Fish Population Strategy

[pmergler]

Okay I am planning the live stock for my FOWLR tank and wanted to get people's input before I invest in a strategy that won't work. First is my tank: a 125g with 29g sump. I have a 1500gph rated protein skimmer. In my sump I am using mechanical foam filter bioballs with 20 lbs of live rock. I have 60 lbs of Fuji Argonite sand and crushed coral with a sand bed of approx. 3". I will also have 10 lbs of live sand to seed with. I have some texas holy rock....approx. 20 lbs and about 10 lbs of other base rocks. I have an undersized overflow box with only 9 linear inches...so I am running my mag12 throttled down to approx. 600 gph. Okay...so this is my tank setup as it will be in 1 month as I am inbetween moves....so if there is something I can do differently to realize my fish strategy below please post....

Now the fish...I am planning on starting with:
1) 3 false clowns ( I read only do 1 or more then 2)
2) Add a yellow tang
3) Add a powder blue tang
4) Add a Sailfin tang
5) Add a white face tang
6) Add a hippo tang
7) Add an Achilles tang
8) Add an Emperor Angel

Thoughts? What do I need to do to have adequate food supply for some of the pickier eaters? I am planning on about 3 weeks - 1 month before each fish add. Although at times if I have a buy one get one coupon I might add two. In this situation I would double the time before the next fish add

Thanks for the input!!!

 

[welsher7]

For clowns you usually want one or a pair. Once a pair forms it could kill the third. Also I think your tank will be overstocked with all those tangs once they start reaching a good size. every fish you listed gets over 10" except the clowns. when young your fish could be ok, but as they grow and get comfortable in the tank they might not get along. Just something to think about.

 

[pmergler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13921162#post13921162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by welsher7
For clowns you usually want one or a pair. Once a pair forms it could kill the third. Also I think your tank will be overstocked with all those tangs once they start reaching a good size. every fish you listed gets over 10" except the clowns. when young your fish could be ok, but as they grow and get comfortable in the tank they might not get along. Just something to think about.

OKay..great, thanks. I must have mis-read about the clowns. Okay....pair. Makes sense.

For a 125g is there a target number of fish (thinking average adult tang size from the species above)?

Additional info about my tank: I realized I missed out the water flow....I am about at 6x tank volume (600gph return + 150 gph powerhead). By the time I get through fish #3 or 4 I plan on upgrading. What is a good target water flow for a FOWLR tank that will be Tangs with some Angels (or Butterflies)?

 

[Stuart60611]

In a 125, which I also have, you really only want at most two 10" or so fish. After that, you pretty much want to stay with fish no larger than 6" or so as adults.

 

[lesleybird]

Hi, The Sailfin, Hippo and Emperor all get way too big for a 125 gallon. Lesley

 

[pmergler]

That is what I am beginning to realize. So how big does a white face tang get?

 

[Stuart60611]

A white face tang would not be a good choice for you since it is obvious that you are somewhat new to the hobby. This is a very difficult fish to keep and very prone to disease. Tangs generally can be on the tougher side to keep and very prone to the disease of ich. After dealing with ich, you definitely want to avoid it all costs. It is very common and most (if not all) inexperienced fish keepers who house tangs wind up getting it in their system and have major problems as a result. Saltwater ich is much more difficult to deal with than freshwater ich.

Here are some suggestions:

1) Toby puffers - Very colorful, active and smart fish which stay fairly small at 5 inches.

2) One spot foxface - Very cool looking fish which is a great algae eater and will help enormously in keeping your system free of algae.

3) Triggers- Can be a bit aggressive and some species would not be suitable for your tank size. A red tail, pinktail, or picasso trigger could work. They should be one of the last fish you add. They are, however, very hardy fish.

4) Wrasses - Many to choose from. If you do go with more aggressive tankmates, then stay away from the fairy or flasher wrasses. Also, some of the other ones are too big for your system.

4) Harlequin Tusk - One of the most striking fish in the hobby. They can be a bit delicate and grow fairly large. Once established are fairly hardy. You could house one, but that would mean that you cannot house more than one other semi large fish.

5) Cuban hogfish - Very colorful and extremely hardy. However, does not tolerate new tankmates too well so should be the last fish you add. Also grows fairly large.

6) Flame Hawk - Great looking fish with a lot of personality. Stays small and perfect size for your system.

7) Pretty much any dwarf angel, although some are definitely more hardy than others and some do not do well unless in a reef setting.

8) If you want to house a tang, the tomi, chevron or kole tang are among the easier to keep and would do well in your system. Also, a yellow tang or purple tang is an option. If you go purple, definitely one of the last fish you add, and it also grows pretty big.

 

[viggen]

What skimmer do you have?

Do you already have the pump? The mag12? It might be better (less electricity) to get something smaller

powder blue & achilles will more then likely lead to major problems. Even one of these might be difficult it your tank, they have a huge attitude & are also VERY active! I would skip these especially since you are new to the hobby... the can be ick magnets

I would stick with hardy stuff like damsels, certain clown fish, trigger (niger, picasso, etc), yellow tangs (there are a few others)& dwarf angels.

 

[saltyguy51]

Im just wondering, all those who say that these fish will get 10" or more, how many years will that take providing they live that long and how small are they purchased at? 2", 4"?

 

[rachenbrazil]

hippo tang ... min size is 2 inches.... 6 months later reach 5 inches.... 1 year later ... 7 inches.... 2 years... 10 inches ... somewhat conservative perspective... if overfeed, can double this speed...

Emperor... min size ...1 inch .... 6 month later ... 6 inches .... 1 year later ... 9 inches...2 years ... 14 inches... if overfeed ... also can double this speed...

both fishes ...I saw such growth in good systems... 3 times each fish ...

they do not fit smaller tanks... they do not adapt their sizes... they will grow for sure...or die with poor water quality...

 

[saltyguy51]

Wow your fish grow big over there Fast, I never saw those fish grow that fast, infact only Groupers and Snappers that I have seen. Most of the time when fish out grow their tanks they go to the LFS then someone who has a monster tank gets to become the lucky owner. I have a Red Coris Wrasse that is 7 (seven) years old and is 9" long and has been well fed ( not overfed)and has been a healthy guy and was in a 120 gallon tank 4' and now in a 6' 150 gallon, but soon going to a 10' 375 gallon. Just take care of your water and your filter and enjoy your fish that you like and go slow!!

 

[pmergler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13923660#post13923660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by viggen
What skimmer do you have?

Do you already have the pump? The mag12? It might be better (less electricity) to get something smaller

I just added my skimmer to my signature....ProClear Aquatic Systems MPS150.

I do already have the pump. I understand it will pull more electricity, but that isn't that big of a concern to me. I think the ability to T it off and add other mechanisms in the future while paying less then buying a Mag9 is a good upswing.