Stocking 180g mixed reef tank. Any suggestions

[cwill78295]

I have a 180 gallon tank i want to set up as a mixed reef

Currently i have :
1 naso tang
1 flame angel
1 lemon peel
2 oscelaris clowns
6 chromis
2 fire shrimp
2 cleaner shrimp
3 emerald crabs
50 hermit crabs

I would like to add
A purple tang
A yellow tang
A chevron tang
A foxface

I will add mostly lps to the tank. I am new to saltwater, i raised africans for 15 years. Can you give me suggestions of other fish i might add. Or maybe put in place of the other.

I would really like a moori idol but ive heard they were hard to raise

 

[whosurcaddie]

the Moorish Idol will eat your LPS its also considered an expert only fish due to its dietary needs. You just have to find out what you like. A large shoal of Anthias would add a lot of color to the upper column of water in your tank.

As far as the fish you want they should be fine. I love the purple tang the most out of that group and you wont have any problems with the Naso as they are from a different genus. You may have problems with the yellow and the purple as they are from the same genus.

There have been reports of the foxface eating zoas. Because of that its off limits in my tank so keep that in mind as well.

 

[A.Astore]

I would drop AT LEAST one and better yet two of the tangs from the "would like to add" column. With the Naso already in there thats a lot of fish.

If it were me (you asked for suggestions) I would add the Chevron and Foxface. I would choose the unimaculatus as its a little smaller. Then I would get a wrasse and either a goby or blenny.

 

[cwill78295]

The wrasse would eat my shrimp though, correct?

 

[gone fishin]

The wrasse would eat my shrimp though, correct?

It depends on the wrasse. Look on live aquaria and there is a reef safe section for wrasses. These typically leave coral and inverts alone.

FWIW in my tank I have a kole tang, foxface lo, pair of Ocy clowns, royal gramma, yellow candy hogfish, long nose hawk fish. For Wrasses I have red head solon fairy, exquisite fairy, Naokis, red velvet, pink margin, Tammenicki and a gray head wrasse.

some of the fish on the list will eat inverts. That is why it is important to do the research and decide what is desirable for you to keep. Good luck

 

[cwill78295]

Thanks

 

[WaReefer458]

I'd say stick to two tangs. The naso and a bristle tooth would be best. Look into the smaller wrasses. There are some really cool fairy wrasses out there. That are a great addition to any tank and mine spend a lot of time cruising.

 

[scooter31707]

Honestly, I wouldn't be worried about the Wrasse eating your shrimp. I would be more worried about the Emerald Crabs eating them. IME, they are a PITA!

 

[Stevent1981]

One of my favorite animals is my starfish. Red or Blue Linckia. Both are reef safe!