Stuck on 40 gal biotope ideas for bahamas/florida/carribean region

[Toast]

Hey y'all, I recently acquired a 40 gal breeder to replace the 30 cube next to my desk, currently housing very small recovering from previous tank crash corals: mostly zoas, a bali green slimer, a toadstool, two blastos and some mushrooms. Fish wise I have a sailfin blenny and a pygmy angel, also temporarily a mexican turbo snail to help with my bryopsis issue.
Since I already have some fish from the region, I'm thinking of doing a biotope for the carribean/bahamas and bit of florida coast area but I am stuck on what fish and corals are actually indigineous to that radius? Also inverts?
I've already visited Florent's guide to tropical reefs and billygoats florida biotope

Ive found some sites with some info but most choices there seem really dull or way too big for a 40 breeder.

I'm looking to do a mix of mostly corals but also maybe some gorgs or sponges/tunicates to add a natural feeling to the tank but not completely dull colors either. Macroalgae as well since I have a successful macro tank elsewhere. No nems.

So far I've been thinking:
A trio of chalk bass
I would like some sort of peaceful wrasse
I like tobies too but can't find one good for this size tank from this region
Pygmy angel (already in my tank)
Sailfin blenny (already in my tank)
Maybe some sharknose gobies (I had one but it's gone missing in the past week)
Mermaids fan macro
Pinecone alga macro
Flat top bristle brush macro
Green grape alga macro

Any info would be awesome i'm really looking forward to eventually setting up this tank I just want to get it right

 

[Subsea]

I can’t help you much with the fish.

To maximize your biodiversity, I recommend some diver collected live sand and uncured diver collected live rock:
Note: They are out of commission for 30 days due to hurricane cleanup.

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

My go to vendor for ornamental seaweed & ornamental sponges.

Note: these guys are up & running with a limited inventory.

Macro Algae: Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae | Gulf Coast Ecosystems

We specialize in saltwater Macroalgae and Seagrass | GCE has the largest selection of Macroalgae online, offering over 35 different species

www.live-plants.com

Best guide on macro identification & care.

Marine Plants In The Aquarium: An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

www.marineplantbook.com

 

[Subsea]

The inverts here are typical of Caribbean bio type with exception of Sea Apple.

 

[BetteMidler]

You are not going to get a Tang from the region, but you may want to chance on a group of Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium). They stay small, probably the smallest species of parrotfish you can get. Sourcing them is the challenge, but I got my hands on one over a year ago. Probably the easiest fish I've ever kept. He started sorta green, but has matured to this orange color.


Not sure how they are with corals. But there was an article in Reef Hobbyist Magazine about them in their 4th Quarter 2019 issue.

 

[Toast]

You are not going to get a Tang from the region, but you may want to chance on a group of Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium). They stay small, probably the smallest species of parrotfish you can get. Sourcing them is the challenge, but I got my hands on one over a year ago. Probably the easiest fish I've ever kept. He started sorta green, but has matured to this orange color.


Not sure how they are with corals. But there was an article in Reef Hobbyist Magazine about them in their 4th Quarter 2019 issue.

Oh wow thanks for the link and video! Never heard of these guys before but they're cute, how many do you think i could keep in a 40? Maybe a trio?
I looked them up and dont see them for sale anywhere but i will definitely hunt for these on the internet thanks !

 

[Toast]

The inverts here are typical of Caribbean bio type with exception of Sea Apple.

I love the sea apple its cute, wish it was native to carribean oh well. What is the yellow anenome looking thing in the middle? Is the one in the far right corner a sea whip?
The yellow and red sponge on the sand are cool too

 

[Toast]

I can’t help you much with the fish.

To maximize your biodiversity, I recommend some diver collected live sand and uncured diver collected live rock:
Note: They are out of commission for 30 days due to hurricane cleanup.

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

My go to vendor for ornamental seaweed & ornamental sponges.

Note: these guys are up & running with a limited inventory.

Macro Algae: Your Source For Quality Marine Plants and Macroalgae | Gulf Coast Ecosystems

We specialize in saltwater Macroalgae and Seagrass | GCE has the largest selection of Macroalgae online, offering over 35 different species

www.live-plants.com

Best guide on macro identification & care.

Marine Plants In The Aquarium: An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

www.marineplantbook.com

Too late on the sand.. husband bought me fiji pink and aragonite today , which i hope aren't literally from fiji ...
I will definitely check these guys out when the storm subsides, Ive heard another one is coming so I imagine they will be busy for a while

 

[BetteMidler]

Oh wow thanks for the link and video! Never heard of these guys before but they're cute, how many do you think i could keep in a 40? Maybe a trio?
I looked them up and dont see them for sale anywhere but i will definitely hunt for these on the internet thanks !

Not sure, I just have the one in a 40 with no other fish or Corals. I think a trio would be fine, if you can find them. No one seems to collecting them. They are skittish at first, but mine is so used to me, he'll poke his head out of the water & let me pet him . I can't imagine finding & actually catching one easily in the wild.

Make sure there is a lid, mine managed to carpet surf on one occasion. I was lucky to hear it & got him back in there.

 

[Subsea]

I love the sea apple its cute, wish it was native to carribean oh well. What is the yellow anenome looking thing in the middle? Is the one in the far right corner a sea whip?
The yellow and red sponge on the sand are cool too

Front left of center at bottom is Elephat Ear Sponge and right of center is a deep water NPS Gorgonion.

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Elephant Ear Sponge

Yellow Gorgonian - Diodogorgia nodulifera

These have a 3/4 inch base and can be place anywhere within a reef. These are regarded as a suspension feeder and will last a really long time within a reef when fed one of the plankton type food supplements. Size varies from 4 to 7 inches in height.

reeftopia.com

 

[Subsea]

Hey y'all, I recently acquired a 40 gal breeder to replace the 30 cube next to my desk, currently housing very small recovering from previous tank crash corals: mostly zoas, a bali green slimer, a toadstool, two blastos and some mushrooms. Fish wise I have a sailfin blenny and a pygmy angel, also temporarily a mexican turbo snail to help with my bryopsis issue.
Since I already have some fish from the region, I'm thinking of doing a biotope for the carribean/bahamas and bit of florida coast area but I am stuck on what fish and corals are actually indigineous to that radius? Also inverts?
I've already visited Florent's guide to tropical reefs and billygoats florida biotope

Ive found some sites with some info but most choices there seem really dull or way too big for a 40 breeder.

I'm looking to do a mix of mostly corals but also maybe some gorgs or sponges/tunicates to add a natural feeling to the tank but not completely dull colors either. Macroalgae as well since I have a successful macro tank elsewhere. No nems.

So far I've been thinking:
A trio of chalk bass
I would like some sort of peaceful wrasse
I like tobies too but can't find one good for this size tank from this region
Pygmy angel (already in my tank)
Sailfin blenny (already in my tank)
Maybe some sharknose gobies (I had one but it's gone missing in the past week)
Mermaids fan macro
Pinecone alga macro
Flat top bristle brush macro
Green grape alga macro

Any info would be awesome i'm really looking forward to eventually setting up this tank I just want to get it right

If you are interested in ornamental seaweed, consider removing the TANG.

<head> <title>Macroalgae For Marine Reef Aquariums: Botryocladia Red Grape

Bortacladia is collected between 30’-130’ of water. When I get it from the divers it is a dark burgundy. Given more light it turns fire engine red. Under intense light, it is yellow/orange.

Note: If Bortacladia is shocked with intense light, it often loses its flotation balls and goes sexual.

Also, if you are doing macro algae (seaweed) be prepared to add large amounts of nutrients. I use ammonia and liquid kelp concentrate. Read Russ Kronwetter’s guide

Marine Plants In The Aquarium: An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

www.marineplantbook.com