85G Stocking Advice (Mixed Reef)

[SirSalabean]

Hi all,

I have set up a 326l reef tank (Approx 85G) with a 55l sump. I am currently planning my stocking list, there seems to be alot of different information and opinions on this subject regarding the amount of stock, and what I can stock in terms of larger fish.

The dimensions are 120cm x 55cm x 56xm

I have set up the rocks with lots of caves and room for the fish to swim around the whole perimeter, as well as around the rocks or through tunnels.

My list so far is roughly as follows:

Set:
2 x Occ Clowns
1 x Midas Blenny
1 x Firefish
1 x Royal Gramma
1-2 x Wrasse (unsure which types but looking at a smalle Halechoras wrasse and a flasher or fairy)

Maybe (not all of the following):
1 x Goby of sorts once sandbed has matured.
1 x Banggai Cardinal
1 x Tomini Tang or 1 x other Bristletooth
1 x Yellow tang (Read they are ok in 75g plus) or 1 x Scopus tang (Mixed info, been told 75g and have been told 100-125g)
1 x One Spot Foxface (Prefer Magnificent or Fiji but these seem to need a bigger tank)
1 x Butterfly fish of sorts (I like most of them but really like the longnose and CBB, but again no clue on tank sizes, I just know they can be picky eaters)

I am still exploring options so I am open to any suggestions on combination of the stocking list or alternatives. I just quite like the idea of a larger centrepiece fish, and prefer the snooty mouth fish like the Zebrasoma tangs and butterflys.

I would only have one tang if I get one and add it last, I am open to only having one large fish or a medium and a smaller medium fish. I am also planning to upgrade tanks to a larger one once I move house in approx 6-7 years so I am not sure if that changed anything?

Thank you so much! Just aiming for a good mix of fairly peaceful reef safe fishies of different colours and shapes. Open to reef safe with caution etc as well.

 

[lapin]

You could probably do 10 small fish . That’s about 6 gallons per fish . Bigger fish maybe 3 or 4 .

 

[SirSalabean]

You could probably do 10 small fish . That’s about 6 gallons per fish . Bigger fish maybe 3 or 4 .

Thank you! Super helpful! If i do 5-6 smallish fish, what large fish can I add? Dont mind if it is one as I would rather 1 nice big fish than 2.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I'm right around the same size and this is my stock list. No issues with any of the fish so far.

1 - Foxface Lo (Siganus Vulpinus)
1 - Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
1 - Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
1 - Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
1 - Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 - Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)
1 - Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
1 - Maroon Lightning Clownfish (Amphiprion biaculeatus sp.)
1 - Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
1 - Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula)
4 - Blue/Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) ADDED 4/3/25

 

[SirSalabean]

I'm right around the same size and this is my stock list. No issues with any of the fish so far.

1 - Foxface Lo (Siganus Vulpinus)
1 - Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
1 - Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
1 - Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)
1 - Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus)
1 - Tail Spot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)
1 - Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
1 - Maroon Lightning Clownfish (Amphiprion biaculeatus sp.)
1 - Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)
1 - Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula)
4 - Blue/Green Chromis (Chromis viridis) ADDED 4/3/25

Thank you that is really helpful!

Pretty much my original list idea! Will the Foxface Lo be ok in the tanks our size? I read a one spot is the only option, if a larger one is ok im tempted by the magnificent or fiji.

Completely forgot about the dwarf angel though I might get one!

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Thank you that is really helpful!

Pretty much my original list idea! Will the Foxface Lo be ok in the tanks our size? I read a one spot is the only option, if a larger one is ok im tempted by the magnificent or fiji.

Completely forgot about the dwarf angel though I might get one!

It's definitely big now, but does well with a lot of available swim space. I have quite a bit of negative area in the back of the scape as well as through and it has no problem. I got it when I was going through the ugly stage to help control some of the nasty algae I was getting. There is no way I can catch it now without destroying a lot of the acros that have grown in.

 

[SirSalabean]

It's definitely big now, but does well with a lot of available swim space. I have quite a bit of negative area in the back of the scape as well as through and it has no problem. I got it when I was going through the ugly stage to help control some of the nasty algae I was getting. There is no way I can catch it now without destroying a lot of the acros that have grown in.

Ah ok that sounds similar to me then in terms of swim space! I have rocks trailing across the middle making a few archways, then on the right side I had a Y shape rock so I made a small mountain with archways underneath. But the whole left side above the rocks is empty space. I am tempted by them just not sure on the one spot which is unfortunately the only smaller one.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Ah ok that sounds similar to me then in terms of swim space! I have rocks trailing across the middle making a few archways, then on the right side I had a Y shape rock so I made a small mountain with archways underneath. But the whole left side above the rocks is empty space. I am tempted by them just not sure on the one spot which is unfortunately the only smaller one.

One spot should be fine.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Only fish I really regret getting now is the maroon lightning clown. That fish is a terror and I won't be able to add any other fish until I somehow catch it. I can hardly put my hand in the tank without it repeatedly biting me.

 

[SirSalabean]

One spot should be fine.

Yeah I just prefer the magnificent or the fiji which are Lo sized i think. Alternatives are a yellow tang as the only larger fish, scopas tang if they are actually the same size but its just mixed info, or a butterfly fish which there isnt as much information on for tank size, i just know they are picky.

Only fish I really regret getting now is the maroon lightning clown. That fish is a terror and I won't be able to add any other fish until I somehow catch it. I can hardly put my hand in the tank without it repeatedly biting me.

Yeah I have heard some clowns are terrors, i am happy sticking with Occerlaris to avoid as much aggression as i can