Small predator tank(120gallon) ideas.

[NickNH]

I am in the planning phase for a small tank to start and a large community tank later on. My stocking plan for the predator tank idea is the following: 2 maroon clownfish, 1 coral croucher, 3 pyjama cardinals, 1 tomini tang, 1 convict tang, 1 blue hamlet grouper, 1 toby puffer, 1 coral beauty angelfish, 1 dwarf golden moray, 1 bluehead wrasse, 1 melanurus wrasse, 1 Indian lyretail anthias, 5 black and white chromis. Mixed sand bed with live rock and coral. Any foreseeable issues with things getting eaten?

 

[Ron Reefman]

20 critters in a 120g tank seems a bit over stocked to me.

 

[NickNH]

20 critters in a 120g tank seems a bit over stocked to me.

I think it should be fine with good filtration and frequent water changes which I was going to do anyway. I've seen tanks on here much more overstocked than that that are kept clean and orderly.

 

[littlefoxx]

Only issue I see is the coral croucher might be food for the eel at some point but you never know. My two eels dont eat my blenny, hawkfish or mandarins when they 100% could, depends on the eel I guess!

 

[littlefoxx]

Also the cardinals and anthias/chromis could also be food for an eel but depends on the eel as well. Only fish my eels have ever eaten were cleaner wrasse

 

[NickNH]

Also the cardinals and anthias/chromis could also be food for an eel but depends on the eel as well. Only fish my eels have ever eaten were cleaner wrasse

OK, I figured that might be a possibility but it is a risk I am willing to take because wost case scenario they are fairly cheap and the coral croucher notorious for hiding under rocks and coral so I am fairly sure that would be fine.

 

[littlefoxx]

OK, I figured that might be a possibility but it is a risk I am willing to take because wost case scenario they are fairly cheap and the coral croucher notorious for hiding under rocks and coral so I am fairly sure that would be fine.

As long as youre aware it could be eaten! My two eels are well behaved and let me know when they are hungry. I also have 2 lionfish and they dont eat my smaller fish either

 

[littlefoxx]

Also a marine betta is a really cool edition to a predator tank! I chose that one vs the hamlet grouper for temperament and boy is he a stunning fish. Shy at first but adds a presence to the tank! He is pretty peaceful too and not easily bullied. Just a suggestion instead or in addition to

 

[Slocke]

I suggest a dragon wrasse. Funnest fish I own. Has tons of quirks and personality. Just make sure you have rubble and shells for it to play with and any small rocks you don’t want moved are glued down.

 

[Slocke]

OK, I figured that might be a possibility but it is a risk I am willing to take because wost case scenario they are fairly cheap and the coral croucher notorious for hiding under rocks and coral so I am fairly sure that would be fine.

Eels hunt by searching holes and crevices for food. It’s the reason they are so skinny and flexible.

Golden dwarf morays are a Hawaiian fish and thus not available.

 

[NickNH]

Eels hunt by searching holes and crevices for food. It’s the reason they are so skinny and flexible.

Golden dwarf morays are a Hawaiian fish and thus not available.

Allright since they aren't available I'll scale back and go with less things and an 80 gallon I suppose.

 

[Tired]

I suspect you will not at all see the croucher in that tank.

Pufferfish aren't reef-safe, angelfish are iffy at best.

There is a non-zero chance of the maroon clownfish female beating up literally everything else once she hits maturity. Those suckers are aggressive as hell. I would especially worry about the anthias.

Waspfish are a good bet. Venomous, but not enough to kill you if you're incautious enough to get stung. Not especially timid, but not aggressive, and can't eat fish unless they're tiny.

 

[littlefoxx]

Allright since they aren't available I'll scale back and go with less things and an 80 gallon I suppose.

Plenty other eels to get! Ive got a jeweled and a snowflake. Great eels

 

[NickNH]

I suspect you will not at all see the croucher in that tank.

Pufferfish aren't reef-safe, angelfish are iffy at best.

There is a non-zero chance of the maroon clownfish female beating up literally everything else once she hits maturity. Those suckers are aggressive as hell. I would especially worry about the anthias.

Waspfish are a good bet. Venomous, but not enough to kill you if you're incautious enough to get stung. Not especially timid, but not aggressive, and can't eat fish unless they're tiny.

Are ocellaris better behaved? I can deal with some aggression but that seems about on par with crap like sharks and groupers in terms of behavior.

 

[littlefoxx]

Are ocellaris better behaved? I can deal with some aggression but that seems about on par with crap like sharks and groupers in terms of behavior.

I have a maroon female and male pair. Shes about as behaved as any other clownfish. Ive had more aggressive clowns than her to be honest. I say if you want a maroon go for it!

 

[Tired]

Ocellaris are much better behaved, yes, as a general rule. Though there is some individual variation in all species.