Need input for my 180...

[Arch01]

Okay, my tank has been up and running with live rock for six weeks now and I need some help deciding how I'm going to stock it with fish. I plan on keeping mostly sps corals and a few clams. I would like to keep mostly smaller, less aggressive fish. This is my first tank so I would like to stick with easier fish for a while at least.

I don't necessarily plan to add all of these fish, but this is what I like so far. Of course it might also depend on which fish I can actually find. Feel free to suggest other fish that you think might be appropriate. I also would like to know if there are any I should add first.

Escsenius midas (Midas blenny)

Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia (Fourline wrasse)

Assessor flavissimus (Yellow assessor) <-Possibly a pair

Pseudochromis fridmani (Orchid dottyback)
Pseudochromis flavivertex (Sunrise dottyback)

Serranus tortugarum (Chalk bass) <-Likely more than one

Amphiprion ocellaris/perclua (Obligatory clownfish)

Cirrhitichthys falco (Dwarf hawkfish) <-Will they eat cleaner shrimp?

Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis (Chevron tang)
or
Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole tang)

The final addition would probably be an angel, either one of the Genicanthus or a Pygoplites diacanthus (Regal angel).

Let me know what you think, and please feel free to suggest others.
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joint rolling

 

[jsbradbury]

Looks like you have a fantastic start. I would suggest waiting on the fish and start adding a cleanup crew slowly as the tank warrants it. Once that stabalizes then start adding a fish or two at a time. Keep the pics comming.

 

[Entacmaea]

Looks like a great tank, I'm jealous of your Tunze's : )

If you only have live rock and sand in there right now, some things to consider before putting fish in (I always put fish in last) are some clean up crew(as mentioned), corals you want to keep (by no means do you have to put all of them in), some critter kits from Inland or IndoPacific, and then fish. I'd also suggest putting in the least aggressive fish first, working your way up to the most aggressive last to minimize any fighting. Two fish a month would be as fast as I would go.

Looks like it is going to be a great tank, and I admire you for your modest fish selection. You've clearly done some research!

Best, Peter

 

[Arch01]

Thanks for the advice so far. I have done too much research and change my mind about things all the time... you can see i registered back in May of 2003 and the tank is really only six weeks old. It took a while to do the saving

I forgot to mention that I did add some snails this week. It was about twenty each of nerite, cerith, and nassarius. I'll see how they do for a while before adding anything else.
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Skin Problems Forum

 

[Arch01]

Any thoughts on what Hawkfish are safe with shrimp and other mobile inverts? I just love to watch the Flame hawks perch and dart across the tank in the pet store, but I would like to keep a couple of cleaner shrimp too.
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Bipolar Disorder Forum

 

[Tackett]

my experience with hawks has been that they will eventually disembowl any crustacean that they can get their hands on, and believe me when I say that they are super fast and a shrimp has no chance when the hawk wants them to die (they aint called hawks for no reaon ) I love em too, but decided that it was too risky. They are predators and will act like one no matter what you try unfortunatley.

 

[Tackett]

great choice on the chevron tang though, when you get one give us a pic! I love them.

 

[Arch01]

Yeah, there were a couple of chevrons here locally a few weeks back and it hurt to watch them go. They are beautiful as juveniles, but I'm not sure I've seen a picture of an adult.

Will hawks go after snails too? If so, I saw some great looking urchins at the lfs I could always go with some neons gobies if I really want some cleaners...
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Personality Disorder Forum

 

[Tackett]

id avoid urchins too, they have a tendency to chew massive gaping holes in your rock trying to consume the coraline algae. I dont think that a hawk would bother a snail, in fact, and I may be wrong on this, I think there are very few things that are snail connesueirs. and as far as I know, cheverons dont change coloration. But like i said, its a cryin-ass shame, but I would avoid the temptation of having hawks. If I were you, and this is just my opinion here, if you are wanting a fish to replace a hawk I would check out the dartfish (or firefish) family, everyone knows that i love em. Ill post some links for different species, there are a ton, some expensive, some not expensive, but all are incredible looking.

 

[Tackett]

the helfrichi firefish, its hard to find a good pic of them. These are pricy though.
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/hefihe.htm

good luck finding this one.
http://www.korallenriff.de/lexikon/Gunn ... iosus.html

The oldie but goldie (well purplie)
http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_purpfire.php

Common firefish
http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_firefish.php


screw it heres a weblist of the whole family.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dartfish.htm

anyways, just my opinion

 

[Anonymous]

Good selection of fish, Alex! Were you thinking of both dottybacks, cuz that might be a problem.

With regard to hawks and cleaners, I think you'll be okay with a falco, as long as the shrimp is a decent size.

For giggles and as a comparison, here is my list of what's in my 180:

1 Flame Hawk
1 Royal Gramma
1 Yellow Tang
1 Purple Firefish
1 Pajama Cardinal
1 Brazilian Flameback Angel
1 Japanese Basslet
1 Arrowhead Wrasse
1 False Perc
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Pink Spotted Goby

I also have had several cleaners, and my flame never bothered any of them, or any snails. But that's just my experience. Good luck, and welcome to one of the greatest hobbies on Earth!

 

[Arch01]

I guess I should have put an or for the dottybacks. I think the nod will probably go to the orchid. Will the dottyback be a problem for any of the other fish, or are they mostly aggressive towards other dottys? Sorry Tackett, I'm just not a big firefish fan. There are several that are quite pretty, they just seem boring to me.

Thanks again!
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Eckankar Forum

 

[Anonymous]

The dottyback should be one of the last fish you add. He may still be aggresive toward some of the other fish, like the assessors.

I think Laura has a dottyback...perhaps she can tell you more.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's my 180, in case you needed some coral ideas :

My stock levels are high, so don't mind those.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

That picture is fake...there's not even any water in that tank!

 

[Anonymous]

 

[Anonymous]

The orchid dottyback, P. fridmani should not be thrown into the same boat as the other members of the genus. It actually should be added FIRST in some cases, as it can be victimized by more aggressive fish otherwise. Certianly, if a fourline or sixline wrasse is going to be added, add the fridmani before either of these fish. I would refrain form adding another dottyback with it, but you CAN keep fridmani in pairs, and they are available captive bred. GREAT FISH! if It's easily the least aggressive of the group.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

That picture is fake...there's not even any water in that tank!

Why ya lousy bum...wait 'til I gets my fists on ya!



Peace,

Chip

 

[Arch01]

Thanks for the advice, all. I've seen several of the captive bread orchids lately so that would probably be the first I would pick up.

Tank looks nice, Chip. Is that a Vlamingi in the middle of that picture?
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grape ape plants

 

[Anonymous]

Dottyback first, Jim?

Alex, I'd be interested in hearing of your experience with the orchid, if you don't mind. I'd love to get one, but am hesitant to do so. Thanks!