Fish Wish List

[suttonus]

Hello all,

I’m currently in the dreaming phase of reefing as I’m waiting for the tank to be built. Trying to nail down a fish wish list. I am getting a 136g (60x18.5x29.5) tank with plenty of dry rock, planning for mixed reef. What do you think of this stocking list?

Clownfish x2

Lyretail anthias x3

Fire fish goby x2

Yellow tang x1

Bristletooth tang x 1

Powder blue tang x1

Sailfin Blenny x1

Yasha white ray shrimp goby x1

Hi fin red banded goby x1

Chalk bass x 2

I realize I might be getting a little greedy with the tangs, but I’m wondering if I introduce them last and at the same time, if they would all play nice with each other..? Ideally would have lots of inverts as well.

Thanks!

 

[Gundy]

I have a pair of Lyretail anthius that are about 4 -5 inches long and love them. Very peaceful fish. I also wanted a powder blue tang but I have read too many stories of these fish being bullies and being Ick magnets. I instead ordered a powder blue hybrid which is in quarantine right now. I believe they are a cross between a gold rim and a powder blue and are said to be a lot less aggressive.

 

[fishywishy]

I would switch the PBT for something else, they are too aggressive with other tangs and just dont do well in reef tanks in general. Other than that everything looks good.

 

[Tamberav]

Do you plan to QT everything and treat with copper?

A powder in a new tank with dry rock and no QT would be asking for disease. I would say these fish need special care for most.

 

[suttonus]

I have a pair of Lyretail anthius that are about 4 -5 inches long and love them. Very peaceful fish. I also wanted a powder blue tang but I have read too many stories of these fish being bullies and being Ick magnets. I instead ordered a powder blue hybrid which is in quarantine right now. I believe they are a cross between a gold rim and a powder blue and are said to be a lot less aggressive.

Yeah a PBT has kind of been on my dream list for awhile now but I have heard they can be kind of aggressive. I’ve never had lyretails but they sound charming.

Do you plan to QT everything and treat with copper?

A powder in a new tank with dry rock and no QT would be asking for disease. I would say these fish need special care for most.

my LFS says they will quarantine fish but I haven’t asked specifics about it. I am probably going to try and do some quarantine myself; I didn’t realize PBTs were disease prone. More than other tangs or just tangs in general?

 

[Tamberav]

Yeah a PBT has kind of been on my dream list for awhile now but I have heard they can be kind of aggressive. I’ve never had lyretails but they sound charming.

my LFS says they will quarantine fish but I haven’t asked specifics about it. I am probably going to try and do some quarantine myself; I didn’t realize PBTs were disease prone. More than other tangs or just tangs in general?

more so than other tangs

Actually there is a R2R article on it..

Ich and Acanthurus tangs - Years of experience and ich management

Alright folks I wanted to share some pretty shameful realities about my past and dealing with Acanthurus tangs. To anyone that doesn't know, common Acanthurus tangs include Powder Blue, Powder Brown, Goldrim/white cheek, Achilles, Sohal, Clown...

www.reef2reef.com

Anything wet can bring in disease, snails, coral, etc. In newer tanks, disease can especially be an issue. I would list powder tangs as expert only because how easily they can die to even silly stuff like ich. Again, this is amplified in a newer tank.

I would not trust a LFS to QT properly.

 

[Uncle99]

I like that except the PBT.
If I did add him, it would be last, after the others have settled. Very challenging fish IMM.

 

[suttonus]

So if I get rid of the PBT, is there another “statement” fish anyone would recommend? Going for peaceful reef.

 

[fishywishy]

So if I get rid of the PBT, is there another “statement” fish anyone would recommend? Going for peaceful reef.

Regal angel
Copperband
Fox face
Possibly a convict or purple tang

 

[suttonus]

Regal angel
Copperband
Fox face
Possibly a convict or purple tang

I thought those (with the exception of the tang) were considered reef caution; I’ve seen a lot of people with fox face in their reefs though. Do these do okay in reef tanks- they don’t pick at coral?

 

[Ben Pedersen]

Regal angel
Copperband
Fox face
Possibly a convict or purple tang

Purple tangs are often meaner than Powder Blue tangs. Convict tangs are great fish but I would t call them a “Statement” fish.

Fox face are notorious for eating zoaz and even some coral. They are also greedy and will out complete any fish for nori or most any food.

I would stick with the Powder Blue. As mentioned in a previous post, add it last. I would also get a small 2.5” specimens. As long as it starts healthy, it will be fine. They are truly beautiful!

 

[fishywishy]

I thought those (with the exception of the tang) were considered reef caution; I’ve seen a lot of people with fox face in their reefs though. Do these do okay in reef tanks- they don’t pick at coral?

They are reef safe with caution but ive never had a problem with any of them. except the angel because ive never had one.

A fox face should be fine. Ive never seen one pick at anything but algae.

 

[fishywishy]

Purple tangs are often meaner than Powder Blue tangs. Convict tangs are great fish but I would t call them a “Statement” fish.

Fox face are notorious for eating zoaz and even some coral. They are also greedy and will out complete any fish for nori or most any food.

I would stick with the Powder Blue. As mentioned in a previous post, add it last. I would also get a small 2.5” specimens. As long as it starts healthy, it will be fine. They are truly beautiful!

Purples are definitely mean, but I wouldn’t say they’re more mean than a powder blue. They also do way better in general and dont have the ich problems.

Ive never had these problems with a fox face. I can see how they would be “greedy” but he just feed extra and it should be fine.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

Purples are definitely mean, but I wouldn’t say they’re more mean than a powder blue. They also do way better in general and dont have the ich problems.

Ive never had these problems with a fox face. I can see how they would be “greedy” but he just feed extra and it should be fine.

I have all of the fish mentioned. In my case, the purple tang is the meanest fish in my tank. It bullies my powder blue and any fish that gets in its way. They are a very resilient fish! I have never seen one with ich nor any other sickness. Even the 1” specimens are resilient.

I have had my fox face for more than 10 years. It has decimated several of my zoaz colonies. I had to relocate him to my pond down stairs that doesn’t have any zoaz. I was at Cherry Coral a while ago, they also mentioned they had similar problems with them.

Power blues are a sensitive fish but only initially. If you get a healthy one, and feed nori, they are solid. They are also, in my opinion one of the most beautiful tangs out there. They are aggressive toward other Acanthurus tangs but mine has never bothered any other fish. Strangely, I have had multiple PBT and none of them ever had issues with Acanthurus Pyroferus (mimic tang). I still recommend a small PBT. They are worth the effort.

 

[Cheese Griller]

with a tank that is only 60" long, you're also exacerbating the issues powder blues usually have. It will become even more stressed and aggressive in a 5' tank. They need room to cruise, which unfortunately a 5' tank just cannot offer. If you had more width that could help alleviate the issue, but with only 18.5" that's just asking for trouble IMO.

 

[Tamberav]

I have all of the fish mentioned. In my case, the purple tang is the meanest fish in my tank. It bullies my powder blue and any fish that gets in its way. They are a very resilient fish! I have never seen one with ich nor any other sickness. Even the 1” specimens are resilient.

I have had my fox face for more than 10 years. It has decimated several of my zoaz colonies. I had to relocate him to my pond down stairs that doesn’t have any zoaz. I was at Cherry Coral a while ago, they also mentioned they had similar problems with them.

Power blues are a sensitive fish but only initially. If you get a healthy one, and feed nori, they are solid. They are also, in my opinion one of the most beautiful tangs out there. They are aggressive toward other Acanthurus tangs but mine has never bothered any other fish. Strangely, I have had multiple PBT and none of them ever had issues with Acanthurus Pyroferus (mimic tang). I still recommend a small PBT. They are worth the effort.

how big is your tank? Looks great.

I would wager his new tank looks nothing like this as it is new...maybe dry rock start... and disease for a Powder blue in his tank could be a real problem and probably aggression since he will have less fish.

 

[suttonus]

how big is your tank? Looks great.

I would wager his new tank looks nothing like this as it is new...maybe dry rock start... and disease for a Powder blue in his tank could be a real problem and probably aggression since he will have less fish.

Yeah it will be a dry rock start. I’m going to start with just the clowns and maybe some gobies for awhile. Any tangs that would be added wouldn’t be for a while. Do you think the list is too short (not as many fish)? I was roughly doing the half inch per gallon (136g)

 

[littlefoxx]

Hello all,

I’m currently in the dreaming phase of reefing as I’m waiting for the tank to be built. Trying to nail down a fish wish list. I am getting a 136g (60x18.5x29.5) tank with plenty of dry rock, planning for mixed reef. What do you think of this stocking list?

Clownfish x2

Lyretail anthias x3

Fire fish goby x2

Yellow tang x1

Bristletooth tang x 1

Powder blue tang x1

Sailfin Blenny x1

Yasha white ray shrimp goby x1

Hi fin red banded goby x1

Chalk bass x 2

I realize I might be getting a little greedy with the tangs, but I’m wondering if I introduce them last and at the same time, if they would all play nice with each other..? Ideally would have lots of inverts as well.

Thanks!

Looks good, I WOULD NOT but a powder blue in this tank though. They are aggressive af. Like one of the nastiest tangs and probably will bully your other two tangs in this size tank! Evil fish for sure, if you search powder blue tangs on this form you will see a ton of people raging about how mean they are. My one I rehomed had a kill count! They are so tempting I know, beautiful but just not a nice fish lol

 

[Ben Pedersen]

how big is your tank? Looks great.

I would wager his new tank looks nothing like this as it is new...maybe dry rock start... and disease for a Powder blue in his tank could be a real problem and probably aggression since he will have less fish.

This one is 85 gallons. It is true, a new tank is more stressful than a mature tank for fish. A newer (not new) tanks could still support the fish the OP wants, as long as there are lots of open areas to swim and also lots of places to hide.

 

[dustyrays]

personally if you're looking for a statement fish, i would suggest an orange spot rabbit to be in the running. grows up to around 10 inches (19 max) so aren't too massive, their color displays are impressive especially when irritated, mine is quirky and a real star of the show. he sees when i take pics and decides hes going to pose for me. Reef safe, readily eats fresh or frozen, will chow down on nori. temperament isn't absolutely awful, he asserts himself as top dog with the smaller fish i have in my aquarium but has been an angel with my regal and tomini tangs