First "big" fish?

H

Hellion179

New member
I have a 150g that's pretty empty. I have 2 tiny phantom clownfish, a coral beauty, and a neon dottyback. I'd like to get a larger fish, something that'll be entertaining for the kids and is active.

The tank is a mixed reef SPS dominate tank, with about 400# of live rock. I plan on having 1-2 larger fish and the rest being small guys that'll swim in and out of the rockwork.

Looking for any and all suggestions. I'd like to have a tang of some sort, but I haven't decided on the type just yet. I also really like blue throat triggers, but I worry about my intervebrates safety.
 
Hellion179 said:
I have a 150g that's pretty empty. I have 2 tiny phantom clownfish, a coral beauty, and a neon dottyback. I'd like to get a larger fish, something that'll be entertaining for the kids and is active.

The tank is a mixed reef SPS dominate tank, with about 400# of live rock. I plan on having 1-2 larger fish and the rest being small guys that'll swim in and out of the rockwork.

Looking for any and all suggestions. I'd like to have a tang of some sort, but I haven't decided on the type just yet. I also really like blue throat triggers, but I worry about my intervebrates safety.
Click to expand...

Any trigger is likely to eat very small fish and many inverts.
 
how about a blue hippo?

I recently got a 5" hippo tang to go along with my 2 clowns, 1 chromis and 1 bangaii cardinal and the colors complement each other nicely.

He's huge and about 5 time bigger than my other ones but very docile towards them.
 
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I went for a rock wall type of scape. There is still plenty of swimming space available and I left an open area in the middle. The tank is honestly probably better suited for small reef fish as there is a TON if areas to swim in between the rocks but I'd still really like to have at least one or two larger fish that'd find the area suitable.
 
goldfish69 said:
how about a blue hippo?

I recently got a 5" hippo tang to go along with my 2 clowns, 1 chromis and 1 bangaii cardinal and the colors complement each other nicely.

He's huge and about 5 time bigger than my other ones but very docile towards them.
Click to expand...

A blue hippo will outgrow 150gallon tank, and with the mch rock you will struggle to catch him

A purple tang would be nice or a yellow tang
 
I have a 150gallon tank also. Only 90Lbs of rock though. I'm adding a Ctenochaetus flavicauda. I was originally going to get a blond naso tang but with our size tanks its hard because I think most of the larger tangs frankly won't like the lack of swimming room. 60x24x24


I recommend spot breasted angel fish. It's reef safe, pretty, and can get quite large.
 
How would a purple and yellow tang do together? I know they are similar types but they'd look great together.

The yellow eye and similar just aren't striking enough to me. The ones I've seen locally anyway.

I really only want two large fish. Maybe 1 medium fish. And the rest be small guys. So the big guys really need to pop and be active.

I was unable to locate a spot breasted angelfish : /

Thank you all for suggestions.
 
Hellion179 said:
How would a purple and yellow tang do together? I know they are similar types but they'd look great together.

The yellow eye and similar just aren't striking enough to me. The ones I've seen locally anyway.

I really only want two large fish. Maybe 1 medium fish. And the rest be small guys. So the big guys really need to pop and be active.

I was unable to locate a spot breasted angelfish : /

Thank you all for suggestions.
Click to expand...

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+18+341&pcatid=341

$59
 
So I think it's down to a few options. Yellow tang or yellow belly regal. I like the purple tang but I've heard too many horror stories. I also liked the idea of having several of the smaller tangs like a tomini and such.

Highly highly considering the angel but I've got no clue on their general personality and activity.

Someone local suggested instead of doing tangs have a large school of anthias.

What are the reasons people go with certain types of tangs over others? Is it just personal preference?
 
Most of the purple issues I've seen are in smallish tanks like a 90 or 75. A purple tang as the alpha in a 150 should be fine provided it is added last. I think the mimic tangs are also a really good fit in this size of aquarium.
 
+1 on the PT added last - gorgeous fish
Also like the bellus angel suggestion
Also check out an Aussie harlequin tusk - also stunning fish imo
 
The harlequin tusk are pretty rough on invertebrates and small fish though aren't they? Someone had a post on one of them recently I think.

They are gorgeous fish though.
 
I'll chime in on the purple tang. I have one and I love it. Also it's a model citizen.

My experience with them has been purchase small and then is should be the last big fish (with any tangs for that matter) you add to an aquarium and you won't have problems.

If your worried about aggression issues I would worry about your coral beauty. I had to get rid of mine, was basically harrasing everything in the tank. My kids loved it because it was always in and out of the rock work..but..

You mentioned you had kids and you wanted something that was personable and active, what about a foxface. I have a one-spot and love it. Very very personable fish, + you get a buit in algae eater. Mine follows my daughter as she walks back and forth in front of the tank.

If it was me I'd get a foxface and then a purple tang for your two larger fish. You won't/shouldn't have any problems.
 
I do like Foxface, it's nice that they're sociable. I have heard coral beauty's can be aggressive but so far mines be doing pretty good. Had him 3 years now and he hasn't been difficult yet. If he goes down that road it's going to be hard to catch him.

While we're on topic of fish that swim in and out of rock, do you have any suggestions for fish that do that? There's so much rock in this tank it'd look great to have a bunch or fish swimming in it.
 
Hellion179 said:
I do like Foxface, it's nice that they're sociable.
Click to expand...
Just for balance, this is not necessarily true of all foxfaces. I've got one in a 185 - same footprint as a 150, but 6" taller. It's very skittish even though I've had it for several years and it was small when I got it. I've also been thinking that he's starting to look cramped in my tank. They get pretty big if well cared for.
 
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