Can we all get along??

I had someone in the hobby see my tank for the first time the other day. Their first comment was the amount of fish that I had in the tank, and how did they all get along? I have 11 fish in a 85 gallon reef tank. Some say that is too much, but I think they are just jealous.

I think I have had amazing success with my fish because I made a list of fish I wanted, then researched them all, then made a list of what order I would add them. I have zero aggression issues and never have they been stressed due to improper size/order of adding them, and all are super healthy fat fish. They all been out swimming in a matter of minutes, and all have eaten within one day.

Anyone else have something to offer on this subject???

 

Can you list the fish and order of introduction?

 

I think the amount of fish has no meaning. The questions are will they infringe on each others territory and fight? Is there enough room that they won't be stressed out (which would tend to make them prone to disease and aggression)? If they are grazers, is there enough natural food? Can the filtration handle them? Is there enough dissolved oxygen to support them if the skimmer dies? And so on.... If your tank can handle this stuff, I don't see an issue.

 

1. 2 clowns
2. 3 chromis
3. diamond goby
4. midas blenny
5. McKoskers
6. Yellow and Kole Tang (same day)
7. Melanurus Wrasse (largest fish in tank)
8. Cleaner Wrasse (small, but everyone inherently knew what he was there for)

 

I always try to post positive comments at all times. Sometimes I try to tactfully add constructive criticism, but I am still learning as well.

 

what takes a little time to understand is, no two tanks are the same, your 85 may handle 20 fish while my 85 can only handle 6, no two live rocks are the same, sand is different, pumps, if it works don't fix it no matter what i say. the reason i don't have alot more fish, they are eating me out of house and home now

 

I don't see a problem with your fish selection except the tangs. I probably would have just gone with the Kole.

 

Chris, for the most part you have a tank of peaceful fish. the yellow tang is by far the meanest fish in the group. Im well ok with this mix so long as the filtration can handle it.

 

I guess it depends how you define "mean". I think the Kole tang may be much more likely tear apart LPS corals for example. I've seen quite a few reports now of them doing so. If we're talking aggression towards other fish, I'd probably agree though.

 

if the melanarus is the largest fish in that tank, those tangs have some growing to do. how long have you had the tangs?