125gal stock list...

Jeremy-S

New member
I currently have 2 clowns and a yellow tang. Looking for ideas of other fish to add. The only other fish I know for sure I want is a Powder Blue Tang and maybe a flame or coral beauty angel.

Tank is a 6' 125 gallon.

Willing to take some suggestions on what to put in there.
 
By the way, Jeremy-S and geaux xman, you might google the definition of "marginal". One of its definitions is:


"close to the lower limit of qualification, acceptability, or function : barely exceeding the minimum requirements"
 
Since my post has been deleted.

Besides tangs, what are some other larger show fish that can be housed in a 125 gallon tank?
 
Since my post has been deleted.

Besides tangs, what are some other larger show fish that can be housed in a 125 gallon tank?

There aren't many. If you're thinking of large angels and large tangs etc, almost none will be ok in this tank. You could do a nice group of anthias.
 
None of the angels are reef safe are they? I was avoiding all angels because they eat corals. Period.

Fox face rabbit fish are similar to flame angels and CBs. in that they are cautionary with corals.

I'm looking for larger fish too for my 125g. Kinda tagging along. I was thinking of a blue zebra tang, hippo tang, and sailfin tang. Probably marginal for the sailfin and hippo. Liveaquaria says minimum 125 for a sailfin. Should be fine.

Not sure if the hippo and blue tang would get along, have to check that. but, some ideas I've had for my 125g.
 
None of the angels are reef safe are they? I was avoiding all angels because they eat corals. Period.

I'm looking for larger fish too for my 125g. Kinda tagging along. I was thinking of a blue zebra tang, hippo tang, and sailfin tang. Probably marginal for the sailfin and hippo. Liveaquaria says minimum 125 for a sailfin. Should be fine.

Not sure if the hippo and blue tang would get along, have to check that. but, some ideas I've had for my 125g.
Genicanthus angels are the most "reef safe". Dwarf angels depends on the individual. Even the ones that nip at corals don't really eat corals, they just pick at everything. Large angels will eat corals.

What is a blue zebra tang? I've never heard that common name. I wouldn't keep a hippo or a sailfin in a 125. The both get well over a foot long. The thing with the sailfin is it will also be over a foot tall. I won't keep a sailfin in my 180.
 
Genicanthus angels are the most "reef safe". Dwarf angels depends on the individual. Even the ones that nip at corals don't really eat corals, they just pick at everything. Large angels will eat corals.

What is a blue zebra tang? I've never heard that common name. I wouldn't keep a hippo or a sailfin in a 125. The both get well over a foot long. The thing with the sailfin is it will also be over a foot tall. I won't keep a sailfin in my 180.

I agree with the above. I personally like

Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis (Chevron Tang)
Ctenochaetus strigosus (Kole's Tang)
Ctenochaetus tominiensis (Tomini Tang)

for that sized tank remembering that length is the most important dimension. As the OP asked, a powder blue tang is possible but is marginal for that sized tank.
 
I was looking at the hippo or a sailfin too but they seem to get larger then the PBT. So I already crossed those off my list.

Tangs just seem to be some of the best looking fish so it's hard not to want them.

I will looking into those smaller tangs you mentioned.
 
I will looking into those smaller tangs you mentioned.

Actually it is not only size of the fish that is relevant, it is also behavior. I personally love my Chevron tang but many people find the juvenile more attractive than the adult. Zebrasoma tend to be more aggressive so only one of those per tank is usually best. The various naso tangs are gorgeous but they get large and need long tanks preferably 10 feet long.
 
I agree with you on the naso tangs. Beautiful fish for sure. But I've seen a blonde naso in a 8ft tank and it used that whole tank. No way it would be happy in a smaller tank.

I briefly looked up the Chevron tang. I'm very interested in those now. Never seen one locally but I will be reading more about them for sure.

You have any thoughts on the Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus nigricans)? Found it on liveaquaria.
 
I agree with you on the naso tangs. Beautiful fish for sure. But I've seen a blonde naso in a 8ft tank and it used that whole tank. No way it would be happy in a smaller tank.

I briefly looked up the Chevron tang. I'm very interested in those now. Never seen one locally but I will be reading more about them for sure.

You have any thoughts on the Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus nigricans)? Found it on liveaquaria.

I have never kept this fish (Acanthurus nigricans); however on the new (yet to be released) guide for tank size and tangs, we feel the minimum for this fish to be 125 gallons and six feet long. But I always hate trying to put a fish in the minimum recommended tank as later additions often suffer when the fish becomes progressively aggressive. The fish you are asking about, however, is one of the tangs with lesser aggression.
 
The tang I was referring to I guess is "purple tang" not blue, sorry.. It looks blue to me. :)

Minimum tank size is 100gallons, and I agree, it may be agressiv but if the facts are right on live aquaria (not saying they are.) It says that it can't be with other zebramosa's. However, the cost is rather excessive. LOl.

Chevron looks cool and says it's a completely different species. Could it go with a purple tang?

As for the blue hippo tangs, liveaquaria states 125g as the minimum tank size and 1' as the max size. I realize minimum is the bare minimum. At the same time, That means they'd be safe / happy in there wouldn't they? I don't want to start a debate on tangs. Just trying to figure out what criteria to use of what is safe and not safe to A) current inhabitants, and b) what is best for the overall environment and health of the reef.

So, as far as tangs, is there a hard and fast rule, that if an online vendo says minimum tank size is xx. Multiply that times 1.xx to determine whether it's o.k. in a person's current setup?

e.g. is there any facts to support 25% larger or 50% larger than the minimum? Not trying to get something one can't or shouldn't have. I'm just trying to keep myself from making expensive mistakes. So, any good rules to follow would be appreciated!
 
We at RC are in the process of publishing a recommended tank size for a given tang species list. This list is based on the rather extensive experience of many members of RC and will hopefully be available as a sticky soon. But there is no "factor" that can be applied to an online vendors recommendation.
 
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Travis, I just reviewed the rough draft of the list I am referring to for the questions you are asking. Since I am color blind I am giving you the scientific and common names:

Acanthurus coeruleus (Atlantic Blue Tang) which is 125 gallons and six feet long

Paracanthurus hepatus (Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang) which is 240 gallons and 8 feet long

Zebrasoma xanthurum (Purple Tang) which is 120 gallons and 5 feet long.

Keep in mind this is a work in progress and may slightly change. And most importantly, these are not "my" numbers although I reviewed and agree with them; they are the consensus of many knowledgeable aquarists who have many years of experience with tangs.
 
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