75 gallon fowlr

[rich_one]

Hello all,

I posted this in another thread, without much direct response, so figured maybe it's better to give it it's own thread, so here I go. Basically, it's just about my setup and stocking plan, and soliciting thoughts. So...

I have recently inherited a 75 gallon fowlr setup. Approx. 100 lbs. live rock, sump with refugium and skimmer.

Current live stock:

1 large pajama cardinal
1 purple dottyback
1 firefish
3 green chromis
A few hermit crabs and turbo snails

What I'd like to add over time (and would this be proper order?):

Pair of Ocellaris clowns
Lawnmower blenny
Flame hawkfish
Yellowtail damsel or Azure damsel
Coral Beauty
Foxface Lo

Finally, I know largely this tank is too small for tangs, but Live-Aquaria says a yellow eye kole tang could go in a 75 gallon. Could I add that last, or just leave it be?

Would this be overstocked, in your opinion? I'm thinking maybe add these in order on a per month basis. Thanks.

-Rich

 

[randomfishguy85]

Skip the foxface. Since you will be slowly adding these fish, you will see when enough is enough. Personally i would chose either the tang or the angel but not both. The tank will fill up sooner than you think. You may have aggression issues.

 

[rich_one]

14 fishes including the Kole tang would be overcrowded in my opinion. Let others pitch in with their thoughts. Also, ideally foxface would not be suitable for the tank but still we always do not follow the idols always.



Regarding hermit crabs, they are killers, you better spread some empty shells for them in the aquarium or they can kill the snails for shells (even then also they can kill).

Thanks for the input. I kind of like the crabs more than the snails, so I am fine with that. They were both in there when I inherited the setup. I can live without the tang and the foxface if they don't fit. Aside from the clown pair and the coral beauty, I'm flexible with the rest. I really would like an attention grabbing "centerpiece" fish, and I love the look of the tang and the foxface. I'll do some more research and see if something else strikes me that would be a better fit, and am open to suggestions.

I'm not married to the green chromis and pajama cardinal that came with the tank, for what it's worth, but I know trying to catch them would be no fun at all. LOL

-Rich

 

[rich_one]

Skip the foxface. Since you will be slowly adding these fish, you will see when enough is enough. Personally i would chose either the tang or the angel but not both. The tank will fill up sooner than you think. You may have aggression issues.

Duly noted... foxface and tang officially dropped.

-Rich

 

[rich_one]

So, stocking changed to:

Current:

1 large pajama cardinal
1 purple dottyback
1 firefish
3 green chromis
A few hermit crabs and turbo snails

Future:

Pair of Ocellaris clowns
Lawnmower blenny
Flame hawkfish
Yellowtail damsel or Azure damsel
Coral Beauty

Better? I think this would be a nice mix, and the whole "centerpiece" fish idea is probably silly, given how pretty most of these are. Thanks everyone.

-Rich

 

[rich_one]

Yeah... the chromis have been in the tank for about 18 months. Since the tank has been broken down and relocated to my house, not sure how the chemistry between them will be affected. It's been up in my house since Sunday, so only a few days. So far, other than school around with each other, there's been no aggression... but as you can see, the sample size is really small, at least at my home to this point.

-Rich

 

[rich_one]

So, stocking changed to:

Current:

1 large pajama cardinal
1 purple dottyback
1 firefish
3 green chromis
A few hermit crabs and turbo snails

Future:

Pair of Ocellaris clowns
Lawnmower blenny
Flame hawkfish
Yellowtail damsel or Azure damsel
Coral Beauty

Better? I think this would be a nice mix, and the whole "centerpiece" fish idea is probably silly, given how pretty most of these are. Thanks everyone.

-Rich

Thinking I'm going to drop the hawkfish. As interesting a fish it seems it could be, I've decided I'd like to keep a group of peppermint shrimp, in hopes of some aptasia control, and maybe one or two cleaner shrimps. I'm reading on other suitable fish I can replace the hawkfish with (mostly on live aquaria, but Google in general). Any suggestions or nudges in the right direction greatly appreciated.

-Rich

 

[75mixedreef]

I prefer to avoid damsels myself since they can be aggressive. If they are small then it may not be an issue but I just wouldn't risk it. Maybe a wrasse instead, they move around a lot and that motion in the tank can look great. I like the yellow coris wrasse myself. Antheas are fun too, you just need to pick ones that can thrive in a 75 and feed them often. I plan on getting an auto feeder if I go with antheas and set it to feed pellets twice a day.

 

[rich_one]

I have been looking at some of the wrasses, so definitely something to consider there. I think I'm going to avoid anthias for now. I'll consider your comments on the damsels... I've been on the fence, but I love how they look and I understand that the ones that I'm considering are among the least aggressive types. That said, I'm not seeking a war zone, so I'm taking the advice on this site very seriously.

-Rich

 

[75mixedreef]

I have been looking at some of the wrasses, so definitely something to consider there. I think I'm going to avoid anthias for now. I'll consider your comments on the damsels... I've been on the fence, but I love how they look and I understand that the ones that I'm considering are among the least aggressive types. That said, I'm not seeking a war zone, so I'm taking the advice on this site very seriously.

-Rich

Not all damsels are aggressive. Just knowing that they can be aggressive and looking into the less aggressive and smaller varieties should be enough to avoid any problems. I don't want to scare you off them completely, just know what you are getting. Too many people see them and think "pretty, and hey its cheap lets get it" without looking into how it affects the other fish they have or will be getting. I said I avoid them but that doesn't mean I've never had any or wouldn't get any again, I just try to be careful about getting them and save my money for other fish I might like better. So maybe one or two in a tank.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Lawnmower Blennys are awesome, just know that they may not eat algae as voraciously as their name suggests. If you're getting something for the personality, I would actually go with a Midas Blenny as they have great personality as well, and IMO are much better looking. I suspect it will depend on personality somewhat, but I had one Lawnmower in a lawn of GHA and they didn't eat much algae at all. I would also skip the damsels. They are a pain and can be agressive, not to mention next to impossible to remove from the tank without tearing it down if you decide you don't want them anymore.

 

[rich_one]

Not all damsels are aggressive. Just knowing that they can be aggressive and looking into the less aggressive and smaller varieties should be enough to avoid any problems. I don't want to scare you off them completely, just know what you are getting. Too many people see them and think "pretty, and hey its cheap lets get it" without looking into how it affects the other fish they have or will be getting. I said I avoid them but that doesn't mean I've never had any or wouldn't get any again, I just try to be careful about getting them and save my money for other fish I might like better. So maybe one or two in a tank.

Got it. Understood, and thanks. I am definitely trying to make sure I do as much research as I can before running out and adding tankmates. In fact, after deciding I think I'd like peppermint shrimp, I've already decided to avoid the flame hawkfish. LOL... so I guess my proposed stock list is still a work in progress!

-Rich

 

[BlackTracet]

I have an arc eye hawkfish and really like him. He is a voracious eater and gets along fine with his tank mates. Although I suspect he may have eaten my small royal gramma a few weeks ago. He disappeared into thin air. Or the Hawks belly. I think they consider small shrimp to be a meal lol.

 

[rich_one]

Wow... interesting looking fish!

-Rich

 

[primo21]

consider a flame angel instead of a coral beauty if you are looking for a centerpiece?

 

[rich_one]

consider a flame angel instead of a coral beauty if you are looking for a centerpiece?

I actually like both, and just may go that route. I leaned towards the coral beauty, largely due to it being as beautiful (in my opinion), and considered "easy" on Live Aquaria. But I am definitely open to trying a flame angel! Gorgeous fish!

-Rich