Miniblade
Community Member
Hey all, I'm going to be setting up a ~90 gallon (36.5x24.5x25) tank here in the near future and I'm trying to get a rough idea of what direction I want to go stocking wise before I set it all up. For filtration I'm doing a 40g breeder sump, 1500gph return, a DIY filter roller, and a decent sized fuge with either chaeto or G. Hayi. I plan on having primarily LPS, some monti cap, a good bit of tabling acros as well as a couple branching acros, some softies mostly GSP zoas and a toadstool, one or two clams, feather dusters, and a gorg or two. I plan on having somewhat heavy rockwork with lots of caves, nooks, and crannies; think Joe Tucci's tank that was featured on TSA's YouTube, except with less chalices, more tabling acros than branching, and more open-swim space at the top. I've got the majority of stocking figured out, I just want some extra input to see if there's any options that I maybe haven't considered, didn't know about, or if there's anything that stands out. The main contingency is that all fish have to be entirely peaceful or mildly territorial/aggressive.
Here's what me and my wife have decided on so far
I have a massive Sailfin Blenny, and a decent sized proven Aiptasia Eating Filefish that are for sure going in there. I'm getting rid of the tank they're in, but I'm keeping them because I don't want to surrender them and I'd be buying them anyway.
We're getting a Ruby Red Flasher Wrasse, a Sixline Wrasse (will go in very last, LFS stocks almond sized juveniles), a pair of Ocellaris/Perc Clowns, a Yellow Coris Wrasse, a few Cleaner Shrimp, a Falco Hawkfish (shrimp will be added first, if it eats a shrimp it's getting excommunicated), a few standard Firefish, a Wardii goby, Pearly Jawfish, Neon Cleaner gobies, a centerpiece fish of some sort, and something cryptic.
I'm welcoming to any stocking suggestions/advice, but I'm really needing suggestions on a centerpiece fish and a cryptic fish. When it comes to centerpiece fish, I want something relatively large that's an active swimmer.
Butterflyfish are out of the question because they're usually corallivores to some extent and need big tanks, all tangs are out of the question because they need a 4ft tank minimum and are generally menaces in smaller tanks, and most angelfish are out of the question because they either get to big or like to nip LPS/Softies/Clams. The only Angels that would work for my needs are Geniacanthus, and the only Geniacanthus that might work is a Watanabei (Japanese Swallowtail). I'm thinking about going with a Watanabei Angel but most people say they need a 4ft tank when fully grown. Another option I had in mind for a centerpiece is a Bluestar Leopard Wrasse, but that's only if I have a ton of pods and can find one that transitions to captivity well. I just want something that's relatively big and pretty. Any reef-safe suggestions are appreciated.
For my cryptic fish, I want something that behaves like a possum wrasse, black cap basslet, royal gramma, yellow assessor, marine betta, etc. Something that has a couple caves it inhabits and rarely ventures from those areas except for food. I don't want a gramma because I've never had luck with them before and It would honestly feel wrong to buy another. Black Caps, Yellow Assessors, and Possum Wrasses are really cool but they're generally impossible to find in my area and consequently are consequently very expensive if you do find one. My rockwork won't have big enough caves for a Marine Betta + I've heard they like to eat absolutely anything that will fit in their mouth.
What do y'all think, any suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated and helps a ton.
Here's what me and my wife have decided on so far
I have a massive Sailfin Blenny, and a decent sized proven Aiptasia Eating Filefish that are for sure going in there. I'm getting rid of the tank they're in, but I'm keeping them because I don't want to surrender them and I'd be buying them anyway.
We're getting a Ruby Red Flasher Wrasse, a Sixline Wrasse (will go in very last, LFS stocks almond sized juveniles), a pair of Ocellaris/Perc Clowns, a Yellow Coris Wrasse, a few Cleaner Shrimp, a Falco Hawkfish (shrimp will be added first, if it eats a shrimp it's getting excommunicated), a few standard Firefish, a Wardii goby, Pearly Jawfish, Neon Cleaner gobies, a centerpiece fish of some sort, and something cryptic.
I'm welcoming to any stocking suggestions/advice, but I'm really needing suggestions on a centerpiece fish and a cryptic fish. When it comes to centerpiece fish, I want something relatively large that's an active swimmer.
Butterflyfish are out of the question because they're usually corallivores to some extent and need big tanks, all tangs are out of the question because they need a 4ft tank minimum and are generally menaces in smaller tanks, and most angelfish are out of the question because they either get to big or like to nip LPS/Softies/Clams. The only Angels that would work for my needs are Geniacanthus, and the only Geniacanthus that might work is a Watanabei (Japanese Swallowtail). I'm thinking about going with a Watanabei Angel but most people say they need a 4ft tank when fully grown. Another option I had in mind for a centerpiece is a Bluestar Leopard Wrasse, but that's only if I have a ton of pods and can find one that transitions to captivity well. I just want something that's relatively big and pretty. Any reef-safe suggestions are appreciated.
For my cryptic fish, I want something that behaves like a possum wrasse, black cap basslet, royal gramma, yellow assessor, marine betta, etc. Something that has a couple caves it inhabits and rarely ventures from those areas except for food. I don't want a gramma because I've never had luck with them before and It would honestly feel wrong to buy another. Black Caps, Yellow Assessors, and Possum Wrasses are really cool but they're generally impossible to find in my area and consequently are consequently very expensive if you do find one. My rockwork won't have big enough caves for a Marine Betta + I've heard they like to eat absolutely anything that will fit in their mouth.
What do y'all think, any suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated and helps a ton.
