Stocking ideas for a 180g

[kv2wr1]

Hello,

I am getting closer to getting my 180g up and running and am looking for stocking ideas. I will currently be bringing my pair of occ clowns and a coral beauty from my 40B over once the tank is up and has cycled. I would like to get a tang and a trigger. I'm thinking a yellow tang and either a blue throat or a red tail trigger. Any other suggestions for this tank?

Thanks.

 

[C.Sharkdude]

The yellow tang would work, as would the blue throat. I think honestly almost any tang would work in that size. But triggers are very....uhh what's the word... Angry. Only a few from what I've researched are "community" accepted. I don't have any experience with them, just rear a lot. I'm sure someone with experience will chime in I'd love to hear about personal experiences with triggers.

 

[rgentry123]

well i wouldnt go as far to say ANY tang would work in that size tank but you definitely do have quite a few options. as far as triggers i have kept a few blue throats over the years and they are awesome additions to a reef tank. red tail and crosshatch are also great options but are both a little pricier than the blue throat. triggers can be like big puppy dogs once they get used to you. mine would let me hand feed him and stick his head out of the water waiting to be fed. only drawback of the blue throat that i saw was that mine started to fade in color after a few months, i feel like it may have been because i didnt have a female with him so i would look into a pair of those if you go that route.

 

[LisaD]

For community tanks, blue throat, red tail (sargassum) and crosshatch triggers would probably be best. IMO, the crosshatch is a bit too big for the tank, go for the blue throat or sargassum trigger. Blue throat (I think) is a touch hardier. As long as you don't overcrowd your tank, you might even be able to swing a pair of blue throat triggers. I have kept blue throat triggers, and they are nice. Another option is to look at some of the filefish. Some are more "triggerlike" than others, and there are a variety of species. I have a Cantherhines pullus, which gets 8", has personality, but should stay more mellow than most triggers. (This file is not common, you would have to keep your eye out for it, I got mine on liveaquaria Divers Den).

With small fish, such as the occ clowns, you are going to have to be really careful about predation. I think one of the biggest challenges in keeping marine fish is ensuring compatibility.

 

[kv2wr1]

Thanks All.

 

[geaux xman]

my vote is for a red tail trigger. I've been eyeing a 3" one at my LFS for $80. you dont see them as often as a bluejaw and grown, the coloration on it is very pretty.

 

[fish042099]

. I think honestly almost any tang would work in that size.

NOT true, I'd like to see him try to put a unicorn fish,naso, or sohal tang in that size.

 

[SDguy]

If this is a FO, have you thought about some of the hardier, more aggressive butterflies, like auriga, lunula, or ulietensis?

 

[fish042099]

If this is a FO, have you thought about some of the hardier, more aggressive butterflies, like auriga, lunula, or ulietensis?

Forgot falcula

 

[SDguy]

Forgot falcula

Purposely. I have not found them to be as hardy, especially when first purchased. I also found them to be somewhat timid, even when larger.

I've lost two over the years... and I keep some pretty delicate butterflies

 

[C.Sharkdude]

NOT true, I'd like to see him try to put a unicorn fish,naso, or sohal tang in that size.

I did say almost....

 

[fish042099]

I did say almost....

A 180 isn't "almost" as big as what a giant tang would need. Imagine a 2' long, active surgeonfish crammed into a 180 gallon tank. A 180 is good for powder blues and hippo tangs.

 

[mattsilvester]

If I were setting up a 180 FOWLR I would get:

Passer or queen angel
sohal tang
lunare wrasse
clown trigger

These fish are controversial choices - if you manage to keep them long term, they will eventually outgrow the tank; but that is what I would get, personally, and deal with the size issues in due course.

My second option would be less risky, and better long term - I would opt for an angel, butterfly, and tang set up, comprising:

Chrysurus (ear spot) angel
Pair addis (semilarvatus) butterflies
Falcual butterfly
Flame angel OR maybe a fire clown for a spalsh of colour
regal (hippo) tang
Some type of wrasse, probably Halichoeres sp.

 

[mattsilvester]

A 180 isn't "almost" as big as what a giant tang would need. Imagine a 2' long, active surgeonfish crammed into a 180 gallon tank. A 180 is good for powder blues and hippo tangs.

You've gotta see them in the flesh in an LFS setting, to realise just how big a big one is ...... its the girth that amazes me: 2, 3, enver 4" thick!!!

That being said - the frequency of 2-3" juv. specimens attaining anything like these sizes in captivity is low; few and far between. Quite often because the diet we offer is simply inadequate in several ways; this in my opinion would (should) be the deciding factor. Afterall, if you can't feed it properly what business do you have keeping one??? The reality is however that despite our best efforts, very few of us manage to feed most of our fish in a way that approaches mother natures menu...... we can but do our best and react accordinly to the situations we face..... either that or just concede that there is no moral highground in this hobby, just degrees of compromise.

 

[rpjaws74]

I did say almost....

agree you did say almost !lol

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

A 180 isn't "almost" as big as what a giant tang would need.

Read what he said again, he said almost any tang would work in a 180 and he was right.

I would skip the triggers for a community tank, more trouble then they are worth and like Lisa suggested look at the filefish, lots of good choices and not nearly as aggressive as triggers.

 

[crobattt]

i've kept humas, nigers, and black durgeon. All of which were in tanks with clownfish, shrimp, and many small fish. All fish are different.