feedback for a 180g stocking list

[jason2459]

I've had a 55g for several years now and will be upgrading to 180g tank and look forward to taking advantage of the diversity of inhabitants I can get but still want to stay with in reason so as not to make a crowded mess or dwarf the tank with huge fish.

Inhabitants I have right now:
1 False perc clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Yellow watchman (Cryptocentrus cinctus) paired with a tiger pistol shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)
2 Kaudern Cardinals (Pterapogon kauderni)
Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)
Sharknose Goby (Gobiosoma evelynae)
2x Blood Red Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
3x Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni)

bunch of blue leg hermits and various snails


So.... what I'm interested in getting into the 180.
Female Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus)
1 Smaller False perc clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)
Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas)
Hector's Goby (Amblygobius hectori)
Pair of Carpenter's Flasher Wrasses (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
Pair of Blue Star Leopard Wrasses (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)
trio of Ignitus Anthias (Pseudanthias ignitus)

Looking good so far? To many? Compatibility issues?

I'm going back and forth on a Tang. So far I'm liking in order of preference:
Blue Caribbean (Acanthurus coeruleus) (like to get a juvi to watch the color changes)
Powder Brown (Acanthurus japonicus) or Whitecheek (Acanthurus nigricans)
Convict (Acanthurus triostegus) (This one keeps going back and forth between second and third place.)
Chevron (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis) (juvi again to watch the color changes)
Yellow Eye Kole (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Naso Blonde (Naso elegans) (Only listing it because it's my favorite but gets to big and needs a bigger tank. I want to keep one tang and have it be under 10". )

The tangs are what I'm most interested in getting feedback on as I've never really had the opportunity in getting one. Trying to keep things peaceful so not sure about the top two spots in my list. I plan on only a single tang so just want to make sure it plays nice with my other planned stock list. I also want to keep the fish around 10" and under so that cuts out some of my favorite looking ones like the naso blond and orange shoulder. Plus the larger tangs look like they still need a larger tank according to the tang sticky. I would consider also possibly a convict and yellow eye kole combo as that might be pretty nice mix but I know I don't want two semi-aggressive tangs in the tank.

I have Tang ADD right now. Any comments or other suggestions appreciated.

 

[agreeive?fish]

i think convict tangs are mostly an over looked hidden beauty, mine is pretty docile for a tang and don't seem to bother anybody but the only small fish i have in the tank are mollies

the one issue i had with convicts is it took me a lot of looking to find one who was healthy to begin

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

If you want a smaller beautiful tang that changes color as it grows the mimic tangs are awesome fish and scaled really well for a 180. You have several juvenile color variants to choose from and the adult form is very attractive IMO.

I also really like the bristletooth tangs, better than most acanthurus in a tank that size for size and aggressiveness issues but I think a naso is way too big for that tank.

I love your stock list but I would be personally wary of the leopard wrasses until the system is very well established or maybe not at all in a well stocked tank because of feeding issues.

 

[Mark]

Regarding tangs, I concur with the above two posts. I have a convict and a mimic in 180 as my only tangs. I chose them specifically for their beauty and the fact that you don't see as many in tanks.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I know you wanted to keep the fish under 10 inches and all, but the orange shoulder tang will fit and do well in a 180 gallon tank. If you look at the sticky, it does say 180 gallon tank for their minimum tank size. Besides fitting in the tank, I personally think that they have an amazing juvie to adult coloration. The juvies are a bright yellow with the orange shoulder. Too bad I don't have a big enough tank for one.

 

[reeferstace]

Check out a lavender tang, Acanthurus nigrofuscus. IME, they are subtly beautiful and non-aggressive.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to check out these other tangs that have been suggested. I am leaning toward a convict tang and possibly with another peacefull tang.!

I do love the blond Naso but like I said above I just don't want any fish that will get over 10". I just think that would make my tank look out of balance. I know I've seen people with them in smaller tanks but that's just not for me and shouldn't be for any fish that can get over a foot in length.

I'll definitely make sure when going for the leopard wrasses the tank has had time to grow and wouldn't be right away. I do think transfering over all my current rock into the 180 should help along with my pod factory. I'll be moving my dolomite RUGF system down to the sump and the pods absolutely thrive in there. I understand the other fish will snack on the pods as well but I am foregoing a pair of mandarins which I would like too.

 

[jason2459]

A. pyroferus (lemon peel/chocolate) looks pretty awesome. My only concern is it is listed as semi-aggressive. If I get a semi-aggressive tang I'd rather keep it as the only tang in the tank like a single A. Japonicus.

A. nigrofuscus is subtly beautiful and looks like they are fairly peaceful.
Found a nice picture of one swimming with a school of convict tangs.

I think I would still lean toward a C. strigosus (yellow eye kole) though before the A. nigrofuscus. But that picture of the group of convicts was awesome so wanted to post it.

 

[jason2459]

I'm definitely going to get a Convict Tang. Issue is my local LFSs are saying they don't know or can not get one in. Has anyone seen these show up on Divers Den before? I trust them more then any other online retailer and the shipping is not that far from me. At a LFS I can inspect them and make sure they look healthy and are eating first. At least with DD I know they should be eating and healthy. I'm not looking to get one now or right away so timing is not an issue.

 

[MCCOOL]

Great choice On the convict, one of my favorites. I've seen them on DD before, the regular LA site also has them most of the time.

 

[125mph]

I love the Tomini Tangs. They're my favorite. After that is the purple tang!

 

[tcoral]

A. pyroferus (lemon peel/chocolate) looks pretty awesome. My only concern is it is listed as semi-aggressive. If I get a semi-aggressive tang I'd rather keep it as the only tang in the tank like a single A. Japonicus.

I'd say the lemonpeel is pretty non-aggressive for a tang. I have one and it's pretty laid back. I also like it's shape, it looks a little different than a normal tang. I also have an achilles, hippo and purple tang (now the purple is agressive!). the hippo (royal blue) tang is too active and getting large for my tank (same size 180 gallons).

I've had bristletooth tangs that were pretty aggressive too.

 

[ghstrider]

Get a black tang! I love mine and they are still available in different retailers.

 

[vegita51]

Lemonpeel tangs are sweet! Kind of shy in the beginning and then very active swimming around, examining rock for food, swimming against the powerhead! My favorite tang!

 

[jason2459]

Lemon Peel juvi certainly interests me but the semi-aggressive label that LA gives it worries me a bit. I'm not to much into the black tang and is definitely to aggressive for what I'm looking for. I'm still deciding on a second tang to go with the convict. Yellow eye Kole still catches my eye and is likely going to be it.


Reason for DD over the standard LA or other online sources is if I can't find it locally where I can observe it and make sure it's eating well I don't think I can trust any other online source other then DD.

 

[jason2459]

I'd say the lemonpeel is pretty non-aggressive for a tang. I have one and it's pretty laid back. I also like it's shape, it looks a little different than a normal tang. I also have an achilles, hippo and purple tang (now the purple is agressive!). the hippo (royal blue) tang is too active and getting large for my tank (same size 180 gallons).

I've had bristletooth tangs that were pretty aggressive too.

Thanks for the input. I missed this post. I've been reading pretty much the same. That some bristletooths have become aggressive. All depends on the fish sometimes I guess.

I'll keep thinking about it and looking into the lemon peel. I have a lot more time for the second tang as I'll make sure to get the convict in first.

 

[tcoral]

Lemon Peel juvi certainly interests me but the semi-aggressive label that LA gives it worries me a bit. I'm not to much into the black tang and is definitely to aggressive for what I'm looking for. I'm still deciding on a second tang to go with the convict. Yellow eye Kole still catches my eye and is likely going to be it.


Reason for DD over the standard LA or other online sources is if I can't find it locally where I can observe it and make sure it's eating well I don't think I can trust any other online source other then DD.

I'd say the lemon peel is less agressive than a Kole, my blue eyed Kole was a real SOB until I had to remove it. Every new fish it would hide and surprise attack.

 

[jason2459]

Well, getting closer to finishing up my stand and still have to drill the tank for the overflows I want but in the mean time I've fallen in love with a couple fish.

Convict and Chevron I think will be it. After seeing some of the chevron tangs as adults in this thread really did it for me http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1582603

Wow, they are awesome looking. Like a maze tattooed all over. Plus the juvi is beautiful. That will just be amazing to watch the transformation.

Another fish I would like to add to my stock list that I would love to have is a magnificent foxface. I've never been a big fan of the foxface species but they are truly magnificent to me.

How would the magnificent foxface do with the two tangs? Any issues or warnings to look out for?

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I commend your choices for tangs, the adult chevron is a spectacular animal, I think they are even better looking than the juvies. I dont think you will have any issues with a foxface and those tangs.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks a lot Kahuna Tuna.

How about stocking order. Should I be getting the foxface in first and then the tangs. Would getting the tangs in at different times be an issue? Mainly because I'm not sure of availability of getting either tang. I can get the foxface locally easily. In fact that's how I saw it swimming around in a big coral frag tank at a LFS. I think my LFS can get a juvi chevron in too. Leaving the convict to probably go in last as I wait for DD to get one in. I don't think there would be an issue with the rest of my planned stock list either?