Stocking issue? your thoughts?

I'm interested in your thoughts. Last week my LFS ordered a melanurus wrasse for me, which should arrive in the next few days. When I ordered the fish, i already thought I was pushing the "too crowded" limit. Yesterday I found a long lost anthias in my overflow which I thought was long gone. He'd been in there for over 6 weeks. Now I'm afraid that adding the melanurus will be over the limit. Below are my tank details. Should I add the melanurus? or would it be too much for my tank? I prefer to consider the full grown size of everything when making stocking decisions.

5 year old 90 gallon reef, 20 gallon sump, 8 gallon fuge with chaeto, aquac 180 skimmer, 2 koralia 3's.

Current stock list:
Lavender tang
4 Bartlett's anthias
b&w o. clown
Carpenter's wrasse
Blue-spotted jawfish
Orange-spot goby

 

anyone?

 

I do think you're pushing it especially once you get all fully grown fish, especially that tang which is probably on the large size for a 4' tank.

However, I don't think you're vastly over the limit and don't see anything to me that appears to be an obvious incompatibility although I'm not sure how the tang will take to a newcomer. As long as your skimmer is working well and you don't have any major nutrient issues at the moment you might be OK.

 

i would tend to think that you would be ok bioload wise, but you might have a problem aggression wise with the fish, they will let you know when they are feeling cramped IMHO. if there is any aggression after the first few days i would get it out asap.

 

thanks. i agree it's kinda a tossup. i guess i'll think about it a little more.

 

I'd never heard of a lavender tang before, so I Googled it...wow! That is a gorgeous fish!!

 

Thanks. I've been really pleased with this one. It's hard to get a pic of her she's so fast. Not necessarily eye catching, but really beutiful when you really look at her. I hope she doesn't outgrow my tank before I can upgrade.

 

hmmm...my LFS has one that is HUGE! it's easily 10'' and is the boss of the 250G tank! I asked about them and was also told they have a pretty nasty temper when it comes to newcomers and usually wont be warm and welcoming but definitly a stunning fish!

 

Well so far so good. I was unaware that they exceeded 8 inches. Mine has been a model citizen, not even seeming to notice the newcomers. Of course, I haven't added any other tangs, and don't plan to in this tank. If mine gets that big, I'll do the right thing. It won't be the first tang I've resold to the LFS for it's size.

 

Grant, I think the rule of thumb is; 2 inches of fish for every 5 gal. of volume. So, for your tank, I would say about 18 inches of fish would be ideal give or take.