68 gallon fish list

[Greg129]

My 68 gallon (36x18x24) will be a softie reef. For other inverts, I'd like cleaner shrimps, pistol shrimp, snails, and dwarf hermit crabs. Here's the fish I know I want:

Ocellaris Clownfish x 2
Yellow Tang
Shrimp Goby (not sure what species, any suggestions?)

Any thoughts on fish that are compatible with the above fish, corals, and inverts? Pics would be nice. . Thanks.

 

[dhoch]

I'm really partial to the wrasse family (reef safe).

I currently have a scott's fairy (no picture as he's fairly new) and
a velvet multicolor wrasse:

Dave

 

[PatrickB101]

royal gramma would be nice addition.

 

[john37]

since your space will be limited i suggest going w/a few nice fish. i like clowns so ocellaris' are cool. I have a mystery wrasse that i really like here's a picture, the pink fish on bottom

i dont know if you want to be putting a yellow tang in there, maybe a dwarf angel would be better.
i also like the sunburst anthias a lot.
and if you're going w.sand get a cool goby or jawfish.

 

[goalieman92]

go for a kole if you want a tang. would suggest a pair og gsm instead of perc's.(add close to last) if you have the money. go for a yasha hase goby. if not get a yellow watchman, or both. a wrasse would work in there too. I might also suggest a couple of scooter blennies after about 2 months. you will love all those fish.

 

[MiddletonMark]

Personally, I'd skip a Tang - or so my bad experience with a seemingly healthy Kole in my 58 [36 x 18 x 21] suggests to me.

Gramma, any number of blennies/gobies ... reef-safe wrasses - great options IMO.

Personally, I stocked my tank light and with very docile fish so that I could have a Sunburst Anthias as my `feature fish'. Very docile, skittish - and hard to find a healthy one ... but IMO this size tank works great with a smaller fish as the feature fish, as IMO it lacks the swimming room to have a relaxed/stress-free Tang.

Just opinion, good luck with it

 

[Greg129]

john37 - I like your Mystery Wrasse too! The color is awesome. If the price tag wasn't as high as it is, I would definetly get one.

I decided to ditch the Tang. I don't want the fish to be unhappy.

Here is my new list:

2 x Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) Max. size: 3.5"
1 x Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi) Max. size: 3.1"
1 x Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) Max size: 2.8"
1 x Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Max size: 2.8"
1 x Scott's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottoroum) Max size: 5.1"

Will of these fish get along well without any aggression? Am I overstocking? Will the Cherub Angel nip at the soft corals?

 

[MiddletonMark]

If you can keep water quality high - you're not overstocking IMO.

I'd aim at a year to finally have all the fish in. A long time, but figuring they can live for years after ... nevermind that as your tank matures it will be able to handle things better, generally do better IME.

That's more than I'd put in there, but you're not me. But take it slow, give the shy fish time to get used to things before adding more aggressive.

The Angel? They're reputed to, but as I've never kept one, I'll shut up now

 

[The_Reef _Man]

I have the same tank as you. I have a yellow tang, 2 lubbocks fairy wrasses, 1 solar fairy, 2 false percs, and midas blenny. I had a hawkfish, and dotty back but replaced them with the wrasses as they were too aggressive and ate shrimp. Although i hear the orchid is not very aggressive, he may still eat shrimp. I have always been hesitant to get a angel for fear of them eating my corals and clams and they can be a pain to get out if they pose a problem. If you are willing to risk it, the one you have chosen would be one of the least likely to do so.

 

[dhoch]

Scotts are a great choice...

Got a picture of mine:

 

[Greg129]

Wow. What a beautiful fish. I do prefer the Austrailian strain a little more though. What tank mates do you have with it? Do you have an eggcrate cover? Will the Scott's Fairy Wrasse lose color overtime if not kept with a female?

 

[dhoch]

He's exactly what I wanted (blue which I think is cook island version vs green australian version)...

Tank Mates (and the scotts is the newest):
Velvet Multicolor Wrasse
2 x Oscelarius Clowns
Copperband Butterfly
Naso Tang
Blue Chin Trigger
Sailfin Tang
Red Scooter Blenny
Green Mandarin
Chain Link eel.

No eggcrate cover...(but I do have a close fitting enclosed hood... he could bounce off the T5 lighting if he jumped out, but doubt he would go carpet surfing)

I don't know if it will lose it's color overtime... I've been told that most will, but who knows.

Dave