Need help stocking 80 gallon

[DesertOasis]

HI everyone, I will be setting up an 80 gallon cube in the next couple weeks and transferring two smaller tanks into it. I need some help with the stocking.

Here is the existing stock I’ll be transferring over:

2 oscelaris clowns
2 female Mandarin Goby (different colors)
yellow watchman Goby
small six line wrasse
gold Midas blenny
tail spot blenny
tiger pistol shrimp

Wishlist (in order of want):
Blue jaw trigger (really really really want)
Kole tang
Anthias
flashers wrasse

What are people’s thoughts on these? Can I get my wishlist? Any other fish I should be considering?

 

[nereefpat]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

I'm guessing the trigger won't work long term, and the tang will be pushing it...depending on the tank's dimensions.

 

[DesertOasis]

32x24x24

 

[egwich]

If you really really want a Blue Jaw Trigger I would consider a tank upgrade.

 

[Cment]

with those dimensions, I would say trigger and tang are definitely a no go. I would say your best bet is a flasher wrasse

 

[DesertOasis]

Even for the short term? Around 2 years?

 

[egwich]

Even for the short term? Around 2 years?

I've never had a Trigger, but I have had a Kole Tang in a 55 gallon that was 48 inches across. He ended up going crazy in less than year. Just was not happy. He needed six feet across. Your tank dimensions are basically a cube. The Trigger or Tang alone would attack some of your current residents once they got established just over territory. If you got them BOTH together it would be a mad house. Could it possibly work? Maybe...I would say a 25% success rate of bringing both the Kole and Trigger into your system and them surviving two years. For only one of them I would say 50%. Would you bring a puppy home with you if there was only a 50% chance that it would live? That's how I see it at least.

 

[DesertOasis]

Very well put and I appreciate the advice. I want the fish to be happy, not stressed. What kind of “cool” fish would be happy?

 

[mattzang]

i wouldn't add wrasses to a sixline

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

Cardinal fish would work in that setup and generally stay together, so it makes it nice visually.

 

[Sump Crab]

Dwarf angelfish such as a coral beauty or potters, etc. I find that many people overexaggerate their tendency to destroy corals. I also really like melanarus wrasses and think that your sixline will not be a problem if you introduce into the new tank at the same time.

 

[Sump Crab]

Honestly, though, I would consider giving your sixline to the LFS during the move. He will create problems for you in the future.