200G Stocking List Plan for Critique

[cowfishy]

Hi All,

I have a 6 by 2 by 2 tank in the planning stage and here is the wish list of fish I would like to keep. Any advice appreciated.

I recently read Bob Fenner's Conscientious Marine book and got the idea about the False Falcula Butterflies in a group. BUT I am not sure when "a big tank' is mentioned to allow for this how big "big" needs to be to house three butterflies. Tank bred species will be a preference for me and I like the idea of groups of the same fish, the possibility of spawning and also want to be able to keep a couple of ornamental lysmata shrimps.

THE FISH

Butterflies
Chaetodon Ulitiensis - False Falcula * 3

Tangs
Yellow * 1
Regal Blue * 1

Blennies
Blue Spot Lawnmower Blenny * 1

Gobies
Fire Gobys * 5
Neon Gobies * 3
Sand Sifter Gobies * 2

Clownfish
Amphiprion Oscellaris / Percula * 2

Cardinals
Banggai Cardinals * 3 or 5

Angelfish
Dwarf angel * 1

Regards,
Mike

 

[Outerbank]

To me, the list seems a little too crowded when they all grow up. I don't know enough about butterly fish. I would stick with only 3 fish that will get bigger than 4 inches. The Bangaii's will get fairly large too at 2-3 inches each.

 

[cowfishy]

Thx. I would not comtemplate more than three butterflies If I understand your comment correctly. I also realise I may need to remove some fish from my list and probably the regal tang and sticking to 3 rather than 5 Banggai cradinals would be my first move.

I imaginse there could be a lot of people with eyses bigger than their beliies for the amount of fish that can be kept when you look at some of the tanks of the months's stocking levels.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[mile sq. reefer]

It may be a little crowded. Also, you have to take into consideration the stocking order to try to discourage territorial disputes. What type of system do are you planning, Fish only, FOWLR, or Reef? I would not add the butterfly to a reef. Three tangs, each from a different family would work well. Would look nice and offer grazing for algae.

 

[Dave Cox]

Personally, I don't think you're overcrowding with that list - as long as you have a decent skimmer and aquascape the tank well, I don't think you'll have a problem...

Just my opinion, mind...

 

[cowfishy]

I am going to be setting it up as a Reef Tank. I have an existing reef tank with some of the fish above, a clam, mushroom, zoos, a mixture of sps and softies which I will be moving across(most of them anyway).

I have just had a look again at Scott Michaels Fish Book and yes the Butterflies I am keen on are not recommended for a reef

I was just blindly going on the Bob Fenner article which after rereading it just now did not cover reef compatability when recommending them as the most robust striking display type butterfly. Teaches me a bit of a lesson in doing more research.

I was kind of angling that a group of smaller fish that end to end would be 6inches would not equate to the same bio-load as a large sinlgle 6inch adult fish. Not sure if this is true or valid. I will be setting up with a lot of LR and a DSB and a Sump with more LR, DSB & Macro in it. PS planned is a Turboflotor 1000 Multi.
Back to looking at fish books for butterflies or other alternatives.

Cheers

 

[RichConley]

I run a TF 1000 multi on my 58. I dont think it'll do the job on your 180 wiht those fish.

Also, bangais are pairbreeders, and will kill each other off it kept in odd numbers. A pair would be much better than 3.

 

[cowfishy]

I have heard mixed feedback about whether the TF1000 will do the job or not but have seen some in action that have performed very well. I was going to try it out for a month or two and then decide form there about upgrading.
I really want to have as much biological filtration as I can so I am hoping that the overall result will be no dependence on 1 piece of equipment.

Thx for the feedback on the Banggai and I will go with 2 in the plan then.

My latest on replacing the False Falcula butterflies is to go with 3 schooling bannerfish.

 

[cowfishy]

THE FISH - Updated list

Butterflies
Heniochus diphreutes - Schooloing Bannerfish * 3 (would love to hear fomr anyone that has these already.

Tangs
Yellow * 1
Regal Blue * 1

Blennies
Blue Spot Lawnmower Blenny * 1

Gobies
Fire Gobys * 5
Neon Gobies * 3
Sand Sifter Gobies * 2 - Rainford

Clownfish
Amphiprion Oscellaris / Percula * 2

Cardinals
Banggai Cardinals * 2 Pair?

Angelfish
Dwarf angel * 1