120G Display Stocking suggestions

[MitchReef]

I recently put in a 120G 48X24X24 in-wall with attached 10G frag tank and a 75G at 35G depth for a fuge / sump. The tank is going to primarily be home to Acropora, Montipors, Zoanthids, a few favia pieces and a few select chalices....maybe a few incidentals, but the sticks are my passion.....

I already had an ORA Naked Clown, a big Carberyi Anthias and a medium Powder Brown Tang. I intend to add a Blue Reef Chromis and wondered about other fish that might be good in this setup. I have a lot of rock in the display, with nearly continuous twisty caves and swim-throughs.

I need to build tank screens but just haven't gotten hold of the 1/4" mesh.

I appreciate any input, as I need more fish!!!!

BTW, I also work on a pretty low budget, as the family has to come forst....:rolleye1:

 

[Fishmommy]

Royal gramma? Red velvet fairy wrasse?

 

[benjc]

I have the same sized tank; a pair of firefish make a nice inexpensive addition. A kole tang (or other bristletooth tang) will help keep your rocks clean, while a diamond goby will keep the sand white. Add a melanurus wrasse to keep pests at bay.

 

[MitchReef]

I've had firefish before and really enjoyed them....as for a kole tang, I have a powder brown tang and they're not very friendly to any other tangs if they're there first...

A diamond goby is a great idea, but my sand bed is really new and started with clean dry sand so I don't know if there's enough food for one....I seeded the tank with about 60 pounds of active, working live rock, from under lights in a very clean reef tank....so that probably seeded the sand some but I don't know how well.....I have considered some wrasses, but haven't done anything toward getting them....I had a possum wrasse for a number of years, and he was always out in plain sight but many are total recluses so I am avoiding them.....I have really fine sand but a lot of flow so a big grab of nassarius snails is in order....

 

[MitchReef]

Anybody else?

 

[9thwonder]

How about flasher wrasses

 

[MitchReef]

I gotta just get out to all the LFSs and look at some fish soon.....flashers might be great too!!!! I always liked the Filamented Flasher....

 

[jamesbaur13]

-Flame Hawkfish (around $25, nice looking, durable and unique in terms of personality) They are mellow yet spastic little weirdo's. They have the label of not being 100% reef safe, if you got shrimps the size of tic-tac's then you will have problems. For the most part... the shrimps you likely will keep will be too large to fit in his mouth.
-Valenciennea Goby (aka sand sifting goby) I know you're not ready, but plan for this one... I call mine Roomba for good reason. Also around $25.
-Royal Gramma Basslet (as another mentioned). Another cheap ($25), nice looking and durable fish. They are grumpy little fish. They are territorial, but territorial like an old man is with his lawn. They don't hurt other fish, but just like the old man with his lawn... it's fun to watch. So long as you stay away from a con-specific species and he has room (it's a 125g... he has room) there's not an issue with these guys.
-Longfin Fairy Wrasse. I bought mine on sale for $25 on Live Aquaria. I wasn't expecting him to be as cool as he is. Never bothers anything... he is the model for model citizens. Nice red color. He is a bit nervous though... like all Fairy Wrasses he sometimes will jump (not as bad as my Solar Wrasse). He's more like a flasher wrasse than a fairy wrasse, but more durable.

 

[Fishmommy]

Flame hawkfish are super entertaining, but I read that they can damage corals by perching on them too much, which is why I took them off my personal list.

 

[jamesbaur13]

Flame hawkfish are super entertaining, but I read that they can damage corals by perching on them too much, which is why I took them off my personal list.

In my experience with the fish I wouldn't worry about it damaging any coral by perching. The one I have does not spend a day of perching in one spot. Mine moves to a new location every 30 seconds or so.

I'm not going to say that the actions of my flame hawkfish are duplicated by all, but it's my belief that whoever posted that has a bigger issue than a flame hawkfish perching on their corals.

Your best bet is not to listen to what I say... just watch one at the pet store. I don't think mine is all that unusual... I think after you observe one yourself you'll see what I am describing. They tend to move about in spurts.