New 180 gal tank stock suggestions, lionfish is a must

[Gilly916]

hey guys,

i currently have a 75 peaceful reef tank and its doing pretty well. i have a 180-gallon tank that's about to be finished cycling soon and I'm trying to figure out good stock options. i definitely want a lionfish at some point but i am not that knowledgeable on what species there is, or which one would be best for me. i also don't know what order i should stock the tank in. there is currently a one spot fox face rabbitfish that outgrew my 75 gallon so i thought i would move him over first. but other than that i don't know if i should wait awhile before i get the lion or if i would be okay to get him relatively early into the new tank, obviously while monitoring nutrients. i am also real interested in getting an eel, maybe snowflake? but im open for other suggestions. the only reason i say snowflake is because i don't really know any other great options. thats pretty much where i am to start. i might try to throw some coral in there but i have an idea what i cant have if i get angels too and thats alright.

i appreciate all the help. I've been looking and it seems like @lion king knows your fair share so i would really appreciate your input.

thanks.

 

[lion king]

The volitan is the best lion for a larger tank, this would also include the russels or miles. You will have choices of the pebbletooth eels, a fang tooth eel is not recommended with a lion. The most common available pebbletooth eels wil be the snowflake, chainlink, skelator, zebra , and banded. You can click my name and find all threads for a ton of info on lions and eels, as well as other predatory fish. Here's a couple to get you started.

Acclimating lionfish

These are the things we can do to give us a higher percentage of success, when 1st acquiring a lionfish. I strongly suggest an observation/qt tank. You want to test the sg in the transport bag and if using an observation tank, adjust the tank's salinity to match. Matching temperature as well...

www.reef2reef.com

Eels as pets

I usually post in Predatory Forum, today I thought I would post here to get exposure. For some reason when people research eels, they fail to realize, these are awesome predators. I've seen alot of interest and failures of late, my lfs told me they sold 3 eels last week, that's alot for eels...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Gilly916]

The volitan is the best lion for a larger tank, this would also include the russels or miles. You will have choices of the pebbletooth eels, a fang tooth eel is not recommended with a lion. The most common available pebbletooth eels wil be the snowflake, chainlink, skelator, zebra , and banded. You can click my name and find all threads for a ton of info on lions and eels, as well as other predatory fish. Here's a couple to get you started.

Acclimating lionfish

These are the things we can do to give us a higher percentage of success, when 1st acquiring a lionfish. I strongly suggest an observation/qt tank. You want to test the sg in the transport bag and if using an observation tank, adjust the tank's salinity to match. Matching temperature as well...

www.reef2reef.com

Eels as pets

I usually post in Predatory Forum, today I thought I would post here to get exposure. For some reason when people research eels, they fail to realize, these are awesome predators. I've seen alot of interest and failures of late, my lfs told me they sold 3 eels last week, that's alot for eels...

www.reef2reef.com

thanks a lot man, ill take a look

 

[Gilly916]

The volitan is the best lion for a larger tank, this would also include the russels or miles. You will have choices of the pebbletooth eels, a fang tooth eel is not recommended with a lion. The most common available pebbletooth eels wil be the snowflake, chainlink, skelator, zebra , and banded. You can click my name and find all threads for a ton of info on lions and eels, as well as other predatory fish. Here's a couple to get you started.

Acclimating lionfish

These are the things we can do to give us a higher percentage of success, when 1st acquiring a lionfish. I strongly suggest an observation/qt tank. You want to test the sg in the transport bag and if using an observation tank, adjust the tank's salinity to match. Matching temperature as well...

www.reef2reef.com

Eels as pets

I usually post in Predatory Forum, today I thought I would post here to get exposure. For some reason when people research eels, they fail to realize, these are awesome predators. I've seen alot of interest and failures of late, my lfs told me they sold 3 eels last week, that's alot for eels...

www.reef2reef.com

Do you think a pufferfish would be okay with the lion? Either dwarf or full size? I’ve been seeing mixed answers. I was thinking a dogface, spike, or porcupine puffer. Or if you have another suggestion I’m all ears

 

[lion king]

Do you think a pufferfish would be okay with the lion? Either dwarf or full size? I’ve been seeing mixed answers. I was thinking a dogface, spike, or porcupine puffer. Or if you have another suggestion I’m all ears

The dogface yes, I don't recommend the porc because they are notorious nippers. Porcs get more aggressive as they mature and many times become problematic with lions in the long run. I've kept a dogface in 3 of my tanks with volitans over many years with no issues, my personal favorite. When you say spike puffer, are you referring to a spiny box puffer. Not as nippy as the porc, but not as laid back as the dogface. Spiny box can also be difficult to feed and many have a hard time with long term success.

 

[Gilly916]

okay then dogface puffer it is! my wife wanted that one anyway so shell be happy about that lol i appreciate the quick response. how did you get into lion fish so much? from what i can see you really are the lion king on the internet and have the most reliable information out there. it is incredibly helpful.