Stocking Ideas : 650 Gallon System
- Thread starter nuxx
- Start date
SoloChromis
New member
Blueline angels are my personal favorite angelfish species, and more often than not, they prove to be model citizens in reefs. Gorgeous coloration and not too common either. If clumsiness doesn't bother you too much I would *highly* recommend a zebra moray eel. I have one in my 120g reef and he is easily my favorite thing in the tank, definitely a conversation piece as well. The only thing he'd likely bother are emerald crabs. I keep mine with a cleaner and blood shrimp and they ride around on his back like kids on those little trains in the mall. No issues to speak of besides the occasional rock tumble. A group of 4-6 pyramid butterflies would look awesome as well. Very peaceful and never had any issues with the one's Ive kept even looking at coral. A healthy blotchy anthias would do well too.
SoloChromis
New member
As far as smaller fish, maybe a large (20+) group of longspine cardinals, a pair of fathead sunburst anthias, a group of chalk bass, a pair of flame angels, and (Im going to get flack for suggesting this) DAMSELS! Theres a large variety of community friendly, beautiful, unusual damsels to choose from believe it or not. Just to name a few - Starcki, tuxedo, tiger, blueline, Allen's, azure, springeri, Rolland's, turnate, Tracey's, Talbot's, Bleeker's, Canary etc. All good choices, and all that I would readily keep in my own tanks. There are also a lot of cool blennies to choose from, starrys, forktails, Red Sea mimics, and midas are some of my personal favorites. You've gotta a whole lot of room to play with :dance:
I'd go with a bunch of yellowtail damsels. They aren't the most peaceful things in the world, but I wouldn't call them aggressive... they just posture a lot and nip at small things. They're like an inch and a half long at full size, sometimes slightly over so anything you keep is likely to be a lot bigger than them. And that means the damsel will run away as soon as it even twitches towards them... little doofuses.
Plus, they're pretty and they put up with each other. And they're also cheap.
Plus, they're pretty and they put up with each other. And they're also cheap.
nuxx
.Registered Member
I just remember trying to chase a YT Damsel years ago, was so aggressive... but that was a 55 gallon tank.
Had a Skeletor Moray for a while, just a pain to feed everyday. Might do an aggressive tank down the line with Dragon Eels, not sure yet
Would there be a problem with multiple schools of different species of anthias?
Pyramid Butterflyfish have been mentioned a lot, really need to look into those
How many fish do you think would be good for the tank if it's a mixed reef? Was originally thinking about 50-60, now I think that might be low...
Had a Skeletor Moray for a while, just a pain to feed everyday. Might do an aggressive tank down the line with Dragon Eels, not sure yet
Would there be a problem with multiple schools of different species of anthias?
Pyramid Butterflyfish have been mentioned a lot, really need to look into those
How many fish do you think would be good for the tank if it's a mixed reef? Was originally thinking about 50-60, now I think that might be low...
nuxx
.Registered Member
So here is our fish list so far...
Tangs:
Black, Yellow, Chevron and Yellow Belly Blue
Triggers:
Crosshatch Pair
Wrasses:
Lineatus (Terminal), Flame Pair (Terminal / Female), Common Cleaner
Cardinals:
Trio of Pajamas
Anthias:
Five Huchtii, Five Lyretails
Butterfly:
Copperband
Clown:
Black Ice Clown
Not sure where we should go from here... kind of just randomly adding things at this point...
Suggestions?
How far do you think we are stocking wise? Getting full, right on track, just getting started?
Would like to add the following down the line Tangs (Zebra, Gem, Achilles and Achilles Hybrid) and a Bandit Angel.
Just have access to so many fish, it's really just tempting to buy whatever seems cool at the time. Trying to steer this compulsiveness off a bit with coral now. Getting a new 150 frag tank built so I can impulsively just buy coral...
Thanks :spin2:
Tangs:
Black, Yellow, Chevron and Yellow Belly Blue
Triggers:
Crosshatch Pair
Wrasses:
Lineatus (Terminal), Flame Pair (Terminal / Female), Common Cleaner
Cardinals:
Trio of Pajamas
Anthias:
Five Huchtii, Five Lyretails
Butterfly:
Copperband
Clown:
Black Ice Clown
Not sure where we should go from here... kind of just randomly adding things at this point...
Suggestions?
How far do you think we are stocking wise? Getting full, right on track, just getting started?
Would like to add the following down the line Tangs (Zebra, Gem, Achilles and Achilles Hybrid) and a Bandit Angel.
Just have access to so many fish, it's really just tempting to buy whatever seems cool at the time. Trying to steer this compulsiveness off a bit with coral now. Getting a new 150 frag tank built so I can impulsively just buy coral...
Thanks :spin2:
nuxx
.Registered Member
I'm really hooked on Anthias now. Have the 5 Lyretails and Huchtii. Want to add 5 Fatheads and a small group of Blotchys next. Maybe after that a rarer species.
:thumbsup:
Yeah going mixed reef... even though it doesn't look like it at this point
Trying to limit the "large" fish to fish I REALLY want. Then have lots of fish at different levels of the tank that are small and colorful.
Almost bought a Bandit Angel this week since they came in at a good price and were conditioned, not just straight from a collector... but decided to hold off for now.
Anthias are very cool, but be carful with the Franzia subgenus (of which Hutchi and Squampinnis are members). They are very aggressive and often winnow themselves down until you just have the male left. In your tank, size is your friend, but don't be surprised if yours start disappearing. Personally I prefer the Bimaculatus, squares, Randall's, and carberryi. All relatively easy to keep. Bartletts and dispars are good too.
Tuka, princess and Evansi are very tricky.
Tuka, princess and Evansi are very tricky.
Reef Frog
New member
I was looking through Live Aquaria recently & saw the Austraian Stripey (Microcanthus strigatus). Very cool & uncommon. It reportedly schools & at a max size of 6" a school with the Anthias could look very nice & "reef like."
I would also consider a Austrailian Harlequin Tusk or something crazy like an Orbic Batfish.
I would also consider a Austrailian Harlequin Tusk or something crazy like an Orbic Batfish.
nuxx
.Registered Member
It's funny they were in a 40g QT system with a Copperband Butterfly.
Actually completely left the CB alone, but kind of chased each other around. The Lyretails did the same thing.
The male Lyretail is very aggressive to the other Lyretails btw...
X10 for a high fin snapper. Awesome fish. Grow fast and gorgeous. Big eaters. Mine took food from my hand so fast it was just a blur. Like The Flash.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/detailed_image.cfm?pCatId=680
You might add one medium Maroon Clown and in 6 months add a smallish one. You'll probably get a pair bond right away and their color and behavior rocks.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/detailed_image.cfm?pCatId=680
You might add one medium Maroon Clown and in 6 months add a smallish one. You'll probably get a pair bond right away and their color and behavior rocks.
DrSoussou
New member
I'd go with a large tamarin wrasse pair, something that displays dimorphism (male and female look different) as well as some angels that won't bother your corals (dwarves such as flame and coral beauty should be fine). Then a school of dartfish to offset the look of the orange lyretail school, maybe scissors, but idk how they'll do if you put triggers in there. You need an engineer goby imo, because you want that eel look without the risk of anything eating the small fish. They're super cool but make sure all your rockwork is secure.
