stocking/compatibility...any thoughts?

Unfortunately after a major ich outbreak, I now have the task (or opportunity) of restocking my tank. I have about a month to go cycling out the ich in my dt, so I thought I should start thinking of new additions that I could start in qt. My lone survivor from the ich is a six-line wrasse. Below is a rough idea of my new stocking plan for my 90 reef. Don't worry, this will be done over a long time, but I'm a planner.

Six line wrasse (already in qt)
Two-spot bristletooth tang
Bluespotted jaw fish
Christmas wrasse - any compatibility probs with my 6-line?
Black O. Clown
3 Anthias (undecided on which species)


Any thoughts?

 

Be careful which anthias you choose. There are only a couple types that are fairly hardy in a home aquarium. Otherwise, sounds good to me!

 

Sounds pretty good overall to me, just a few comments just in case you haven't run across them yet in your research.

There are lots of reports of sixline wrasses having issues with other wrasses, I'm not sure about christmas wrasses in particular though. Aside from that I've heard some reports of christmas wrasses not being good shippers, if you want you can check out the melanurus wrasse which looks quite similar, same size etc but apparently has a better track record moving to home aquariums.

The only other comment I have is the two spot bristletooth tang is one of the largest (if no the largest) ctenochaetus tang, I personally think it's on the large side for a 90g tank but of course it will take time to grow that large etc, just to caution you about the potential it has to grow. There are other ctenochaetus tangs that are a good bit smaller, like the tomini or kole tangs.

Also for anthias just make sure you're ready and able to feed the appropriately, some are easier to keep than others. AFAIK most have some sort of specialized feeding requirements where dumping a bunch of mysis or pellets in once every day or two will not leave them in the best position to survive, keep this in mind for future vacations etc. I would research the species you choose carefully because there seems to be a little bit of a range of care requirements from what I've seen, but it might be as simple as feeding small amounts 2-3 times a day. Also keep in mind the bioload this may incur, because you probably can't target feed the anthias so you may end up feeding the tank several times a day to ensure they get enough food.

 

All good points. Like I said, just a rough draft now. The two spot tang is my attempt at having a tang that will survive the longest in a 90 before having to give it up. I'm not big on the kole or tomini. I had to give up my desjardini not too long ago, so I know how that feels.

I had lyretail anthias before. They did well, until the ich. I really liked them, and am still debating trying anthias again.

What i really don't know is how the 6 line and the christmas wrasse would mix.

 

Anthias have very high metabolisms and need 2-4 feedings a day of high quality food. If the 6 line is already in the tank and established I would not add another Wrasse.

 

I think what's been posted about the anthias and tang is good information, as for the sixline and another wrasse, it really depends upon the specifc fish you have. If he's mean, then he will terrorize the other wrasse, I've had a sixline and a flasher wrasse before and they got along alright, but with most fish, it really depends on the specific fish. The fact that he is well established in the aquarium and is alone right now leads me to think it may not be a great idea. If you are going to add a wrasse, I would add him as the first fish b/c they are generally not aggressive and the clowns and tang may pick on him later on.

 

My 6-line is not "established" anymore. He's in qt for at least another month as my dt is fishless while cycling out ich. He's still pretty small and never shown any aggression. But, he's never been tested with another wrasse or other pod eater.

One option would be to trade back my 6-line and only have the Christmas wrasse. I really like what I read about the utility usefulness of the Halichoeres wrasses.

Anyone with experience with the Christmas wrasse or any other Halichoeres?