New tank, possible stocking?

[T_Smartt]

Setting up a 55g tank. First dive into saltwater. So far I have only kept freshwater. I have been spending months doing research before diving in and have a pretty good idea so far. Just was wondering about my stocking choices. I have roughly 70lbs rock and 70lbs sand in the tank. Eventually wanting to add some coral and anenomes but sticking to just fish for now to get a feel for the tank.

I was thinking

3 x banggai cardinals
2 x clowns
1 x yellow tang(wife loves them)
1 x lawnmower blenny
1 x yellow head jawfish
1 x dwarf angle(either coral or flame)
and if possibly 1 dwarf zebra lion fish.

If the 55 goes good for me eventually I am going to upgrade to my 125g. I want to make sure I do it correctly and learn while small before going big.

 

[thegrun]

You are likely to have aggression issues with the three (or any) Banggai Cardinals in a 55 gallon tank. Unfortunately the tank is too small for any tang and again adding one will lead to aggression. You may get by for awhile with a dwarf angel when it is small, but as they mature a 55 gallon tank is again too small and it will almost certainly get aggressive with its tank mates. If the tang is a must have I would recommend you start with the 125.

 

[T_Smartt]

The cardinals aren't to big of a deal for me. I was thinking of them as more of a tither(I think that right) fish. Same with the dwarf angel. The wife really likes them but she already knows from all the previous tanks we don't always get what we like haha. Funds don't let me jump into the 125 just yet which is why Im starting with the 55. Im hoping to start getting the 125 together after about a year or so with the 55 which is why I was thinking the tang may work since I have read slow growth rates with them. But if he has to wait then he waits.

What about the dwarf lion. I know you have to take caution with them but I was thinking of adding him last and smaller to help with aggression on his part. Ive read they are pretty content with 50g and larger as long as they have the rock to hide in. But I dont want to jump into anything.

 

[thegrun]

The lion will eat any fish that will fit into its mouth, so the Blenny will need to be large.

 

[T_Smartt]

That was what I was thinking. Was going to start with the 2 clowns, then the blenny and jawfish possibly at the same time so they can establish their own territories and maybe avoid those two fighting. After awhile and size packed on then adding the dwarf lion last.

Im going to ditch the idea of the tang and dwarf angel along with the cardinals.

 

[emilese]

That was what I was thinking. Was going to start with the 2 clowns, then the blenny and jawfish possibly at the same time so they can establish their own territories and maybe avoid those two fighting. After awhile and size packed on then adding the dwarf lion last.

Im going to ditch the idea of the tang and dwarf angel along with the cardinals.

I don't think you have to ditch the dwarf angel - it just depends on which dwarf angel as some get larger than others. For example the Cherub Dwarf Angel (centropyge ari), Flameback (centropyge acanthops), and Multicolor (centropyge multicolor) are all small (3") and I think would be fine in a 55gallon. They may nip at certain corals though so do your research on which corals their prone to nip at.

 

[nereefpat]

Setting up a 55g tank.

3 x banggai cardinals Anything but a single one or a male+female pair will fight.
2 x clowns fine
1 x yellow tang(wife loves them) tank is too small
1 x lawnmower blenny fine
1 x yellow head jawfish fine
1 x dwarf angle(either coral or flame) possibly. I would get a smaller species, like a flameback
and if possibly 1 dwarf zebra lion fish. Fine, but it will eat tankmates that can fit in its mouth. Make sure small skinny fish are grown up a bit first.

Just my opinions.

 

[TokiHacker]

Quote:
Originally Posted by T_Smartt View Post
Setting up a 55g tank.

3 x banggai cardinals Anything but a single one or a male+female pair will fight.
2 x clowns fine
1 x yellow tang(wife loves them) tank is too small
1 x lawnmower blenny fine
1 x yellow head jawfish fine
1 x dwarf angle(either coral or flame) possibly. I would get a smaller species, like a flameback
and if possibly 1 dwarf zebra lion fish. Fine, but it will eat tankmates that can fit in its mouth. Make sure small skinny fish are grown up a bit first.


Just my opinions.


I concur with above, the only thing I will say is that the lawnmower blenny is an algae eating machine so make sure that you can supplement their diet if no algae is present, also the lion, I have had a dwarf that ate fish that didn't fit in his mouth lol!!

 

[T_Smartt]

I like the look of the flameback, nice color. Ill keep looking into dwarf angels.

Im going to make sure everyone is good size too before getting the lion.

Thank you for all the input. I feel pretty good about going into salt. Ive just read that stocking lists are best judged by the forums lol.

 

[TokiHacker]

I like the look of the flameback, nice color. Ill keep looking into dwarf angels.

Im going to make sure everyone is good size too before getting the lion.

Thank you for all the input. I feel pretty good about going into salt. Ive just read that stocking lists are best judged by the forums lol.

be careful that the flame back can turn into a real a-hole. They are meannnn lol.

 

[T_Smartt]

Lol just when I thought I was doing good haha. Ive got time still to look at different fish too. I just started cycling my 55 four days ago so I have awhile before even a CuC goes in

 

[T_Smartt]

Does the fish list so far sound like much for a potential reef? Or is there some more wiggle room? Maybe a dottyback or chromis or just leave it were im at?

 

[TokiHacker]

Does the fish list so far sound like much for a potential reef? Or is there some more wiggle room? Maybe a dottyback or chromis or just leave it were im at?

personally for a reef id drop the angel and replace with a dotty and chromis if you prefer. that will be more reef friendly and less likely for the angel to eat up some tasty coral.

 

[T_Smartt]

Thats kind of what I was thinking. Id rather have the color and movement and get that reef appeal. Only fish i really want is that dwarf zebra lol. Cant help it

 

[TokiHacker]

Thats kind of what I was thinking. Id rather have the color and movement and get that reef appeal. Only fish i really want is that dwarf zebra lol. Cant help it

be honest with ya eventually the clowns and chromis are gonners if you do that... plus lions are nice but they are really good a ticking off soft corals when they lay on them. I still want a fu Manchu lion for my reef but im not willing to take a chance.