65G Reef Build: Stocking Help

[shawnriv]

Hello Everyone,

I will be starting a 65 gallon rimless SPS dominate reef build. I am looking to stock my tank with colorful fish and would love to hear everyone's opinions and feedback. The tank itself is shallow and four feet in length measuring 48 x 24 x 13 inches. I currently have another existing tank that the 65G will be replacing that has 2 Percula Clowns, 1 Bengaii Cardinal, and 1 Flame Angel. I will be returning the Flame Angel to my local fish store because he/she has become a bully and of course, nipping at my SPS. I am thinking of trading the Flame for a Sunburst Anthias. Therefore as of this moment, there are only three fish on the list that will be getting transferred to the new build.

Thank you!

 

[shawnriv]

Bump

 

[DocHogan]

Blennies, gobies, and flasher wrasses would look great in that tank. I also like royal grammas and jawfish. Just make sure you have a screen covering the whole top.

 

[Greybeard]

I posted a similar thread several weeks ago, asking for ideas for my 60g cube. Same sort of response... sparse.

If that rimless is going to be topless as well, many anthias are jumpers...

I'm having similar issues selecting fish, my new tank is topless, and I'd like to keep it that way. Almost all wrasses, and many dottybacks are known for jumping. I'm going to stick with blennies, gobies, that sort of thing. Small, peaceful, and SPS / Clam safe

 

[shifty51008]

If you plan on anthias be sure your able to feed the tank 3-4 times a day. Otherwise i agree with the others, gobies, wrasse, blennies, ect will all do good

 

[shawnriv]

I posted a similar thread several weeks ago, asking for ideas for my 60g cube. Same sort of response... sparse.

If that rimless is going to be topless as well, many anthias are jumpers...

I'm having similar issues selecting fish, my new tank is topless, and I'd like to keep it that way. Almost all wrasses, and many dottybacks are known for jumping. I'm going to stick with blennies, gobies, that sort of thing. Small, peaceful, and SPS / Clam safe

A 60g cube is different in terms of swimming room. I don't believe the Sunburst Anthias is a jumper since they are the least active Anthias fish and generally keep to themselves.

If you plan on anthias be sure your able to feed the tank 3-4 times a day. Otherwise i agree with the others, gobies, wrasse, blennies, ect will all do good

The Sunburst Anthias is not an active swimmer which usually means they do not need multiple feedings during the day.

 

[sde1500]

I'm looking into stocking a 65 as well. Thinking a pair of clowns and some flasher wrasses. Maybe Royal gramma, flame hawk, and some Cardinal fish.

 

[shawnriv]

I'm looking into stocking a 65 as well. Thinking a pair of clowns and some flasher wrasses. Maybe Royal gramma, flame hawk, and some Cardinal fish.

Almost sounds like my plans! This is my thoughts so far:

2 Picasso Clownfish
1 Bangaii Cardinal
1 Sunburst Anthias
1 Royal Gramma
1 Flame Hawkfish
1 Yellow Tang - four foot tank should be fine (on the fence)

By the way, I'm from Smithfield, RI.

 

[firemountain]

Almost sounds like my plans! This is my thoughts so far:

2 Picasso Clownfish
1 Bangaii Cardinal
1 Sunburst Anthias
1 Royal Gramma
1 Flame Hawkfish
1 Yellow Tang - four foot tank should be fine (on the fence)

By the way, I'm from Smithfield, RI.

I would skip the Tang....I personally wouldn't put one in a tank that isn't at least a 90 gallons. Can you squeeze a baby yellow Tang in the tank...sure. But it will outgrow its space and need more swimming room.

 

[shawnriv]

I would skip the Tang....I personally wouldn't put one in a tank that isn't at least a 90 gallons. Can you squeeze a baby yellow Tang in the tank...sure. But it will outgrow its space and need more swimming room.

On any give day, I would think the same. But my new tank is four feet long and two feet wide. I mean, a typical 120G is 48 x 24 x 24. The length and wide are identical so I don't why in this circumstance a Yellow Tang would have a problem since it has the same amount of horizontal swimming room.

 

[Greybeard]

A 60g cube is different in terms of swimming room. I don't believe the Sunburst Anthias is a jumper since they are the least active Anthias fish and generally keep to themselves.

Agreed... I never intended to put anthias in my tank, or tangs, or angels... I have kept anthias before though, and one of mine found a small air vent in the canopy and ended up on the floor. Different variety, it was a square back anthias. I have no experience with the sunburst.

The more I think about it, the more I lean towards a clear screen top for my cube.

 

[shawnriv]

The new tank is cycled and I'm setting up my the quarantine tank. Which of the tank mates should go in first? I know the more shy fish should be first so they can gain territory. Here is my decided fish list:

2 Picasso Clownfish
1 Bangaii Cardinal
1 Sunburst Anthias
1 Royal Gramma
1 Flame Hawkfish
1 Yellow Tang