Stocking a 120 XH

[Chemguy85]

Wanted to know what everyone's thoughts about stocking my 120 XH with a 55 gal sump/fuge. The footprint of the tank is 60"x 18"x 26".

Here is a list of what I am thinking
1 x Two bar spinefoot rabbitfish
2 x Black snowflake clownfish
3 x Blue green chromis
1 x Orange shoulder tang
1 x Copper Band Butterfly
1 x Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
1 x McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
1 x Hamlet (Golden, Shy or Indigo) not sure which type of the three i want.

Let me know what everyone thinks. Keep in mind I am trying for a peaceful reef tank with active fish. Thanks Ben

 

[rssjsb]

I would skip the tang or pick one that doesn't get so big. I'm not familiar with that common name for the rabbit. Can you supply a latin name or maybe a link to a picture? Some rabbit fish get every inch as big as the largest tangs. Even my foxface looks kind of big to me in my 185, which 60x30x24.

I think the rest of your list looks fine. I have no hands-on experience with hamlets, but suspect it will limit the inverts you can keep.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Agree about the tang. I'd also suggest skipping the chromis. They tend to pick each other off and you end up with just one.

 

[Chemguy85]

Thanks everyone. The Latin name for the rabbit fish is Siganus Virgatus. From what I have read, it grows to 11.8" Would the tang and rabbit-fish be ok in my tank for a few years if i get them small.... ie 2-3 inches? I have a plan for a 265 gal tank for the future.

 

[love2skiutah]

I wouldn't worry about the Tang if you want him. I had one in my 120 for 5 years, then took him out and sold him for 3X's what I paid for it. If you get it small, it will be awhile before it gets big.

 

[DustyReefer]

Thanks everyone. The Latin name for the rabbit fish is Siganus Virgatus. From what I have read, it grows to 11.8" Would the tang and rabbit-fish be ok in my tank for a few years if i get them small.... ie 2-3 inches? I have a plan for a 265 gal tank for the future.

You could do it if you bought them small and let them grow until you upgraded. Just keep in mind if they get too big before your upgrade comes to fruition you may have to sell them.

 

[SecretiveFish]

As far as hamlets go, I have two in separate tanks, an Indigo Hamlet and a Barred Hamlet. I love, seriously :love2:, my Indigo Hamlet. He is extremely colorful, out all of the time, does not mess with the other fish, good eater, etc. He is in with a large coral banded shrimp and that has never been an issue

My barred hamlet is nice too, but he hides quite a bit more than the Indigo Hamlet and is not as colorful (which is fine, I still like him quite a bit). He is in with a fire shrimp without issues, although please note that the shrimp were residents in the tanks before I added the hamlets.

IME, these fish fall into the 'if it fits in their mouth they will eat it' category. So I would not try really small shrimp with them or really small fish as those would probably disappear. Fish and shrimp that will not fit in their mouth? I think you will be fine.