almostthere002

Coming up with a stocking list and I cannot seem to find anything on inverts counting as inches of fish per gallon. Specifically crabs, shrimp and snails. Do they count in the total number of inches?

harpua2002

Generally speaking, inverts add little to the bio load as compared to fish. As for the inches of fish thing, it is even less useful for SW than FW. You can't stock a SW tank nearly as heavily as FW.

almostthere002

Thanks. I am only planning on 4 - 6 fish depending on what I finally choose for the tank. But I am reading about the clean up crews and the shrimp and I wasn't sure if they counted. Technically anything labeled "fish" counts...so it seems. I assume then bottom dwellers count just as much as anyone else...for example orange diamond goby right?

harpua2002

Yes, the goby definitely adds to the bioload like other fish of similar size. What else are you planning to add?

almostthere002

2 clowns, the goby, 1 flame angel, and maybe a royal dottyback - or - 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 yellow watchman goby, then either a jewel lyretail anthenia or the royal dottyback. Then I will add the shrimp (skunk and peppermint), some 2 or 3 turbo snails and maybe a few blue legged crabs (haven't decided on the crabs yet...still reading about them). I read that the yellow watchman goby pairs up with a pistol shrimp so he would be on the list if the yellow goby is bought.

the 2 clowns and the flame angel are for sure. I might get a tang but then I will only keep those 4 fish in the tank.

harpua2002

I don't know the dimensions of your tank, but I wouldn't suggest adding any dwarf angel to a tank that is less than 3 feet long. They are very active swimmers. Definitely skip the anthias and tang IMO; I wouldn't keep them in anything less than 75 gallons. You may have aggression problems with a dottyback, but some species are more aggressive than others. Pistol shrimp and shrimp gobies do not always pair up, but many times they do and the relationship is fascinating to watch. They would be good additions for sure.

almostthere002

I will have to measure my tank for the angel....I am thinking it is 2'6" long, by almost 2 feet wide. Its more cube shaped almost. I would like the anthia and tang but if it's not good for the fish I wont push the issue.

Back to the drawing board.......

Thanks for all your help.

harpua2002

Anytime. I'm not trying to be negative at all, just want you to be successful, and again, it's just my opinion. Crowded fish are easily stressed and susceptible to disease, and as we all know that makes our hobby less enjoyable. You *may* be able to get by with the angel since your tank is so wide.

almostthere002

I don't think your being negative at all. The hardest part of all of this is trying to pick your favorite! I have a long list of what I like...it's hard to narrow it down. I think I will start with two clown fish and then decide what I want next. I was reading that ocellaris have more personality and are easier to keep then True Perculas. Know anything about that?

harpua2002

Ocellaris and percula are reputedly two of the more peaceful species of clowns. I don't know that one is easier to keep than the other, just look for tank-raised specimens if you can find them. I have an ORA misbar percula in a 20 gallon that my husband and I got because we like his messed-up stripes. He's been really mild mannered in our tank. While working at a LFS, I have observed a TON of ocellaris clowns and they seem very similar to the perculas in temperament. I believe the ocellaris stay a tad smaller than perculas. Here's our misbar perc if you've never seen one:
Meet Wiggles :)

almostthere002

He's adorable!! I love clowns...they have so much personality. I cannot wait to have some I can take pictures of too.

PugsAndKitties

i know what you mean about picking your favorite. I still havent decided if i want a coral beauty or flame angel. good luck