Stocking 90 gallon

[DeeJay Howard]

Hi all. I am trying to decide what to stock in my 90 gallon. I do have soft coral. Currently I have 3 green/blue chromis and a tomini tang. I'd like to add some color and was thinking about going with 3/4 anthias and maybe 1 other small fish (maybe six line wrasse) and calling it done. Any suggestions?

 

[Maritimer]

Six-lines have a pretty rugged reputation for aggression - you might consider a fairy wrasse or smaller member of the Halichoeres group, such as H. biocellatus.

You may also consider some fish that inhabit other ecological niches, such as a royal gramma who'll stay close to your rockwork, or a shrimp/goby pair-up down on / in your sandbed. Midas blennies will sometimes swim with anthias, and add a golden-yellow color and sinuous movement.

~Bruce

P.S. - Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[DeeJay Howard]

Fairy wrasse are very pretty - so I may do one of those! A shrimp and goby pad would be really neat. Any best recommendations for a goby?

 

[Maritimer]

Most gobies are pretty small - I think the biggest shrimpgobies are five inches or so. You might like the larger size and look of the aurora gobies, the blue dots of the yellow watchman or the elongated dorsal and diminutive size of something like an antenna goby or yasha.

You want the one that makes your heart skip a beat when you bring up its photo - and gets along with the other fish in your tank!

Fairy wrasses come in sizes from 3 to 6+ inches, and with temperaments from truly peaceful to pretty cranky. Look up the article and video by forum member Evolved. Definitive stuff on fairy wrasse compatibility.

~Bruce

 

[DeeJay Howard]

Are wrasses known to jump out the tank?

 

[Maritimer]

Absolutely, and with surprising vigor.

~Bruce

 

[DeeJay Howard]

wrasse is out of the question unless I can cover my tank.

 

[Maritimer]

The only fish I know of that won't jump are seahorses.

~Bruce

 

[leahfiish]

I had a cleaner shrimp jump out at the store yesterday. Lids are important.

 

[Denisk]

You can diy a simple cover for the 90 by going to homedepot and spending 20 bucks. I did it for my tank and looks great too. I’m a huge believer in behavior compatibility when it comes to stocking tanks smaller then 200 gallons or so.

I would say don’t risk the six line wrasse unless you’re willing to rip the tank apart to catch him :D

You have plenty to work with if you have a 90 gallon. As long as you’re skimming well and keeping up with water changes there are a ton of fish that would do great (hence if you get a cover)

If you decide to add any fish. Start with ones that are least aggressive. Such as fire fish, blennies, cardinal fish. Then lead into the semi aggressive ones like fairy wrasse/ melanurus wrasse / tangs. Hope that helped a little and if you have any more questions. Always happy to help!