Need help deciding on whether or not a fish is right for your tank? Post here and we'll help!

[Slocke]

Hi everyone! Newbie to saltwater (coming from freshwater) and wanted to run my planned live stock list by those more experienced. Thanks in advance!

Just had a Waterbox Infinia Frag 175.6 delivered (nothing up and running yet) but it's a 118 gallon display tank with a 55 gallon sump, I believe. Have watched entire BRS beginner series on YouTube. Below is my fish stock list in order of adding to tank (more or less), with the tangs not going in until tank well established (6 months-1 year?). Please advise on any red flags or if I need to re-order ones go in first. Too many fish? Can I add more?

Starter list for 120 gallon tank (no more than 60 in of fish):

Clownfish x2 (3 ea = 6 in of fish)

Good

Banggai cardinalfish x 4 (3 ea = 12 in)

I would get one or two. My experience is they kill each other off

Flame hawkfish x1 (3.5 in)

Not compatible with shrimp and could also kill your goby

Royal gramma basslet x1 (2.5 in)

Great

Shrimp goby/yellow watchman goby x1 (2.5 in)
Pistol shrimp x1 (not included in fish:tank size ratio)

Both good but beware the hawkfish

Sand-sifting goby (diamond? 6 in)

These are sold as an easy fish but are actually very hard. Definitely not for a new tank

Sixline wrasse x1 (3 in)

Little devils. I would never add one unless I was running a low maintenance frag tank

Blue hippo tang (10 in)

It’s big and difficult and possibly aggressive

Yellow tang (7 in)

Of the tangs you picked this is the best but there are better

Powder brown tang (8 in) *note, can be any tang, I actually don't really want a 3rd tang but heard you need an odd number to dispel potential aggression)

Definitely not! Very aggressive and very disease prone.

Thanks again!

Here is my suggestion:

Clownfish x2 (3 ea = 6 in of fish)
Banggai cardinalfish x 1-2 (3 ea = 12 in)
Flame hawkfish x1 (3.5 in)
If you must a long nose is the most peaceful

Royal gramma basslet x1 (2.5 in)
Shrimp goby/yellow watchman goby x1 (2.5 in)
Pistol shrimp x1 (not included in fish:tank size ratio)
Sand-sifting goby (diamond? 6 in)
Firefish, Blenny, tilefish (if you feed more than 2 times a day)

Sixline wrasse x1 (3 in)
Search Halichoeres in liveaquaria.com and consider one or two different species.

Then consider a few fairy wrasse of different species

Blue hippo tang (10 in)
Get a foxface instead. Way easier then tangs.

Yellow tang (7 in)

Powder brown tang (8 in)
A bristletooth tang is by far the least aggressive and easiest of the tangs

 

[ScottJ]

Hi, I have a chance to got a Six Line Wrasse and a Bicolor Blenny for my Red Sea Max Nano Peninsula, 26 gallon. Tank has been running a month, started with all wet rock from my sump and some from my LFS. Current inhabitants are a Purple Firefish and a Hector's Goby. The Six Line and the Blenny would likely be the last fish I would add. I like less fish, more coral.

I'm not sure if these would be a good fit. I read conflicting info, so I'd love some opinions.

Front

Side

 

[aquamom92]

Trying to get a wishlist together. My tank is finally thriving after a major disaster (4yo dumping a bag of food in) and I need to stock it cause it looks so boring. These are what I was hoping to get In there...

30gal reef tank
1 Ninja snail
4 turbo snails
1 dwarf hawkfish

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Hi, I have a chance to got a Six Line Wrasse and a Bicolor Blenny for my Red Sea Max Nano Peninsula, 26 gallon. Tank has been running a month, started with all wet rock from my sump and some from my LFS. Current inhabitants are a Purple Firefish and a Hector's Goby. The Six Line and the Blenny would likely be the last fish I would add. I like less fish, more coral.

I'm not sure if these would be a good fit. I read conflicting info, so I'd love some opinions.

Front

Side

The blenny will likely work out however I'd skip the 6-line.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Trying to get a wishlist together. My tank is finally thriving after a major disaster (4yo dumping a bag of food in) and I need to stock it cause it looks so boring. These are what I was hoping to get In there...

30gal reef tank
1 Ninja snail
4 turbo snails
1 dwarf hawkfish

Lawnmower blenny needs lots of algae, so consider supplementing it's diet with things like algae wafers. The mandarins need lots of pods. If you have lots of pods you can get one but if not you need to wait awhile until there is a giant population of pods.

The pistol shrimp will be fine alone, however they are much better off with a goby. Pistol shrimp have very poor eyesight, so the goby watches and makes sure that the shrimp is safe, making the shrimp alot more comfortable. It's just something to consider.

The hawkfish may eat small shrimp like the sexy shrimp so I wouldn't get any.

 

[aquamom92]

Lawnmower blenny needs lots of algae, so consider supplementing it's diet with things like algae wafers. The mandarins need lots of pods. If you have lots of pods you can get one but if not you need to wait awhile until there is a giant population of pods.

The pistol shrimp will be fine alone, however they are much better off with a goby. Pistol shrimp have very poor eyesight, so the goby watches and makes sure that the shrimp is safe, making the shrimp alot more comfortable. It's just something to consider.

Oh I thought there was a goby on there. Oops

I actually was thinking about pods the other day. How do I start a colony in the tank?

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Oh I thought there was a goby on there. Oops

I actually was thinking about pods the other day. How do I start a colony in the tank?

Order a bottle from somewhere like Dinkins, Reef By Steele, or Algae barn. I'd also dose phyto so they have lots to eat.

 

[ScottJ]

The blenny will likely work out however I'd skip the 6-line.

Thank's for the reply.That's what I'm thinking, too.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Bluestripe Pipefish for a 30G. LPS only.
Old picture!

 

[PharmrJohn]

Hi everyone! Newbie to saltwater (coming from freshwater) and wanted to run my planned live stock list by those more experienced. Thanks in advance!

Just had a Waterbox Infinia Frag 175.6 delivered (nothing up and running yet) but it's a 118 gallon display tank with a 55 gallon sump, I believe. Have watched entire BRS beginner series on YouTube. Below is my fish stock list in order of adding to tank (more or less), with the tangs not going in until tank well established (6 months-1 year?). Please advise on any red flags or if I need to re-order ones go in first. Too many fish? Can I add more?

Starter list for 120 gallon tank (no more than 60 in of fish):

Clownfish x2 (3 ea = 6 in of fish)
Banggai cardinalfish x 4 (3 ea = 12 in)
Flame hawkfish x1 (3.5 in)
Royal gramma basslet x1 (2.5 in)
Shrimp goby/yellow watchman goby x1 (2.5 in)
Pistol shrimp x1 (not included in fish:tank size ratio)
Sand-sifting goby (diamond? 6 in)
Sixline wrasse x1 (3 in)
Blue hippo tang (10 in)
Yellow tang (7 in)
Powder brown tang (8 in) *note, can be any tang, I actually don't really want a 3rd tang but heard you need an odd number to dispel potential aggression)

Thanks again!

Just a warning.....The Foxface is a venomous creature. Generally considered common knowledge, there are people who still do not realize it (such as myself, even 5 years into the hobby). If it hits you, it's comparable to a wasp sting x3. You will swear. You will jump around. You will wake up the neighbors. You'll move through your entire knowledge base of expletives. I'd dare to say you'd even make up, on the spot, strings of inappropriate, original phrases even you didn't think we're possible. So yeah. It'll hurt.

 

[getreefed]

sapphire damselx1 and azure damselx1 in same 50g tank, yes or no?

these are the two most passive species of damsel, yes?

 

[prairies]

Trying to sort out an idea for three showcase fish.

I assume that a 125gal tank is too small for a pair of blue throat triggers, though I know that you can house at least one comfortably. I really like these gentle giants.

BT trigger and a tang shouldn't be problematic - but what about two tangs? Looking at Chocolate/Mimic, or Powder Brown (though the PBT ich guarantee doesn't sound that fun tbh), as well as Yellow, Kole or Gem.

Or a BT Trigger, a Tang (likely Chocolate or PBT) and a Foxface?

I know they're all very active swimmers that grow to a decent size, so I definitely wouldn't want to cram them into something uncomfortable and become aggressive.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

sapphire damselx1 and azure damselx1 in same 50g tank, yes or no?

these are the two most passive species of damsel, yes?

If you have plenty of hiding spaces you can try. I am not really sure how these two are with eachother, but if things don't go well make sure to have an in tank acclimation box.

 

[sophohno]

Stocking Ideas for 86 gal (326L)?

My husband and I are getting our first marine tank and are trying to figure out what we eventually want to stock it with so we can prepare properly. The display tank is 120W x 55D x 53H cm and is 326L (~86gal) and we have a sump. We're planning to keep coral and do a mixed reef setup.

My husband wants to get an eel but we're concerned about them eating smaller fish. We think an engineer goby (or a pair of them) would be a safer substitute but I can't find a lot of info on exactly how big a tank should be to house a pair comfortably for their life.

Things we definitely want:
* 2 ocellaris clownfish + an anemone
* 1 blenny (not sure exactly what kind yet)
* 2 fire shrimp
* 1 tuxedo urchin
* either two engineer gobies (if they will fit) or a pistol shrimp + shrimp goby pair (I figured we can't do these + the engineer gobies due to them both burrowing)

Other things we're considering but not sure if we have space to add in addition to what we definitely want:
* 1 royal gramma basslet
* 1 fairy or flasher wrasse (would want a relatively peaceful one)
* 1 clown goby
* 1 flame or longnose hawkfish
* 1 tomini or kole tang
* some sort of snails / conches

Would appreciate any insight on what will work and what won't. Also any other suggestions are appreciated! We don't want to overstock the tank.

 

[Slocke]

Stocking Ideas for 86 gal (326L)?

My husband and I are getting our first marine tank and are trying to figure out what we eventually want to stock it with so we can prepare properly. The display tank is 120W x 55D x 53H cm and is 326L (~86gal) and we have a sump. We're planning to keep coral and do a mixed reef setup.

My husband wants to get an eel but we're concerned about them eating smaller fish. We think an engineer goby (or a pair of them) would be a safer substitute but I can't find a lot of info on exactly how big a tank should be to house a pair comfortably for their life.

Things we definitely want:
* 2 ocellaris clownfish + an anemone

The anemones ocellated live in can be difficult to keep. A toadstool coral is a good alternative

* 1 blenny (not sure exactly what kind yet)

May I suggest a tilefish if you are able to feed regularly. Otherwise most blennies are good. Just pick one you like the look of

* 2 fire shrimp

They can be shy. I suggest you get one fire and one skunk as skunks are far more bold and interactive

* 1 tuxedo urchin

Good

* either two engineer gobies (if they will fit) or a pistol shrimp + shrimp goby pair (I figured we can't do these + the engineer gobies due to them both burrowing)

I suggest one engineer goby. Just make sure your rocks are in the bottom of the tank and not on the sand to prevent a tumble. Your tank size is good for them.

Other things we're considering but not sure if we have space to add in addition to what we definitely want:
* 1 royal gramma basslet

Can be a little grumpy but otherwise a perfect fish

* 1 fairy or flasher wrasse (would want a relatively peaceful one)

Get a couple different species of flasher or look at this chart

* 1 clown goby

Good

* 1 flame or longnose hawkfish

I find these to be aggressive. Long nose a bit less though

* 1 tomini or kole tang

I wouldn’t in a tank that size

* some sort of snails / conches

Mexican turbos and a variety of small snails. Conches are great too

Would appreciate any insight on what will work and what won't. Also any other suggestions are appreciated! We don't want to overstock the tank.

Halichoeres wrasse or leopard wrasse. The former can be a bit aggressive but the latter is more difficult