55 gal stock list ideas

[Sage Robinson]

Hi All, I'm in the process of setting up my first reef, a read sea reefer 250 and was looking for some ideas on stock suitable for this sized tank.

So far I'd really like to have
Ocellaris Clownfish
Yellow Tang -well its young
Copper Banded butterflyfish
Flame Angelfish
Firefish

What other fish do people have in this sized tank???

My Build
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-reefer-250-tank-build.269691/#post-3233058

 

[eatbreakfast]

Some other options include: sunburst anthias, yellow assessor, midas blenny, royal gramma, chalk bass, yellowhead jawfish.

 

[Chrisfish]

Blennys have awesome personalities, Gobys, Wrasse, Pygmy Angels are few others:)

 

[tj w]

Sage, I'd definitely recommend researching all fish that you are potentially wanting. The yellow tang and the copperband butterfly will definitely not have enough room in that tank. There's plenty of other fish that are beautiful and will fit that size. Not trying to discourage you at all. Just trying to help alleviate some future problems with that list.

 

[Cment]

I have to agree with tj w, look into some fairy/flasher wrasses. There are plenty that are beautiful and would work well in your size tank.

 

[Sage Robinson]

Thanks for the help, I fully intend on doing proper research and not stressing out or harming the fish. I've seen several people have young juvenile yellow tangs for a year or so before they outgrow the tank and then move them to a larger system

 

[Tgrove]

I will probably get some heat for this. But in my 55g I have the following:

Scopas Tang
Midas Blenny
Spotted mandarin
Twin Spot Hog fish
black ocellaris clownfish
Dispar Anthias
Algae Blenny
Pj Cardinal
Flame Hawkfish
Barber pole Goby
Pistol Shrimp


everyone is healthy and gets along.

 

[LDH]

In my 55 I have
-1 Midas blenny
-1 ruby head fairy wrasse
- 2 Banggai cardinals
- 2 clownfish

This combo has been really peaceful while giving me all the entertainment and colours that I love. 55 is too small for any kind of aggression as I learned the hard way with a coral beauty so compatibility would be my number one priority at this size.

Wrasses are awesome and mine has become huge and beautiful but make sure your tank is covered as they definitely like to jump. Good luck !

 

[Sage Robinson]

Thanks everyone, loving the photos it's a fantastic looking tank

 

[Nick92515]

i would buy fish for your current tank, not a future one. buying a young one then moving it a year later is extra unnecessary stress. Another problem is when a fish thinks its to big for your tank, may be before you think its to big. Which will end up in major aggression and a disease ridden tank, there will be enough aggression already with the cbb and tang in that tank that size. Theirs plenty of good fish for a 55.

 

[malacoda]

I'll second the blenny mentions - with one small twist: a fang blenny. Great fish that are very under-rated IMHO. Peaceful and get along great with pretty much all other fish (except other fang blennies). Can be quite colorful - especially the canary, green canary/tonga, forktail, and striped varieties. And always active and out and about throughout the water column.