Who Gives A Fish Forums

Starting to stock my tank and I'm after some advice. Got 2 infant clowns going in first, how long before I add more? Thinking of a wrasse, watchman goby and maybe a false gramma - was keen on a royal but been warned they can be a bit tricky. Would it be okay to add one fish a week after the clowns?

Also, would a coflake beauty be too big for a nano tank like mine (128L)?

When adding new fish to your tank, I've found that a gradual approach is best. The slower you introduce new species, the more stable your ecosystem will be.

When you introduce a new fish, your tank's biological balance needs to adjust. The ammonia-processing bacteria need time to grow, followed by the nitrite-processing bacteria, and eventually the nitrate-processing bacteria.

As for the coflake beauty, I've been told it's suitable for my own tank, which is roughly the same size as yours. However, if you plan on adding coflakes in the future, you might want to reconsider the beauty, as it may see them as a snack.

Thanks for the reply, I'll definitely keep that in mind about the coflake beauty, I'm still keen to have one in the future.

Clownfish can be right territorial, especially as they get older. Stick with Amphiprion ocellaris or Perc's, others will get too big for your tank. They do pack a nasty nip, you'll find out soon enough.

Acclimatise them slowly, but get them in the tank as soon as you can, due to their territorial nature. Then wait until the beneficial bacteria can handle the bioload. Regular water changes are a must.

I use the airline drip method for acclimatising my fish, inverts, and even coflakes. I use a small plastic paint kettle from B&Q, and an Algarde airline clamp to control the flow. Just a slow drip from the main tank into the acclimatisation container. I find 1-2 hours is a good rule of thumb for acclimatising.

I work in an aquarium shop and I've got some experience with stocking tanks. I used to add fish every week, but I've found that adding one every month is a much safer bet. Since switching to this approach, I've had far fewer problems with my tank.