Having a hard time cutting "the list"...

[dreaminmel]

Posted this in the Fish Only forum but thought I'd give all of you a whack at this too. :thumbsup:

After being in this hobby for 10ish years and coming across multiple species I don't dare put in my reef... I'm in the planning stages of setting up a 180g that has made it into my house. lol I always prefer to plan ahead when it comes to fish so that I know I'll be happy with the end result and avoid those impulse fish purchases at the LFS. My current list of fish I'd love to get is definately too much of a bioload but I am having trouble making cuts. If anyone would like to help out with advice/opinions/experience I'm more than willing to listen. I may not always agree, but will always listen. :beer:

The centerpiece fish for me is going to be either a Chiloscyllium griseum or Chiloscyllium hasselti. Both stay small compared to other bamboo species and although I'm aware they are hard to find, I'm not in any hurry. I have had many discussions and done my research regarding this choice and it will remain on the list. I wouldn't even bring it up (don't want people going out and buying them that really shouldn't) except that I would like everyone to be aware of this part of the bioload when helping me slim down the fish list.

So here it is... the list that I need help with. I try very hard to include a fish of each color in my setups as I love how it looks. Odd yeah but it'll probably come in even more handy in a FOWLR that doesn't have coral for color at all. lol

*Pakistan Butterfly - 6.3" max
*Semilarvatus Butterfly - 9.1" max (nice splash of yellow, Yellow Tang instead?)
*Saddleback Butterfly - 9" max
(I've been told all three is not a good idea so if I must choose one it'll probably be the Pakistan.)
*Blue Hamlet - 5.1" max
*A group of Square Anthias - 7.9" max
*Green Wrasse - 7.4" max
*One of the Red Soldierfish that gets 8" max (Someone showed these do come out during the day as I initially didn't want one after reading they're only active at night.)
*Lyretail Hogfish - 8.2" max (an interesting looking fish)

So there it is. Help? :bigeyes:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

some thoughts:

I've done FOWLR's in acrylic and glass aquariums. With acrylic, you might not want corallines but with glass... why not?
Coralline alga can add a colorful splash to otherwise dull looking rock. Something to think about.

I'm not an elasmobranch expert so I can't make fish recommendations other than to tell you that you must avoid species that will pick on your sharks.... but it sounds like you already know that

 

[dreaminmel]

This 180g is glass so I'm not opposed to coralline. Hmmm...

I did find out that angels, triggers and puffers are to be avoided when keeping a bamboo. So far it seems those are the main three on the no list.

Edit: Small bite size fish like chromis and small damsels are out as well.

 

[GMaquarium]

Mel you have quite a list of interesting fish. If you feel that you must cut things at this state of the game, maybe hamlets. Although I really like them I would loose the hamlet, hog and one of the butterfly fish. I think a challenge you might run into is obtaining the right size fish when you need them. Looking a head I would consider not only a quarantine tank but also a beefup tank. Where you can grow out some of the future tankmates. Another thing to consider is to go with groups of one type instead of lots of singles and pairs.

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks G. If I went that route... which b-fly would you cut? At this point I'm planning to add the centerpiece fish last which will allow these fish to grow out in the main tank. A QT is definately a must though for sure.

For any who may not know what these fish look like by the names, here are pics of the fish I'm having a hard time deciding on.

Square Anthias

Saddleback B-fly

Semilarvatus B-fly

Pakistan B-fly

Lyretail Hogfish

Green Wrasse

Blue Hamlet

Big Eye Soldierfish

 

[GMaquarium]

I would cut similarfatus just cause I don't like to take fish from the red sea

 

[Twinpanther]

I can surely see why you like the Pakistani B-fly. Have you considered a Wrought-Iron B-fly Chaetodon daedalma? After the Pak for me I think they are a close second. I know, I know. You're looking for cuts, not additions. :crazy1:

It'd be a shame to lose the color contrast of the Blue Hamlets though.

This will be fun to watch.

Twin

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks Twin. Wrought Iron is a beaut but I just read it needs cooler water temps. I'm still willing to consider additions (aka replacements) as I know there's no way I could have seen all of the possibilities that exist yet.

I'm kinda feeling the same on the Blue Hamlets...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Thanks Twin. Wrought Iron is a beaut but I just read it needs cooler water temps

did you find out their price? :lolspin:

 

[dreaminmel]

Heh... nope. First link I came to mentioned their high pricing and colder temp needs and I didn't go any further. Curiosity is getting me now though. Gonna take a look see and probably faint for a minute.

Edit: $1500 @ Bluezoo. Youch! lol No doubt I'll be spending a pretty penny on this setup but that is beyond my comfort level.

 

[aquadonkey]

This is fun to watch even if I can't offer any advice!
I saw a small shark at CF several months ago - really beautiful fish! Can't wait

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks Lizz! Just a heads up to any who see those sharks at the LFS... typically they are the C. plagiosum (37.4"max) and C. punctatum (40.9"max) which definately require a tank larger than 180g. As it is, I'm pushing it with one of the two smaller species I'm considering in this tank and have already promised that if this thing gets full size and starts acting stressed I will take steps to get it more space. Aka... buy a bigger house so I can buy a bigger tank.

 

[aquadonkey]

Ah yes... the notion of moving to a place for one's pets. I'm familiar with that one

 

[dreaminmel]

Lol, If it weren't for my two Akitas I wouldn't have jumped into buying my house 3 years ago... Hard to find a place to rent with an Akita though, let alone two of 'em.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

You may not care for my recommendation by personal preferences possibly,
but one fish I would consider, and it would definitely add some nice splash of color as well as interesting personality to a tank would be:

The Harlequin Tuskfish (Choerodon fasciatus). It's a fairly large growing and beautiful Wrasse that looks "menacing" with protruding teeth..
But it's actually a fairly shy fish and quite peaceful. Gets along with a lot of similar sized tank mates and smaller tank mates as long as they are not too small. They are kept in reefs as they leave corals alone. But a lot of reefers don't do them because they are snail and shrimp / crab killers. Still making them great for FOWLR tanks too.

A friend of mine keeps one with Anthias, and a lyre tail hogfish just like you want. As well as some banner fish and 2 other yellow butterflies that I can't remember exactly what they are. Other good tank mates for it are Surgeon fish(Tangs), Butterflies as I already said, Lions(which you probably don't want) and Large or Small Angels. As well as other "small" fish too. As long as they are not micro- small. Another wrasse "could" be attempted as well, but caution is recommended. It is most peaceful with most other non wrasse fish.

Like I said, it looks menacing, but the harlequin tusk is actually quite peaceful and does not bother other resident aquarium inhabitants. The tusk, however, does not accept undue punishment and is very capable of fending off an attacker.

It's a striking & colorful fish that can turn into a trophy specimen.
But another good point is, despite being able to attain a fairly large size, it is quite a slow grower.

If you want an interesting fish for your FO that's not completely "everyday", I'd consider it. But they are not cheap. The best come from Australia. It could be around $100 or so. But worth it in my opinion. Like many other species, make sure it eats in the shop etc.. Other than that, once it acclimates, it's a great specimen for the "Community" tank.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Oops, and I forgot:
If it were me, I would "cut" the Green Wrasse and replace with the Harlequin Tusk.

 

[dreaminmel]

So then... what if I cut this

*Pakistan Butterfly - 6.3" max
*Semilarvatus Butterfly - 9.1" max (nice splash of yellow, Yellow Tang instead?)
*Saddleback Butterfly - 9" max
(I've been told all three is not a good idea so if I must choose one it'll probably be the Pakistan.)
*Blue Hamlet - 5.1" max
*A group of Square Anthias - 7.9" max
*Green Wrasse - 7.4" max
*One of the Red Soldierfish that gets 8" max (Someone showed these do come out during the day as I initially didn't want one after reading they're only active at night.)
*Lyretail Hogfish - 8.2" max (an interesting looking fish)

down to this?

*Pakistan Butterfly
*Saddleback Butterfly
*Lyretail Hogfish
*2-3 Blue Hamlets
*5-7 Square Anthias

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

I see NO problem.
You could "cram" more.
But leaving room is always best to grow out more.

I'd start out with the hogfish and hamlets.

Then add the Anthias. Watch closely(I'm sure you already know this),
to the Anthias. They should eat a few times a day and can take awhile to acclimate. Having other fish to "watch" eating helps them a long. If you can't feed them a lot once they are acclimated and eating, it's ok. I just feed 2-3 times perday myself tops. But especially at first, it's important. Hopefully you can find some eating already in the LFS. But if not, mine learned (1 died) by watching other fish eat. The rest did fantastic. It took a week or so though.

I'd add the Butterflies last and at the same exact time if possible.

Sounds like it will be a pretty and very nice tank. The butterflies could be the "showcase" big guys eventually. Good luck with it.

 

[dreaminmel]

Thanks for the feedback DBS! It wasn't showing me your replies prior to my last post for some reason... A Harlequin Tusk was actually on my list at one point but then in the Marine Fishes book I read "Adults, especially, may behave aggressively toward newly introduced fishes and docile tankmates. Keep with larger angelfishes, boisterous wrasses, surgeonfishes, sociable triggers, puffers and the like." Once I read that I may have gotten the wrong impression. lol

 

[johno4]

Mel, I missed this yesterday so I will add my 2 cents. Some people have had issues with butterfly's picking at their sharks as well. Not much is going to be a sure shot with tankmates, and as you know there are always exeptions to the rules when it comes to fish. I had a foxface that was picking at a ray. You could also consider some of the planctonic triggers for this tank as well. I also like the tusk idea, my dream fish, but they are pricey. Aussie tusks around hear generally run close to $200 depending on size.