Fish list for 150 gallon.

[Blake_Cond]

Hi Everyone,
New year new tank! Starting to piece up my first big tank. Now I've been in this hobby for two years and have a 25 gallon filled with SPS (mainly acropora .sp) but as you all know this hobby is fairly addicting :bounce1:. So this year around June/July I will be getting a bigger tank around 150 gallon for the display and around 50 gallon sump with a super over rated skimmer, oversized fuge, two reactors and maybe a calcium reactor. So I'm pretty much sorted with the hardware/equipment, corals and inverts but fish is a different story. I'm not that familiar with my fish so the list I have in mind is just what I'd like. Any thoughts are appreciated and welcomed. I have had a few LFS owners tell me different things so would be great to have heaps of people adding their opinions. I plan to have the following inverts shrimp (redline) and the normal CCU. Also after fish suggestions as well. All the larger fish will be purchased as small as possible and all fish quarantined for 1 month after accepting pellet food without hesitation.

Tangs

• Pacific Sail Fin tang.
• Purple Tang.
• Clown Tang.

Angel Fish

• Flame Ange.l
• I'd like to add one larger variant of the Angel's any thoughts? Thinking of Regal.

Anthias

• Maybe 8 Ignitus Anthias thinking 1 Male 7 Female.

Chromis

• 8 Blue/Green Reef Chromis.

Blennies

• Tiger Blenny.

Clownfish

• Pair of designer clowns, not sure as of yet which one but any designer ocellaris will do. Hoping to have them host an anemone.

Dragonets

• Green Mandarin.

Wrasses

• I like wrasses, favourite fish species. I'm looking at a Mystery. I'm planning to have shrimp so I know the mystery is a shrimp eater but it's only known to eat introduced shrimp after it's been added. The wrasses I'm not 100% sure about yet I can do without them. But any thoughts of a nice fairly peaceful wrasse? Would like a harem species.

 

[Compliance]

wow.

big list.

With corals in the tank, you're going to want to skip the big angel. The flame may or may not be ok... as with the wrasses going after shrimp, you may or may not be ok....

If it were me, I'd lose the clown tang and be sure to add the purple tang last.

Dont add the mandarin for another year.... please.

Any wrasses, please get yourself a fool proof netting or other 'cover' to avoid carpet surfing...

 

[Blake_Cond]

wow.

big list.

With corals in the tank, you're going to want to skip the big angel. The flame may or may not be ok... as with the wrasses going after shrimp, you may or may not be ok....

If it were me, I'd lose the clown tang and be sure to add the purple tang last.

Dont add the mandarin for another year.... please.

Any wrasses, please get yourself a fool proof netting or other 'cover' to avoid carpet surfing...

Yeah I'm going to drop the clown tang and add a purple for sure :fun4: as with the wrasses should be ok with smaller wrasses like fairy wrasse. Going to have a netted lid to keep all fish in as I've had fish that love to carpet surf.

 

[jusn317]

I have 105 gallon reef tank with similar types of fish. Think your list is pretty reasonable, maybe a few changes here and there if it were me. I think the purple tang is fine, definitely not the clown and maybe not the sailfin either (same family as the purple). If you wanted more than one tang take look at kole, tomini, chevron tangs. They're little smaller and great grazers.

Flame angels are hit or miss with corals, and I had a regal that destroyed my lps corals so I'd be cautious. But the genicanthus angels are reef safe. I had a pair of swallowtails for few years.

I've never had problems keeping my mystery wrasse with bigger cleaner shrimp, but my peppermint shrimp disappeared after the wrasse was added. Probably became an expensive meal for the wrasse.

Definitely like having the movement and color anthias provide, I have 5 lyretails in my tank. I added all females and let the dominant one change to male over time which was interesting to watch.

Good luck with the chromis, twice I've attempted to have a nice size group in my tank and both times I've ended up with just one. If you wanted another group of fish other than the anthias take a look at some of the cardinalfish.

Think all of the others are fine (obviously add mandarin after tank has been running awhile). I have starry blenny, yasha goby with tiger pistol shrimp, as well as pair of dragonface pipefish and pair of bluestripe pipefish too. Good luck with the tank.

 

[stechs02]

A Clown Tang plus Purple Tang plus Sailfin Tang in a 150G is a recipe for disaster. As tough as my Purple Tang is, I have a feeling the Clown is going to be the victor here. I would pick one of the 3 if it were my tank, preferably the Purple Tang as the Sailfin and the Clown will get huge.

 

[Blake_Cond]

I have 105 gallon reef tank with similar types of fish. Think your list is pretty reasonable, maybe a few changes here and there if it were me. I think the purple tang is fine, definitely not the clown and maybe not the sailfin either (same family as the purple). If you wanted more than one tang take look at kole, tomini, chevron tangs. They're little smaller and great grazers.

Flame angels are hit or miss with corals, and I had a regal that destroyed my lps corals so I'd be cautious. But the genicanthus angels are reef safe. I had a pair of swallowtails for few years.

I've never had problems keeping my mystery wrasse with bigger cleaner shrimp, but my peppermint shrimp disappeared after the wrasse was added. Probably became an expensive meal for the wrasse.

Definitely like having the movement and color anthias provide, I have 5 lyretails in my tank. I added all females and let the dominant one change to male over time which was interesting to watch.

Good luck with the chromis, twice I've attempted to have a nice size group in my tank and both times I've ended up with just one. If you wanted another group of fish other than the anthias take a look at some of the cardinalfish.

Think all of the others are fine (obviously add mandarin after tank has been running awhile). I have starry blenny, yasha goby with tiger pistol shrimp, as well as pair of dragonface pipefish and pair of bluestripe pipefish too. Good luck with the tank.

So off first changing the tank display to 180 gallons :bounce3:, I've already got a sail fin tang in my 25 gallon (I know it's bad) he's only a tiny small 4cm and he's super friendly when I put my hand in the tank he swims up and brushes up against my hand :lolspin:. I'm no longer putting a clown tang in the tank keeping it to a purple tang, sail fin and one of the bristle tooth tangs. I've seen 3 tangs in 150 gallons and they seem happy just need to add them in all at the same time and preferably last. It's a shame that chromis seem to always kill themselves off, so maybe a school of Banggai Cardinalfish to replace them.

A Clown Tang plus Purple Tang plus Sailfin Tang in a 150G is a recipe for disaster. As tough as my Purple Tang is, I have a feeling the Clown is going to be the victor here. I would pick one of the 3 if it were my tank, preferably the Purple Tang as the Sailfin and the Clown will get huge.

Yeah, I do agree that I should put only 1 tang in but I've been told and seen that I can fit 3 tangs if they all are juveniles and added in at the same time and as well the last fish added. So I'm going going with Sail Fin tang, Purple and one of the bristle tooth tangs (maybe chevron since it's the nicest).

Updated List
Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang.
Purple Tang.
Bristle Tooth Tang

Angel Fish
Flame Angel.
Regel Angel.

Anthias
10 Ignitus Anthias thinking 1 Male 7 Female.

Cardinal
4 Banggaii Cardinals.

Blennies
Tiger Blenny.
Starry Blenny.

Clownfish
2 Black Ice Ocellaris Clownfish.

Dragonets
Green Mandarin.

Wrasses
Mystery Wrasse.
3 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (1 male 2 female).

 

[koala]

Hello,

I have a 145 gallons tank (+ 40 gallons in sump).
Is a FOWLR tank, with big fish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f896MHlbt8g&index=2&list=UUsUKO_VuyeMyGHKuzkItn_Q

1 x Pomacanthus imperator (large angel)
1 x Paracanthurus hepatus (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma desjardinii (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma veliferum (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma xanthurum (tang)
2 x Zebrasoma flavescens (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma scopas (tang)
2 x Amphiprion frenatus (clownfish)
1 x Salarias fasciatus (jewelled blenny)
1 x Valenncienea strigata (Sleeper Gold Head Goby)
1 x Valenncienea sexgutata (Sleeper Blue Dot Goby)
1 x Sychiropus splendidus (mandarin dragonet)

 

[SoloChromis]

Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang - Will probably work in a 150g for a couple years, as they have a fairly slow growth rate
Purple Tang - Perfect, just keep in mind they are known to be the most aggressive zebrasoma tang you can get your hands on
Clown Tang - 150g is nowhere near large enough to house this species. They're spastic, highly active, *very* disease prone, and typically prove to be ruthless tyrants *especially* to other tangs

Angel Fish
Flame Angel - No brainer. Of course you're going to get a million people on here going "there's always a chance he'll eat your coral", but honestly this is one of the less risky species and I assume you already know that. Their color is well worth any kind of risk IMO
I'd like to add one larger variant of the Angel's any thoughts? Thinking of Regal - Regals aren't overly active angelfish, and they have a very slow growth rate. Keep in mind though, they are not aggressive feeders, so keeping this species in a tank loaded with frantic tangs, large angels, and aggressive wrasses isn't going to work for too long (Of course aim for a Maldives specimen, worth the extra $)

Anthias
Maybe 8 Ignitus Anthias thinking 1 Male 7 Female - Should be fine, just be sure to feed accordingly

Chromis
8 Blue/Green Reef Chromis - Stay away from chromis "schools". I have never actually seen a tank with a thriving, functioning school of chromis longterm. Just stick with 1 or 2 if you really like them though (I do)

Blennies
Tiger Blenny - Perfect, and not often seen in the hobby

Clownfish
Pair of designer clowns, not sure as of yet which one but any designer ocellaris will do. Hoping to have them host an anemone - Perfect

Dragonets
Green Mandarin - Perfect, just be sure to let the tank establish itself for about a year. It doesn't seem like you have any pod competitors on this list, so he/she should be able to get their fill

Wrasses
I like wrasses, favourite fish species. I'm looking at a Mystery. I'm planning to have shrimp so I know the mystery is a shrimp eater but it's only known to eat introduced shrimp after it's been added. The wrasses I'm not 100% sure about yet I can do without them. But any thoughts of a nice fairly peaceful wrasse? Would like a harem species - A mystery will most likely prove to be pretty aggressive, has a high chance of eating shrimp, and will outcompete your mandarin for pods. I love the possum wrasses, and any fairy/flasher wrasses should group up just fine

... Good luck :celeb1:

 

[Blake_Cond]

Hello,

I have a 145 gallons tank (+ 40 gallons in sump).
Is a FOWLR tank, with big fish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f896MHlbt8g&index=2&list=UUsUKO_VuyeMyGHKuzkItn_Q

1 x Pomacanthus imperator (large angel)
1 x Paracanthurus hepatus (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma desjardinii (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma veliferum (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma xanthurum (tang)
2 x Zebrasoma flavescens (tang)
1 x Zebrasoma scopas (tang)
2 x Amphiprion frenatus (clownfish)
1 x Salarias fasciatus (jewelled blenny)
1 x Valenncienea strigata (Sleeper Gold Head Goby)
1 x Valenncienea sexgutata (Sleeper Blue Dot Goby)
1 x Sychiropus splendidus (mandarin dragonet)

Nice fishes! How did you get all your tangs to get along? As well, does your Emperor Angel nip the coral, typically SPS (I know some owners give SPS as a treat do you do that?).

 

[Blake_Cond]

Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang - Will probably work in a 150g for a couple years, as they have a fairly slow growth rate
Purple Tang - Perfect, just keep in mind they are known to be the most aggressive zebrasoma tang you can get your hands on
Clown Tang - 150g is nowhere near large enough to house this species. They're spastic, highly active, *very* disease prone, and typically prove to be ruthless tyrants *especially* to other tangs

Angel Fish
Flame Angel - No brainer. Of course you're going to get a million people on here going "there's always a chance he'll eat your coral", but honestly this is one of the less risky species and I assume you already know that. Their color is well worth any kind of risk IMO
I'd like to add one larger variant of the Angel's any thoughts? Thinking of Regal - Regals aren't overly active angelfish, and they have a very slow growth rate. Keep in mind though, they are not aggressive feeders, so keeping this species in a tank loaded with frantic tangs, large angels, and aggressive wrasses isn't going to work for too long (Of course aim for a Maldives specimen, worth the extra $)

Anthias
Maybe 8 Ignitus Anthias thinking 1 Male 7 Female - Should be fine, just be sure to feed accordingly

Chromis
8 Blue/Green Reef Chromis - Stay away from chromis "schools". I have never actually seen a tank with a thriving, functioning school of chromis longterm. Just stick with 1 or 2 if you really like them though (I do)

Blennies
Tiger Blenny - Perfect, and not often seen in the hobby

Clownfish
Pair of designer clowns, not sure as of yet which one but any designer ocellaris will do. Hoping to have them host an anemone - Perfect

Dragonets
Green Mandarin - Perfect, just be sure to let the tank establish itself for about a year. It doesn't seem like you have any pod competitors on this list, so he/she should be able to get their fill

Wrasses
I like wrasses, favourite fish species. I'm looking at a Mystery. I'm planning to have shrimp so I know the mystery is a shrimp eater but it's only known to eat introduced shrimp after it's been added. The wrasses I'm not 100% sure about yet I can do without them. But any thoughts of a nice fairly peaceful wrasse? Would like a harem species - A mystery will most likely prove to be pretty aggressive, has a high chance of eating shrimp, and will outcompete your mandarin for pods. I love the possum wrasses, and any fairy/flasher wrasses should group up just fine

... Good luck :celeb1:

Thanks SoloChromis! You're very informative! Just a few questions , what's a Maldives angelfish, are they Emperors etc? Also, I've updated the list and was going to go with a Regel angel but not sure now, any Maldives fish you'd recommend? I've dropped the chromis and gone with 4 Banggaii cardinals. Swapped the Clown Tang for another tang (still not sure, was thinking bristle toothed tang). And I'm gonna still go with the mystery wrasse, one of my local mates has a mystery and says they're all good if added to a reef that has existing shrimp, I'm also adding some other wrasses check the updated list . I've also changed to 180 gallon as that's the max my room can take. Can anyone suggest the following? Larger Angel and a medium to large tang.

Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang.
Purple Tang.
Other tang not chosen yet.

Angel Fish
Flame Angel.
Larger Angel.

Anthias
10 Ignitus Anthias.

Cardinal
4 Banggaii Cardinals.

Blennies
Tiger Blenny.

Clownfish
2 Black Ice Ocellaris Clownfish.

Dragonets
Green Mandarin.

Wrasses
Mystery Wrasse.
3 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (1 male 2 female).

 

[koala]

Nice fishes! How did you get all your tangs to get along? As well, does your Emperor Angel nip the coral, typically SPS (I know some owners give SPS as a treat do you do that?).

Hello,

We introduced fish separately, as I was able to buy them... it would be great if you could buy all the fish at once.
When you have more zebrasomas, natural aggression dissipates between many fish.
This is the same group behavior, which can be seen in African cichlid's (Malawi mbuna's).
My tank is long (~ 80 inches), so the fish have plenty space to swim and graze algae from the background wall.

About Imperator do not know what to tell you ... I do not keep SPS in my tank. Anyway, he ate Xenia colonies.

 

[Blake_Cond]

Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang.
Purple Tang.
Other tang not chosen yet.

Angel Fish
Flame Angel.
Emperor Angel.

Anthias
10 Ignitus Anthias.

Cardinal
4 Banggaii Cardinals.

Blennies
Tiger Blenny.

Clownfish
2 Black Ice Ocellaris Clownfish.

Dragonets
Green Mandarin.

Wrasses
Mystery Wrasse.
3 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (1 male 2 female).

 

[SoloChromis]

Thanks SoloChromis! You're very informative! Just a few questions , what's a Maldives angelfish, are they Emperors etc? Also, I've updated the list and was going to go with a Regel angel but not sure now, any Maldives fish you'd recommend? I've dropped the chromis and gone with 4 Banggaii cardinals. Swapped the Clown Tang for another tang (still not sure, was thinking bristle toothed tang). And I'm gonna still go with the mystery wrasse, one of my local mates has a mystery and says they're all good if added to a reef that has existing shrimp, I'm also adding some other wrasses check the updated list . I've also changed to 180 gallon as that's the max my room can take. Can anyone suggest the following? Larger Angel and a medium to large tang.

Tangs
Pacific Sail Fin tang.
Purple Tang.
Other tang not chosen yet.

Angel Fish
Flame Angel.
Larger Angel.

Anthias
10 Ignitus Anthias.

Cardinal
4 Banggaii Cardinals.

Blennies
Tiger Blenny.

Clownfish
2 Black Ice Ocellaris Clownfish.

Dragonets
Green Mandarin.

Wrasses
Mystery Wrasse.
3 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (1 male 2 female).

Maldives is just the area where some regal angels are collected, and despite their heftier price tag, are well worth investing in as they not only look nicer IMO (yellow belly), but also prove to be much more humanely treating during the capturing/transportation period than those hailing from the Indo Pacific. I don't think I'd try an emperor in a 180g TBH. They can be fairly belligerent and your tank is already pretty stocked up on larger fish (not to mention the odds of him intimidating the regal are pretty high I'd say). As far as another tang, I'd highly recommend you look into the tomini tangs. They rarely look all that impressive in fish stores, normally due to stress, but once settled they get this beautiful blueish grey color with orange freckles on the face and orange rims on their fins. Very unique and hard working fish IME. I used to get a lot of comments on the one I used to have in my 75g years ago. Any other questions I'd be happy to answer :dance:

 

[Blake_Cond]

Maldives is just the area where some regal angels are collected, and despite their heftier price tag, are well worth investing in as they not only look nicer IMO (yellow belly), but also prove to be much more humanely treating during the capturing/transportation period than those hailing from the Indo Pacific. I don't think I'd try an emperor in a 180g TBH. They can be fairly belligerent and your tank is already pretty stocked up on larger fish (not to mention the odds of him intimidating the regal are pretty high I'd say). As far as another tang, I'd highly recommend you look into the tomini tangs. They rarely look all that impressive in fish stores, normally due to stress, but once settled they get this beautiful blueish grey color with orange freckles on the face and orange rims on their fins. Very unique and hard working fish IME. I used to get a lot of comments on the one I used to have in my 75g years ago. Any other questions I'd be happy to answer :dance:

I was going to ditch the Regel and go with the Emperor Angel (since most people have emperor Angels in SPS tank). What do you think? For the other tang I was just going to go with a powder blue tang. I really do like the powder blue tang, I did have tomini tang before and I found that he was very shy never liked people looking at him. So the only fish I have changed is powder blue tang for the third tang and emperor angel. What do you think?

 

[Blake_Cond]

Fish Decisions.

Fish Decisions.

Ok, so after going through this beuty (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389107) I have decided to defiantly go with the regal. It's a beautiful fish and hoping as you said to get one from the Red Sea or Maldives. So, pretty happy about fish choice. Only making me more excited for this new tank build! I've also been told that I can move the tank from my study in it's own dedicated room! So I can go bigger! But I think 180 is a good size for my second tank.