180 Gallon Stock List

[Amoore311]

Hi All.

I'm looking for some help with stocking a 180 Gallon Oceanic (6' x 2' x 2') that I'm upgrading to in the coming months. Skimmer will be a MSX 250. I'll post what fish I have first that will make the trip over, and then I'll post some fish I'm looking at adding once I have the new tank set up. My current tank specs are in my Sig.

Current Fish
Powder Blue Tang about 5-6"

Yellow Tang 5-6"

Sixline Wrasse - Fully Grown 3"

Yellow Watchman Gobie- Fully Grown 3"

Pair of Ocellaris Clowns - Juvenile about 1" Ea.

The clowns have been in the tank 1 month. The Powder Blue has been in since August. The remaining fish have been together almost 2 years+. No aggression issues at all except for the occasionally "Tough Guy" moments the tangs have with each other.

Now I'm going to throw a list out there.... I won't necessarily be adding all of these fish haha. Just want some options to mull over. The fish need to be ok for it's lifetime, I don't trade in fish.... nor do I want them to be cramped. Honest answer is fine you don't have to sugar coat anything for lol.

Lieutenant Tang
Orange Shoulder Tang
Blue Jaw Trigger
Atlantic Blue Tang
Convict Tang
Achilles Tang (I think the tank is too small for this one)

Now honestly I'll only add 1 fish from that above list. I would really like to put the Bluejaw Or Lieutenant Tang, those are the 2 at the top of the list.

Next is, I'm sure I could add some more wrasse now that the sixline is in such a large tank. Any suggestions here?

Lastly.... any fish you would recommend that would work with my tank size and current stock. The fish must be Clam/Invert/Coral Safe.

Thanks.

 

[greennd79]

i have a 180 with a blue hippo,yellow tang and a juv chevron i will add a convict soon to my tank so i would say the convict would be nice

 

[m0nk]

Don't add another acanthurus tang, you have one already and they're aggressive in the presence of others.

 

[chasekwe]

Well if you only intend to add one of those and the bluejaw is your top choice then go for it. It should be perfectly fine.

It will certainly be happier than another tang would be. Hardier too.


Then again, you know the swimming room of your tank better than anybody. The trigger may get 10" long or so, do YOU think it will be comfortable long term?

 

[Amoore311]

With the way the rock will be laid out I would believe so.

The tank is only going to have 100-130 LBS of rock, set up in pillars. There will be a ton of room for the fish in there.

This fish will also have full to the front back and sides of the tank. The pillars will be set up in the middle of the tank not touching any of the glass.

 

[LisaD]

I think you will have room for a couple more fish if your filtration is up to the task.

 

[MattL]

Be careful with your Powder Blue Tang. First, it will be intolerant of any other Acanthurus spp. tangs, especially if they are added after it. Second, the Powder Blue will likely become aggressive to any fish added after it, even if it looks nothing alike. I had a Powder Blue go after a Heniochus diphreutes.

So any of your other desired Acanthurus sp. tangs on the list (Orange Shoulder, Lieutenant, Convict) are especially out. I am not sure if a Powder Blue would bother an Atlantic Blue, even though they are both Acanthurus spp.

For the record, Orange Shoulder, Lieutenant and Convict are some of the best tangs out there, in my opinion, in terms of healthiness and temperament.

The only third tang I would recommend adding is one from the Ctenochaetus genus. These are the Kole and Tomini tangs, and the Chevron tang. I recommend all three, although be prepared the Chevron will lose its coloration as an adult.

Unless you can hold the Powder Blue Tang until the very end of your fish addition process and/or you are prepared to add no other fish that cannot defend themsleves after it is added, then I would find it a new home. Without the Powder Blue tang, you have much greater latitude in which fish you add.

Another fish that seems to be getting int he way is your 6-line wrasse. These Wrasse have known to be intolerant of other Wrasse added after them, and can be quite mean to other additions. Again, if you can hold him to the very end, that is one thing, but unless you add it last, it would likely bully many other wrasses you add. And there are so many wonderful wrasse you can add.

That said, there are many other fish that you can add, depending on how reef-safe you want to be,

Matt

 

[Amoore311]

Thanks for the recommendations Matt.

My Powder Blue is pretty docile right now, I think that could be because he is definitely the king of the tank. He has no real challengers at all to bother him haha.

The Yellow Tang, Sixline, and Powder Blue Cruise the tank all day together. The only time they scuffled (the Two Tangs) was when they were waiting in line for the cleaner shrimp's services. I remedied this by just adding another cleaner shrimp lol, no more problems.


I noticed you didn't comment on the Blue Jaw Trigger. How do you think that would work instead of another large tang? I can have the trigger ordered so he goes into the 180 at the same time as the other fish, so the Powder Blue won't be established in his surroundings in the new tank yet.

I would like to order the trigger fairly small if possible.


Edit:

I just noticed a Ctenochaetus tang that peaked my interest. Ctenochaetus nigrofuscus, the Lavender Tang. Would this be ok to add with the Blue Throat as well, or should I stick to one of them?

It seems there is some confusion over this tang in general, marine center and saltwater.com have it listed as a Ctenochaetus. Bob Fenner states over at WWM that Ctenochaetus nigrofuscus doesn't exist, the only "nigrofuscus" species is in the Acan. Genus.

Hmm....

 

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
Thanks for the recommendations Matt.

You're welcome.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
My Powder Blue is pretty docile right now, I think that could be because he is definitely the king of the tank. He has no real challengers at all to bother him haha.

They always start off that way -- the problems come later

Now all fish are individuals, so you may very well end up with an okay situation. Having a decent sized tank for the PBT will certainly help you.

Just be prepared to remove him if you add anything to the tank after he is present, or he decides one day he isn't going to tolerate certain other fish.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
The Yellow Tang, Sixline, and Powder Blue Cruise the tank all day together.

These fish are all compatible with each other, being either aggressive or able to defend themselves. Again, the problem comes with what you add afterwards, which is what you are trying to do.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
I noticed you didn't comment on the Blue Jaw Trigger. How do you think that would work instead of another large tang? I can have the trigger ordered so he goes into the 180 at the same time as the other fish, so the Powder Blue won't be established in his surroundings in the new tank yet.

The blue jaw is a great choice. From what I understand (I have never kept one), they are peaceful, yet they can tolerate aggressive fish, and they are not as destructive as other triggers. In short, it shouldn't bother or be bothered by your existing fish, nor should it bother any new additions.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
I can have the trigger ordered so he goes into the 180 at the same time as the other fish, so the Powder Blue won't be established in his surroundings in the new tank yet.

Well, it may work. It may not work.

Also, it's never advisable to put new fish in a new tank unless you have to. I understand you are carrying over rock and sand, but there is still a little cycling that needs to go on.

Also, any shrimp added after or around the time the trigger is added may become trigger food.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106435#post14106435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
I just noticed a Ctenochaetus tang that peaked my interest. Ctenochaetus nigrofuscus, the Lavender Tang. Would this be ok to add with the Blue Throat as well, or should I stick to one of them?

It's an Acanthurus genus tang. It is mislabeled as a Ctenochaetus genus by TMC. Ctenochaetus have a notable different appearance, like the Tomini, Kole, and Chevron. It wouldn't be advisable to add any tang after your PBT, and your PBT and another Acanthurus tang would likely not thrive long term in the same tank of that size.

Matt

 

[Amoore311]

Okey Dokey I'll definitely skip on the lavender tang then.

If I could actually find a Chevron Tang I'd be interested in them as well. I'll send out some inquiries to some friends in the fish trade and see what I can come up with.

It sucks that they dull out so much as they get older. The markings even as full grown adults are pretty interesting though, despite the drastic loss of the bright coloration.

 

[mrp2g]

I would go with the blue jaw trigger... a small or medium should be good... watch the aggression from an established PBT...

 

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14107870#post14107870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amoore311
Okey Dokey I'll definitely skip on the lavender tang then.

If I could actually find a Chevron Tang I'd be interested in them as well. I'll send out some inquiries to some friends in the fish trade and see what I can come up with.

It sucks that they dull out so much as they get older. The markings even as full grown adults are pretty interesting though, despite the drastic loss of the bright coloration.

I find them to be very beautiful adults. I don't think photographs do them justice.

I also heard they make great, well-behaved inhabitants.

The lesson I learned is that often the less common, less brightly colored tangs by far make the best pets (yellows aside)

Matt

 

[91yota]

in a tank that size with other already notably aggressive fish, i would consider the addition of a grouping of damsels from the Chrysiptera genus... these are the more docile damsels (not overly aggressive, but still damsels and can hold their own) and will add a ton of movement and color to the reef... their aggression is usually limited to conspecifics (members of the same species) but rarely results in any damage or undue stress... basically, they will find their own niche in the tank and may chase each other from time to time but no harm comes of it... plus they are cheap and hardy

i also think the blue jaw trigger would be a good addition to the tank... while not aggressive, it should be able to hold it's own as well... they really have a great personality as well and will become a true pet- begging for food anytime you come near the tank

i would skip the addition of any other tangs personally

you might also consider another sand dwelling goby... with careful introduction and allowing both gobies to establish their burrows in different locations they should do well in the tank together

hope this helps

 

[Amoore311]

I'm excited that the Blue Jaw is getting so many positive responses. I've wanted this fish for a long time, but new it would be too cramped in my current 90 Gallon.

The damsels sound like an interesting idea. I don't know how they would do with my pair of small ocellaris though. The other fish will definitely be able to handle themselves with them though.

Thanks everyone for the input. If you can think of any other ideas for fish, especially smaller ones like the damsel suggestion, that would be awesome.

 

[91yota]

dont forget that clowns are damsels as well they should be able to hold their own