSO how long has this tank been set up and how much LR do you have? Speaking from personal experience, Copperbands are touchy. I had one that was great, actually got too aggressive for the rest of my fish and had to go back to the store after about 6 months. Since then, I have tried several that have not lasted more than 8 weeks. They need established systems with good live rock and fairly established populations of pods and other microorganisms that one finds in aquariums that are 6 months +.