stocking a 29 gal tank

[AprilFaith]

I am trying to restock my 29 gal tank.

Here is what I think I could add...

2 ocellaris clown fish

1 coral beauty

1 royal gramma

Questions:

1. Are the fish I want to add good choices?

2. I have a hermit crab I think I should get rid of because he is big and ate some of my last fish...could have been because they were getting sick...thoughts on hermit crabs?

3. Should I get rid of the aiptasia before I add fish?

4. Can I add all 4 fish at the same time? Should I add 2 at a time? In what order? Suggestions? Guidance...please

Thanks for any help you can offer
April

 

[bettaowner]

Hermit crabs are mainly scavengers so I doubt he attacked your fish. I honestly would chose some smaller fish. To me those fish would look too big. I'd get fish like the tanaka's pygmy wrasse, neon goby, or a watchman goby and pistol shrimp. I would add only one fish at a time to avoid overwelming the bioload.

 

[Mebbid]

The ocellaris clowns are a good addition but I would go out of my way to get either fresh juveniles or 2 clowns that are already paired off. If you get two that are in separate tanks then there will be a ton of fighting until dominance is established.

The coral beauty needs a bit bigger tank if I'm not mistaken so I might pass that up in order to go with a different fish. A firefish goby would be a great addition.

The royal gramma is a great choice.

2. It is likely that the hermit crab was eating an already dead fish. They are fine but will attack snails to get a bigger home. I keep mine supplied with larger shells for them to move into as well as by buying snails that are either way bigger or smaller than the hermit crabs.

3. I would start with the aiptasia before anything else. I added a pair of peppermint shrimp which took care of my aiptasia. Otherwise, you could try chemical warfare on them.

4. I would add 1 fish at a time with a 2 week spread between the next addition. The only exception would be the clowns that I would add together as the last addition to your tank.