40B Stocking ideas

So, recently got my 36g bowfront, with tons of stuff included. But super ugly rock and I really can't stand bowfronts. (screws with my eyes mainly)

The plan is to setup a 40B with a 40B sump. Plenty of LR and all that fun stuff. Eventually a hob fuge for extra pod production,ATS. This would also be mostly a zoa/paly/softiesz tank. No sps as I like movement. They're cool, but not for me.

Currently, there is a Pajama Cardinal, a clownfish, and a Green mandarin that came with the tank. Both the Pajama and the Clown are going to good homes (soon as I'm able to find them anywho) The Mandarin I really want to keep. He/She is a shy one but full of character and always comes to the front glass when I'm there. Runs for cover soon as anyone else comes in. lol.

What I would like to stock:

2x B&W Clowns
1x Mandarin
1x Yasha/Pistol shrimp combo
3x Benggai (If possible, GF's pick at the moment)
1x Firefish or Springeri Dottyback (if possible)

To be honest I'm not thrilled with the cardinals. They're cool and all, but mainly they would be in the tank to appease the gf. But I feel that even a 40B is gonna be too small for the 3 cardinals alone.

So I just need some confirmation of what can work, and what can't. Opinions and comments always appreciated!

 

I wouldn't go with the dottyback; they're way to aggressive, or at least they have been in my old tank. The Mandarin is also something I wouldn't go with considering it's feeding habits, but if you're able to supply it with enough pods or have it eating frozen foods or some other kind of food that isn't pods, then by all means go for it. Everything else seems like a good list, although Banggai cardinals can get pretty big from what I've seen, so I'm not sure if I would do 3. If you truly don't want the cardinals, then you should just go with 1.

 

Well, the mandarin came with the 36g. He's not going anywhere. I'm able to provide enough pods for him at the moment. Currently working on a phyto culture and a pod culture for an even large amount of pods available for him.

May end up having to get at least one benggai to appease the gf.
The dottyback was just to add another interesting fish that I don't see very often. Will probably end up with a regular firefish, or maybe a purple firefish.

 

If you can care for the mandarin then keep it, they really are beautiful fish. If you go the dottyback route, it'll probably bully the mandarin and also the firefish if you get one. In my experience they're too aggressive, which is why I advise not getting one unless you go for fish that can hold their own. Firefish are also really nice, get which ever one you prefer.

 

Well, that's a bummer to hear. No wonder I don't see too many of them around. Guess I'll jut get a firefish instead of the dottyback.

Overall though this doesn't seem like it would be overstocked?

 

2 clowns, a banggai cardinal, a firefish, a mandarin, and a yasha goby... It does seem a little bit overstocked to me. For a second I forgot this is just a 40 gallon, so sorry about not noticing. I think you could still pull it off, but you'd have to have good filtration and be able to manage water changes as well. If you have a refugium, You can never really go wrong with chaeto algae.

 

yeah I'd drop the firefish or the dottyback, I doubt they will live together well.

 

Dwarf angelfish are always nice

 

gonna have a HOB fuge, that gravity feeds back into the tank to maximize the number of pods that make it in. It's going to be as large as I can make it.Also, for the sump I'll be using a second 40B with live rock, an Algae Turf Scrubber, and probably a DSB fuge, or just a regular cheato fuge. So filtration shouldn't be an issue.

Talked to the gf. She agreed that a single cardinal would be kinda lame. So probably no Banggai's for this one.

I had contemplated a flame angel, but I'm afraid of what it may do to any corals i get.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about a dwarf angel and corals. I've had flames,cherubs, and flameback angels and they never picked at coral in my presence. They can be slightly aggressive but, I've had a flame that was one of my more docile fish I've ever owned, So i think it comes down to individuals. I have heard Coral beauties are more aggressive and prone to picking....