158g Fowlr

[Stuart60611]

elecbzerk:

It appears we are both kind of doing the same thing. I am in the process of stocking a 125 FOWLR. I have spent a ton of time researching my stock list. I thought I woudl share my choices.

1. Picasso Trigger
2. Harlequin Tusk
3. Pinkface or Paddlefin Wrasse
4. Kole Tang
5. One Spot Foxface
6. Flame Hawk
7. Honey Comb Toby Puffer

My choices focused on behavior, color, and trying to stay with the smaller sizes of each species so that I could house a good number of midsized fish (along with 2 larger ones) and maintain a lot of activity in the tank. I think the tankmates are well balanced in terms of each fish being of the appropriate size and disposition to hold their own.

Also, as mentioned above, algae can become quite a problem in a FOWLR without a clean up crew. To deal with this, I chose this particular tang both because he remains small (6-7 Iinches) and is considered to be, perhaps, the single best algae eating fish. Likewise, as mentioned above, foxfaces are great algae eaters (and even eat algae that a tang won't), and I chose this particular species because it remains relatively small at 6-7 inches and shares virtually identical coloration and look as its larger cousin the foxface lo who gets up to 12 inches. I am banking on both my tang and foxface, combined with good water changes, aggressive skimming, refugium, and runnig GFO with a reactor should be enough to keep the system looking reasonably clean with all of these messy eaters.

 

[elecbzerk]

Lisa, thanks for the reply and the congrats. (my back is not so happy after the move, LOL).

the reason I listed the porc was because the LFS has a very small one I liked. But to be honest, I am only halfway considering it; and I hope someone has purchased it before I go back in there. How about a nice toby, or a spiny box puffer?

I have been looking for an alternative to a tang, so thanks for the suggestion on the foxface. I will research them. any other choices on algae eaters?

As far as the HT, guess your right. I never noticed the fact there are no small ones for sale. I might have to go back to the drawing booard on that one.

I thought angels might be too aggressive. I do like them though. I will look into them also. I am really looking to add color to this tank, as it is in a real display area of my home.

Any other sugestions? How about a lion or dwarf lion?

Thanks Lisa.

Mike

 

[elecbzerk]

Thanks Stuart for chiming in. I'd be interested in you keeping me/us updated on your tank. I like your stocking list. I really like Triggers. I plan to have a Blue Throat and/or a nigerr also. The only real choices I have made for sure are the puffer I already have, one of the afforementioned triggers, and a algae eater.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12885893#post12885893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stuart60611
elecbzerk:

It appears we are both kind of doing the same thing. I am in the process of stocking a 125 FOWLR. I have spent a ton of time researching my stock list. I thought I woudl share my choices.

1. Picasso Trigger
2. Harlequin Tusk
3. Pinkface or Paddlefin Wrasse
4. Kole Tang
5. One Spot Foxface
6. Flame Hawk
7. Honey Comb Toby Puffer

My choices focused on behavior, color, and trying to stay with the smaller sizes of each species so that I could house a good number of midsized fish (along with 2 larger ones) and maintain a lot of activity in the tank. I think the tankmates are well balanced in terms of each fish being of the appropriate size and disposition to hold their own.

Also, as mentioned above, algae can become quite a problem in a FOWLR without a clean up crew. To deal with this, I chose this particular tang both because he remains small (6-7 Iinches) and is considered to be, perhaps, the single best algae eating fish. Likewise, as mentioned above, foxfaces are great algae eaters (and even eat algae that a tang won't), and I chose this particular species because it remains relatively small at 6-7 inches and shares virtually identical coloration and look as its larger cousin the foxface lo who gets up to 12 inches. I am banking on both my tang and foxface, combined with good water changes, aggressive skimming, refugium, and runnig GFO with a reactor should be enough to keep the system looking reasonably clean with all of these messy eaters.

 

[Stuart60611]

elecbzerk:

No problem, and I have gotten so much great information from other people here I thought I would try to contribute.

On that note, if you want to add some dramatic coloration and movement in the tank I strongly suggest you take a look at the Thalassoma wrasses. These guys are some of the most colorful wrasses, and I will proclaim the most amazing swimmers that can be housed in an aquarium. These guys swim with intense vigor, speed and grace. Like a jet fighter under water constantly cruising at high speed and darting in and out of the rockwork making high speed banking turns. They are pretty aggressive and should be the last fish added even after triggers. Some get real large with the smallest I have seen at 6 inches consisting of the paddlefin, rainbow, and pinkface wrasses. Something I think every aggressive FOWLR should have.

 

[MeskeetDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12892402#post12892402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stuart60611
elecbzerk:

No problem, and I have gotten so much great information from other people here I thought I would try to contribute.

On that note, if you want to add some dramatic coloration and movement in the tank I strongly suggest you take a look at the Thalassoma wrasses. These guys are some of the most colorful wrasses, and I will proclaim the most amazing swimmers that can be housed in an aquarium. These guys swim with intense vigor, speed and grace. Like a jet fighter under water constantly cruising at high speed and darting in and out of the rockwork making high speed banking turns. They are pretty aggressive and should be the last fish added even after triggers. Some get real large with the smallest I have seen at 6 inches consisting of the paddlefin, rainbow, and pinkface wrasses. Something I think every aggressive FOWLR should have.

The five line wrasse look nice! especially the male during courting....

Can you put a male and a female in a tank if it is large enough like sometimes done with bird wrasses. (The brown is the female and the turquoise green is the male if i recall correctly)

 

[Stuart60611]

Not sure about the five line and multiple fish of that species. I have a six line and although it does swim in and out of the rockwork, it is no way near the swimmer of the Thalassoma wrasses (which also in my opinion have superior coloration to the six line, five line, mystery, and other lined wrasses).

 

[elecbzerk]

Thanks Stuart & MeskeetDog! I will look up both of those types of wrasses as well. One thing I am not in is a hurry. I would like to make well educated choices instead of impulse buys. That is why I appreciate all of the advice and opinions I have received in this thread!

 

[elecbzerk]

Stuart, I have looked up the Thalassoma wrasses, there are several different wrasses with that scientific name. Is there one in particular that you are reccomending? or, the genus as a whole?

 

[Stuart60611]

I am recommending the genus as a whole. There quite a few different ones which are available. I liked the three I mentioned (pinkface, palldlefin, and rainbow) both because of their intense coloration and small size for the genus. Others I have seen in this genus are the lunar and bannana wrasse which grow much larger. There are others also.

 

[elecbzerk]

Stuart, I looked at these beautiful fishes on Live Aquaria. It is my understanding from their website that the Pinkface & Five Line Wrasse are the same. Also, the Paddlefin & Rainbow are the same. I do like them both alot though. I also saw the bannana, but I think the other two would be a dash of color. Thanks Stuart, they are getting some very serious consideration.

 

[Stuart60611]

Note that the coloration on the Rainbow is different for both male and female. I think the male ihas better coloration. I also saw at Live Aquaria the goldbar wrasse from the same genus who grows a little bigger at 8 inches and has intense blue coloration.

 

[elecbzerk]

Thanks, I saw that one too. I'm leaning toward the two that get a little smaller in overall size. Since they both require to be added last, it will be awhile before I purchase one. So, I have plenty of time to decide.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12896040#post12896040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stuart60611
Note that the coloration on the Rainbow is different for both male and female. I think the male ihas better coloration. I also saw at Live Aquaria the goldbar wrasse from the same genus who grows a little bigger at 8 inches and has intense blue coloration.