Stocking Ideas wanted!

[BigRedHair92]

Hello everyone! I just finally got my first 2 fish in my 180 gallon tank today after almost 2 years of planning and acquiring equipment. I added 2 oscellaris clownfish that I've had four a year and a half or so. I'm not really sure where I want to go from here though, other than knowing I do want tangs down the road. I'm really open to any ideas that people might have. I'll have a mixed reef with mostly LPS and softies. Thanks in advance!

 

[thereefhotspot]

Hello everyone! I just finally got my first 2 fish in my 180 gallon tank today after almost 2 years of planning and acquiring equipment. I added 2 oscellaris clownfish that I've had four a year and a half or so. I'm not really sure where I want to go from here though, other than knowing I do want tangs down the road. I'm really open to any ideas that people might have. I'll have a mixed reef with mostly LPS and softies. Thanks in advance!

A really great fish that you should look into is the blue eye kole tang. They are generally incredibly hardy and tend not to pick a fight with other tang species. They are reclusive when it comes to interacting with other fish in general, but I swear I have never seen any fish pick at the rocks for algae so much. They definitely work for their stay in your tank.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

- Gavin

 

[Gobyboy]

I would do a fox face since they are beginner fish and are fairly hardy. Also, in the future when you get a tang I would recommend a clown tang they are colorful and full of personality

-jacob

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

You should definitely get some workers. Get a tang. Get a wrasse. Not a fish, but later on once your sandbed has established (got mine around 8 months in), definitely get a conch snail. Does wonders for algae control. He defeated a hard fight against cyano in a matter of a few days and keeps my sandbed pristine. Don’t know a single person who would disagree. Anyways, definitely get fish and other creatures that will make your life so much easier.

 

[BigRedHair92]

I would do a fox face since they are beginner fish and are fairly hardy. Also, in the future when you get a tang I would recommend a clown tang they are colorful and full of personality

-jacob

Foxface is definitely on my list! It's my wife's favorite fish and I know they are a utility fish as well.

 

[BigRedHair92]

You should definitely get some workers. Get a tang. Get a wrasse. Not a fish, but later on once your sandbed has established (got mine around 8 months in), definitely get a conch snail. Does wonders for algae control. He defeated a hard fight against cyano in a matter of a few days and keeps my sandbed pristine. Don’t know a single person who would disagree. Anyways, definitely get fish and other creatures that will make your life so much easier.

I'm hoping to introduce all my tangs at the same time down the road so I hopefully decrease the territory disputes and aggression. Tangs I had interest in already were the Purple, Sailfin, Powder Blue and Hippo, but those definitely aren't set in stone.

 

[J_Gard88]

What about a Gem Tang?!

 

[i cant think]

I'm hoping to introduce all my tangs at the same time down the road so I hopefully decrease the territory disputes and aggression. Tangs I had interest in already were the Purple, Sailfin, Powder Blue and Hippo, but those definitely aren't set in stone.

I wouldn’t add quite so many tangs in a 6’ tank. The Hippo and Sailfins swim WAY too much for the average 4-6’ tank. Actually any Acanthurus tang swims too much for the average 4-6’ tank IMHO. I don’t recommend adding acanthurus or even most aggressive tangs in until the 3rd-4th year. My reasoning as to why is because of the fact you never know what fish will hit you when you walk into the LFS. It could be a fish you never knew you needed. My most recent run in with this situation was with my Flashing tilefish who still thrives today.
Have you got a lid? If so a tilefish is a good idea, it is always best if you can get several though. There’s a couple threads with different peoples experiences with their tilefish. Here’s a photo of mine flashing. The bottom photo is his resting colours.
Hoplolatilus chlupatyi

 

[BigRedHair92]

What about a Gem Tang?!

Definitely a beautiful fish, but I'm gonna get a bit more experience before I drop $1k on a fish haha.

 

[BigRedHair92]

I wouldn’t add quite so many tangs in a 6’ tank. The Hippo and Sailfins swim WAY too much for the average 4-6’ tank. Actually any Acanthurus tang swims too much for the average 4-6’ tank IMHO. I don’t recommend adding acanthurus or even most aggressive tangs in until the 3rd-4th year. My reasoning as to why is because of the fact you never know what fish will hit you when you walk into the LFS. It could be a fish you never knew you needed. My most recent run in with this situation was with my Flashing tilefish who still thrives today.
Have you got a lid? If so a tilefish is a good idea, it is always best if you can get several though. There’s a couple threads with different peoples experiences with their tilefish. Here’s a photo of mine flashing. The bottom photo is his resting colours.
Hoplolatilus chlupatyi

That's good to know! I live in the middle of nowhere so I have nobody around me to learn from. My closest 'local'
fish store that I trust is almost 3 hours away from me, so I really depend on interactions in places like this to learn. I'll definitely look into tilefish!