Large tank stocking ideas. How many fish each

m0nkie

m0nkie

Well-known member
Hi guys. tank is cycling finally. I'm going to start buying fish in batches to QT. I have a 100gal permanent QT ready. DT is 560gal 10x3x30. oversized equipment for heavy stocking

The plan for this tank is tons of small fish. I'm not too into tangs. I will have a few just to have a few large fish. Fish has to be reef safe/clam safe.

Question is: How many per kind can I get?? I would like to pair everything if possible.

Wrasse in pairs or trio?? I have no luck with trio in my 150gal. maybe this size will change?

Anthias in trio or more possible? I don't mind less variety if I can stock more of certain colorful ones

Firefish, Chromis, Royal Gramma do ok in school of 9+??? if so, what's a good number?

thanks!

- Royal Gramma (~9)
- Lyretail Anthias (~3)
- Bartlett's Anthias (~3)
- Dispar Anthias (~3)
- Bimaculatus Anthias (~3)
- Fathead Sunburst Anthias (~2)
- Sailfin/Algae Blenny (???)
- Midas Blenny (???)
- Kaudern's Cardinalfish (~3)
- Blue/Green Reef Chromis (~9)
- Firefish (???)
- Exquisite Firefish (???)
- McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (~2)
- Mystery Wrasse (~2)
- Flame Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Scott's Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Labout's Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Leopard Wrasse (~2)
- Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse (~2)
- YB Blue Tang (~3)
- Yellow Tang (~1-3)
- Achilles Tang (~1)
- Desjardini Tang (~1)
- Black Niger Trigger (~2)
 
m0nkie said:
Hi guys. tank is cycling finally. I'm going to start buying fish in batches to QT. I have a 100gal permanent QT ready. DT is 560gal 10x3x30. oversized equipment for heavy stocking

The plan for this tank is tons of small fish. I'm not too into tangs. I will have a few just to have a few large fish. Fish has to be reef safe/clam safe.

Question is: How many per kind can I get?? I would like to pair everything if possible.

Wrasse in pairs or trio?? I have no luck with trio in my 150gal. maybe this size will change?

Anthias in trio or more possible? I don't mind less variety if I can stock more of certain colorful ones

Firefish, Chromis, Royal Gramma do ok in school of 9+??? if so, what's a good number?

thanks!

- Royal Gramma (~9)
- Lyretail Anthias (~3)
- Bartlett's Anthias (~3)
- Dispar Anthias (~3)
- Bimaculatus Anthias (~3)
- Fathead Sunburst Anthias (~2)
- Sailfin/Algae Blenny (???)
- Midas Blenny (???)
- Kaudern's Cardinalfish (~3)
- Blue/Green Reef Chromis (~9)
- Firefish (???)
- Exquisite Firefish (???)
- McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (~2)
- Mystery Wrasse (~2)
- Flame Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Scott's Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Labout's Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (~2)
- Leopard Wrasse (~2)
- Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse (~2)
- YB Blue Tang (~3)
- Yellow Tang (~1-3)
- Achilles Tang (~1)
- Desjardini Tang (~1)
- Black Niger Trigger (~2)
Click to expand...

Only one firefish. Any number of anthias but be prepared for multiple feedings.
 
aww.. thanks Steve. maybe I should just pass on Firefish, 1 in a 560gal I'll probably never see again. They are so skiddish.

I bought the frozen defroster that allows 2-3 hours of slow food defrosting in tank. auto feeder set up also.
 
I dunno.....I've had 3 (firefish) in a 180 for a while now and no issues at all. I did put them in at the same time though.
 
I dont know much about firefish that is a huge tank perhaps you could get away with it, but il let others with experience chime in. You could also get some gobies. Anthias groups would be nice...the fatheads and sunburst are interesting looking. What about butterflies?
 
m0nkie said:
aww.. thanks Steve. maybe I should just pass on Firefish, 1 in a 560gal I'll probably never see again. They are so skiddish.

I bought the frozen defroster that allows 2-3 hours of slow food defrosting in tank. auto feeder set up also.
Click to expand...

No, while skittish, one should do fine unless you have another fish that would pick on it.
 
I love the Niger Triggers but they would likely eat shrimp and I would think some coral bandits and cleaner shrimp would be a must. That's a reason why I've avoided trigger fish. I like you list of fish though. The wrasses are great fish and should do great in the tank. Just make sure you have screen covers because they are jumpers. I've lost several over the years. You might also consider a Melanarus wrasse. They are good fish and will eat flat worms if any ever find their way into your tank. I have one and he's a model citizen. I don't see any pygmy angels in your list. I would think a flame angel or 2 and maybe even a lemon peel would be great additions. I love mine! That said, you could have one hell of a lot of fish in that tank. Heck, I've got around 60 in my 480 gallon display. If you want to see a great mix a fish, take a look at Dave's (o2manyfish) display. He's got an insane variety of fish in his tank.
 
slief said:
I love the Niger Triggers but they would likely eat shrimp and I would think some coral bandits and cleaner shrimp would be a must. That's a reason why I've avoided trigger fish. I like you list of fish though. The wrasses are great fish and should do great in the tank. Just make sure you have screen covers because they are jumpers. I've lost several over the years. You might also consider a Melanarus wrasse. They are good fish and will eat flat worms if any ever find their way into your tank. I have one and he's a model citizen. I don't see any pygmy angels in your list. I would think a flame angel or 2 and maybe even a lemon peel would be great additions. I love mine! That said, you could have one hell of a lot of fish in that tank. Heck, I've got around 60 in my 480 gallon display. If you want to see a great mix a fish, take a look at Dave's (o2manyfish) display. He's got an insane variety of fish in his tank.
Click to expand...

+1 I don't see any angels on the list!
 
I would rather add one or two pairs of large angels instead of the tangs. They usually make also better centerpiece fish than tangs.

And if you don't have any corals, I would also add a harem of a dwarf angel species.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
thanks everyone!

shrimps are definitely on the list. I will keep the Niger Triggers on the maybe list for now haha.. dived with a few Hawaiin black triggers and they look amazing!

as for angels. I will have to really research into each. They all look amazing but I love all my corals too haha. I have a good collection of chalice and SPS.. It's a struggle in between them..
 
m0nkie said:
I have a good collection of chalice and SPS.. It's a struggle in between them..
Click to expand...

Time to put those ATI LED/T5 hybrids to work!!!
Get a Clarion angel. You won't regret it. They have a pair at SPS Coral Store display tank.
But $$$$$
So easy to say it when I'm not the one buying:spin2::spin2:
 
Last edited:
The closest thing to a reef safe Angel are the ones in the Genicanthus genus. I like the Bellus and Watanabe Angels. They max out at maybe 5 - 7 inches so I'm not sure if you can consider them large, but they're bigger than Centropyge Angels.

I've had a Bellus for over six months and never saw it touch any of my softy, LPS, SPS or clams. Some people have had issues with them, though.
 
CoralsAddiction said:
Time to put those ATI LED/T5 hybrids to work!!!
Get a Clarion angel. You won't regret it. They have a pair at SPS Coral Store display tank.
But $$$$$
So easy to say it when I'm not the one buying:spin2::spin2:
Click to expand...

mmhmmm.. dat price tag!

I'm going to attempt on a pair of feminus wrasse this time. that'll probably be the most expensive fish in this tank. maaaaybe a gem

Half Vaped said:
The closest thing to a reef safe Angel are the ones in the Genicanthus genus. I like the Bellus and Watanabe Angels. They max out at maybe 5 - 7 inches so I'm not sure if you can consider them large, but they're bigger than Centropyge Angels.

I've had a Bellus for over six months and never saw it touch any of my softy, LPS, SPS or clams. Some people have had issues with them, though.
Click to expand...

thanks! Bellus and Watanabe just don't look as nice as those large colorful emperors! I will consider a pair of Watanabe tho. seen them in a frag tank and they are beautiful
 
I'd skip the YB Blue tang... total terror when they mature...

Also, I'd probably skip the Niger and go with a Crosshatch Pair.

I laugh when I look at my stocking list when I started the tank...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2167714

Try to go for higher end fish if possible. It's nice to have a handful of special fish in the tank along with more common species.

Hybrids, rare fish, etc... I'm really happy I was able to get some special fish in the tank. If you just take your time, stuff will pop up that is affordable. Just don't say I'm going to buy a Gem Tang and run out to buy the first one that pops up. Wait a bit and a deal will come along...

I'm at a point now, where there is really one more special fish I want to add, then I'll just fill the rest of the tank with wrasses and anthias and be done with it. You start worrying about what will not kill your said special fish now haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
75 gallon set up and stocking advice
Replies
8
Views
2K
Newham94
N
T
New 55g setup. Advice for fish appreciated
Replies
6
Views
244
Uncle99
Uncle99
M
Proposed livestock for Waterbox 155.5 Frag, Mixed Reef
Replies
5
Views
694
wvned
wvned
S
New tank inhabitants introduction order?
Replies
15
Views
1K
Sermanley
S
Z
5.7ft tank stocking
Replies
7
Views
1K
ZanaZoola14
Z
Back
Top