75 gal livestock brainstorming

[jeep and goose]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

 

[jeep and goose]

Invertebrate wise I’m interested in big cleaner shrimp, arrow crab, and general clean up crew. I’m honestly torn wether I wanna do a delicate small fish tank which gives me more invert options and might be easier to care for

 

[christinna77]

Check out some tank threads similar to your tank size, and see their stock list. Then think about what you'd like, research each fish and its requirements and make a potential stocking list. Post it here, and see what people think. Your question is, imo, too vague at this point.

 

[rayadog]

Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish

I would not get any of these for that small tank

flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts

I would get several of these for that small tank.

75 gallon is not as big as we think it is, especially with rock in it. Most every fish will need a place to sleep/hide in the rock too, so you have to have enough rock and not enough fish.

In addition to all the other smaller species, you could get a small wrasse as well. There are a number of unique looking wrasse out there.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree on none of the rabbitfish. You would need a 120g or bigger. The rest of the fish would work for your tank. It just comes down to which ones you want to put in there.

Blennies and gobies will always get my vote. Dwarf angels, while they are nice to have, can nip at coral.

Wrasses like the Melanurus, Carpenter, or any of the fairy wrasse species would be perfect for your tank.

You really do have a lot of options for a 75g. As someone mentioned above, take a look around at some 75g tanks on here and see what people put in them. Compare and contrast the livestocks and that will help you narrow down some options.

 

[GenghisTom]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

I don’t have one but I came across a Possum Wrasse that I’ve been reading about. They 2-3” and are for pest control. They might go after small hermits, shrimp, etc… small enough to fit in their mouth.

 

[GenghisTom]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

I don’t have one but I came across a Possum Wrasse that I’ve been reading about. They 2-3” and are for pest control. They might go after small hermits, shrimp, etc… small enough to fit in their mouth.

Anthias are fun, get a male and a bunch of females. They’re a schooling fish and pretty social. If you have shy fish in your tank, they help to get the shy ones out more in the viewing area because it looks safe.

 

[jeep and goose]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

I don’t have one but I came across a Possum Wrasse that I’ve been reading about. They 2-3” and are for pest control. They might go after small hermits, shrimp, etc… small enough to fit in their mouth.

Anthias are fun, get a male and a bunch of females. They’re a schooling fish and pretty social. If you have shy fish in your tank, they help to get the shy ones out more in the viewing area because it looks safe.

Don’t they fold if u can’t feed them like 500 times a day though? I am often not home on the weekend

 

[jeep and goose]

The main butterflies I was considering was the Klein butterfly or the pyramid or the blue spot butterfly, or maybe some of the Caribbean options idk if I want to mix continents tho

 

[i cant think]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

Depending on your views, I personally find these fascinating:
Broadstripe Cardinals (Ostorhinchus angustatus).

I currently have a group of 11 in my shop and I have found myself watching them quite frequently - even considered adding a small group into one of our displays. They appear like freshwater fish, where they’re quite dull initially. But when you look closer, their fins get a red hue, and their personality is just fascinating to watch. It’s just something different to your usual Pyjama Cardinals and Kauderni Cardinals.


Something I would consider is;
Do you want more but smaller species or fewer but larger species of fish?
I personally prefer it when you have more smaller species - hence my love for wrasse tanks, gobies, Blennies, cardinals, basslets etc. I also love these for the simple reason of not everything is out at the same time, sometimes fish will vanish for months just to suddenly reappear.

But some people prefer tang tanks with these big, showpiece fish that are always viewable no matter what.

 

[jeep and goose]

Other was the long nose one and then rehoming when it outgrows the tank

 

[jeep and goose]

Just making a little thread to brainstorm about potential fish and invertebrates I’d like to keep in my aquarium. Some potential highlights is I’m interested in rabbit fish specifically the unimaculatus the 2 bar and the orange spotted however I know they usually outgrow a tank like this. Butterfly fishes, stripey, hi hat/jack knife fish, flame angel and other dwarf angels, I also really like cardinal fish and damsels, and I like all sorts of oddball type fish like blennies, jaw fish, gobies, and hawk fish/bassletts. I’d like to keep multiples of some fish to get social/breeding behavior. Fish considered for that niche are the cardinals and damsels, dragonets, gobies etc. anyone have any specific reccomendstions. Obviously I wouldn’t get all of this probably not even half of it lol just spitballing right now

Depending on your views, I personally find these fascinating:
Broadstripe Cardinals (Ostorhinchus angustatus).

I currently have a group of 11 in my shop and I have found myself watching them quite frequently - even considered adding a small group into one of our displays. They appear like freshwater fish, where they’re quite dull initially. But when you look closer, their fins get a red hue, and their personality is just fascinating to watch. It’s just something different to your usual Pyjama Cardinals and Kauderni Cardinals.


Something I would consider is;
Do you want more but smaller species or fewer but larger species of fish?
I personally prefer it when you have more smaller species - hence my love for wrasse tanks, gobies, Blennies, cardinals, basslets etc. I also love these for the simple reason of not everything is out at the same time, sometimes fish will vanish for months just to suddenly reappear.

But some people prefer tang tanks with these big, showpiece fish that are always viewable no matter what.

I actually used to keep angustatus lol they were wild, they would eat cubes of frozen food whole

 

[jeep and goose]

I really like the cardinal that mimic fang blennies but I don’t think I’ll ever find them in the us lol, I really like pajamas cause they look quirky but I’ve seen old old ones that look ugly

 

[jeep and goose]

I also like the stop light carindals but from what I know they are kinda predatory but I think most big cardinals are like that

 

[jeep and goose]

I know the freshwater ones are huge predators which is funny, I also lik dottybscks a lot but I would be scared of them getting mean. I do really want cleaner shrimp and inverts in the tank I think cause they are neat

 

[jeep and goose]

And the most I’ve done with inverts before was a arrow crab and some peppermint shrimp

 

[i cant think]

I actually used to keep angustatus lol they were wild, they would eat cubes of frozen food whole

Ooh nice!! Another Ostorhinchus species I’ve kept are these (Not my photo);

Ostorhinchus cyanosoma - Yellow Lined Cardinals. They’re similar to the Angustatus but with a bit more colour.

What are your thoughts on wrasses?

 

[i cant think]

I also like the stop light carindals but from what I know they are kinda predatory but I think most big cardinals are like that

I’ve also had a group of stoplights and I did find they could become predatory towards small inverts, they loved sexy shrimp.

I know the freshwater ones are huge predators which is funny, I also lik dottybscks a lot but I would be scared of them getting mean. I do really want cleaner shrimp and inverts in the tank I think cause they are neat

I have found the Orchid (Pseudochromis fridmani) to be relatively peaceful, along with the Sankeyi. I personally have the hybrid Sankeyi x Fridmani and rather than aggressive, she’s more on the peaceful side but if a fish pushes her enough she will bite back with a territorial form of aggression.

The main butterflies I was considering was the Klein butterfly or the pyramid or the blue spot butterfly, or maybe some of the Caribbean options idk if I want to mix continents tho

Do you know what you’re after with butterflies? Colour? Personality? Pest hunters?
And similarly - do you want a mixed reef tank or a tank with a dominant type of coral?
Do you have any inspiration you’re looking at going for?

I know I’m asking a lot of questions but it’ll make our recommendations easier if we have a better idea of what you’re aiming for with your tank :)

 

[i cant think]

Check out some tank threads similar to your tank size, and see their stock list. Then think about what you'd like, research each fish and its requirements and make a potential stocking list. Post it here, and see what people think. Your question is, imo, too vague at this point.

I agree with this however at the same time, whilst it’s a vague/open ended main question, if we get an understanding of what the OP is after tank wise, it gives a better idea of what we can recommend.

 

[jeep and goose]

I actually used to keep angustatus lol they were wild, they would eat cubes of frozen food whole

Ooh nice!! Another Ostorhinchus species I’ve kept are these (Not my photo);

Ostorhinchus cyanosoma - Yellow Lined Cardinals. They’re similar to the Angustatus but with a bit more colour.

What are your thoughts on wrasses?

I like wrasses just not the super cryptic ones honestly, like that’s the main thing I’ve learned about myself, is I don’t care how cool a fish looks if i will only see it once a month. I’ve kept melanurus before. I had a lemon dotty back with it that somehow made it hide for like a year straight, i think that one specifically was a very shy fish cause It would pretty much constantly hide if I kept it with anything besides the most peaceful of peaceful fish. I think even the cardinals I had scared it