opinions on type of fish that can go into a 54 gal
- Thread starter Shaemus
- Start date
Well i got a 55 gallon in process of setting up right now and I'm thinking of getting the following:
- clownfish (probably 2 one orange, one black)
- yellow tang
- black and white butterflyfish
- Kaudern's Cardinal
- Three stripe damselfish
Now I'd also like to add a blue tang and a lion, but I'm not sure if it would be too crowded or not? My tank is long so I think I might get away with some of these larger fish, plus I'll have a 20 gallon sump so I should be able to handle a larger bio load.
- clownfish (probably 2 one orange, one black)
- yellow tang
- black and white butterflyfish
- Kaudern's Cardinal
- Three stripe damselfish
Now I'd also like to add a blue tang and a lion, but I'm not sure if it would be too crowded or not? My tank is long so I think I might get away with some of these larger fish, plus I'll have a 20 gallon sump so I should be able to handle a larger bio load.
yellow tangs get large, possibly 8" long when full grown. i don't think a 55 gallon is the best tank for one of those. the same goes for a blue tang (regal or powder blue).
bio load is not the only consideration here. different fish require different habitats. fish like clownfish don't need alot of space, but a tang is a swimmer. i guess it's kinda like keeping a horse in your bedroom- it's unfair to the horse :?
fish you might want to look at are anthias, some wrasse(the fairy wrasses are reef safe), clowns of course, blennies/gobies, dragonets, damsels, firefish, dwarf angels( may nip at corals), basslets, pseudochromis, hawkfish(if you don't have any shrimp), jawfish.
there are plenty. you are best to do some research and then post a list like metalac did.
btw- metalac...you might look into dwarf lions, fu man chu lions, some of the smaller species.
bio load is not the only consideration here. different fish require different habitats. fish like clownfish don't need alot of space, but a tang is a swimmer. i guess it's kinda like keeping a horse in your bedroom- it's unfair to the horse :?
fish you might want to look at are anthias, some wrasse(the fairy wrasses are reef safe), clowns of course, blennies/gobies, dragonets, damsels, firefish, dwarf angels( may nip at corals), basslets, pseudochromis, hawkfish(if you don't have any shrimp), jawfish.
there are plenty. you are best to do some research and then post a list like metalac did.
btw- metalac...you might look into dwarf lions, fu man chu lions, some of the smaller species.
You don't have nearly enough space...
Yellow Tangs need more space long term, although you can get away with a smaller Zebrasoma species such as Z. flavascens in a 55 for a while.
The "blue" tang, whichever one you are referring to, are both very delicate fish that don't do well in captivity and frankly should be left in the ocean, especially the Powder Blue. At best, they are for advanced hobbiests and even then some luck is required in obtaining a specimen with no issues. Not to mention they need MUCH larger tanks.
You don't have enough space for a larger species of lionfish, and even some of the smaller ones will consume a small clownfish or cardinal.
The butterfly fish is best left to more advanced keepers as well.
I think your list needs to be reworked. :wink:
Jim
Yellow Tangs need more space long term, although you can get away with a smaller Zebrasoma species such as Z. flavascens in a 55 for a while.
The "blue" tang, whichever one you are referring to, are both very delicate fish that don't do well in captivity and frankly should be left in the ocean, especially the Powder Blue. At best, they are for advanced hobbiests and even then some luck is required in obtaining a specimen with no issues. Not to mention they need MUCH larger tanks.
You don't have enough space for a larger species of lionfish, and even some of the smaller ones will consume a small clownfish or cardinal.
The butterfly fish is best left to more advanced keepers as well.
I think your list needs to be reworked. :wink:
Jim
Well I was going off this list:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scat ... CatId=1926
they're listed as fish for beginners, so I figured stuff of that list would be safe.
And while we're on the subject, how come in LFS these fish live in tiny little 10 gallon tanks? Are they overstressed there? should I make sure to get the fish out of larger tanks only?
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scat ... CatId=1926
they're listed as fish for beginners, so I figured stuff of that list would be safe.
And while we're on the subject, how come in LFS these fish live in tiny little 10 gallon tanks? Are they overstressed there? should I make sure to get the fish out of larger tanks only?
For the most part it's a good list, I didn't realize you were talking about Heniochus acuminatus, they're OK. A Hippo tang though should never be included on a beginner's fish list.
Lots of fish die at most stores, and they are only there for a short time, so don't use their husbandry practices as a guide. The fish kept in a convenient fashion that allows them to be caught easily and sold, not in a way that will facilitate their health long term.
Lots of fish die at most stores, and they are only there for a short time, so don't use their husbandry practices as a guide. The fish kept in a convenient fashion that allows them to be caught easily and sold, not in a way that will facilitate their health long term.
You've already gotten some good advice here, but I'll add my $0.02, FWIW...
With the clowns, I recommend getting a couple of juvis of the same species - they will likely pair up. I would not add a third clown.
Personally, I would not put a tang in a tank this size, but if I was going to, I would stick with a single small species of the Ctenochaetus genus - probably a Kole or Tomini.
I would also pass on the Black and White Heniochus due to their potential size. IMO one of the prettiest butterflys is the Black Back Butterfly (Chaetodon melannotus). They stay much smaller and they're very hardy if you get a healthy specimen. IMO this would be a better choice for a small tank.
I strongly recommend avoiding damsels - you'll regret that decision down the road. You might consider something more peaceful (and more colorful) like an Orchid Dottyback - preferably captive bred.
HTH
With the clowns, I recommend getting a couple of juvis of the same species - they will likely pair up. I would not add a third clown.
Personally, I would not put a tang in a tank this size, but if I was going to, I would stick with a single small species of the Ctenochaetus genus - probably a Kole or Tomini.
I would also pass on the Black and White Heniochus due to their potential size. IMO one of the prettiest butterflys is the Black Back Butterfly (Chaetodon melannotus). They stay much smaller and they're very hardy if you get a healthy specimen. IMO this would be a better choice for a small tank.
I strongly recommend avoiding damsels - you'll regret that decision down the road. You might consider something more peaceful (and more colorful) like an Orchid Dottyback - preferably captive bred.
HTH
Any of you guys have experience with a Longnose Hawkfish? I'm thinking of replacing my coral beauty for it.
Dwarf lions are a good option for 55 gallon tank size. I'm not 100% sure, but you'll most likely need a better skimmer to keep up with predators. Like everyone else said... No tangs. They need a lot of swimming space.
Dwarf lions are a good option for 55 gallon tank size. I'm not 100% sure, but you'll most likely need a better skimmer to keep up with predators. Like everyone else said... No tangs. They need a lot of swimming space.
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