Stocking Aquarium

I'm new to saltwater tanks. Is this to much for 30 gal. reef tank.
1- green chromis
2- yellowtail damsels
2- percula clowns
1- lawnmower blenny
2 banggai cardinals
1- brittle star
10 turbo snails
10- hermit crabs
5 peppermint shrimp

 

Wow, yes. I'd cut the number of fish in half and go with about 5 Turbo snails instead of 10. You can go with more fish, but I think you're going to battle a losing algae problem (from overstocking). 10 blue-leg hermits would be good. Don't know about the peppermint shrimp as I've never had any.

 

I agree with Reeron. Cut the fish in half. If you go with a chromis with damsels, introduce the chromis first to let it establish territory. It is a mellow fish that is easily bullied.

I think cardinals eat shrimp. So look into that.

The hermits are cool. Just keep them small.

The Lawnmower blenny needs a lot of food on the rock to survive. Most do not accept prepared foods and tend to starve. I have one in my 75g and he seems to be doing well. I have opted out of a strong clean up crew to keep him alive. In a 30g, I would rethink this selection.

Have fun.......John.

 

You already heard this from the others but my opinion is to do what they said to and if you really want fish why not consider a fish-only tank? I only say this because reef tanks are only really supposed to support maybe 1 or two small fish like damsels or clowns. This fish-only set up is also great because your new to salt water anyway and you could convert later.

 

Planning tank stocking is great fun.

Time to reasearch and learn habits of potential inhabitants....

Amount of fish not as important as water params and fish compatibility.

Too many fish in too small a tank (and too young a tank) will cause much stress to all fish and won't be long before you are dealing with ICK and lord knows what else.

Start slowly, pick favorites from list and add slowly, like over first 6 months or so, or better yet when water params tell you that more can be added.

Start out with juveniles where you can.

Sounds like may eventually too busy of a tank for those Cardinals...might want to reconsider that choice.

Very important to add damsels and chromis last...

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

Oh, and one other thing. I would nix the brittle star. Mine is going to go bye bye here in a few weeks. It is getting bit enough now where I have to worry about it eating my livestock.

 

Six or 12 line wrasse???

 

You do like your wrasses, do you not???!!!!!!

 

If you upgraded to a 75 gallon, you would have the right amount of fish.

 

even with a 75 thats too many for a reef