75g restart, stocking ideas

[Neebles]

So I'm in the process of restarting my 75g mixed reef tank...Restarting it fish-wise. I have decided after having a Foxface and Kole Tang , (both re-homed before they got too large) I don't want to keep anything else "large" in my tank. I'm not looking to get anything rare or difficult, just things that are colorful, nice to look at, and will thrive in a "larger" system. I was thinking about going with a bunch of "nano" fish. I assume there is nothing wrong with this? I just think smaller fish would be happier in my set up vs ones that will push the limit.

Does anyone have suggestions for what would be a nice combo of nano fish? Yes, I have looked at compatibility charts, live aquaria etc, but was just looking for some first hand recommendations. I have a yellow clown goby and a sharknose goby from an old nano that I will be tossing in. I also have a fairy wrasse that is in the 75 currently. That's all.

The tank was started early last July, so it's not too new, but not mature yet either. I'm in no rush, just adding stuff when I can.

Any stocking suggestions would be great!

 

[SecretiveFish]

Here is a list of my personal favorites in no particular order:
- Hawkfish, probably my absolute favorite is the long-nosed hawkfish although the flame hawkfish is a close second
- Clownfish, the Ocellaris designer varieties
- Royal Gramma
- Blennies, my favorite is probably a tie of the Starry Blenny and the Midas Blenny but the tailspot are pretty cute too
- Cherub Pygmy angel
- Indigo Hamlet
- Marine Betta

If I was looking to stock the tank with fish that were reef and invert safe, I would add a ocellaris clownfish pair (one of my pairs is a naked clown and a premium snowflake), a royal gramma, a starry blenny, and a midas blenny.

If I was looking to stock the tank with reef safe with caution, I would switch the midas blenny for a hawkfish and would add the cherub.

 

[Nina51]

i second the longnose hawkfish. i have a pair in my 75g and they are loaded with personality!

you could also look at the reef-safe wrasses. there are lots of really colorful ones that don't get too big.

you could also keep a kole tang if you want to. i have one in my 75g and he does just fine.

 

[Neebles]

Great suggestions so far...I had a Kole tang but re-homed him. I know they do fine in a 75g but it was kinda making my tank feel small, if that makes sense.

Definitely going to go with a pair of clowns, and a royal gramma.... I kinda like the fire fish as well...would one or a pair of those work? (I have a full screened lid, no spaces to jump out)

 

[Nina51]

i don't think you can keep more than one firefish. also, there is a sticky in the new to hobby forum where steve (snorvich) will review your stocking list and advise you about compatibility. it's an invaluable source!!

 

[Maxxingout]

I have a pair of purple firefish and they're awesome. If you can find a pair I'd say go for it.

 

[Neebles]

I have a pair of purple firefish and they're awesome. If you can find a pair I'd say go for it.

Sweet, that's what I was looking for

 

[Spinelessspade]

I have a pair of purple firefish and they're awesome. If you can find a pair I'd say go for it.

Did you buy them as a pair, or did you pair them up yourself?

 

[Maxxingout]

They came as a pair. Wish I had info on how to get them as a pair but I don't. I do know one is larger then the other. That hole under the bottom firefish is there house/hiding spot. I actually never knew they did that. So with 2 wrasses sleeping in the sand, 1 midas sleeping inside the rock, and the firefish sleeping under the rocks, my tank becomes a ghost town at night, haha.

 

[Spinelessspade]

Maybe get some cardinals or other more nocturnal fish so it's not as ghost towny at night [emoji12]

 

[Jade5051]

Here is a list of my personal favorites in no particular order:
- Hawkfish, probably my absolute favorite is the long-nosed hawkfish although the flame hawkfish is a close second
- Clownfish, the Ocellaris designer varieties
- Royal Gramma
- Blennies, my favorite is probably a tie of the Starry Blenny and the Midas Blenny but the tailspot are pretty cute too
- Cherub Pygmy angel
- Indigo Hamlet
- Marine Betta

If I was looking to stock the tank with fish that were reef and invert safe, I would add a ocellaris clownfish pair (one of my pairs is a naked clown and a premium snowflake), a royal gramma, a starry blenny, and a midas blenny.

If I was looking to stock the tank with reef safe with caution, I would switch the midas blenny for a hawkfish and would add the cherub.

I like the Indigo Hamlet and Marine Betta suggestions but after reading up on the betta. I found they are nocturnal and require hiding spaces from bright light. Can anyone testify against this? My tank does not have many hiding spaces and there is lots of light for much of the day. Is this going to be a problem for the betta?

 

[SecretiveFish]

Mine will come out at feeding time even when the lights are at their max, but generally he hangs out in caves otherwise. He also usually comes out also when he sees me looking in the tank. I love mine, even though he is the second most expensive fish I have ever purchased!

If you are really interested in getting one, it looks like ThRoewer has a lot of experience with them.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2496199&highlight=comet