55 Gallon Stocking ideas

Rogerstd · Jan 2, 2020

Hi all! I am very new to Saltwater tanks, and just need some tips on stocking. I eventually want to go for corals once I get more experience, and know any kind of over stocking can be detrimental to coral. I currently have a canister filter of 185 GPH, 60 lbs live sand, will be getting a good amount of live rock, and potentially a protein skimmer (may wait for corals). I have not begun to set up anything yet so definitely have time and would of course appreciate any other tips :)

The below are the fish I'm interested in especially the longnose and clowns, but know all would be too much. If I could get some tips or advice on narrowing it down, or maybe even alternatives I'd greatly appreciate it!

Longnose Hawkfish
Pair of Clowns
Cardinalfish
Orchid dottyback or royal gramma (I know it's one or the other)
Chalk bass
Lawnmower blenny
Fire fish
Of course some shrimp/snails/hermit crabs for cleaning

mayday0237 · Jan 2, 2020

Rogerstd said:
Hi all! I am very new to Saltwater tanks, and just need some tips on stocking. I eventually want to go for corals once I get more experience, and know any kind of over stocking can be detrimental to coral. I currently have a canister filter of 185 GPH, 60 lbs live sand, will be getting a good amount of live rock, and potentially a protein skimmer (may wait for corals). I have not begun to set up anything yet so definitely have time and would of course appreciate any other tips :)

The below are the fish I'm interested in especially the longnose and clowns, but know all would be too much. If I could get some tips or advice on narrowing it down, or maybe even alternatives I'd greatly appreciate it!

Longnose Hawkfish
Pair of Clowns
Cardinalfish
Orchid dottyback or royal gramma (I know it's one or the other)
Chalk bass
Lawnmower blenny
Fire fish
Of course some shrimp/snails/hermit crabs for cleaning

Just read the heading...duh on me 55 gal tank ..you should be pretty ok with all of these in a fully cycled 55.
The firefish and blennie will be the difficult ones. The blennie will need extra food since the tank isn't mature

Clownfish, particularly tank raised are super forgiving.
Fire fish can be tough at least until it's been set up for a year, they are also very shy and passive sometimes. Make sure you have a tight lid they can be suicidal if chased. usually best in pairs.

The blenny should be ok if u supplement algae and copapods.

Pj cardinals are a great easy fish and you can keep a couple (2-5) in tanks around 50g I had 3 in a 55 then a 60g.
I have no experience with the chalk bass.
The dottyback and Grammas can get pushy I would add him last. Also they are jumpers that need lids.
The hawk is fun to watch, I have not kept one tho, so not sure if they eat cuc .

Rogerstd · Jan 2, 2020

mayday0237 said:
What is the size of your new tank?

Clownfish, particularly tank raised are super forgiving.
Fire fish can be tough at least until it's been set up for a year, they are also very shy and passive sometimes. Make sure you have a tight lid they can be suicidal if chased. usually best in pairs.
The blenny should be ok if u supplement algae and copapods.
Pj cardinals are a great easy fish and you can keep a couple 2-5 in tanks around 50g I had 3 in a 55 then a 60g.
I have no experience with the chalk bass.
The dottyback and Grammas can get pushy I would add him last. Also they are jumpers that need lids.
The hawk is fun to watch, I have not kept one tho, so not sure if they eat cuc .

It's a 55 gallon so definitely a little limited