I just wanted to share my stocking list for my 5’ 525xI tank.
Having been in the hobby for over 30 years, I have developed a specific preferences for my reef tanks.
I'll start with 2 of my favorite fish that I'm still trying to be successful with Orange Spotted Filefish (OSF) and the Copper-Banded Butterfly Fish (CBB). Over the last 3 years, I've been able to keep them for several months at a time, but no long term success due to mysterious deaths.
Having been in the hobby for over 30 years, I have developed a specific preferences for my reef tanks.
- Working fish, because they help maintain the tank
- Big personality fish, because they are interesting to watch
- Colorful fish, because they add to the beauty of the tank
- Smaller fish, because they make the tank look like a bigger ecosystem
I'll start with 2 of my favorite fish that I'm still trying to be successful with Orange Spotted Filefish (OSF) and the Copper-Banded Butterfly Fish (CBB). Over the last 3 years, I've been able to keep them for several months at a time, but no long term success due to mysterious deaths.
- OSF - by far my favorite fish. So unique and reminds me of a humming bird. I even developed a acclimation and weaning protocol.
- CBB - meets all my criteria (working, big personality, colorful, and stays relatively small).
- Blue Spotted Jawfish - my vote for best personality in my tank. It setup shop at the front of my tank and behaves like a mini eel. It’s constantly on the lookout, rebuilding it’s cave, and going out and about. If this fish setup shop in the back where it was hidden…it would be one of my least favorite fish. Truly needs a well fitting lid as my 1st one jumped out through a very small gap in my lid.
- Whitetail Brisstletooth Tang – this is one of the 1st fish I added to my tank. Very calm for a Tang and cleans well. Love the spotted face with yellow rimmed eyes, and red-striped body. Online pictures don’t do this Tang justice.
- Candy Basslet - the only fish I successfully brought over from my old tank. I consider this my hardiest fish. It took about 18 months for this recluse to feel comfortable in the tank and be present…and wow…amazing colors.
- Tinkeri Butterflyfish – this is a future fish I’m looking to acquire. I’m not quite ready to give up on the CBB, but these should be easier to keep. Based on pictures it’s a stunning fish I’d like to keep.
- Leopard Wrasse – probably my favorite looking Wrasse that does a decent job with potential pests. Has some nice orange and light blue colors that adds to the tank.
- Blotched Anthias – I love fish that remind me of Dr. Sues fish. Others find it ugly….
- Flame Angel – small reef safe Angel Fish that adds a great splash of red
- Blue Hippo Tang – I tried a Powder Brown Tang as I liked its colors best, but couldn’t stand it’s hyperactivity. I settled on the Blue Hippo instead and really love the striking blue it adds. Much calmer and helps with algae…it will eventually get too big for my taste and I will rehome and get another to raise.
- Marine Betta – I also enjoy watching the tank at night and early morning. This is a great addition for this as it’s most active at these times.
- Bicolor Blenny – another fish with personality that likes to hang around rock work. I may replace this with a Midas Blenny…I think their color may be a little more interesting.
- Blue Striped Pipe Fish – a great little fish that is most active during the night and early mornings.
- Clown Fish – no tank is complete without one of these. Great personality with their funny swimming and anemone relationship.
- Purple Dart Fish – Purple is my favorite color.
- 5 x Cardinals – This is a filler fish for me. I like the silver and black and that they occasionally shole together.
- Possum Wrasse – Looked better in pictures...if I catch it, I’m looking to get a Mystery Wrasse.
- Orange Stripe Goby Pistol Shrimp Pair – a cool concept…but setup shop in the back of the tank…I may glimpse these guys every couple of months. If I could catch these guys, they would probably get trader out for something more fun.
