180 Gallon Reef Tank Stocking List

[Rangerbob86]

Hello! I have a new 180 gallon (6’ x 2’ x 2’) tank with 200 lbs live rock and 75 gallon sump. Planning on some softies and LPS corals, but am more interested in fish. Current stocking wish list:

Foxface Lo
Harlequin Tusk
Ocellaris Clownfish x 2
Copperband Butterflyfish
Dwarf Zebra Lionfish
Large Angel (looking at blue face and regal right now) - flame angelfish if no large angels will work
Red Sea (Desjardinii) Sailfin Tang
Blue Hippo Tang
Green Mandarin (after a year)

Any compatibility issues/replacement suggestions for more color, diversity, or personality would be greatly appreciated!

 

[eatbreakfast]

The occellaris and mandarin may eventually be on the menu of the lion.

LPS and polyps may be on the menu of the large angel.

 

[Humblefish]

The occellaris and mandarin may eventually be on the menu of the lion.

LPS and polyps may be on the menu of the large angel.

+1 Harlequin Tusk means no shrimp/CUC in this tank. Copperband Butterflyfish will not survive long term with aggressive fish. I'm struggling to keep one in a 150 gal with just a Powder Blue Tang and some dwarf angels. I constantly have to target feed with a turkey baster to make sure it gets it's fill to eat.

 

[Rangerbob86]

Great thanks. I am still debating the dwarf lion and which type of angel as it is, and it would be a while until the tank is ready for either. Are there any suggestions on a good angel (either dwarf or large) for my tank? Thanks!

 

[Humblefish]

Great thanks. I am still debating the dwarf lion and which type of angel as it is, and it would be a while until the tank is ready for either. Are there any suggestions on a good angel (either dwarf or large) for my tank? Thanks!

Only reef safe angels are the Genicanthus (exs. Bellus, Lamarck's, Spotbreast, Watanabei). Most dwarfs will nip here & there; sometimes it's something you can live with. The Regal Angel you mentioned is a pretty good choice, although they eventually will start nipping at everything except SPS.

Be careful of any Holacanthus or Pomacanthus angelfish. These guys generally grow up to be bullies who can really dominate a tank. Even in a 180 gal.

 

[jschultzbass]

The regal angel is a difficult and expensive fish and best meant for experienced hobbyists. The angel I like best is the Majestic (pomacanthus navarchus). I've had really good luck with these and they stay relatively small. They might nip here or there but are one of the more "reef safe" angels.