fish ideas for new 65Gal fish-only tank

[robbo]

this tank has been circulating for at least a month now with live rock and some nice caleurpa and halimeda macro-algae in it, It is running off a single canister filter.
wondering whether these fish would go together ok:

*clown surgeonfish
*powder blue surgeonfish (2 surgeons together ok?)

*copperband butterfly
*long-nose butterfly (2 B'fly together ok?)

*emperor, blue girdled or regal angel (only 1 of these!)

*volitans lion

any advice, warnings or alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated

thanking you in advance

ps. I steered away from yellow tang, blue tang and flame angel as I already keep these in my reeftank and was after some different fish for this fish-only tank.

 

[Jerry W]

Most of the ones you list are going to be much too large for a 65. Skip the large angels, tang, and volitans lion. A smaller lion would work. What about a flame hawk? Butterflies are "iffy" in many cases. A small hardy species (kleins, blackback, etc..) might work.
It's not a large tank. I'd avoid fish that are going to be crowded as they grow.

 

[Greg129]

None of the fish you have listed will work, in my opinion. Before even adding fish, I'd read some more and add a protein skimmer.

 

[robbo]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/505/119760DSCN1850_renamed_4212.jpg
here is a pic of the tank showing aquascaping and macro algae growth.

 

[Blazer88]

I woud skip any Tang in a 65. I have a Copperband in my 65 as they don't get as large as a Long-nose but I wouldn't put them both together. I would select some different fish.

 

[robbo]

first fish is in.

first fish is in.

I have put my first fish in the tank, it is a beautiful 4inch long nose butterfly, he is very happy and is enjoying exploring the tank. only problem is he won't eat!
I have tried frozen brine and also a general frozen marine mix, he seems to get very excited when I put some food in but he just doesn't eat, I have seen him have 2 or 3 nibbles and thats it.
I have read and heard that LN b'flys consume any foods with quote "gusto"
does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Blazer88]

Butterflys are extremely picky eaters, I wouldn't have purchased one that wasn't eating at the LFS. But since you didn't listen to anyone's advice, I wouldn't expect you to try live bloodworms if you can find them.

 

[Bret61081]

try live clams from the grociery store...I heard that long nose butterflys love those...atleast to start...then start putting other food inside the empty clam shells...

 

[robbo]

long nose butterfly

long nose butterfly

my new long nose ("MOE" because he has a mowhawk!) is feeding well on frozen mysis shrimp, he is actively eating when fed. I also caught the mantis shrimp that I discovered a few days ago so the tank is very happy as is the owner!!!
other fish I am considering are a six-lined wrasse (docile apparently) a pair of bangaii cardinals and maybe a sand sifting goby, any thoughts?

 

[robbo]

bump!

 

[MarvinsReef]

how about some fairy and flasher wrasses?

Marvin

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7175937#post7175937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
I woud skip any Tang in a 65. I have a Copperband in my 65 as they don't get as large as a Long-nose but I wouldn't put them both together. I would select some different fish.

They actually get roughly the same size, with the Long-nosed butterfly getting just under an inch more than the copperband. I agree, do not put them together, as there can be some fighting.

Flasher wrasses or fairy wrasses are an excellent choice.