How many fish in 180

[enzo54321]

Hi guys,

I have a 180 and I presently have a powder blue tang a purple tang a regal angel 4 green cromis.

my dream would be to add 1 copperband butterfly + 1 flame angel + 1 leopard wrasse + 1 Moorish idol and maybe a school of anthiases.

what do you think? overcrowding? OK?

 

[wartskin]

I personally think that all those fish would be fine except the MOORISH IDOL. They have a high mortality rate and even the most experienced hobbyist will have a problem keeping this fish. But if you really really want this fish and no one will talk you out of it, please read this thread from the begging(before you purchase one!!!!!!) as it has alot of useful information.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=993712

I follow it and I don't have one but I like to hear how the people that have kept them for years are doing.

Copperbands can be a problem to but not as bad as the MI

 

[enzo54321]

Thanks in regards to the morish idol ...I read the thread...I just want to know fish limits

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I agree with wartskin. Overall fish numbers should be fine, but moorish idols are better left in the ocean. I would honestly say that less than 1/100 live a year in captivity. Copperbands are tough too, but not impossible... I'm 0 for 3. probably close to 1/10 or 1/20 live long term in captivity.

Consider a heniochus bannerfish as a replacement for the moorish idol, and a longnose butterfly as a replacement for the copperband. Also understand that any butterflies or angels are hit or miss in a reef. It's one thing to take a chance on one fish, but every additional hit-or-miss fish you add is making it more likely that you'll end up with at least one nipper.

 

[jimmy n]

12

 

[Amazon4]

Not to hijack, but here's my fishload in a 180 and I'd welcome opinions:

hippo
kole
scopas
scribbled rabbit
blue flasher wrasse
yellow corris wrasse
african cleaner wrasse
coral beauty
female lyretail
dragon goby
pair true percs
clown goby
watchman goby
borbonius anthia
midas blenny

obviously nothing else is going in there. We consolidated tanks then added the larger species.

Nitrates can creep up to 20 if I feed the fish and corals heavily.

 

[snorvich]

Amazon4, your top four fish will feel cramped eventually. Overall, the fish load is fine.

 

[patsfan1130]

I dont feel a Kole tang would feel cramped in a 180 at all

 

[Amazon4]

yah, I figured the hippo and rabbit would either need an upgrade with us or move on to another reefer with a larger system (we know a few). But didn't think the scopas would.

We all ready have visions of a larger tank. Hopefully in time. If not, we would not subject the fish to cramped quarters. We care too much about them.