Fish Stocking Advice

Good advice Ryan.  I can't imagine anything worse than watching a fish starve and they are not competative even if they did eat prepared food.

 

Shouldn't affect how they eat pods, as pods can hold on /site/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif

My refugium is swarming with pods but my display is basically void of them because of my other fish. I don't think I'd be able to keep a mandarin in my 120 unless it ate frozen foods.

 

Posted By Philby on 11/16/2007 9:23 AM
If you look at my stocking list I think the only thing that would compete with the mandarin for pods might be the clownfish. The anthias are herbivores, as is the blenny (well the lawnmower anyway, others might not be).
Regardless I will definitely not get a mandarin unless I've got pods all over the display.
My anthias seem to be carnivores.  They won't even eat the nori in my food mix.  I still have pods in my display.  I have anthias and clowns so I don't think they'll compete with the mandarin.

 

I think your clown choice is a good one. The nemo thing should not factor into your decision making. The more rare clowns are rare for a reason. More difficult to collect from the wild and more difficult to breed making them less available tank raised. Ocellaris and Perculas will host just as readily as any other clown. It is a myth that they are more difficult to get to host. I have had many pairs and most hosted a terracotta flowerpot for breeding. The ones that lived in the reef usually chose a frilly shroom or unfortunatly my clownfish eating elephant ear. It is true however that you will have better luck pairing a clown to its typical anemone. Most clowns will host a BTA, but maroon and the tomato complexes are more likely to as they are commonly paired in nature. If you want a good clownfish book I suggest "Clownfishes" by Joyce Wilkerson. It is an easy read that covers everything from the history of clowns through illness and breeding. The rest of your list and plan look well thoughtout also. /site/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif