"Centerpiece" fish for 90/120 reef

Indytraveler83

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I'm trying to plan out a build before buying anything at all, and want to have a good plan for stocking.

My system is going to be limited to a 4ft tank, due to space constraints, which likely makes it a 90 or 120 gallon tank.

The plan is a mostly lps/nem mixed reef with lots of inverts.

I've got plans for most of the fish I want to stock, which include fairy wrasse, dartfish, peaceful damsels, Cardinals, etc.

What I need is 1 or 2 "centerpiece" fish that is a little bigger and brings the wow factor to the tank.

The problem I'm running across is entirely reef/invert safe fish that can be this in a 4ft system. I'm sensitive to the space needs of Tangs, and the smaller yellow/brown species don't fit the bill. I love angels, butterflies and triggers but most are not reef and invert safe.

Is there anything out there that's larger than the typical 2-4 inch reef safe fish that would really make this system pop?
 

JoshH

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Is your depth on the tank limited as well? You could do a 4' long 3' wide tank which would open the doors ever so slightly on the tang option... I believe the Innovative Marine 150 INT has these exact dimensions as well so there are off the shelf options without going custom.
 
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Indytraveler83

Indytraveler83

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What care level are you looking for? Easy, Moderate, Expert?
Easy/ moderate. I've done well keeping parameters stable and intend to build a system that can do it even better than my current one.

I intend to improve my quarentine practices, but will likely never do the 90 day extensive qt that some do, and I dont want a fish that needs extensive specialized feedings.

I guess I'd also say that while I'm willing to spend a little extra on such a fish, I doubt I could stomach spending $200 or more on one.

That said, this doesn't have to be a particularly rare species. Just something reef friendly, colorful and a little larger than everyone else.
 
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Indytraveler83

Indytraveler83

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Is your depth on the tank limited as well? You could do a 4' long 3' wide tank which would open the doors ever so slightly on the tang option... I believe the Innovative Marine 150 INT has these exact dimensions as well so there are off the shelf options without going custom.

Yes. While I don't have an exact depth requirement, anything over the 24 inch depth of the 120 would likely be too crowded. I could get away with something that pushed out a few more inches, but not a full 3ft
 

JoshH

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Yes. While I don't have an exact depth requirement, anything over the 24 inch depth of the 120 would likely be too crowded. I could get away with something that pushed out a few more inches, but not a full 3ft

Maybe 48"L × 30"W x 22-24"H ? 24 puts you around 150G which is still a big tank. :) sorry to side track your thread a bit, just trying to provide different alternatives
 
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Indytraveler83

Indytraveler83

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Maybe 48"L × 30"W x 22-24"H ? 24 puts you around 150G which is still a big tank. :) sorry to side track your thread a bit, just trying to provide different alternatives
It's possible, but may not fly with the better half. Getting the full 24" depth approved has been a struggle in itself. A 55 gallon freshwater tank sits there now, and it's taken 2 years to get approval for anything bigger than that!

Regardless, I'm not sure it changes the stocking options much. I know I can't have a 12" Tang or anything like that in the system. Prolly looking for fish in the 6-8" max range that will do well in a reef system.
 

motortrendz

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How about an ausi harlequin tusk. Not completely reef safe but are beautiful and the few inverts it may eat are a small.price to pay for such a nice fish
 

JoshH

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It's possible, but may not fly with the better half. Getting the full 24" depth approved has been a struggle in itself. A 55 gallon freshwater tank sits there now, and it's taken 2 years to get approval for anything bigger than that!

Regardless, I'm not sure it changes the stocking options much. I know I can't have a 12" Tang or anything like that in the system. Prolly looking for fish in the 6-8" max range that will do well in a reef system.

At that size a smaller tang could certainly be a showpiece, purple, gem, yellow... all would be good long term in that 150ish size.. all can have great personalities. Just a thought :)

I do agree with above as well, a Harlequin tusk is a beautiful fish.
 

OrionN

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IMP, in a 120-150 gal tank, I would keep a Regal or Majestic Angel, and or a Powder Blue Tang.
If you want a PBT, it need to go in last. If you want a Regal Angel, it need to go in first.
I would have both the Regal angel and PBT.
PowderBlueTang2019062401.jpg
RegalAngel2019051902.jpg
 
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Indytraveler83

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The angels look phenomenal, but I'd be worried about keeping them in a lps oriented tank. Is anyone keeping them with lps on a regular basis with success?

The PBT and purple Tang would be nice options if it's agreed they'd not suffer in a 4ft tank. The foxface are also an attractive option, especially if I could pair them with something like one of those Tangs.
 

OrionN

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I think if you like Acan, Lobophyllia and the like, you are out of luck with Regal. Catalaphyllia, Euphyllia, Gontopora and Alveopora are Ok with most angels. My angels mow down the Xenia that I put in the tank.
Regal angel grow pretty slowly and will be fine in a 120 or 150. Fox Face, even the smallest Foxface Lo get pretty big quickly and IME get too big of a 120 gal. PBT is one of the larger tangs, but should do OK in a 120 gal. This is kinda pushing it for PBT.
You may want to consider a CBB
CBB2016052301.jpg
CBB2019051901.jpg
 

JoshH

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The angels look phenomenal, but I'd be worried about keeping them in a lps oriented tank. Is anyone keeping them with lps on a regular basis with success?

The PBT and purple Tang would be nice options if it's agreed they'd not suffer in a 4ft tank. The foxface are also an attractive option, especially if I could pair them with something like one of those Tangs.

I believe @DSC reef had his purple in a 4 footer for quite some time with no issues. Obviously every fish is different so mileage may vary a bit. I do think the PBT might be pushing it a bit too far, this is certainly one fish you will get a TON of different opinions on.
 

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A blue throat trigger might work. I have a pair in a RS 425 and love them. The male will eat nori out of my hand.
 

DSC reef

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I believe @DSC reef had his purple in a 4 footer for quite some time with no issues. Obviously every fish is different so mileage may vary a bit. I do think the PBT might be pushing it a bit too far, this is certainly one fish you will get a TON of different opinions on.
Absolutley did very well! From a juvi to 8+ years.
Screenshot_20191128-195529_Gallery.jpg
 
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Indytraveler83

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There are a numbers of beautiful reefsafe Wrasses, but most are short live 5-7 years (other than Harlequin Tusk). The Tusk will get too large for a 150

BlackLeopardWrasse2019070909Male.jpg
BlueFlasher2019052801.jpg
BlueThroatFairy2019040401.jpg
CarpenterFlasher2016010601.jpg
ChinaWrasse2019062801.jpg
CyanopleuraFairy2019111201.jpg
EightlineFlasher2019061301.jpg
ExquisiteFairyWrasse2019062401.jpg
HarlequinTusk2016080801.jpg
LaboutiFairy2019060601.jpg
NaokoFairy2019092402watermarked.jpg
PotterLeopard2019012701.jpg
SolonFairy2019062402.jpg
I love wrasse, and already have a dot n dash and a Carpenters that would migrate to this tank. Am I limited to other flasher/fairy wrasse, or would they do ok with a larger one in there?
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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