Please help me with my stocking a 125g reef tank

[ECU_Pirate]

First let me say I know this list will have to be trimmed, I just don't know how much. My lfs is telling me about the 1" per 5 gallon rule, which I now know is obsolete thanks to you guys answering my post from a few days ago.

The tank we'll be going with is 72"x18"x22".

Type of Fish Max Size (in Inches)
*Banggai Cardinal 3 (my husband's favorite)
Blue Dot Jawfish 3.5
Blue Sapphire Damsel 3.5
Blue/Green Reef Chromis 4
Exquisite Firefish 3
*False Percula Clown 3 (this is a "must have" per my kids' request)
Fathead Anthias 5
Lamarck's Angel 9
*Midas Blenny 6 (this is a "must have" per my kids' request)
Pacific Red Stripe Hogfish 4.5
Pink Margin Wrasse 5
Pyramid Butterflyfish 7
Red Mandarin Dragonet 4
Royal Gramma Basslet 3
*White Tail Bristletooth Tang 6.5 (I want at least one real showstopper fish)
Yellow Prawn Goby 3

Thanks so much!

 

[slyseekr]

Your list seems reasonable, and even stockable for your tank size.

Some call outs:

Pyramid Butterfly - I'm part of the club that says that there are no butterflies that are truly reef safe.

Damsel / Clownfish - Be prepared to potentially evict the damsel if it becomes a bully. Clownfish can verge into this territory as well, especially spawning pairs that are hosting an anemone (at least be prepared for some nips when you put your hand in the tank).

Anthias - are you potentially going to add multiples or establish a harem? I think Fatheads are ok solo, but Anthias are really fascinating in groups. They also generate a lot of waste.

Chromis - There's always a chance that a school of chromis will end up with one in the end as the strongest of the bunch tends to kill their tank mates. Same might apply to Banggai Cardinals if a pair establishes itself.

Just to put a nail in the coffin re: inches / gallon rule, the updated way to think about stocking is really two-fold:

1) Make sure your tank's dimensions and swim space will be able to support any fish's natural swimming habits and potential territorial area requirements and considerations. This is why the "tang police" exists!

2) No matter what you stock, make sure you have enough filtration capacity to maintain ideal water conditions.

Look at installing a skimmer rated one or more sizes up from a 125 gallon (I run a 150 gallon rated skimmer on my 30). It might also be worth it to consider additional biological filtration capacity beyond your live rock and sand (e.g. Live rock rubble in sump, pond matrix, algae scrubber, refugium, chaeto reactor).

Good luck!

 

[McPuff]

I agree with the above comments. You may also want to reconsider the tang if you are planning to have a lot of rock work. I'm just skeptical about putting most tangs in anything less than 180 gallons... but a 6 ft 125 is better than a 4ft version.

As for showstoppers, you could also consider certain wrasses such as Labouti, mystery, or many of the other gorgeous fairy wrasses. They are very active as well so always something to watch. But be wary of which ones you get and the order in which you add them. Some species can be aggressive (ruby face for example). I'd add a couple more wrasses to my own tank if it wasn't for the ruby face I've got. :0)

 

[ECU_Pirate]

Thank you both so much for the recommendations!

 

[Reefer40b]

leopard wrasses are nice. good temperament, personality and will help out with pests. Love mine