90 gallon stocking list suggestions

[dunc101]

Hi everyone,
I was hoping you guys could shed some light on some good fish that would work in a 90 gallon mixed reef tank that is just over 4 months old. Also, what order would you suggest I add the fish?

Specs:
90 gallons with 30 gallon sump.
2 inch sand bed.
mixed reef (mostly LPS / SPS with a few softies).
Reef Octopus XS 160 skimmer.

I currently have a pair of small mated clowns (1 ocellaris and 1 true percula), but am stuck on what other fish I should get and the order to add them.

Below is what I was thinking:
2 x clowns
1 x goby (What kind would you suggest with a 2 inch sandbed?)
1 x purple firefish
1 x yellow eyed kole tang
3 - 5 x anthias (what species would you suggest and how many)
1 x other decent sized fish ... dwarf flame angel maybe?

As for the goby, I have heard that some of the watchman gobies get sand everywhere. Is there a particular goby species that sifts sand and does not spread sand all over the tank?

As for the anthias, 1 male and the rest females.
I have heard anthias can be a challenge to keep. Are there any other types of nice looking schooling / shoaling fish that would work well in a mixed reef?

How would the bioload work with the above suggestions?

Thanks for the input.

 

[rssjsb]

The firefish may be intimidated by the tang and anthias (depending on the type of anthias you get). Other than that, I think your list looks fine. I would try one of the more passive anthias, like dispars or ignitus, rather than bartlets or bi-colors. The biggest problem with antias seems to be deworming and getting them to eat, so you'll absolutely need to QT them, treat for flukes, and get them eating before putting them into your display.

Flasher wrasses are very colorful and active if you decide to skip the anthias. There aren't really any fish that school in an aquarium. There are some tiny cardinals that Liveaquaria gets sometimes that reportedly swim together, but I've never kept them so can't confirm it.

What kind of angel did you have in mind? Most will be fine with your fish (except, again, maybe the firefish). However, there aren't many I would trust with LPS.

 

[dunc101]

Thank you for the suggestions. I guess the firefish is now out of the equation. Would a bi color blenny or bicolor dottyback work in place of the firefish? My wife likes the bicolor dottyback, but I am thinking that it might be too aggressive with anthias in the tank.

I was thinking a dwarf flame angel, but I have heard they are sometimes coral nippers... At the moment, I am just going to forget the flame angel as I don't want to take the chance.

Do you have any suggestions for a good type of goby that wouldn't get sand all over my rocks and corals as it sifts the sand?

With that said, here is the new list:
2 x clowns
1 x goby (What kind would you suggest with a 2 inch sandbed?)
1 x bi color blenny or dottyback (replacing firefish)
1 x yellow eyed kole tang
3 - 5 x Dispar or Ignitus anthias (1 male, rest females)
1 x other decent sized fish ... Up for suggestions now.

Thanks!

 

[dunc101]

Oh, one more quick question, as far as treating the anthias for flukes in QT. What type of meds do you recommend for this? I currently have some marcyn plus. Would this work or do I need to grab some other medicine?

Thanks!

 

[rssjsb]

I've only kept a watchman, so I don't know how they compare with other gobies. I haven't seen much in the way of mess-making from him, but I don't have any corals on the sand so maybe I just haven't noticed.

I've also never kept dottybacks, but I also would worry about aggression unless you went with a Fridmani (gorgeous and reportedly less aggressive, and as a bonus, available as captive bred).

Bicolor blennies are nice, but I would recommend a midas blenny instead. I seem to recall that bi-colors can be coral/clam nippers (if I'm wrong maybe someone else will chime in). Midas blennies are planktivores so you don't have to worry about them. They're also pretty and have goofy "smiles" that you'll love.

I know I suggested the dispars and ignitus, but if you're new to this, you might seriously consider a harem of flasher wrasses instead. They're really pretty and easier to keep. No sense in starting out with potential heartache.

 

[dunc101]

OK. Thank you so much for your insight. This is very helpful. Can you keep more than 1 wrasse of difference species in the same tank?

 

[rssjsb]

Can you keep more than 1 wrasse of difference species in the same tank?

Yes, as long as they're peaceful types you can usually mix them. Flashers are usually ok together. Mystery wrasses and sixlines can be kind of obnoxious as can some of the fairy wrasses (pyle's, scott's, lubbocks). Why don't you look around and see what you like and then make a specific post about compatibility? Lots of helpful wrasse lovers around here that know a lot more than me.

 

[fish042099]

I wouldnt keep a goby. I had one that covered my LR with sand. It was NOT a pretty sight. For the other "decent sized fish", I suggest a racoon butterflyfish. They are extremely beautiful and exotic, but are considered a beginners fish. If my tank wasn't Caribbean, that would be the first fish I would get.

 

[rssjsb]

Racoon butterflies are definitely not coral compatible.

 

[A_Z]

yeah if you want a butterfly fish, Zoster, Pyramid and Longnose are much safer.

 

[nanoreefer1000]

Thank you for the suggestions. I guess the firefish is now out of the equation. Would a bi color blenny or bicolor dottyback work in place of the firefish? My wife likes the bicolor dottyback, but I am thinking that it might be too aggressive with anthias in the tank.

I was thinking a dwarf flame angel, but I have heard they are sometimes coral nippers... At the moment, I am just going to forget the flame angel as I don't want to take the chance.

Do you have any suggestions for a good type of goby that wouldn't get sand all over my rocks and corals as it sifts the sand?

With that said, here is the new list:
2 x clowns
1 x goby (What kind would you suggest with a 2 inch sandbed?)
1 x bi color blenny or dottyback (replacing firefish)
1 x yellow eyed kole tang
3 - 5 x Dispar or Ignitus anthias (1 male, rest females)
1 x other decent sized fish ... Up for suggestions now.

Thanks!

most gobies will work but not all a blenny could work to, for a decent fish i'd get a dwarf angel(might eat coral) or a reef safe butterflyfish, wrasse are nice to. hth

 

[dunc101]

OK. Thank you all for the suggestions. I will definitely be substituting the anthias now for some nice looking wrasse's. I'll go back to the drawing board for now and make a new list at a later time. You all have been great help!

 

[fish042099]

Racoon butterflies are definitely not coral compatible.

I didn't know that you wanted to keep corals. In that case, pyramid butterflyfish.

 

[billyzbear]

I've got a bunch of flashers in my 150g. They all get along but there is a pecking order. Make sure the tank is covered. I've got a royal gramma, midas blenny and little tail spot blenny. Which would work for you too.

 

[small alien]

Show your wife a royal gramma as an alternative to the aggressive bicolor dottyback.