Stocking thoughts?

I am now looking at buying a Red Sea Max 250 (65 gallons)

For stocking I am thinking of...
2 o. clowns
1 flame angel
3-5 blue reef chromis
1 McCoskers flasher wrasse
and some type of goby which i don't know yet
either a tiger watchman
a diamond watchman
Or a green mandarin

Opinions, modifications, ideas

Thanks everyone!;D

 

I think all of that is very reasonable for a Red Sea Max 250.

If you get a watchman, at least get a pistol shrimp .

Are you going to do any modifications to the sump? From what I have seen it is fairly large, easily enough for a good protein skimmer and calcium reactor, but not much more. I have heard of people modding it slightly to allow for a refugium but I am not to sure how that would work.

 

No I don't plan to do any modifications...at least not at first. After I have it I may look into adding a refugium or possibly switching to LED lighting but for now I think what it comes with is fine.

 

I think that sounds like a great little stocking list definitely agree you need a pistol shrimp with the goby

 

Thanks guys!

Any other opinions though? Im open to all options, except the clowns because I am going to be moving them up from their nano tank

 

I like the

Flame Hawk fish: May eat ornamental shrimp, mine never did.
Orchid Dotty Back: Not as aggressive as the purple, especially in a tank that size. It will chase intruders from it's territory.
Royal Grammas: Love this fish but can be shy initially.
Midas and Barnacle Blennies: Barnacle may not be out and swimming as much as you like it's a percher.
Yellow Tail Damsels: Not as aggressive as blues, adds a ton of color and activity.

 

I have a few comments to your original list:

First is that the Chromis may end up killing each other over time. No experience with them, just what I have seen happen to others.

Tiger Wardi and Diamond Gobies are not Watchman Gobies! They are both sand sifters from the Valenciennea family. These fish need a large, established sand bed to feed from all day long. I am not sure if they will even pair up with a Pistol Shrimp.

Mandarin will again need a well established tank with a very productive refugium.

Lastly, research Flame Angels before you get one. They have very low success rates in this hobby. Coral Beauty's seem to be a little hardier as another option.

 

Thank you for your ideas...
Yea i am a little concerned with the chromes, do you have any other suggestions, I kinda wanted a "schooling" effect or along those lines

Yea i know about the tiger and watchman, the tiger sometimes pairs with a shrimp i know. And a mandarin is kind of a dream not a reality lol. Maybe one day.

I have done lots of research on the Flame angel and know so much about them, they are just so beautiful and it is such a cool fish, so i personally want to go with that fish.

Thanks so much though!

 

I would go with smaller Cardinals personally. Something like the Yellowstriped. The info on the Gobies was more for others; I would hate for others to buy them thinking they were true watchman gobies, only to buy a fish this is actually difficult to keep fed and healthy longterm.

And I don't blame you on the Flame Angel. I have one myself! But make sure you get one that you witness eating and has been in the tank for a minimum of 2 weeks (longer preferred).

 

Thanks, what do you think about red stoplight cardinals... If not do have any "schooling" fish that are a blueish color?
(I know red stoplights aren't blue )

And thanks for the advice on the flame angel!