65g peaceful community stocking list

[HPark]

Hey,

I'm setting up a 65g shallow aquarium (48LX24WX12L) centered on 2 out of these 3 fish: Regal Angel OR Potters Angel and Marine Betta.

Curious what other peaceful/passive fish you all think would compliment these w/o startling them too much. I likely won't be looking at an upgrade for 3-4 years so one requirement is that they can reside in the 65g for the foreseeable future. I came up with some possible additions:

1 Golden Dwarf Moray (assuming I cover the tank)
2X skunk clownfish (Read anecdotal reports that they're less aggressive than other clownfish, any experiences?)
OR
2X yellowtail damsels (Chrysiptera parasema)

Thoughts/suggestions welcome. Thanks!

 

[DopeCantWin]

Won't the Eel get too big and eat the other fish?

 

[young_reefer]

Hi, I wouldn't put a Regal Angel or the eel in a 65g, especially if you do not have any near future firm plans for upgrading. Your other additions sound better for your tank. I'd also suggest researching a bit about the various fish varieties which can fit your tank size, then looking at what you like - but take your time to decide. There are so many fish which will fit your tank... I love clowns, dwarf angels, gobies, wrasses, cardinals, among many others.

Good luck and happy reefing!

 

[BlueFyre]

The eel will be just fine. They don't get very big, 12" tops, most stay around 10" and as big around as a sharpie. I have 1 in my 65 gallon.

Just realize the eel may eat small fish,(mine loves clown gobies )

 

[RJT]

The eel will be just fine. They don't get very big, 12" tops, most stay around 10" and as big around as a sharpie. I have 1 in my 65 gallon.

Just realize the eel may eat small fish,(mine loves clown gobies )

How often do you feed your eel?

 

[DopeCantWin]

The eel will be just fine. They don't get very big, 12" tops, most stay around 10" and as big around as a sharpie. I have 1 in my 65 gallon.

Just realize the eel may eat small fish,(mine loves clown gobies )

My mistake, I confused it with the non-dwarf version.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Which "skunk" clowns?

Years ago I had a spawning pair of Amphiprion perideraion --- after keeping clowns for 20 years or so, this pair was the most aggressive spawning pair that I have ever kept.

On the other hand, my current pair of Amphiprion sandaracinos -- spawning -- are very very mellow.

 

[HPark]

Which "skunk" clowns?

Years ago I had a spawning pair of Amphiprion perideraion --- after keeping clowns for 20 years or so, this pair was the most aggressive spawning pair that I have ever kept.

On the other hand, my current pair of Amphiprion sandaracinos -- spawning -- are very very mellow.

Kind of leaning toward the A. sandaracinos (Orange Skunk). I like the racing stripe look. I guess it'll likely be a gamble either way introducing fish that will exhibit spawning behavior. Thanks for sharing!

 

[HPark]

Hi, I wouldn't put a Regal Angel or the eel in a 65g, especially if you do not have any near future firm plans for upgrading. Your other additions sound better for your tank. I'd also suggest researching a bit about the various fish varieties which can fit your tank size, then looking at what you like - but take your time to decide. There are so many fish which will fit your tank... I love clowns, dwarf angels, gobies, wrasses, cardinals, among many others.

Good luck and happy reefing!

Hi, are you basing your advice on the regal angel per first hand experience? I've only seen a couple in person outside of LFS holding tanks. Tbh, in that limited experience -- I didn't see them as overly active fish. I would have characterized their behavior as similar to a centropyge. Swimming between the rock work as opposed to "cruising" above it like a tang. Also, slow growth rate, large footprint, etc -- I'm comfortable with the idea of keeping a 3-4" regal for 3-4 yrs in the tank with the right set of non-overly active tank mates. Any opinions from RA owners?

Re: eel. I was referring to Gymnothorax melatremus which max at 12".

 

[BlueFyre]

How often do you feed your eel?

Twice a week

 

[RayL]

Hi, are you basing your advice on the regal angel per first hand experience? I've only seen a couple in person outside of LFS holding tanks. Tbh, in that limited experience -- I didn't see them as overly active fish. I would have characterized their behavior as similar to a centropyge. Swimming between the rock work as opposed to "cruising" above it like a tang. Also, slow growth rate, large footprint, etc -- I'm comfortable with the idea of keeping a 3-4" regal for 3-4 yrs in the tank with the right set of non-overly active tank mates. Any opinions from RA owners?

Re: eel. I was referring to Gymnothorax melatremus which max at 12".

I have a 3-4" inch regal in a 6' 150 Gallon tank and he swims the entire tank around 5-10x a day that I have noticed, mostly swims in and out of rocks but it feels like once in a while he needs the room to stretch out and swim some laps. Once he has grown a couple more inches I would use a 6' foot print as a minimum for this beautiful fish.

I would personally recommend passing on the regal for a 65gallon tank. Their are a lot of beautiful dwarf angels that you could chose from. You should be fine with 2 dwarfs which would look very nice

 

[HPark]

Hmm -- that's interesting, I would have thought 2 dwarfs would be a more difficult mix. Separate species or would a pair of the same be possible?

I've really been wanting a potters angel for a long time. Especially with some of the ones creeping up on DD lately, probably a better choice than a regal.