stocking suggestions - 75 gal ?

[JohnH]

I have the following system: 75 gal., 75 lbs "dead" rock, 25 lbs live rock (spreading onto the dead), Eheim filter, BakPak skimmer, powerheads, PC 50/50 lights. The tank cycled earlier this summer and I have been pondering stocking options. Current occupants are a blue damsel, neon goby, and some hermits and snails. I will likely trade the damsel to my LFS.

I am considering the following (will add maybe 1 per week):

Royal Gramma or a dottyback (purple or diadema)
Longnose Hawk
Firefish
Tomato clown
Flame angel (eventually)

I also plan to add some mushrooms and star/button polyps.

Any thoughts/opinions? especially re the gramma vs a dottyback? Or other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your responses...

 

[tazdevil]

A few thoughts
1: The amount of liverock, depending on source, should be about 1.25-1.5 lbs per gallon.

2: Adding fish, probably want to add 1 per month, not week.

3: Flame Angels and corals- I have a flame, and mushrooms, as well as many tubeworms. He doesn't attempt to eat any of them, however, they're not totally reef-safe, you'll have to keep a close eye on him.

4: Tomato clowns are one of the more belligerent clowns, and, when established, may attack a flame angel (even if he's bigger) due to the appearance that the flame is another tomato clown intruding on his territory.

5: Firefish are very timid gobies. They may not do well in a system that has more active/aggresive fish in it.

6: Royal gramma's- I personally love 'em. They are a cave dwelling species, and do appreciate plenty of places to hide. I have tried to keep a royal gramma twice in my 75, however, I believe this was due to a 6y/o and 2 y/o constantly running by the tank, they slowly perished . Cant attribute anything else to this, as all other inhabitants were healthy.

Remember though, whatever you decide, add them slow.

 

[Anonymous]

If I remember, the Longnosed hawk will eat any shrimps you might want to later add to your tank. And from personal experience, having a pair of clowns wiggle around in an anemone is one of the things that I like most about my tank. If you already like clownfish, then you might enjoy a mated pair even more. Percula clowns are less aggresive.

Sorry I don't know my gramma's or dottybacks' enough to comment on them.

just my .02,
po

 

[Jana]

I currently have a Royal Gramma in my 75 gallon tank & he is one of my favorites. Visitors will always comment on what a pretty fish he is due to his striking coloration. He did hide out in the rockwork for a couple of weeks & would only come out to eat, but now he is always out & about. He eats frozen food & flakes. I also have a pair of Maroon Clowns that hang out in the Colt coral. The Royal Gramma & the Clowns get along fine.

- Jana