Stocking Ideas for upgraded 75G Mixed Reef Tank

[Flare]

Hello all! On March 18, 2025, I moved my reef from my 40g cube into a 75g aquarium. Move was successful, checked water parameters at two fish stores and was given the OK, sand didnt mess water up and no heavy metals or anything bad. Using a canister filter with mostly sponge, some charcoal and phosguard.
Fish that went in were my Snowflake Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Pajama Cardinal, and Diamond Goby, with a Peppermint shrimp (aiptasia mostly gone but will keep until im certain or its starts eating corals), 5+ snails and 5+ hermits. GPH in my tank is around 2000GPH. Have the powerful one across the tank, can filter is against back wall shooting towards front wall, and then two smaller jets on the back pointing towards front glass angled towards the middle. Have a surface skimmer and ATO, too. Lights are Nicrew Hyperreef 150w Gen 2, on for 10 hours a day,

Day 2 I picked up a Tomini Tang, as I heard they are the only tangs that can stay in a 75g for their lives, and an Engineer Goby, hearing that they were safe to live with the goby.
Id like to hear opinions on that! LFS tell me different things and online is a mixed bag of answers.

As for more fish, I would love any suggestions for reef safe mostly peaceful fish that can stay in this tank for its life. Still learning the fish behaviors and compatibilities with eachother and reef, and im already nervous I bought those without having a better idea, lol. Plus I heard Live Aquaria doesnt have the best/accurate fish information.

Would a blenny be okay in here? I see they have tons of personality!
Can I replace my Banggai Cardinal that didnt make it? Will it and the Pajama fight?
How about a Wrasse or two?
Any utility fish are great too!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Clowning_Around72]

Hello all! On March 18, 2025, I moved my reef from my 40g cube into a 75g aquarium. Move was successful, checked water parameters at two fish stores and was given the OK, sand didnt mess water up and no heavy metals or anything bad. Using a canister filter with mostly sponge, some charcoal and phosguard.
Fish that went in were my Snowflake Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Pajama Cardinal, and Diamond Goby, with a Peppermint shrimp (aiptasia mostly gone but will keep until im certain or its starts eating corals), 5+ snails and 5+ hermits. GPH in my tank is around 2000GPH. Have the powerful one across the tank, can filter is against back wall shooting towards front wall, and then two smaller jets on the back pointing towards front glass angled towards the middle. Have a surface skimmer and ATO, too. Lights are Nicrew Hyperreef 150w Gen 2, on for 10 hours a day,

Day 2 I picked up a Tomini Tang, as I heard they are the only tangs that can stay in a 75g for their lives, and an Engineer Goby, hearing that they were safe to live with the goby.
Id like to hear opinions on that! LFS tell me different things and online is a mixed bag of answers.

As for more fish, I would love any suggestions for reef safe mostly peaceful fish that can stay in this tank for its life. Still learning the fish behaviors and compatibilities with eachother and reef, and im already nervous I bought those without having a better idea, lol. Plus I heard Live Aquaria doesnt have the best/accurate fish information.

Would a blenny be okay in here? I see they have tons of personality!
Can I replace my Banggai Cardinal that didnt make it? Will it and the Pajama fight?
How about a Wrasse or two?
Any utility fish are great too!

Thanks in advance!

The Engineer Goby (or blenny or whatever name people use) might get big. I'd really consider if you want the engineer goby or not. It will take up a decent chunk of space.

I would only advise you to consider a single of one of a flasher or fairy wrasse (preferable a small to medium sized one).

I'd avoided most other wrasses since your peppermint shrimp might become a snack.

My previous yellow coris wrasse ate/picked at quite a few shrimp during its life before I figured out which fish was eating them

 

[Flare]

The Engineer Goby (or blenny or whatever name people use) might get big. I'd really consider if you want the engineer goby or not. It will take up a decent chunk of space.

I would only advise you to consider a single of one of a flasher or fairy wrasse (preferable a small to medium sized one).

I'd avoided most other wrasses since your peppermint shrimp might become a snack.

My previous yellow coris wrasse ate/picked at quite a few shrimp during its life before I figured out which fish was eating them

I was aware, but was told in home aquariums they rarely exceed 12-16 inches, and are mostly in their burrow, unmoving. Would the tank size be the issue? Or are you referring to the bioload of that fish making it possible for less fish overall?

 

[Clowning_Around72]

I was aware, but was told in home aquariums they rarely exceed 12-16 inches, and are mostly in their burrow, unmoving. Would the tank size be the issue? Or are you referring to the bioload of that fish making it possible for less fish overall?

Mostly bioload. Although a full grown one might benefit from a larger tank... should be fine for a very long time however.

 

[Flare]

Mostly bioload. Although a full grown one might benefit from a larger tank... should be fine for a very long time however.

Thanks, I went ahead and returned the little guy, read some horror stories about them eating smaller fish when older and also having to take the tank apart to take them out, lol.

Picked up a Starry Blenny and Six Line Wrasse yesterday. I understand it may attack the shrimp at some point but since my aiptasia problem is mostly gone, and my six-line is like barely an inch, I think there is probably some time before it happens. Gotta get rid of the shrimp eventually too, lol.

So far my stocking is:
Snowflake Clownfish
Royal Gramma
Diamond Goby
Tomini Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Starry Blenny
Pajama Cardinal

Heard about the 1/2" per gallon rule. Currently these fish will equal about 30", and its recommended I stay under 38" total.

Will probably wait a week or two before introducing another fish or two.

Hoping to add a Banggai Cardinal still.

Ive been hesitant to add another clownfish, hearing that if I dont introduce them to the tank at the same time, its less likely for them to pair. Also, my clown has been solitary for the last few months, which I also read may affect the pairing. I would be willing, although im also scared to add mating pairs of any fish due to potential aggression, right now everyone is fine and happy.

 

[Clowning_Around72]

Thanks, I went ahead and returned the little guy, read some horror stories about them eating smaller fish when older and also having to take the tank apart to take them out, lol.

Picked up a Starry Blenny and Six Line Wrasse yesterday. I understand it may attack the shrimp at some point but since my aiptasia problem is mostly gone, and my six-line is like barely an inch, I think there is probably some time before it happens. Gotta get rid of the shrimp eventually too, lol.

So far my stocking is:
Snowflake Clownfish
Royal Gramma
Diamond Goby
Tomini Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Starry Blenny
Pajama Cardinal

Heard about the 1/2" per gallon rule. Currently these fish will equal about 30", and its recommended I stay under 38" total.

Will probably wait a week or two before introducing another fish or two.

Hoping to add a Banggai Cardinal still.

Ive been hesitant to add another clownfish, hearing that if I dont introduce them to the tank at the same time, its less likely for them to pair. Also, my clown has been solitary for the last few months, which I also read may affect the pairing. I would be willing, although im also scared to add mating pairs of any fish due to potential aggression, right now everyone is fine and happy.

Yeah I wouldn't add another clown. It can be done if you add one significantly larger than the one you have. Significantly smaller can work as well but then you have much more risk of it being killed.

 

[mboley]

Keep in mind fish like caves, crevices, and overhangs; at night they all need a place to hide and feel safe. You really need some more rock to accomplish that for all those fish. I'd advise doing that before buying more fish.

Also a protein skimmer would be a good idea.