Stocking A 75 Gallon SPS Tank...

[ChrisRD]

I'm in the process of setting up another tank - an old glass 75 gallon (standard dimension 4') I pulled out of storage. The tank will be SPS only (with the possible exception of a Tridacna sp. clam or two).

Anyway, my problem is that there are too many cool fish to pick from and I'm trying to narrow this list down!

What would you keep from this list and in what order would you stock? I've tried to arrange the list in somewhat of stocking order (somewhat difficult until the list is narrowed down though)...

Amphiprion percula (Percula Clown)...a pair
Assessor flavissimus (Yellow Assessor)...one
Chromis iomelas (Black & White Chromis)...small group
Gramma loreto (Royal Gramma)...one
Chrysiptera parasema (Yellowtail Blue Damselfish)...small group
Pseudochromis fridmani (Orchid Dottyback)...one
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia (Sixline Wrasse)...one
Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole's Tang)...one
Centropyge argi (Cherub Angelfish)...one

Thanks in advance for any help with this...

 

[Len]

That's quite the bunch, and unfortunately a good number of them are rather aggressive. Personally, without an anemone, I'd omit the clowns. The assessor is a nice, peaceful, beautiful fish, but be prepared not to see it much. Between it, the Gramma, and the Fridmani, I'd pick one of them since I believe some aggression will occur with a combination of any of these. I'm not a chromis/damselfish fan, so that's up to you

Myself, I'd add these from the list in the following order:
C.iomelas group
C.strigosus
P.hexanaenia
P.fridamni (captive bred)
C.argi

But that's just me

 

[holry7778]

From what I have read and seen of these fish, many of them are just really beautiful, but I think Len is right, aggression will most likely make the choices for you.

 

[ChrisRD]

That stocking list was actually something I put together while planning a 180 gallon reef a while back, so I'm figuring less than half of those will make the cut.

Just wondering what experiences people have mixing and matching with that group. I've actually kept a few of the fish on the list - just not together.

I like Len's list. Thanks for the suggestions - keep 'em coming...

 

[Juck]

Sargassum sargassum and 20 Damsels

I think all those fish together would be cool lookin',, though I've had real bad luck with Grammas and Dottybacks myself.

No blenny? Surely not!
I'm a big fan of firefish,, especially if you can get a little group living together,,, they don't poop much and are always out and about,, an Argi and Kole swimming constantly might spoil their mood though.

What are your going to put on the floor of the aquarium? Starboard? I just set up a 29 BB in my office today,,, I used large ceramic floor tiles from LOWES ,, they look pretty good,,, three $2 tiles did the whole tank.

 

[Juck]

oops,,sorry,, no idea where I got the notion you were going with a BB tank. lol

 

[GSchiemer]

I don't see anything wrong with the choice of fish. Most of it is a matter of personal preference. I'd reconsider the chromis and damsels. They can both be a little nasty in a small aquaurium. If I had to have one group, it would be the chomis. The sixline can also be a nasty fish and limits your future options. I'd seriously reconsider this fish. The cherub angel is also a tough customer, but if you really want an angel, it's a good choice. Here's what I'd suggest:

Amphiprion percula (Percula Clown)...a pair
Assessor flavissimus (Yellow Assessor)...one
Gramma loreto (Royal Gramma)...one
Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole's Tang)...one
Pseudochromis fridmani (Orchid Dottyback)...one
Chromis iomelas (Black & White Chromis)...small group
Centropyge argi (Cherub Angelfish)...one

I really don't think the order is critical, except for keeping the cherub angel last and the royal gramma before the fridmani.

Good luck!

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

Get a pair of flame wrasses or something of that sort.

If yer gonna go with an awesome SPS/Clam tank, at least have a pair of awesome fish instead of a bunch of 'commoners.'



Peace,

Chip, being a snob...

 

[GSchiemer]

Although they're beautiful fish, flame wrasses (Cirrhilabrus jordani) are notorious jumpers and I don't recommend them for open-top aquariums.

 

[Anonymous]

Although they're beautiful fish, flame wrasses (Cirrhilabrus jordani) are notorious jumpers and I don't recommend them for open-top aquariums.

I assumed he would have a canopy on the tank.

Stop spoiling my fun, Greg!

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I find this one of the most fun parts- planning the fish list!

I'd agree with Greg about the damsels.

Here's an alternate list:

Orchid dottyback - can't go wrong with this beauty

Basslet - instead of the assessor I would go for some other small basslet, like swissguard or similar. They stay hidden a lot, but the glimpses are nice.

Angel - I had an argi about 15 years ago; I don't recall mine being particularly aggressive but they supposedly can be. As an alternate I like the Genicanthus angels, particularly bellus and watanabie. Good in a trio, but maybe that should wait for the bigger tank. For other angel browsing, look at Scott Michael's new book and an article Gregg wrote on angels in the reef for Advanced Aquarist.

Wrasse - I like the 4-line a bit better in looks compared to the 6-line. No idea on the aggression difference there. I'm not really a fairy wrasse fan- they look great in pictures, and I love the diversity, but when I see one in a tank I just don't like the look. I have a pair of little flasher wrasses that are fun though. Other thoughts are those bright red and white striped hogfish, and the mystery wrasse, or whatever they are calling it now.

Kole tang sounds good.

I tend to like the less common stuff, but I have to admit that one plain old chromis I have from your old tank is beautiful. That color is unique in my tank and really adds a certain something.

My new favorite fish: Comet or marine betta. Get a small one and it will be fine in that tank until you are ready for the bigger tank. Super cool fish. Stays hidden a lot though. Mine has started associating the net with grass shrimp and comes out front for dinner.

So that list is possibly for a bigger tank, and certainly more expensive. Just some thoughts to confuse the issue!

 

[ChrisRD]

Hmmm... ...forgot about the Genicanthus angels...

You were supposed to help shorten the list dammit!

 

[Anonymous]

:lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

BTW, thanks for all the great feedback so far guys.

 

[Anonymous]

I really love C. argi, very cute fish. Mine was a little aggressive, but I felt it was mostly "show" with very little to back it up. He would flash his fins and display, but I never had any problem with him actually hurting or terrorizing any other fish.

I kept a blue assessor and an orchid dottyback together in a 155, the assessor was in there first. Absolutly no aggression between those two, I was really expecting it too and was prepared to take action. I don't know if things would be different in a tank half that size though. I really enjoyed the assessor, but I wouldn't have one again unless it was in a smaller tank or a tank with only small peaceful fish, they are very mellow and I think they would be best enjoyed in a tank with less hubub going on.

I love orchid dottybacks! There isn't a more beautiful fish IMO! And you can get them tank raised, another bonus.

 

[Anonymous]

BTW, thanks for all the great feedback so far guys.

Red Sea 8-line flasher wrasse, man!

Yeah, bellus and masked swallowtail! Just make sure I get mine before you get yours.

Peace,

Chip

 

[ChrisRD]

So far I'm thinking I'll take A. flavissimus off the list as I get the feeling I won't be seeing much of it anyways...

I may eliminate G. loreto for the same reason. The last one I had was a bit too shy for me - very healthy and beautiful, but spent most of its time in the rockwork and only got bold at feeding time.

Also, I think the C. parasemas may have to go too. I've had them before and they didn't seem all that bad, but then again, they were in a tank with several other damsel species (read worse), so maybe they just never really had a chance to show their stuff...LOL.

Definitely still in the running:
C. Iomelas
P. fridmani
C. strigosus
C. argi

Maybes:
A. percula
P. hexataenia

I've had several clownfish pairs over the years and I enjoy them, but I could live without them in this tank if need be.

I'd really love a P. hexataenia in there but I don't want the tank to be war zone, so I'm rethinking that one after Greg's comments...

Keep the great advice coming.

 

[ChrisRD]

BTW, I'm hesitant about notorious jumpers because I may keep the tank running open-top (haven't decided yet). Also, I don't want anything that requires sand, as there may not be much (or any).

 

[HClH2OFish]

How about a Centropyge vroliki??

Not sure how 'reef' safe they are though....but man, what a beautiful fish

 

[GSchiemer]

BTW, I'm hesitant about notorious jumpers because I may keep the tank running open-top (haven't decided yet). Also, I don't want anything that requires sand, as there may not be much (or any).

Flasher and Fairy wrasses (Paracheilinus and Cirrhilabrus,) as well as the lined wrasses (Pseudocheilinus), don't require sand. They sleep in the rockwork inside a mucus cocoon.

Greg