Fish selection... please help

[ken123]

There are a few of these threads going, sorry, need to start my own. I plan on maybe some LPS corals, soft corals, zoas, mushrooms & featherdusters. Right now have only LR. Tank is about 4 months old, 90 gal AGA.

Currently have...
(2) False Percula
(2) Skunk cleaner shrimp
Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs
Assorted snails

Future additions...
(5) Green chromis
(1) Copperbanded Butterfly ?????
(1) Fire Goby
(1) Powder Blue Tang ?????
(1) Yellow Tang

I know the PBT is limited in tank size and the butterfly can be a problem with some of the corals. So they are a maybe depending what is suggested here. Any suggestions on what I have and what I can add?

Thanks for the help here!

 

[bertoni]

The powder blue tangs tend to be, well, touchy, and I wouldn't get one until the tank was very stable. It won't coexist with the yellow tang, most likely. Copperbands can be pretty touchy, too, in terms of getting them to eat. It will eat the featherdusters, most likely, and perhaps the zoanthids.

I wouldn't add all those fish, perhaps just the Chromis and perhaps the firefish. The yellow tang should be fine, too, although perhaps instead of some of the other fish.

Do you have a refugium?

 

[ken123]

Do not have a refugium yet. Thinking about building my own from a 15 gallon tank, maybe in a few months.
The family likes the Powder Blue Tang, if I get one it would be the last fish. Then out with the Copperband also.

Future additions...
(5) Green chromis
(1) Fire Goby
(1) Yellow Tang

(1) Powder Blue Tang (maybe, maybe not)

What others can I add then? Suggestions?
How bout these...
Yellowtail Damselfish
Royal Gramma Basslet
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Some type of Blennie

 

[bertoni]

I'd be leary about combining the Powder Blue with the yellow tang.

The gramma and fairy wrasse are fine ideas, IMO. Some blennies, maybe all, would be fine.

This book might be useful:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087386/reeflink/002-4744499-7315266

 

[ken123]

Jonathan, I have that book and have been looking through it thanks. Also been checking liveaquaria.com. All of these fish I have listed are quite small. What is possible for a larger sized body fish like the yellow tang.

 

[bertoni]

Heniochus diphreutes is reef-safe, if you can find it. Forcipiger longirostrus is a bit difficult to feed, but should be okay otherwise. Some Anthias, like the Squarespot, might work as well.

 

[sidjam]

powder blue and a yellow tang would not be a good combination unless you have at least a 6ft tank. i would just get the yellowas it would do well in a 90. the powder blue is a more difficult fish to keep.

 

[ken123]

On everyone's advice I will not get the PBT. Just the yellow tang.

Looked up the fish bertoni mentioned..
I like the Heniochus diphreutes (Bannerfish). I thought the Forcipiger longirostrus (Long Nosed Butterfly) would not be good for feather dusters? And Squareback Anthias are nice also.

Any other suggestions for fish about the same size as the yellow tang?

 

[sidjam]

be careful not to overstock. in a 90 i would pefer fewer fish to keep them all happy.

 

[bertoni]

Ooops, that might be true about the F. longirostrus. Scott Michael's book doesn't mention that, though, and says it can be kept in any reef aquarium. It is harder to feed than F. flavissimus, according to his newer book. The natural diet seems to be small crustaceans.

 

[Fred_J]

A foxface lo is an unusual fish that looks neat.
Fred

 

[ken123]

Currently have...
(2) False Percula
(2) Skunk cleaner shrimp
Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs
Assorted snails

Future additions...
(5) Green chromis
(1) Fire Goby
(1) Yellow Tang
(1) Schooling Bannerfish

Other possibles...
Yellowtail Damselfish
Royal Gramma Basslet
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Some type of Blennie

Sorry but there is something about a Foxface Lo that I don't like.
Please keep suggestions coming? This is very helpful!!!

 

[Swanwillow]

I personally like the smaller fish:

like, 5 flasher or wrasses would be awesome!!!

I think that one big fish will be your limit, so you'll have to pick just one. the yellow tang, OR something else. dwarf angels are a possibility also.

and fire gobys do will in pairs or trios.

 

[sidjam]

i agree that 1 big fish would be the limit.