Agressive 75 Gallon Stocking

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 09:06 AM

Hi Guys,

Just setup a new tank that is currently cycling. For this tank I want to switch things up so I won't be going mixed reef but an aggressive fowlr aquarium. I am most interested in the odd unusual fish that you either don't see everyday or at least aren't your "Clownfish, chromis, ect..".

Here is my current aquarium and what I plan to stock so far. Does anyone have any suggestions for other aggressive/FOWLR fish that would fit? Once again I'm looking for fish that stand out and are somewhat unusual. However with that being said I would also like them to be fairly hardy and easy to care for if possible.

My setup:
75 gallon with corner overflow
Around 75 - 100 lbs of live rock
3 Hydor Korelia pumps
20 gallon sump
Reef octopus 150 skimmer
Tunze ATO
GFO Reactor
There will not be a fuge but I am thinking of creating an algae scrubber although no plans for it now.

My current planned stock:
Mombassa Lionfish
Chainlink or Snowflake moray. (I go back and forth on which one).
Possibly an Anglerfish however I don't know much about them and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of good information on them.

scooter31707 · 11/15/2016, 09:09 AM

Angelfish wise, a large angelfish requires a larger tank. You could get a Dwarf Angel to go in there assuming he is big enough not too fit into the mouth of the Eel and Lionfish.

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Angelfish wise, a large angelfish requires a larger tank. You could get a Dwarf Angel to go in there assuming he is big enough not too fit into the mouth of the Eel and Lionfish.

I said angler or frog fish. Not an angelfish. But thanks for the response

scooter31707 · 11/15/2016, 10:44 AM

My apologies, you sure did. Guess I was reading to fast. Heres some good reading about them. No experience with them.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2143106

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

My apologies, you sure did. Guess I was reading to fast. Heres some good reading about them. No experience with them.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2143106

So it looks like Anglers in general shouldn't be kept with anything that's not bigger than itself. Which counts that out.

Any suggestions on any other ground dweller that might be ok with a lionfish and an eel in 75? They seem really interesting to me.

cincyjim · 11/15/2016, 11:09 AM

Something from the Scorpion family... Leaf fish maybe.

Sk8r · 11/15/2016, 12:49 PM

One of the problems is that almost all marine fish are 'aggressive', but how aggressive almost always relates to tank size and companions, and a 75 is still a small tank. I think perhaps the term you want is 'speciality tank', meaning keeping a fish you can't keep with most other fish inside a 75. So instead of balancing tank size/territory you go for 1-3 fish that cannot eat each other or that don't see the others as food.

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

One of the problems is that almost all marine fish are 'aggressive', but how aggressive almost always relates to tank size and companions, and a 75 is still a small tank. I think perhaps the term you want is 'speciality tank', meaning keeping a fish you can't keep with most other fish inside a 75. So instead of balancing tank size/territory you go for 1-3 fish that cannot eat each other or that don't see the others as food.

Yes, that is more what I'm going for. Would an angler be ok with a snowflake or chainlink moray? I don't think the lionfish would have much of a problem.

anthonys51 · 11/15/2016, 12:58 PM

honestly 75 gallons is really just too small to step up an aggressive fowlr tank. the 2 fish you mention would go in your tank ok, but cant really think of another tankmate that would go long term in that size tank, but even if they didnt kill each other water quality in that size tank would be an issue
angelfish as stated can eat fish up to the size of themself.

snorvich · 11/15/2016, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonys51

honestly 75 gallons is really just too small to step up an aggressive fowlr tank. the 2 fish you mention would go in your tank ok, but cant really think of another tankmate that would go long term in that size tank, but even if they didnt kill each other water quality in that size tank would be an issue
anglerfish as stated can eat fish up to the size of themself.

Fixed that or you.

anthonys51 · 11/15/2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

Fixed that or you.

thanks for the fix

steve on a side note
in a 265 will a group of 8-12 blue chromis work

is there an ideal number when trying to keep them as a group

scooter31707 · 11/15/2016, 01:43 PM

I will let Steve answer this one, but IME, they killed each other off one by one.

Sk8r · 11/15/2016, 02:00 PM

Anthony, 7 might work. You MIGHT consider a neoglypt or dascyllus damsel (one) to keep the 7 concentrating on THAT danger rather than picking on each other. I notice that LA has a golden domino right now: about 4.5 inches max, attitude and territorial, but with species that will push back, ok. The neoglpypt (blue velvet) I think maxes smaller, but the golden is showier.

---------Now, to Spartacus---I'd say ask about triggers and puffers: not sure about those, because they're pushier than I go with, nippy: but exotic and I'd think self protective. Certain of the eels are nice, and the lion can't fit them in his mouth. With Live Aquaria orders, you can also specify size: as long as the pushy fish exceeds mouth size, should be ok.

anthonys51 · 11/15/2016, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Anthony, 7 might work. You MIGHT consider a neoglypt or dascyllus damsel (one) to keep the 7 concentrating on THAT danger rather than picking on each other. I notice that LA has a golden domino right now: about 4.5 inches max, attitude and territorial, but with species that will push back, ok. The neoglpypt (blue velvet) I think maxes smaller, but the golden is showier.

---------Now, to Spartacus---I'd say ask about triggers and puffers: not sure about those, because they're pushier than I go with, nippy: but exotic and I'd think self protective. Certain of the eels are nice, and the lion can't fit them in his mouth. With Live Aquaria orders, you can also specify size: as long as the pushy fish exceeds mouth size, should be ok.

thanks. i was looking for an active schooling fish. any suggestions. i might just settle with lytail antheis . maybe school of 15

juniorrocketdad · 11/15/2016, 02:23 PM

A wasp fish should work because they are small and poisonous so the other fish won't eat it

Joshua I. · 11/15/2016, 02:35 PM

There are other species of lion fish and small puffers that would be fine

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 02:45 PM

Do you guys think a medium bodied lionfish might be too large to really keep anything else besides a smaller eel in a 75 gallon?

Are fish smart enough to not eat things like waspfish or leaf fish? It seems like if its there a lion fish may gulp it up. I didn't know they were that smart.

I was looking at puffers but there either extremely tiny or really large for a 75 specialty fowlr. I would love to have a puffer but I was under the assumption that it would either pick at the lionfish, get eaten by the lionfish, or grow to big for the aquarium.

Sk8r · 11/15/2016, 02:57 PM

May be right in that. Get opinion of someone who keeps them.

juniorrocketdad · 11/15/2016, 03:00 PM

From what I understand they are smart enough that's why people often keep fox faces with lionfish because the fox face have poisonous dorsal spines and the lions ignore them

Sk8r · 11/15/2016, 03:04 PM

Unhappily a foxface can grow to 10" and freaks if cornered as their size begins to max out the space.

spartacus1337 · 11/15/2016, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Unhappily a foxface can grow to 10" and freaks if cornered as their size begins to max out the space.

I've kept a one spot foxface in a 75 gallon. I think that would fit fine but I'm looking for more of an oddities tank. I've already been there done that with mixed reef so I'm really looking to shake it up.

Possibly go with the smaller dwarf lions to open up what other fish can go in with them. I really fell in love with the mombassa lionfish though so its going to be disappointing.

I suppose I could try the mixture of poison and teeth but I have a feel one or both will end up dead. It would be an interesting aquarium though.

spartacus1337 · 11/23/2016, 10:15 AM

Hey Guys,

I've been doing research over the last week or so and might have found a stocking around what I'm looking for. If I skip out on the medium bodied lionfish and stick with dwarf lions how does something like this sound:

1. Snowflake Eel
2. 2 Dwarf Lionfish
3. 2 Scorpion/LeafFish
4. Something else unique (Possibly a smaller Puffer or blue throat trigger) but need to do some more research into compatibility and tank size.

Someone see any issues? The aquarium will have pretty good filtration and regular water changes.

tjm9331 · 11/23/2016, 12:07 PM

blue throat triggers I think will get too big for a 75 and puffers be they big or small will nip at the spines and fins of the lionfish and possibly even harass the SFE. It really all depends on their demeanor though, as with humans the same is true with fish, they all have different personalities you may get a puffer that is a model citizen or you may get a puffer that is the biggest *** in the tank.

one thing you do want to bear in mind though is that most of those you have chosen will be hard to get onto frozen or prepared foods. I had a dwarf lionfish long ago and I never got to eat frozen food so I was stuck feeding him live foods which was cool to watch but a bit of a pain in the butt to do.

spartacus1337 · 11/23/2016, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjm9331

blue throat triggers I think will get too big for a 75 and puffers be they big or small will nip at the spines and fins of the lionfish and possibly even harass the SFE. It really all depends on their demeanor though, as with humans the same is true with fish, they all have different personalities you may get a puffer that is a model citizen or you may get a puffer that is the biggest *** in the tank.

one thing you do want to bear in mind though is that most of those you have chosen will be hard to get onto frozen or prepared foods. I had a dwarf lionfish long ago and I never got to eat frozen food so I was stuck feeding him live foods which was cool to watch but a bit of a pain in the butt to do.

I was a bit worried about that. Live food is kind of hard to come by around my area as well so its not really something I want to have to do regularly. I really more want a medium bodied lionfish like a Mombasa. I guess I'm struggling with finding fish that won't kill or eat each other ha.

Possibly stick partly with my original plan of going:
1. Mombasa Lionfish
2. Snowflake Eel
3. Angler or scorpionfish of some kind
4. Something else to compliment the ones mentioned

I've done the mixed reef for so long and I'm just kind of tired of the fish selection ha. I really want to try to get something that's unique going. I might just have to stick with the top 2 options and experiment a bit with other fish.

I have a pretty good network of enthusiasts so if something doesn't work out I can almost always find homes for them.

11/15/2016, 09:06 AM	#1
spartacus1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 37	Agressive 75 Gallon Stocking Hi Guys, Just setup a new tank that is currently cycling. For this tank I want to switch things up so I won't be going mixed reef but an aggressive fowlr aquarium. I am most interested in the odd unusual fish that you either don't see everyday or at least aren't your "Clownfish, chromis, ect..". Here is my current aquarium and what I plan to stock so far. Does anyone have any suggestions for other aggressive/FOWLR fish that would fit? Once again I'm looking for fish that stand out and are somewhat unusual. However with that being said I would also like them to be fairly hardy and easy to care for if possible. My setup: 75 gallon with corner overflow Around 75 - 100 lbs of live rock 3 Hydor Korelia pumps 20 gallon sump Reef octopus 150 skimmer Tunze ATO GFO Reactor There will not be a fuge but I am thinking of creating an algae scrubber although no plans for it now. My current planned stock: Mombassa Lionfish Chainlink or Snowflake moray. (I go back and forth on which one). Possibly an Anglerfish however I don't know much about them and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of good information on them.

11/15/2016, 11:09 AM	#6
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	Something from the Scorpion family... Leaf fish maybe. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

11/15/2016, 12:49 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	One of the problems is that almost all marine fish are 'aggressive', but how aggressive almost always relates to tank size and companions, and a 75 is still a small tank. I think perhaps the term you want is 'speciality tank', meaning keeping a fish you can't keep with most other fish inside a 75. So instead of balancing tank size/territory you go for 1-3 fish that cannot eat each other or that don't see the others as food. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/15/2016, 02:00 PM	#13
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Anthony, 7 might work. You MIGHT consider a neoglypt or dascyllus damsel (one) to keep the 7 concentrating on THAT danger rather than picking on each other. I notice that LA has a golden domino right now: about 4.5 inches max, attitude and territorial, but with species that will push back, ok. The neoglpypt (blue velvet) I think maxes smaller, but the golden is showier. ---------Now, to Spartacus---I'd say ask about triggers and puffers: not sure about those, because they're pushier than I go with, nippy: but exotic and I'd think self protective. Certain of the eels are nice, and the lion can't fit them in his mouth. With Live Aquaria orders, you can also specify size: as long as the pushy fish exceeds mouth size, should be ok. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/15/2016, 02:57 PM	#18
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	May be right in that. Get opinion of someone who keeps them. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/15/2016, 09:09 AM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Angelfish wise, a large angelfish requires a larger tank. You could get a Dwarf Angel to go in there assuming he is big enough not too fit into the mouth of the Eel and Lionfish.

11/15/2016, 10:44 AM	#4
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	My apologies, you sure did. Guess I was reading to fast. Heres some good reading about them. No experience with them. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2143106

11/15/2016, 12:58 PM	#9
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	honestly 75 gallons is really just too small to step up an aggressive fowlr tank. the 2 fish you mention would go in your tank ok, but cant really think of another tankmate that would go long term in that size tank, but even if they didnt kill each other water quality in that size tank would be an issue angelfish as stated can eat fish up to the size of themself.

11/15/2016, 01:43 PM	#12
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I will let Steve answer this one, but IME, they killed each other off one by one.

11/15/2016, 02:23 PM	#15
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	A wasp fish should work because they are small and poisonous so the other fish won't eat it

11/15/2016, 02:35 PM	#16
Joshua I. Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 225	There are other species of lion fish and small puffers that would be fine

11/15/2016, 02:45 PM	#17
spartacus1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 37	Do you guys think a medium bodied lionfish might be too large to really keep anything else besides a smaller eel in a 75 gallon? Are fish smart enough to not eat things like waspfish or leaf fish? It seems like if its there a lion fish may gulp it up. I didn't know they were that smart. I was looking at puffers but there either extremely tiny or really large for a 75 specialty fowlr. I would love to have a puffer but I was under the assumption that it would either pick at the lionfish, get eaten by the lionfish, or grow to big for the aquarium.

11/15/2016, 03:00 PM	#19
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	From what I understand they are smart enough that's why people often keep fox faces with lionfish because the fox face have poisonous dorsal spines and the lions ignore them

11/15/2016, 03:04 PM	#20
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Unhappily a foxface can grow to 10" and freaks if cornered as their size begins to max out the space. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/23/2016, 10:15 AM	#22
spartacus1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 37	Hey Guys, I've been doing research over the last week or so and might have found a stocking around what I'm looking for. If I skip out on the medium bodied lionfish and stick with dwarf lions how does something like this sound: 1. Snowflake Eel 2. 2 Dwarf Lionfish 3. 2 Scorpion/LeafFish 4. Something else unique (Possibly a smaller Puffer or blue throat trigger) but need to do some more research into compatibility and tank size. Someone see any issues? The aquarium will have pretty good filtration and regular water changes.

11/23/2016, 12:07 PM	#23
tjm9331 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 340	blue throat triggers I think will get too big for a 75 and puffers be they big or small will nip at the spines and fins of the lionfish and possibly even harass the SFE. It really all depends on their demeanor though, as with humans the same is true with fish, they all have different personalities you may get a puffer that is a model citizen or you may get a puffer that is the biggest *** in the tank. one thing you do want to bear in mind though is that most of those you have chosen will be hard to get onto frozen or prepared foods. I had a dwarf lionfish long ago and I never got to eat frozen food so I was stuck feeding him live foods which was cool to watch but a bit of a pain in the butt to do.