fish for a 168 gallon reef..choices..

[mtman58]

I plan to have a 168 gallon reef tank with a 70 gallon sump. The tank will measure 60Lx26Wx25H. I plan to keep a few SPSs and many LPSs. I am making a list of the fish that I would like to have. Below are my choices but not sure if it would work. How does ths list look to everyone? Would a 168 gallon support all the fish I have listed? Could the tank even support more? Your comments please.

Fish for 168 gallon:
Acanthurus japonicus (Powder Brown Tang)
Ctenochaetus strigsus (Yelloweye Bristletooth)
Zebrasoma flavescens (Yellow Tang)
Centropyge bispinosus (Coral Beauty Anglefish)
Centropyge loriculus (Flame Anglefish)
Amphiprion ocellaris (False Clownfish) pair
Paracheilinus mccoskeri (mcCosker's Flasher Wrasse) pair
Nemateleotris decora (Purple Flame Firefish)
Amblygobius rainfordi (Rainford's Goby)
Amblycleotris randalli (Randall's Shrimp Goby)
Crytocentrus cinctus (Yellow Watchman Goby)
Assessor flavissimus (Yellow assessor)

I would like to add a pair Anthias but not sure if that would be too many fish. I wonder if the list I have would be too many anyway.

Would appreciate all comments and any advice. I want to have a gameplan and stick to it. Thanks for any help!!

 

[rssjsb]

I would pick just one of those tangs. I would also choose between the watchman and Randall's goby, but I think the rest of your list is fine.

 

[mtman58]

I really love tangs. Are there other tangs that would work well together?

 

[reefs4lifee]

I would suggest sticking with tangs as well...I have a bunch in my 210 that all do well together. I would stay away from the Acanthurus tangs as they do tend to be more aggressive then the others.

In my tank I have:

Yellow Tang
Kole Tang
Sailfin Tang
Purple Tang
Scopas Tang
Blonde Naso Tang
Bristletooth Tomini Tang
Yellow Mimic Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang

I wouldn't suggest adding all those but those are some tangs that are doing well together for me

 

[mtman58]

I know the acanthurus tangs can be aggressive. But I always thought that the Powder Brown was a peaceful tang. Is that correct?

 

[scar79]

You *should* be okay having a Coral beauty and a Flame together so long as you introduce them together. Otherwise, the established one will give the new guy hell. You may also have issues with them picking at corals. They're definitely iffy fish, but just so awesome looking!

Yellow assessor - might want to skip it. They're a nice fish for a small tank, but I bet you'll rarely see it in 170 gallons. If you want a wirey yellow fish with a ton of personality, consider a Midas Blenny.

 

[Ambition]

You *should* be okay having a Coral beauty and a Flame together so long as you introduce them together. Otherwise, the established one will give the new guy hell. You may also have issues with them picking at corals. They're definitely iffy fish, but just so awesome looking!

Yellow assessor - might want to skip it. They're a nice fish for a small tank, but I bet you'll rarely see it in 170 gallons. If you want a wirey yellow fish with a ton of personality, consider a Midas Blenny.

Actually, my LFS has a few yellow assessors in a 185 display. You see them all virtually all the time. You just have to learn that they hide under the over hangs and corals.

The only acanthurus tang that could live and thrive in your tank would be a mimic tang. You only have a 5ft tank, which length is more important than volume.

 

[Zoasman]

I like tangs too, but they produce too much of waste....which really prevents me from getting more. I would suggest a pair of neon goby, they control the parasite on your fish. Next, a yellow wrasse to control the pest in your tank. I like to make sure each member in my tank has it's own responsibility besides just looking good lol....good luck

 

[mtman58]

If I go easy on the live rock and provide a lot of open room in the upper half of the tank, would that be enough space for a Powder Brown Tang? I get different answers on this question, which is confusing. Thanks

 

[RJT]

I had a powder brown for a year. He was semi-aggressive. He wouldn't chase anyone but the other large fish. a swallowtail male. The powder brown did exert his dominance over the tank but didn't kill anyone. There were hiding places and a lot of open space to swim. He enjoyed swimming in the powerhead flow.