40gal stock list

[herp_mommy]

I'm in the planning stages of my first big saltwater setup, I'm going with a 40gal breeder. As far as livestock, I'd like a pair of ocellaris clowns, some snails, blue leg hermits, peppermint shrimp, and a blue spotted jawfish. Anything else I can add to the tank? Any suggestions?

 

[carey]

How about a goby or a blenny? Ir maybe a royal gramma, they are really pretty but stay to the rocks alot.

You have quite a few options with that size tank, it has a great footprint.

Are you gonna do corals or fish only?

 

[herp_mommy]

A royal gramma would look nice. I'd like to do corals too. I'd like to have an anemone for the clowns to host and a few zoa colonies, birdsnest, and star polyps.

 

[carey]

Ok, so if youre gonna go with corals you need reef safe fish, so no angels or some wrasses. Do you have a cover for the tank? Wrasses are nice too, you could probably get a smaller one I bet.
The corals will depend entirely on your lighting. as far a an anemone, I would urge you to wait a while longer. Like months. They need extreme ligting and pristine water in an established tank to do their best. And not all clowns will host the nem, so it;s a 50/50 shot.

 

[herp_mommy]

ok. I wait a while on the anemone until I'm more experienced. I don't have a cover for the tank. Should I get one?

 

[FTMMWS]

Wrasses ,dottybacks,firefish,Cardinalfish..lots of choices

 

[carey]

If you decide on "jumping" fish you will need a cover. If you have no jumpers you can continue without one.

Have you checked out Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums for fish? They have a HUGE selection and it can give you some awesome ideas.

 

[herp_mommy]

alright, the jawfish may be a jumper so I'll get a glass cover. I'm thinking about a trio of banggai cardinals, and my mom really wants an arrow crab but I read they can pick on other inverts and could get up to 10"? And yes, I've been browsing liveaquaria for awhile now.

 

[carey]

I see no reaon why you couldnt get the cardinals, they are cool looking fish. Getting three though will cut down on any other fish though. A total of 6 fish in a 40g is probably your limit in my opinion. so you could get your clowns , jawfish and the cardinals.

I have no idea about the arrow crab, never had one and I find them kinda like big spiders, they creep me out. lol

 

[herp_mommy]

The cardinals are pretty, but I kind of want more smaller fish than fewer large ones. I think I'll go with the royal gramma

 

[carey]

Beautiful fish, I had one and she was very social in a smaller tank. When I moved her to the 125g she never really took to the tank and mostly hid in the rocks. I think that's a great addition.

You also should consider gobies and blennies. They are really cool fish with personality.

 

[herp_mommy]

Yeah. I love gobies but I'd have a hard time choosing just one!