Fish introduction order?

[rob020880]

Hello,

I just started a new reef tank and am putting in a cleanup crew tomorrow as my tank is cycled. I was wondering what your thoughts were on stocking the tank with fish and in which order.

I am interested in keeping the following fish:

-ocellaris clownfish
-yellow tang or lemon peel angel
-powder blue tang
-firefish
-green mandarin
-regal angel
-clown trigger
-anthias
-pseudochromis

My tank is 130 gal. I want to introduce them in the proper order to give me the greatest chances of success. Which one should be first? I don't want the first fish to give the others a hard time when they are introduced. What size should they be when I put them in, I was thinking the smaller the better? Which should I forget about or would not be compatable with each other? How long should I wait between intros and should some be put in together?

Any advice would be of great help.

Thanks!!!

[Charlie's Angel]

I would add the tangs at the same time. Typically, I go from least aggressive to most. I think your clown trigger would be the most aggressive depending on size. I think I would put him in last.

[rob020880]

Which on that list would be a good first intro?

[Snowboarda42]

In this order:

Firefish, Clown, Trigger, Anthias, Regal, One or both tangs, Pseudo, then Mandarin at least 6 moths later.


Least aggressive to most. You want the most timid fish to be able to get used to their new homes with no aggressors chasing them around. The Mandarin will be added later since you'll need time for pods to grow.

[BangkokMatt]

If you are planning on keeping corals avoid the lemonpeel angel. They are coral munchers!
Wait several months before adding a mandarin. Its best to keep them if you have a fuge.
Wait to add anthias as your water quality needs to be spot on and stable.

[JoeMomma]

Isn't the clown trigger going to rampage and kill everything?

[rob020880]

Thats a good question about the clown trigger? I don't know I have seen some tanks with them in there, but who knows. Any thoughts?

[jb1972]

heard of clown triggers being very beligerant to the point of eating at any cords that may be in your tank

[jb1972]

powder blue like any anthias need spot on water quality

[rob020880]

Has anyone successfully kept a clown trigger in a reef tank?

[Chihuahua6]

You have some very peaceful fish and some very aggressive fish. You need to stick closer to one of the above. Choose either peaceful to semi-aggressive or semi-aggressive to aggressive. The trigger will eat the firefish and then some. Leave it out.