55G, looking to get a few fish

[silentcivilian]

So, Ive decided to upgrade my tank to a 55.. the 20G was just to small.. due to my size constraints of where I live, a 55g was the perfect option. The tank is currently cycling, so there isnt a rush rush right now. But I would like to start looking into options for fish. Currently only have a scooter blenny, how has been around for a few months now. I had a few other fish.. but during a busy 3 weeks, my tank got hit by ich, and the person who was feeding my fish didnt know what to look for, and Ich claimed a few of my other fish leaving me with a messy tank and a oddly happy scooter blenny. (must like the extra space)

So... the new tank is a 48Lx18Tx13W tank. I wanted more up than out space so any swiming fish I got could do just that. It will be a ghetto tank in the sence there will be no sump, so im looking at just a hang-on skimmer likely the Aqua-C. Lighting will be a 6xT5 Tek Light.

When the move is complete, there will be 4 zoa frags in the tank and 2 green star frags. 1 Little scooter blenny. What would be safe fish options (looking to get 3-4 more) that will not destroy coral as I will be getting a few peices of coral too.

Thinking I wanted somthing brighter (flame angel) since I know 55g isnt big enough for everyones fav yellow tang or many tangs for that matter. So what is somthing I should be looking into.. and start reseaching.. Just looking for ideas.

 

[Surf&turf]

If you want a tang go with a kole. They don't get as big as most. The tang police should leave you alone.:thumbsup:

 

[Gurp M]

Re: 55G, looking to get a few fish

I have a 55 corner quater oval. In that tank I have a
6" histro angler
5" volitan lion
3" cleaner wrasse
3" tommato clown
4" zebra angel
3.5" blue throught trigger
And a couple of blue chromies that are still around from the cycling (don't know how they are though)

 

[curlykid]

how long have you had the cleaner?

 

[Gurp M]

Re: 55G, looking to get a few fish

About 2 months. I got him at a good size, so the angler left him alone. Also I've learned fish that should not be put with smaller ones such as the cleaner will tolerate the cleaner. It almost seams as though they realize he's there for their benifit. I took about 2 days for him to start swimming out in the open more often than not.

 

[skibum9884]

I'd recommend staying away from triggers and lions. Most get too large for a 55. What about wrasses?

There are some good ones out there that are reef safe. Take a look on LA or BlueZoo to get an idea as to what's out there. A lot of the fairy wrasses are pretty similar, slight differences in temperment. The main differences in price are related to where they come from and demand due to coloring, etc.

 

[silentcivilian]

Thanks guys, good to know what not to get, and what to get.

With the tang comment, good to know I can get a tang and not warrent a search from the Tang Police.

Im hoping once I have the tank more established to have a center peice fish in it.. and also, a 55gallon is a huge tank to have one little scooter blenny swiming around in by himself.

 

[Gurp M]

Be careful with he Kole Yellow Eye tang it is very susceptible to ich. Though most tanks are, they are more likely to affected. If you are to get one Find one at a local store that has had it for a few days at least, they are difficult shippers.

 

[small alien]

A 4 bulb fixture should be sufficient on the 55. They're not the "Tang Police", they are just people who want to help others avoid torturing tangs. Most things I've read suggest at least a 75 for a Kole tang. But your 55 is the same length. I don't know.

Good luck with your new tank.

 

[pktech]

these might be cool for your 55 - temporarily ....

Lamarck's angel
Collare butterfly
coral beauty
2 spot bristletooth tang

fwiw ...

 

[silentcivilian]

Thank you, those last few were some awesome fish, ill have to keep my eyes open for some of those guys.

 

[silentcivilian]

So I broke down and bought a few things for the tank... I bought 2 skunk red cleaner shrimp, and topped up my snails collection. If you take a look at my album, you will see the left side of my tank is a small seperate island. Thats where the shrimp have dug in and made home. As well as the majority of my bumble bee snails (10).
The other snails, the trochus snails (10) stick to the glass. and my bumbles dont go to the sand at all.. as i thought they would.. I suppose I will have to track down some nassarius snails and I do have a deep sand bed that will need to be monitored.
As I continue to feel that hermit craps are the devil, as I had 5, and they did nothing but kill each other off over and over till there was only one. I still only have one, I call him Konan.
Now, fish.... I broke and bought two Chromis and one orange spotted goby.. I figured these are fairly neutral fish and should be bothered if I add more later.. Ive been eyeing what is in my area.. and my desires to have sps and lps coral.. what im down too.. is pick up a Tomato Clown, Coral Beauty Angel, and a Pair of Cardinals... that should do it for my tank.. now as my tank has high current, see tank details.. does anyone forsee problems with this set-up of high current and corals.. dont really want to find out some of these fish suck at swiming and end up hating life in my tank...

 

[travis32]

I'm in the same predicament, 55g tank, same dimensions, and just a lonely sally foot crab, some hermit crabs and a bunch of snails (around 20 to 30 snails) to keep the algae under control. It was starting to get out of hand on the glass.. But, in the last few days, the CUC has really kicked in and the algae is in decline.

I'm actually scared to buy fish because the fish police warnings of not to buy the wrong fish for the tank. LOL. I need to do a lot of research. I have no idea what would be a good "first" fish or two to start with.

 

[silentcivilian]

So far the 3 guys that bought are good, and quite happy, the fish are lovin the current. Just make sure your rock is very secure if you get a orange spot like I did. As he is making a very large cave under my rocks, but my rocks extend about 2.5" so, it wont tip over or landslide, as it is ghetto rigged with zipties and cement to hold it all in place.