80 Gallon Stocking Questions

[Matt_Mc]

Hey Guys
I’m in the process of cycling my tank and am hoping to begin stocking it in the next 3 months. I have a number of fish that I like and would like some help with making the right choices. My tank dimensions are 48x24x12.

Here’s my list:
Yellow Tang
Kole Eye Tang
Two Percula Clowns
Mystery Wrasse
Two Fathead Anthias

Please let me know if any of these choices are unwise and if I should go in another direction. Also if you could please let me know the order in which I should add my fish. Thanks for your help!

Matt M.

 

[Old Fritz]

2 fathead anthias is a bad number. You'll want a larger group. As for the tangs you might botice a but of aggression especially in a fairly small tank for tangs. Otherwise i dont see any problems

 

[Musovski]

You'll be fine. Good list.

 

[Matt_Mc]

Thanks for your help. Do you believe I could add any other fish or would 7 be my max. If so would you suggest 3 fatheads instead of 2?

Thanks
Matt M

 

[Jesterrace]

Hey Guys
I’m in the process of cycling my tank and am hoping to begin stocking it in the next 3 months. I have a number of fish that I like and would like some help with making the right choices. My tank dimensions are 48x24x12.

Here’s my list:
Yellow Tang
Kole Eye Tang
Two Percula Clowns
Mystery Wrasse
Two Fathead Anthias

Please let me know if any of these choices are unwise and if I should go in another direction. Also if you could please let me know the order in which I should add my fish. Thanks for your help!

Matt M.

2 tangs in that tank wouldn't be sustainable long term IMHO. I would keep the Kole and pass on the Yellow. Yellow Tangs are often aggressive as they start growing (I had to boot one from my 90 gallon as it tried to take over the whole tank and it wasn't half grown).

 

[Maritimer]

Fathead anthias aren't the schoolers that some other anthias are, and tend to hang closer under rock ledges and such.

Keep in mind that mystery wrasses (though beautiful!) don't always play well with other wrasses, and may limit additions moving forward.

I would add the anthias first, wrasse and tangs last, with the tangs together if at all possible.

~Bruce

 

[eatbreakfast]

In that size tank the fathead anthias can be kept singly or with others. They aren't social, but as long as there is enough room they tolerate each other..

That tank's dimensions don't leave a lot of vertical space for tangs, and I would advise against 2 tangs in that size tank.

I will reiterate the advice warning about potential aggression from the mystery wrasse toward future additions.

 

[Jesterrace]

Forgot about the Mystery Wrasse, the other issue is that they are very prone to making lunch out of any shrimp in the tank (even cleaner shrimp). Too bad, gorgeous fish.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Increase the number of anthias. As for the tangs, it is possible to keep both in an 80 in my opinion if you are careful with the rock work and have a bit of luck on your side. Add the kole first or add them both simultaneously. DO NOT ADD THE YELLOW FIRST.

I would not recommend adding both tangs though. But then again, I do a lot of things I wouldn’t recommend others do.

 

[A sea K]

OK my 2 cents, first, 48x24x12 is 60gal not 80, not a real big deal except as mentioned by eatbreakfast being not the best idea on the YT as the vertical dimension is quite limited. I do feel a smaller bristletooth (kole) is still doable though. Also agree with others on the Mystery wrasse, a beauty of a fish with disposition issues, there are so many other choices in a wrasse that have both knock out good looks and a disposition to match. Do a little research and make a second choice with something a little friendlier and you could add another wrasse as well.